REX AND REN

The Worst Day

The worst day happened last night. I should have guessed it. I should have pretended to be sick and stayed home last night to avoid it. The last Biology PR result was shared last night. I got a B! And not just B, but B minus! My first minus at school. Oh, not even the first B minus of my life!

I always got an A before.

A for Ren's.

But last night when Ms. Sinta shared the results of Biology PR, it all became a nightmare. Ms. Sinta looked at me for a moment before handing over my PR paper. I don't understand what that means, so I take it as just the wind then. Like lightning in broad daylight I really can't believe it when I see my paper.

B-

It was written and written in red ink. I immediately turned to the left right in case my paper was changed. Or there'll be someone talking, ‘Ren, B-that's my grade. A I hold is yours.’ Or Mrs Sinta who will say, ‘Ren, sorry yes, I gave the wrong value, should be your value A. Here's the correction again.’ But nothing happened. This means that this is reality, nothing wrong has happened. This paper with a value of B minus is mine. I was too shocked, even to the point of not caring about Maya talking to me.

My hand was still holding onto that PR paper when I walked out of the classroom. I walked without direction until I finally got under the banyan tree in front of the class. No one followed me, including Maya. I kept watching the paper in my hand. I rubbed his B-value with my nails. I swear, I'm willing to work rods for a thousand years if that means my grades can turn into A's.

“What are you doing?” ask someone. Suddenly Rex was behind me. I was so surprised to see, out of so many people, why Rex!

“Neither,” I hid the paper directly behind my back. For God's sake, I don't want him to know. I beg God not to let Rex know.

“What is it?” I asked when I saw my reaction.

“Nothing.” The next second the paper had already slipped out of my grasp. I lost fast. He took the paper!

“What is this? Biology?” rex asked with a smile on his face. He obviously looks happy and is mocking me all out right now.

“You can B minus? Haha..welcome Ren, I think you are starting to normal, nih.” he said with a laugh.

What-what's that? I mean, he's seen my grades, but does he have to mention it while laughing? Does he want all the students at this school to know that I got a B minus? It's so fucking shitty! And even more annoying, I can't say anything to defend myself.

“Aaan, anyway?” that's all that can come out of my mouth.

“What?”

“Yes, I got B value minus, satisfied?” I said as I snatched the paper from Rex's hand.

“Ehee..don't get mad dong, Ren. Just kidding, kok.”

“Not funny!”

I felt my eyes getting hot. No, I can't cry here. Not in front of Rex. I immediately left him without looking back as he was heard calling me.

Everything is destroyed...I got a B minus and Rex found out.

***

Arriving at home, my mother became hysterical when she saw Rex who was dropping me from his carrier.

“This why...?”

“Nothing, Ma.” I said. Mama seemed dissatisfied with my answer and looked at Rex, hoping for an explanation. But Rex didn't say anything.

“Ma, Ren to room first.”

“But,”

Mama tried to prevent me but I immediately rushed up to the room even though it was a little limping because of the pain in my knee that began to feel. I'm still not ready to talk about anything right now. But I'm sure, even if I don't say anything, later Rex will definitely babble, including about my B minus. Complete is my suffering, not only does Rex know but my parents do too!

***

After treating my knees and going down to dinner in silence, I could only lie on the bed. The learning rituals I used to do were ignored. Staring at the ceiling while thinking where is my fault? PR Biology about a genetic engineering essay that I'm sure I've done well, but in fact I got a B minus. What's wrong? Am I wrong or is Sinta wrong?

Unable to find the answer, I could only close my eyes while sighing tiredly. I glanced at my bag lying on the study table. The sheet of paper was still in there, as if laughing at my current situation. As if saying, ‘Hey, Ren! I am your Biologi PR and I was branded B minus with red ink!’ How could this happen to me? My brain can't stop thinking strange things, it feels like it's about to break!

Over time I fell into a restless sleep.

That night I dreamed I was in a courtroom. There were many people present staring at me sharply. I myself was at a pulpit that I realized I was in a position as a defendant. Before long someone entered wearing a red black robe that made me immediately glare.

“Rex?”

Rex occupies the seat of the throne which on his desk reads JUDGE.

“ Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered in this final trial to determine the fate of the accused. He made a genetic engineering mistake so got a B minus. That is truly unforgivable! Where did all his A-values go? All this time he said that he was trying hard to maintain his values. He said he was going to Oxford! But he got a B minus. He really doesn't deserve it!”

Silent silence. Everyone present there looked at each other, waiting for someone to say something. Finally a girl on the back bench stood up and squeaked, “Doubt! The defendant worked hard to maintain his value. He tried hard to get to Oxford. He even joined the computer club.”

I don't know who he is, but I'm very grateful that he's willing to defend me. I nodded my head while accepting his words. I worked very hard to maintain my value.

Then Rex tapped his hammer once while shaking his head.

“In the computer club he could not finish his chatbot program. There are still many bugs in the program!”

Instantly a rowdy voice rang out and I again became the center of their attention with an expression as if they were disgusted. I can only bite my lower lip while holding back my tears. I've been destroyed, very, very broken.

Rex knocked on his hammer once more and instantly everyone fell silent.

“We have made a decision. We hereby declare that the accused is actually the one who.”.

He stopped his sentence dramatically. It was only about a century later that he continued, “...stupid.”.

I woke up slowly from that absurd dream, feeling cold and lonely. Silent silence. Not even the sound of crickets. I tried to get up and immediately felt pain in my knee. Trying to get rid of the memory of the strange dream by drinking water on the nightstand. While reassuring myself that everything would be fine, I lay back down. Pulling out the blanket and starting to close your eyes, trying to count a thousand sheep back to sleep.