Me, What It Is

CHAPTER 2 ~ Not Ordinary Lecturer ~

Tok..

Reana is getting ready to go home when Hasbi, the class president, knocks on her college desk. Hasbi smiled, Reana was amazed, only this time there was someone who greeted her let alone smiled at her. Reana's hurry is down.

Hasbi served as Class Chair from Semester I until now. His position was never shaken, no one deserved to be the leader in this class other than him. Everyone says Hasbi is an understanding and fun person, moreover, Hasbi's handsome is no less than Korean boyband personnel.

"What's wrong?" reana asked softly barely audible.

Hasbi sat on the front bench leading to Reana while putting some sheets of paper on the table.

Reana looked at the sheet, not understanding what Hasbi meant by putting the papers in front of her.

"Tomorrow Pak Prapto could not teach because it coincided with his Medical Check Up schedule," explained Hasbi seeing Reana who was confused.

Mr. Prapto is old, maybe he should regularly check his health. He is a senior lecturer at this campus, no one dares to refute his words.

Let alone students, the lecturers were just resigned to hearing his cynical speech. Because his words despite being ugly but always the truth.

Most of the residents of this campus may expect Pak Prapto to retire soon. His fine language breaks enjoying old age. However, Mr. Prapto's passion for transferring his knowledge never receded. There were only weak students who were snuggled when faced with him.

"So he asked you to teach us" Hasbi continued.

"Haa..," said Reana in shock, her eyes wide open.

Hasbi smiled looking at Reana's innocent expression as she was shocked.

"No ah, no, I can't" said Reana frantically as she waved both hands.

"Please calm down" said Hasbi.

"You don't have to teach like Pak Prapto ngajarin us, think of it like giving a course or like you help your friends who don't understand" continued Hasbi.

Hasbi's analogy doesn't fit, who asked me for help? thought Reana.

Reana never communicated with anyone on this campus. Never had friends or talked to anyone. Even Reana thought people might not be able to see it.

"I can't talk in front of the class" Reana finally expressed her difficulty.

"We're your friends, you don't want to help us talk about these things?" tanya Hasbi tried to seduce Reana.

Imagining himself standing in front of the class and all eyes on him. Not to mention the nosy students who will mock and make fun of him. Reana shook her head strongly, erasing that monstrous shadow.

"Suppose we are SD children who want to learn with you. I promise, if there is anyone nosy I will reprimand him directly," said Hasbi as if he could read Reana's mind.

Reana fell silent confused, agreed, no, agreed, no. Reana breathed a long breath.

"What's Bi?" alika asked who suddenly appeared and immediately sat on the empty lecture chair beside Reana.

Alika, a graceful beautiful girl, comes from a rich family, a wise girl, is very compatible to be Hasbi's companion as the Vice Chair in this class.

"So I was called to the secretariat, Mr. Prapto left a message to give this matter and discussion to Reana," then Hasbi explained at length about Reana's objections.

"Wow, really? " said Alika amazed.

"Don't be afraid Re, don't be groggy. Let's just say we're all SD kids," Alika's words are exactly like Hasbi's.

Reana was silent but her hand moved to pick up the sheet and flipped through it.

"This issue is similar to the matter on the board last week," he said slowly.

"There are ten questions" Hasbi continued.

"But it is not mandatory to discuss everything, how often you are but the important thing is that children can understand, next week may be held quiz," explained Hasbi repeating the instructions from the campus Secretariat.

Reana exhaled heavily but eventually agreed to the request. The support from Hasbi and Alika makes Reana a little gain strength.

Reana stepped towards the library, which was what she used to do everyday. While waiting for the next lecture schedule or waiting for work entrance hours at restaurants. Reana did not want to waste the cost of going back and forth between the boarding and campus.

Hours spent in the library, Reana finally left the campus. He went to a restaurant where he worked part-time. His stomach that has been protesting invites to immediately enter the restaurant kitchen.

Usually the remaining food is given to Reana to take home. The good-natured restaurant manager gave such a policy, considering Reana was a poor girl who was studying.

