Rhinayung

Facing the Class Guardians

I thought about what my dad said this morning. If I obey, it will only plunge me into the dark world again. I had the intention to repent. Mr. Dio didn't manage to mediate my father. Maybe, getting away from that house and my grandmother's house is the way to go.

I've been getting busy with the tutoring held at school. But I don't think I need those lessons. I can learn by myself, all this time my achievements are also brilliant in school. General rank one I have often achieved, even if it drops definitely in second place. I feel like I'm still in the safe zone.

"Mom Tutik, I'm sorry. Can I talk to Mom for a minute?" ask me to Miss Tutik, my homeroom teacher.

"Can. Wanna where? In the teacher's room or in the BP room?" reply Bu Tutik with a friendly smile.

"In BP's room, ma'am?" I asked politely.

"Come now before the lessons begin."

"Good, Mom."

I walked along with Tutik's mother to the BP room. No friends see me, even if a friend sees them they will not think of me. I'm an accomplished student and a lot of friends, even though I've never been in slang and hang out. I often teach friends, even doing PR together. Sometimes those who want to cheat PR also I love. It's not what PR is cheating. After all, the real grades are in the daily replicas and school exams.

"Please sit down, Rinayung!" said Bu Tutik.

"Good, Mom!"

"Tell me, what's wrong?" continued.

"Look, Mom. What if I don't take regular tutoring to face the UN? Is allowed?" I said that I don't want to talk because I know that Miss Tutik has a teaching schedule of fifteen minutes more.

"Why?" asked Bu Tutik while looking at me.

"I can't pay for tutoring, Mom. I also have to work after school. My parents just worked odd jobs. It forced me to make a living."

"You are still underage" continued Ms. Tutik.

"Yes, Mom, I know. But the work I do is not heavy. I'm just sweeping, mopping or ironing."

Miss Tutik scrunched her forehead while looking at me. I was covered up all this time with anyone, because I remember my grandmother's message not to confide in the wrong person.

"Can you learn by yourself?" continued Bu Tutik.

"It can, Mom."

"I mean Mom, once you're tired of working after school are you willing to learn?"

"I'll do it, Mom. The important thing is that I eat and sleep enough, God willing, learning will be easy" I said.

"Thank you, Mom. I'll say yes, Mom!" I said goodbye while shaking hands with Tutik.

Miss Tutik patted my back slowly. I know Miss Tutik a homeroom teacher who can nurture and motivate her students.

***

Arriving at Grandma's house, I'm allowed not to guard the stall. My reason is because there's a group assignment at a friend's house. Grandma trusted me and was forced to close the stall when left to sometimes look for grass.

With polite clothes and school, I say goodbye to grandma. My real goal is to find a job. I heard in the next hamlet where the majority of people are often asking daily workers to sweep the yard or iron clothes. May I be lucky today and they do not mind my underage age.

The journey I took was far enough. The time it took me to walk was about forty-five minutes. Tired I can bear, if thirsty drinking water that I have prepared from home.

I saw a big house in a mess with little kids toys. I dared to push the bell.

"What's wrong?" said a young mother who opened the door.

"I'm sorry, Mom. Do you need people to help iron or sweep the yard?" I said politely.

"Yes, I'm in need of ironing clothes. Who wants to work?"

The young mother's answer made me happy.

"I'm alone, Mom!"

"Lho, can you?"

"Can, Mom."

"Let's go in! What's your name? Usually given what salary? Per hour or what?"

"I'm Rinayung, Mom. For wages, I first see the results of my work. I don't set a wage, ma'am."

"Oh, fine then!"

The young mother took me in, then prepared and took out all the clothes I wanted to iron. I saw that to be ironed is ordinary clothes, not party clothes or work clothes that are expensive and need techniques to iron them. I am so happy and excited to do this job. I hope, by working part-time like this, my morals will get better. My father wouldn't torture me and tell me to steal again. And my grandmother can still open the stall without having to lose money.

***