Me, You, And the Journey of Life

Orphanage

Rendra arrived at his destination after driving for about fifteen minutes. As soon as Rendra's four-wheeled vehicle stopped, ten toddlers from the age of two to six ran towards Rendra's car as if rejoicing in welcoming the arrival of the young man who always brought cheer.

Rendra came out, trying to hug one by one as she could. 

"Sister Rendra, Tina kangen." Five-year-old girl with hard-voiced curls.

Rendra 

Rendra crouched down and automatically hugged the boy tightly in the front row. The embrace is warm, loving and sincere. In fact, more sincere than the embrace of someone who is mature. "Sister, kangen too. Tina's getting prettier now."

The same-age boy on the left side of Rendra felt jealous. "Tabil also wants to be hugged like Tina, sister."

Rendra glanced at Tabil. Laugh softly, then say, "Replace, yes."

When Rendra was in the crowd of small fans, a middle-aged mother wearing a red headscarf came. "Done, yes, her hug show. Now, Rendranya let me enter first." The mother's voice stopped the activity. Then, the children immediately disperse without having to be given instructions again. Discipline enough. 

Rendra stood up again. Smiling sweetly, then saying, "Assalamualaikum, ma'am." His voice is respectful. Even the eyes of the man could not lie. "I'm sorry, Mom, I just stopped by." Usually Rendra will come twice in a week. However, due to the circumstances of his father who had to go to the hospital, so that requires the man to focus more on it.

Ms. Lani, her name is. A middle-aged woman who has been devoted to taking care of orphanages since she was twenty-two years old. He is just an elementary school teacher who is now more focused on giving children in orphanages. With a makeshift relationship, he also got many donors for the lives of children. In fact, currently there are ten people who become permanent donors.

"Wa'alaikum salam. It's okay, you must be busy writing." Ms. Lani understands that. "Come, come in first. Mom, I was cooking your kale saute and your favorite corn parchment."

Rendra's enthusiastic. Simple food is one of the causes of increased appetite. Moreover, for a writer sometimes it takes a lot of energy produced from food in search of ideas. "It's just right that I'm lazy to eat from the morning, it turns out Mom cooked a nice menu." 

Bu Lani chuckles amusedly. "Come, come in." The woman in the red headscarf turned around and was immediately followed by Rendra from behind. They talked about many things, from the development of orphanage children to the work of Rendra as well.

Both entered the house, headed straight for the kitchen. Not to forget Rendra distributed food to the children. And, of course, the most special is for the mother of the orphanage.

Rendra took the rice without awkwardly. It's common. He sat at the dinner table accompanied by Bu Lani. A rare sight in his home. 

"Mom's taste is the most delicious," praised Rendra. 

Ms. Lani brought me some drinking water. Sitting quietly in front of Rendra, watching the boy growing up. "Son, both your parents know you're here?" 

Rendra nodded quickly. "Father, you know, Mom."

Rendra spent the rest of the rice in his mouth. Swallowed him quickly, then said, "It seems like tonight can't be, ma'am. There's work to be done. If not, you can have a tantrum, Adib." Rendra could already imagine how terrible her brother was if in a state of anger.Silent people were not much behavior, but could become a monster when angry.

Bu Lani chuckled small. He knew the first son of the Rendra family. It is not very close, but it can be said to be able to understand its nature. "You should have modeled your brother." Bu Lani's voice was so soft and won. There was no violence or violence in this place. The patience of women can be said to be exorbitant. Even though every human being must have a limit of patience as well. "But that doesn't mean you have to be like your brother. Take the good and make the bad a lesson."

Any advice received by Rendra's ears was well digested. There must be a meaning of life tucked in that sentence. 

Bu Lani stared fixed at the child who was more comfortable living here when entering college first than at his home. I don't know what the exact reason is. "Son, Mother, is sure that you also have a positive side that must be imitated by others. So, whatever you said just now just wants what's best for you."

Rendra. There is no blood relation between them. However, the love of the woman was more powerful than the others. Not meaning, his biological parents did not love. Only, Rendra felt more comfortable in this one-story room, but spacious. "I'm sure all mothers want the best for their children, and so do they."

Ms. Lani again broke down a smile. So sweet. "After eating, you should wait for Ashar prayers here first. Your sisters must miss you too."

Rendra understands. After eating, he washed the dishes. Things that even from childhood until entering college were never done because of the helpers at home. More precisely, spoiled from childhood.

Rendra met the children in the living room. Invite them to joke with all the stories and games. His figure here is much different from the figure of Rendra when he was outside. Of course people will not believe, because Rendra looks like a delinquent. 

"Sister Rendra, what partner?" Tina asked as Rendra was reciting a fairy tale about the princess and prince from the book. "Princess is the same prince, right, mate. Means, Brother Rendra should also have a partner."

Rendra's speechless. Children the age of Tina do have high curiosity. Sometimes there are many questions that are difficult to find the answer for yourself. It rarely confuses adults. 

Tina sat on Rendra's lap. So spoiled in the adults he only knew in this orphanage. "So, where's Rendra's partner?"

Rendra's mind floated, then fixed on one person. I don't know what's next for that guy. Must be confused. Rendra pinched Tina's nose. "Tina's curious, huh?" Soft voice. Ah, it could be crazy if any woman heard it.

Tina nodded quickly. Unnecessary response to wait a lot of time.

The curvature of a moon-like smile was given by Rendra to Tina. Some of the children near them were waiting. Rendra seemed to be the target of their views. "Secret!" Rendra laughed softly.

Tina's face was bent. "Say Mother, there are no secrets. Must be honest." 

Rendra gave a small smile, pinched gently again the base of Tina's nose and said, "It's true a secret. It's all God knows. Brother Rendra just doesn't know who the sister's partner will be." Slowly explain in the most easily understood language.