But in recent days, the food rations were transferred to Mbak Nani, the widow of two children who had just worked at the restaurant. If the rest of the food is a lot then Reana can be part.

The effect this morning Reana did not have breakfast. Reana chose to hold on to hunger instead of using her savings to buy breakfast.

Not stingy on yourself but all forced to do for the sake of his affection for his mother.

Reana did not want to trouble her mother who lived alone because her father who had gone before faced the Almighty.

A difficult life makes Reana closed to the people around her. His life was only focused on finding living and college expenses. Fortunately, restaurant employees are understanding people until they remain kind and affectionate to Reana.

Nico increased the speed of his motor. Like shooting an action movie, without hesitation he overtakes in the middle of traffic density.

Today he is determined to come sooner than last week. Thinking about this one course made him unable to sleep well. The power of the sacred chair was not enough to calm him down. But Nico's intentions don't seem to be God's. The severe traffic jam that he experienced earlier made Nico unable to dwell.

Once free from the jammed snares, Nico immediately drove his bike as fast as possible, making the highway like a MotoGP circuit.

Why is it so unlucky every time you deal with this course, he thought as he continued to rush into the campus gate.

Late again, even slower than last week, he thought as he ran towards Pak Prapto's class.

Nico stops at the classroom door, the memory of last week comes back to mind.

Hopefully, the clap does not forget to provide a bench for me at the back, inner Nico.

Together with a friend in the middle of a battle like this would make his heart feel a little relieved.

"Hi..," said Dito casually as he saw Nico's head appear behind the door.

Nico looked at his watch.

Did I see the clock wrong? Or is this clock broken? Soon the lecture hours begin but the students in this class like not intending to lecture, Inner Nico.

Some lean against the wall while observing the phone, some are pinching, chasing like an SD child. Even Rebecca was still busy staring at the mirror tidying up her eyelashes.

"Pak Prapto didn't come in" said Dito, looking at Nico, who was walking towards them with a confused face.

Oow, deserve all the rest, thought Nico.

No hurry, he thought again with a smile.

"Trus.. shall we unplug it?" nico said to his friends as if they were gathered just to wait for Nico.

"No, the lecture is still going," said Ardi as he turned his mouth towards Reana.

Nico followed Ardi, looking at the girl sitting alone on the front row bench.

What relation? think Nico.

"He taught us" continued Ardi

"Hah" said Nico shocked.

"Don't hah, the cave has been fighting to wake up early in the morning to get a safe position. Eh dunya Pak Prapto did not enter," explained Rommy.

Their laughter came to a halt as the Classmaster advanced forward. Attention from all class members. Explain the real situation and ask Reana to start college.

Reana stood hesitant, slowly stepping to the front of the class, turning towards the student with her face still down.

"Please, yes" said Hasbi, patting the girl on the shoulder.

Reana glanced at Alika, the rich girl swung her fists excitedly. Reana smiled forcedly, glancing at Hasbi who was still standing next to her. Nodding slowly showed that he was ready, half ready actually.

"Okay friends and brothers, we start college today, there is something I want to emphasize before. Please remain orderly, and anyone who deliberately does not attend college will get a penalty from Mr. Prapto. Stay excited, this lecture will see results in Quiz Numerical Analysis next week, hopefully we can," said Hasbi then nodded with a smile at Reana and then returned to his seat.

Reana takes over the class. His throat was suddenly dry, but he tried to stay calm, hiding his grooves.

"Friends and. brothers.., Mr. Prapto.., provide.., ten questions.., for us to discuss," said Reana while holding a sheet of paper.

The girl's voice quivered stammering, but she tried to remain calm. In his seat, Hasbi was as encouraging as Alika did.

Hearing the many questions that will be discussed makes the class rowdy. One problem has made the head dizzy especially that much.

"But.., I decided.., to choose three questions only," Reana said hesitantly.

Harbi was stunned, Alika was wide-eyed.

Just three? Is it not too little? What did Reana think? Not afraid of the wrath of Mr Prapto? their minds in the heart.

"One problem to discuss, one problem for friends to do alone here and another problem.., as a task at home," continued Reana began smoothly.

