Senior, Stop Teasing me!
Flower Seals
We entered the main hall with slow steps, hoping that the sound of our steps would not invite the attention of a single person towards us. I chose the back seat, followed by Joni who took the place next to me. We both noticed the circumstances and the atmosphere around us later.
The hall looks divided into two, the right is where the new students as well as the senior students while on the left is the place for the new student guardians. Then the teacher and the school board occupy the front position. The big stage is the center of everyone's attention.
“Let's follow along, a welcome from the best students of the year. Reza Suryadinata!”
Without me noticing, my eyes focused on staring at the stage from a distance, hoping to catch the shadow of Reza who was about to climb onto the huge stage.
Having yet to see Reza advance onto the stage, I circulated my gaze towards the student seat. Dan–Reza was next to my seat. The thing that I didn't realize it surprised me and made my heart beat faster.
Reza stood up after hearing the voice of the host, for a moment he fixed the buttons of the suit and tried to tidy it up and then came out of our row of chairs.
Reza walked splitting the attention of everyone present. All gazes were pointing at him like an arrow ready to escape from his bow. There was not a single sound that was heard, there were only eye glances that continued to follow Reza's steps up the stage–including me.
“Senior mamang amazing ..” whispered Joni slowly towards me. I just nodded my head to confirm that Reza was indeed an extraordinary person, except for that attitude. I still shuddered in horror given his cold aura.
Reza gave a few words of welcome and congratulations to new students who have successfully graduated to study at this famous SMK. It did not take long, Reza then gave a closing sentence which was followed by the sound of applause that echoed throughout the hall.
Hearing the sound of applause made me realize that time was going on so that it would be time for us to go on stage as well. My mind became a little complicated, the script I memorized seemed ready to fly and disappear.
“...” I was noticed from my right, this situation made me stiffen and forget the figure of Reza who had been sitting on his chair back. Reza was looking at me with a look that was hard for me to understand.
“What's with your view?” I said to Reza in a semi-conscious state. Since there was no answer, I looked at him fixedly to find the intention behind his gaze at me.
Hearing my question to her made her facial expression turn relaxed, as if it had confirmed her own curiosity.
“Zytha?” joni said softly towards me and made me divert the padangan from Reza, as soon as I could hear that our names had echoed throughout the room. My time has come, we will take the stage to give a welcome word representing the new student.
“Here they are, ranked first and second from this year's New Student Admissions list. I began to walk towards the stage which felt increasingly distant due to my own nervousness.
“For his achievements, the school has given a full scholarship ...” My cheeks felt red when I knew all the gazes that were now centered on me.
They always had a reason to avoid various invitations from my school, either intentionally or unintentionally. The reason I received my graduation three months ago was because of a job. They are not an employee in a government agency or a private company that makes their time bound by a contract so that they cannot accompany their children.
Sometimes it makes me think hard because behind why they never stood by me once. Out there, right, many parents will ask their children to pursue extraordinary achievements so that they can be proud to accompany their children and announce to the world that they have a child like a jewel that will dazzle the world. But not for my parents.
I started reciting the script I had assembled last night. It only took me less than two minutes to finish my part and then switch to Joni.
“We invite the guardians of our two best students to go on stage.” This situation repeated itself, I was completely alone without a guardian accompanying me. A middle-aged man climbed onto the stage, appeared in formal attire and looked dignified. Joni smiled broadly to welcome him on stage. Joni is lucky to have a companion today, my inner self.
I just stared from a distance, my gaze as if through the entrance of the hall. There's no way my parents are here right now. Could they still be waiting for public transport? Or are they in the middle of a traffic jam? Will that door open soon? Once again, I feel a waste of being on this stage.
As my mind glared away, a man who a while ago sat in the front row, now smiled kindly at me and then stood beside me carrying pride in his chest. I can guess easily, she'll be an impromptu guardian for me–That's always the case.
There is no need to ask anything at this time, just let this kind-hearted man to accompany me first. After the show, I will ask him everything and say thank you to him.
“You are very quick to take your place next to our best student,” said the principal with a smile on his lips, looking brightly at my impromptu companion today. They were close enough to throw the joke.
“You should be a very lucky person today,” said the principal to me while pinning a black sash with a gold stripe. I gave my best smile to say that I understood and was truly grateful for today. “Smile, your parents must be proud wherever they are at the moment,” he continued with a soothing smile. Yeah, they must be proud and I can't possibly doubt that, my inner self then.
They must be struggling out there to make a living as usual, fighting to change destiny and trying to give their best to their children. As for me here, I have to fight for them and throw away all the negative things in my mind like a moment ago.
“Your brain is not empty,” whispered one who followed the principal from behind. Reza pushed a bunch of flowers slowly. A big bunch of flowers was now in my arms, heavy but my energy was filled and ready to bear more weight than this. He did not cast his cold gaze at the moment, there was a hint of warmth in his gaze.
“Do not tease your juniors, she is our best student,” said my impromptu companion.
What the hell is going on here? Looks like my face is filled with rows of question marks between them. What kind of relationship do they have to throw out all those cold-sounding jokes.
“...” Reza then threw her cold gaze at the words and then immediately took a place on my right side to take the photo, while on my left was Joni. All parties then took a lined up place. The photographer is ready for his position.
Many things I now think of when it is silent for a moment, when the camera light is illuminated towards us for several times. Had father and mother been here, wouldn't they be so proud and proud of the other student guardians? I should have gotten used to this situation–This is not the first time for me.
