Melody Love Aqila

chapter 17 Two Sides

Five boys and one girl came to Aqila's residence

"Assalamualaikum, sister Aqila" said the children

"Wa' alaykumussalam warahmatullahi wabarokatuh, let's go in" Aqila said with a big smile.

The little ones immediately entered then kissed Aqila and Arif's hands politely, then sat down to form a neat row

"This is Arif's brother, Aqila's senior brother" Aqila said introducing Arif to them.

Arif smiles kindly, then leaves them to focus on interacting.

"Before learning, as usual we read al-fatihah's letter first" Aqila asked.

They read the Ummul book so fluently and smoothly that Aqila was overjoyed.

"Before starting a new lesson, you want to know how much you mastered the previous lesson, are you ready?" aqila

"Ready brother" replied the children simultaneously

"Zainab, if there are five plastic bags spelled out and each plastic bag contains three oranges. How many oranges are on the table?" ask Aqila

"Fifteen brothers" answered Zainab steadily

"Rama, how much is the rest of the orange if two bags are taken?" ask Aqila

"Nine" answered Rama

"Adi, how much does each person get if the remaining oranges are distributed to three people?" ask Aqila

"Three oranges" Adi replied

For an hour Arif was stunned to watch Aqila teach his students, he was so amazed by the method Aqila used. He seemed to see a different figure from Aqila whom he had known all along.

Aqila ended her lesson after she was convinced her students had mastered what was said, then asked them to pray before leaving the room. The little children also ran over after reciting prayers, while carrying snacks from Arif.

"Have you taught them long? ask Arif

"It's been seven months" replied Aqila

"Why do you want to do that, what's your motivation?" ask Arif back

"There are many things, first I want my life to be useful even though it is just teaching. Second, I want them later not desperate in studying. They live in poverty. Has he ever felt hungry for three days? they've felt it. Entering university is an uphill battle because..." Aqila was unable to continue

Aqila's mouth was suffocating and the breath in her chest was heavy, She was reminded of her own fate. For Elementary School alone, his mother took so much effort to finance him. Never mind new shoes or new bags, used books just feel expensive for him. Often he thinks if he and his sister are both in school, is his mother willing to finance?

"It's late in the afternoon, I want to go home first" Arif switched the conversation. He got up and left the room.

"But Ashar is soon" said Aqila

"I pray at home" Arif said

"You don't have to take me" Arif said.

Arif waved his hand then left without looking again. As feelings raged in his heart, he felt ashamed of himself. He now feels as a useless human being. He was ashamed because he sometimes felt proud of the compliments given to him for his achievements. His parents, teachers and friends always praised him as a person with a bright future.

Cih. empty compliments.

He denounced, either to himself or who praised him.