"Please pay close attention, if anyone does not understand, do not hesitate to ask. I want, all can do this when Mr. Prapto held a quiz later," Reana said.

All those people are imagining quiz next week.

Reana writes about and discusses slowly and clearly. For some reason, the students gradually asked.

They raised their hands, unabashedly asking where the numbers were written by Reana. Hasbi smiled at the spirit of this class, Alika did too.

Conquer one problem only, feel like a mathematician.

The cheerful faces of the students who asked without fear of being humiliated or fear of being caught, made this class exude a positive aura reflected on Reana's face.

Every now and then the student joked, Reana smiled, Reana laughed. Everything is out of Nico's sight.

Sweet, his smile was so sweet, his mind whispered.

His face was clear, his eyes were beautiful, the curves of his face were perfect, Nico's mind was shaking his head.

Why do I think this strange. Is there something wrong with my eyes? Why does Reana look so beautiful today. There must be something wrong with this brain, Nico thought.

No, not my brain is wrong, Reana is wrong, Reana is the one who never smiles, Reana is the one who always looks down to hide her beauty, Maki Nico in heart.

Nico rubbed his face violently. Ardi was astonished to notice his best friend.

"Why, you still don't understand? Just ask," said Ardi, his best friend looks tangled, not his face but his mind.

Nico narrowed his eyes, not that this lecture was the problem, but Reana. Nico couldn't reveal it to Ardi, he didn't know how to explain it himself.

The discussion was over, no one asked anymore. Reana wrote another question on the board.

"For this matter, please do it right now, I will give you a value later. I want to know how many students understand today's discussion" he said with a smile.

Reana really has mastered herself and this class. Although sometimes there is shame when there are students who try to tease him.

Alika was the first to give up her duties. Reana who sat at the lecturer's desk immediately corrected at that very moment. Reana smiles, Alika gets a perfect score, Alika thanks and returns to her seat.

Of course Alika is the first person, Alika is the champion of the class in a row. He also does not want to lose with this one course.

One by one the students gave up their duties, Reana corrected and explained directly where the error lay. Most of them understand.

Not to forget Reana recorded the names and values they obtained on a piece of paper. As an evaluation material for him, he also wanted to know how successful he was at carrying out the duties of Mr. Prapto.

In the last minutes of the lecture hours, Reana wrote about to be done at home. All the spirit notes in the task book. Reana advised to always repeat the lesson at home.

He thanked all the students who supported him. Thank you because during the lecture, there were no significant problems. As he had feared all along.

One by one the students moved home. Reana was still sitting at the lecturer's desk observing the list of names and their values. Hasbi approached.

"Thank you," Hasbi said with a smile.

"Why should I thank you?" reana asked even though slowly, now that the girl had started to diligently talk, usually any question just sunk in her brain.

"Yes, it must be, because it has helped me carry out Mr. Prapto's mandate," Hasbi said as he grabbed a paper in Reana's hand.

"How many people have succeeded?" ask again.

"More than half scored a hundred" Reana replied.

"Wow, really? Great, you managed to make them understand," Hasbi said in awe.

"Hopefully next week they don't forget anymore" Reana said worriedly.

"Well you give me homework?" ask Hasbi.

Reana nodded.

"Where?" ask Alika suddenly.

"More than half got a hundred" Hasbi replied

"Wow, if that is the case, it must be celebrated" said Alika excitedly.

Hasbi nodded, asking for Reana's approval.

"No ah, you two are the good ones" replied Reana.

"I have to go home immediately" he continued, moving to take the backpack and leave.

At the door he turned.

"Thank you, Thank you for everything" Reana said, waving her arms and disappearing behind the door.

"A strange child" said Alika

"But good," continued Hasbi.

"Why do you think Mr. Prapto chose Reana? Can no other student?" ask Alika.

"Whose other people can? Is your answer the same as Reana's?" ask Hasbi curiously.

"No" said Alika.

"Huuu, fortunately your name is not called, otherwise, then you have become a model in the corner there," said Hasbi while rubbing Alika's head.

They looked at each other and laughed.

...~ Connect ~...