Restore Your Smile

New Students, New Life

James, an 18-year-old young man who has just graduated High School. But until the days when some universities began to close new student enrollments, he was found to have not applied to any university and faculty. Of course, this made both of his parents nervous. For that reason, today his parents held a trial for the James case.

"What do you want to go to college for work, James?" tanya Papa Heru started to open the trial.

"Well college, Pa. If you want to work, what job? High School graduate who wants to accept it?" james replied relaxed.

"Well .. that's know. But why has not yet enrolled in college anywhere, Sayangggggg???" connect Mama Ratna squeaking while pinching her youngest child's kidney.

" Aww .... Pain, Ma .... Let go first, only James can explain," said James who was soon obeyed by the Mother.

"Gini lo, Ma, Pa .... The problem is James doesn't know what to major in?" James began to explain.

" Lah .... How anyway? What are you aspiring to?" keep papa.

"Ga know," James replied.

"What are the lessons you enjoy or whose grades stand out among your friends during this time at school?" Mama Ratna interrogated.

" No there is. All is normal," replied James who made his parents suddenly have a headache.

It wasn't James' intent to intentionally make his parents worry. But that is how it is.

James was an ordinary kid, not standing out in class. His friend can be counted on the fingers. Unlike his brother, Alex, who is now almost graduated from college with a GPA value every semester always above 3.5. Even when his brother was SMU, Alex was a popular student who gained trust as the chairman of OSIS and captain of the basketball team.

This made James a bit less, although his parents never compared his two children. He realized how much different he was from the Brother.

I don't know when her mom was pregnant with Alex, she was craving something. But when she was pregnant with James, her mother wanted to watch the entire James Bond episode. That's why he was named James. That's an epic reason, isn't it? But alas, the prowess of the Hero is not the least contagious to him, even though their first name is the same.

"okay! Because you want to go to college, but it's not clear what you want to be, let Papa choose! Just follow our footsteps, become a teacher! It had already become the hereditary profession of the Wijaya extended family." Finally Papa Heru who decided, Mama Ratna also nodded her head in agreement.

Both of James's parents were teachers. Papa Heru is a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering. Mama Ratna is a private tutor who teaches English. His grandfather James had even served as dean at the Faculty of Economics before he retired.

"But James has no talent and no interest in teaching, Pa, Ma .... James also did not know what to do, choose the university how, what majors and faculties. James doesn't understand college terms. And most importantly, so the teacher is not cool!" argue James.

"Eh .... This is a brash kid!! Not cool he said!! Don't know if the teacher is a Hero Without Service?!" Mama Ratna immediately reached out to her son when she heard James's last words.

"If you don't understand the terms of the lecture, consideration in choosing a university and study program, etc., find your own information on the internet! Sono googling! Don't just play the game!" continued again.

That is how the trial finally closed. Papa Heru and Mama Ratna immediately left the location. Stay James alone who is still stroking his ears that are still hot due to the Mother's jewels.

...****************...

This is where the Wijaya family finally got together now. They were at a bus terminal, dropping off the youngest child who was about to leave his hometown.

"It's fine there, son. Frequently love the news," advised Mama Ratna for the umpteenth time.

"Yes, Ma .." James said for the umpteenth time as well. He was tired of answering his mother.

"Relax, Ma .... The distance from our city to James' place is only 2 hours by car. Whenever we can visit him," said Papa Heru calming his wife.

"Why did you choose a university outside the city? Is it true that in our city there is no university with a pretty good Faculty of Education in your eyes?" mama Ratna again bombarded James with her complaints.

"You stay away from home, dong .... You don't know James' mode?" alex replied representing James without being asked.

James just kept quiet while glaring at Alex who pretended to bego.

"That's it, Ma .... We've heard about why James chose this university yesterday. According to Papa's assessment, the university is pretty good. There's also the dorm. Time of registration uda mepet, Ma .... The choice of university is not much. Don't argue anymore!" sahut Papa Heru reminded his wife.

"Ting Tong Teng Tong .... Bus 3212 with a major in S city will be leaving soon!" There was a sound of a departure notice from the terminal speakers disconnecting their conversation.

"That's James' bus number, Pa, Ma. James got on the bus first .... Bye bye Pa, Ma, Bang .." said James was relieved to end the conversation and hurriedly picked up his luggage and said goodbye to his family.

" Yes .... Be careful .... Tell me if it has arrived, Nak .." said Mama Ratna again, followed by a nod and a wave of all the other members of her family.

James just gave me the code Okay with his hand, then got on the bus. Upon arriving at his seat, he looked out the window looking for his family. Looks like his parents and brother are still waving to him. Not long after, the bus left his family behind.

New start. New town. New ambience. With mixed feelings James pondered the choices he had made.

Of course there was a little bit of a nervous feeling whipping in his chest to live new things in front of him. But, Alex's words were not entirely wrong either. To be honest, there was a feeling of relief in his heart. Maybe in a new city he can escape the existence of Alex who suppresses his soul.

...****************...