Mom's Not a Prostitute
Install Taste Massages
Sooner or later, success will come to people who mean it.
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Tiara suddenly lethargic. Tired after college felt suddenly doubled. In the room of Indekos, he had just plopped himself in a plastic chair by the door. Tafakur while staring at the phone screen, read back the email he received since the angkot earlier. It contained a rejection from the editor of one of the publishers where he sent the novel script seven months ago. In fact, a week earlier he had also received a similar email for a different script at another publisher. Relax, there is still one more script, he murmured in his heart to save the spirit he felt would fall. Although the manuscript had been hanged for more than ten months.
Reality like this sometimes makes the girl want to bury her dream to become a writer. But, where else does he get extra income for living expenses if not from writing? He has no other passion. His salary as a part-time worker at a cafe is sometimes not enough for a month. Luckily, there are articles, short stories and poems that are often published in national newspapers and magazines. From there it scooped up extra coffers. Although there are also some media that like to ignore the obligation after loading his work.
Four years ago, the long black-haired girl settled in Makassar. Leaving Bajoe—his hometown—as well as a reality he wants to forget. Early set foot in Makassar he hitchhiked at the house of Rani, a friend he knew through Facebook. They have both won short story competitions held by one of the major publishers. Through Rani's direction, she then works at a clothing store that requires her to be on guard from eight in the morning to ten in the evening. Holidays are only given twice a month with a salary that does not make the job feel heavy. But he must live it with joy. Finding a job just capitalizing on a High School diploma is certainly not an easy thing.
Rather than just staying silent when there are no visitors, Tiara is getting more active in her writing hobby. And for over a year working in the clothing store, he managed to complete three novels, dozens of short stories, and no matter how many poems. It was originally handwritten on sheets of paper, before he could afford a used laptop from Rani. Once he received his first salary, Tiara quickly looked for an index that felt suitable. It's not good to keep hitching a ride.
The first year away from the hometown passed Tiara full of challenges. Various efforts he made to survive at that time. He believes that as time goes on things will improve. Sure enough, thanks to Rani again, he got a job at a cafe with working hours and a much friendlier salary. Feeling that he had enough free time and savings, he decided to go to college, continuing his education that had stalled. In addition to being a writer, his ideals to become a doctor are still neatly stored in the hope room. Although in reality, now he can only afford to study at Hasanuddin University, majoring in language, not medicine which certainly requires exorbitant costs. At least you can go to college. It's much better. Therefore, he felt the need to thank Rani specifically. The hijab girl helped him a lot. As someone who comes from a family, Rani is never arrogant. For the size of the author who already has three books circulating throughout the national bookstore, he is also not stingy knowledge to Tiara who is just pioneering. Tiara felt lucky to know people as well as Rani.
No matter how difficult the days of the Tiara were, there were much more difficult things. Reconciling his heart to fate, to the figure he left behind without ever sending him news to this day. Although the hatred lodged in his chest was not as lush as before, it had not once crossed his mind to return, or simply know the news. As much as possible he did not think about it anymore, things that could disrupt his day.
Tiara got up after exhaling heavily violently. Do not let him become weak because of this rejection. He must remember, a series of big names whose work is now on the shelves of his book collection, it used to also start from nobody. They had also experienced rejection as he felt now. Including Ustazah Qhumairah, a figure he idolized. Since reading his first book, he immediately fell in love with the beautiful post. Not infrequently he makes his works as a reference in every writing.
Tiara took a towel inside the closet, then stepped into the bathroom. He must be ready immediately if he does not want to be late and sprayed. Before three o'clock he had to be at his workplace, a cafe located on Jalan Andi Mappanyukki.
***
Tiara seemed busy serving visitors. Bakda magrib as it is now is indeed crowded. Suddenly Rani appears and grabs her hand, a little startling. The gray-hijab girl pulled him out and took him to sit on the terrace of the cafe.
"Ran, I'm still working. If caught big boss can be dangerous. You know for yourself, don't you, what kind of person." Tiara dizzy, making sure he was safe from the observation of Mr. Hadi, the cafe owner who likes to suddenly appear to monitor the performance of his employees.
"Let's take your time for a minute. It's very important and you'll love it." Rani looked enthusiastic and stifled. I don't know what news he brought.
"What's up, anyway?" tiara asked while still watching the surroundings.
