Rhinayung
Lying for Good, It Can!
I'm glad I got a good pay today. That money I could use to replace a pack of grandmother's cigarettes that my father had forcibly taken yesterday. But how to love grandma? I'll tell him that Mr. Yatno is in debt. As for today, I'm not guarding Grandma's stall.
"Ah, I hope to get the idea of lying later after taking a shower," I murmured inwardly.
***
"Rinayung, where did you study the group? Maghrib just got home? Grandma thought you were at your father's house" she told me as a simple dinner table was served.
Only spinach vegetables are pickled in the garden, four seeds of fried tempeh and onion sambal cabenya also pickled in the garden. Simple, but delicious. The four healthy food elements are fulfilled.
"In the hamlet next door, Grandma! Studying, just two hours. But the journey time is almost an hour and a half. I'm on foot, Grandma!" I said by lying.
I lied, not without reason. I lied because it was for the common good. I don't want Grandma to know that I work part-time, not group study. Working part-time, so I can avoid my father's incitement to keep stealing Grandma's merchandise. If I keep obeying my father, it is definitely a sin that I committed. I know, stealing is forbidden. In any religion, stealing is forbidden. If I keep stealing, what will my grandmother eat? The age of the grandmother is twilight, there are no grandmother children who bear the cost of living and eating grandmother everyday.
Besides, I work part-time so I have money. I know my parents ignored me. I can go to school now because of the scholarship. Well, to continue to the higher level of school, I also thought. Be grateful that the scholarship continues. But if not, at least I have the savings to pay for my advanced school later. Even with public schools, there are costs.
"Rinayung, Mr. Yatno bought a cigarette here. Grandma reminded me to pay her debt. But, he said there's no debt here?" my grandmother asked me a question that surprised me.
"Oh, I met Mr. Yatno on the road when I wanted to study groups. Mr. Yatno gave me the money earlier. The money's in my bag, Grandma! I'll take it, yeah!" I said while running to get the money in the bag.
Good thing my lie was smooth today, so there was not the slightest suspicion from grandma. Fortunately, my part-time wage was enough to pay for a pack of cigarettes. There are still leftovers and I have to keep them. I did not intend to use the money for snacks or buy items that were again trending among Junior High School students my age. Bodo is very, with fashion! The important thing is I can eat, go to school and start saving.
"This, Grandma! For Grandma to say the same to me. Otherwise, I can forget! I'm not good either, Mr. Yatno. Fortunately there was no misunderstanding between Grandma and Mr. Yatno!" I said while giving twenty thousand rupiah to my grandmother.
"Alkhamdulillah, there is no misunderstanding. I'm talking all right, kok!" said Grandma.
***
As usual, after eating I learned. Not infrequently Grandma also accompanied me to study. I always welcome and never refuse if my grandmother wants to accompany me to study. Maybe grandma feels lonely.
I also feel good and excited tonight. Working part-time for the first time, doesn't make me tired and achy. That made me tired and sore, my father's torment and my mother's scathing and painful prankings. I hope that whatever hurts me will soon pass with all my efforts.
***
