Rhinayung

The Understanding Boss

This afternoon, as usual I came to work part-time. Coincidentally, every day the young mother asked me to come. So, I don't have to travel around to find another job.

"Rinayung, tomorrow-tomorrow can't come here a little early in the morning?" ask the young mother, my kind boss.

I'm shocked. If I'm honest that I'm still in school, can I still be employed at her house? But if I'm not honest, that's where I'm going to get confused about being a free story writer.

"Sorry, Mom. I can't. My time is only late afternoon" I replied without giving a reason. "Oh yeah, whose mother's name is it? I always forget to ask" I continued.

"Call me Mother Tia. Oh, why couldn't it be earlier? Any work anywhere else?"

"It's not so, Miss Tia. But.." I said immediately stopping my words.

"But why? Ask for extra salary? Can do! Nice work!" continued Bu Tia, my boss who is kind and beautiful and young.

Ms. Tia's age is far below my parents. But his wisdom far exceeded my parents. Ah, nevermind! No need to talk about my parents anymore. I work to avoid them and forget them.

"No, Mom! But in the morning I go to school" I said honestly.

"school? School where is it? What class?" asked Bu Tia curiously.

"I'm in 3rd grade at 4th Junior High, Mom."

"Because I'm from a poor family, ma'am. I want to help my parents too. For the UN, God willing I can follow," I continued.

"You're not exhausted? When did you learn?" asked Bu Tia who was still curious about me.

I will answer honestly, but not with any mercy let alone plead. If Ms. Tia no longer hires me, that's not my reward. Then I'll keep looking for another job. Because I need the money. Because money gives me hope and to earn money, I have to keep trying.

"No, Ma. I learned enough in school. At night, do enough PR. Sometimes while waiting for my grandmother's shop, I also study. If I have time to study, Mom. Learning doesn't have to be a school lesson, work doesn't have to be learning!" I said later.

"I salute you, Rinayung! Well then, you keep working the afternoon. I really need someone who wants to stay here. The job, it's not too heavy! But sometimes I forget that the child is fussy," continued Bu Tia who apparently did not mind my status is still a student.

"Thank you, Mom. To find the person staying overnight, you can look at the distribution agency" I continued.

"I don't want to, Rinayung! I've been disappointed many times with the agents. Never mind, if you could help me every day in the afternoon, I would be grateful. Your work is good, you are not grusa-grusu. Not asking much. I like that!" praise Bu Tia to me, which makes me even more honored.

Really, there are still good people on my side. If someday I become a successful person, I won't forget Bu Tia's kindness to me. God still loves me, even though I am a thief. Allah is Most Merciful and Most Forgiving, He will forgive and forgive those who repent. But will I, who am only a creature, forgive my father who has indoctrinated me into a thief? It depends on my father's attitude towards me.

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