Rani presented a magazine, immediately opened a page containing the announcement of the winner of the competition writing a short story religion with Ustazah Qhumairah held two months ago.
"Oh. So the announcement is out, yeah! And you won again? I've guessed. Congratulations, yes! You are really great," said Tiara while smiling broadly to Rani, a sign of the umpteenth congratulations to her best friend who is a subscription to the champion of various major events in the world of literacy.
Tiara grabbed the magazine earlier, confirming the names of the other winners. That was when his eyes suddenly broke. In order to confirm a name he had just read, he pulled the magazine closer to his face. And it turns out he didn't see it wrong. The Pearl of Love, her name, even ranked first, right above Rani's name.
"I told you, right? You're that's great. About the script of your novel that no one has found a soul mate, it's only a matter of time."
"Ran, is this really?" Tiara's gaze was still fixed on the page of the magazine.
"I'm champion one?"
"I guessed it when you asked me to read the short story you sent back. Your short story managed to give a new view of the reader. Much better than my short story."
Tiara was troubled to speak later, trying to dispel the urgent happy tears suddenly. Slowly her smile expanded perfectly. His face exuded an immeasurably happy aura.
"Thank you, Ran. You've helped me a lot all this time. It's all thanks to you, too."
"Kok, me? It's thanks to your persistence!"
"Anyway, thank you."
"Yes, shit! You welcome. Ready, yeah! Next month Ustazah Qhumairah will come to Makassar to launch anthology book short story of the winners of this competition. And as the first champion, one of the prizes, you have the opportunity to chat with him four points. You can ask anything. Especially about the writing world. Duh, I'm so envious." Rani deliberately put the look of mupeng at the end of her sentence. As someone who has known Tiara for a long time, he was also happy for his success this time. He understood very well the difficult days that the yellow-skinned girl had gone through. He is concerned about all the problems that must be borne at a very young age. Although he did not understand why Tiara ran away from home. Tiara has never been straightforward. He salute, so far his best friend was successful in his independence.
Rona happy in the face Tiara increasingly exploded considering he will meet and talk directly with Ustazah Qhumairah—sang idol. Dreams realized. Once he got the info of this race from Rani two months ago, he was so enthusiastic after knowing that the first champion had the opportunity to meet and chat directly with the beautiful ustazah who became the author. Of course this is a golden opportunity to gain knowledge. He won't miss it. Although he did not dare to hope much. Given that the race is national level and so rife discussed on social media. But thankfully, the short story he wrote in earnest managed to bring him to a position that many people out there would want. Even Beat Rani who has won many times similar races. Tiara is still hard to believe. Feels magical.
"Oh, yes, if you're here, I'll eat, yes," Tiara bargained with sparkling eyes.
"Other times. I happen to have an appointment with my mom. Ordinary, ask to be delivered to the condangan. You're still working. When I eat alone?" Rani chuckled softly as she moved out of her chair.
"Yes already. Again, thank you, yes. For everything." There was deep meaning in the sentence just now.
The hijab girl nodded steadily while smiling. Then stepped away after saying goodbye and once again congratulating Tiara on her success.
After Rani died, Tiara was still in her place. He grinned himself at the page of the magazine announcing his name as the first champion after setting aside thousands of participants.
"Make your own smile here. Stacked orders, tuh, ask to be delivered to the customer's desk."
Half in shock, Tiara turned to the source of the voice. He found Rama's face with the same expression. His co-worker who was in the position of supervisor was indeed a little chatty. But Tiara understood, all her disappointment was reasonable. He just wants his friends not to get angry from the boss.
"Ready, Master!" It was always like that Tiara replied with the intention to be funny whenever the sapodilla-skinned young man reminded her. Quickly, he returned inside, continuing the work that was indeed being crowded.
Rama silently stared at Tiara's back further and further inside. In fact, just by sound alone, it was able to make his heart race faster. It was always like that whenever Tiara spoke to him. From the first day Tiara worked at the cafe, she began to get a strange feeling. Smooth tremors that make his sleep not soundly. In the end, he realized he was in love. It's just that ... After so far, for more than two years, he still hasn't found the right way to express his feelings. His position as a superior makes him less free to do pedekate. While out of business hours Tiara never had time to be invited out. And he never tried that. So this is how it is. He was forced to play with a sometimes stifling feeling in the midst of his responsibilities as a supervisor.
***
[Connected]
