Not the Loan

33. There Are Different

A few years passed, now Sukma has stepped in the final semester of his school. Only a few months away Sukma will finish his High School. That means he can start working soon.

Although Sukma wants to become a scholar, but all that is just a dream. Sukma is impossible if it must always trouble his mother. It was enough for his mother who had been financing Sukma school.

"Now, ma'am, I'm gonna finish school. After graduating from school I will immediately work," said Sukma.

As usual after school, Sukma immediately changed his clothes and rushed to lunch. After that he quickly helped his mother work as a traveling washerman. Although the income is not much, but it is enough to eat everyday for both of them and Sukma school supplies.

Sukma was lucky because thanks to his intelligence, he always got a scholarship from school. Even since Primary School until now Sukma still depends on scholarships.

I don't know what will happen if Sukma does not get a scholarship, maybe he will never be able to go to school because the current tuition fees are very expensive. Where his mother would finance Sukma school.

"But I want you to continue school, son, at least be a scholar so that your life will be better. Uhuk.."

His mother was coughing while talking.

"Why mother? Is mom sick?" sukma Lirih.

"No son, mom's okay. I just cough normally," said the mother.

Ever since her husband left Sinta and her son she became often sickly. But in front of Sukma, Sinta never showed signs if he was sick. He always pretended to be strong in front of his son.

As a mother Sinta must be weak and must not look weak, because if not her, who else will take care of Sukma. Hearing his mother who coughed Sukma immediately rushed to fetch water to the kitchen.

"Thank you son, I'm so lucky that I have a daughter like you" Sinta said with a deep smile.

I don't know why it felt so sad to see her mother smile. It is not usual for the sukma to feel this way. Sukma suddenly felt that his mother would go far away to leave him.

"Mother why? Is mom sick? We go to the doctor, okay?" invite Sukma who now sees his mother look so limp. Sukma felt if his mother's face looked so pale. Though his mother always looks fresh fit, but why this time it looks so different.

"Ah no son, mom is okay. Here to sleep on your lap, it feels like you want to caress your hair," said Sinta.

Sukma immediately rushed to sleep on his mother's lap. The warm hands were so soft. Slowly his mother rubbed Sukma's head with teary eyes.

"I'm sorry mom son, I can't make you happy yet" Sinta explained.

"No ma'am, it is Sukma who should apologize because all this time Sukma always troublesome mother," said Sukma.

The longer his mother's caresses get warmer. Until it does not feel Sukma was asleep in his mother's lap.

"I'm sorry, son, I can't take it anymore. I'm sure you're a strong child," said Sinta while rubbing her child repeatedly and did not forget she also pecked at the head of her mother.

His mother, who was leaning against the wall, was sleeping so fast. He looked so calm when he was asleep.