Sun Orange

Chapter 1 The Village Girl

Day is still morning.The sun has just risen, the shape is perfectly round, orange like a watermelon fruit that is halved.The light that peeks from behind the tree has not been able to shed the dew that is still comfortable hugging the grass , make the color of the grass and shoots of rice leaves turn silvery white.

Rika stepped foot lethargic.Actually she was still sleepy, she was still, but he had to go to the rice fields to drive away birds that eat the grain of rice that began to yellow.This morning will be many birds who race to eat the rice grain and leave the empty stalk molt stopping at a small hut in the rice field, his hand pulled a rope of raffia that stretched long to the middle of the rice field with a rhythmic movement while shouting.

" Hayoooo.." Surely a flock of birds flew in shock to hear his screams and the swaying of rice stalks due to Rika's drawn raffia rope.

Rika smiled with satisfaction.

" I won't let you steal my grain" he did not want the harvest this time reduced because many grains of rice eaten by birds.His life depends a lot on the harvest of several plots of this rice field.From this harvest also he can continue his education to college tall. The sleepiness was gone.He sat on a wooden bench in the cottage in the rice field ripter.Taken a bottle of drinking warm tea made by his mother for him.Diminished a few sips, making his stomach warm and more comfortable.

The sun began to rise, the rays getting warmer, the color changed from orange to dazzling white.Rika took a hat, protecting the skin of his face that began to brownish exposed to the sun.Sesesome people came in contact.Dimas close friends since childhood.

" Hey Rika.. You're not in college?" asked Dimas as soon as he arrived before her.

" Ga Dim, I'm on semester break"

"I can't believe you're still going to the fields, aren't you afraid of black?"

Rica laughed at Dimas' question.

" What if it's black? From the rice fields, my mom can pay for my college..."

Dimas was silent, once in a while he noticed Rika.This girl did not change, she said, although already in college in the city but still diligently help his mother to the rice field.Setu girl Rika's age will always keep her appearance.Go to the rice fields like this can make her skin dark because exposed to the heat of the sun.Not to mention mud and stems the occasional rice stalk can litter and scratch his hands and feet.

" So soon my lecture is over Dim.."

" Lu.lu..pass college...?" Dimas stuttered ." Then you go back and then in the village?"

" Of course not, I'll find a job in the city "Enthus Rika replied.

Dimas bowed, he was disappointed to hear Rika's light answer.So long ago he thought that if he had graduated Rika would return to the village and he could meet Rika every day.

Suddenly Rika clasped Dimas' hands, Dimas was surprised, his heart beat faster.

" Doain I'm Dim, I'm getting a job.."

Awkward Dimas nodded...Rika let alone pray anything I'll do for you, her mind.

The day is getting noon, if it is noon and hot like this the birds are also reluctant to stop at the rice shoots . It's time for Rika to go home. He packed his belongings in the cottage, and approached Dimas.They chatted for a moment.Have long they did not meet.Friends since childhood, even one school since Elementary to High School.Graduating High School Dimas did not continue his school, he, helping her parents take care of the garden and rice fields are quite extensive.While Rika chose to continue her studies in the City.His mother struggled as hard as she could to finance her college.His mother determined Rika should be able to change her fate, Rika, do not let like his parents who live simply in the village rely on the harvest from the rice fields that are not how much.

" I'm going home first yeah, hungry..." Rika said as she rubbed her stomach.Dimas laughed grinily.

" Just at this hour I'm hungry" he said .

" Yes, by the way..." Rika nodded and waved her hand.

Dimas can only nod , return the wave of his hand.He continued to look at Rika's back that was getting away and disappeared behind the lush trees.His foot who did not wear a pedestal kicked the rice field grater with a huff.Rika..., murmured bitterly.Had long ago actually Dimas wanted to express his feelings.He liked Rika, besides being beautiful, his smart friend also likes to work hard.Helping his mother in the rice field or at home.

But Dimas never had the courage to look at the indifferent Rika and only seemed to think of her as a friend.

****

Rika enters his house.The simple house is deserted.He pushes his door unlocked

and enter.Mother apparently has not returned from the market.Then he went to the kitchen.There is a small table there.On the table is available rice and side dishes just. His stomach feels very hungry. He scoops the rice and sits in front of the furnace, then eats with gourmand, a plate of rice ,sayur cassava leaf, sambal and a piece of fish cue cob.

He leaned against the kitchen wall his eyes were slightly closed.Accomplish from the rice fields and full make him sleepy.Better I take a shower just let it fresh, his mind.Take him to the bathroom to clean himself.

After bathing he sat in his simple living room.The living room also doubles the family room, indeed only the only room other than the room, the living room, kitchen and bathroom.There is only a long wooden chair and a short table .In the corner on a small table there is an old-fashioned TV tube, the only entertainment if you are at home.Rika approached the TV and pressed the button to turn on. His voice was somewhat broken and his image sometimes swayed like a breeze.Taken watch him lay his body on the chair.For a long time he was sleepy again .Without realizing it, he was asleep.

" Rika. really habits you sleep , TV on" the voice of her mother who just came home from the market made her wake up.Rika woke up in shock.Any cool wind and lonely atmosphere outside is easy to make her sleep.

" Mommy, have you come home.?. , out of the rice fields continue to eat kok so sleepy." he said.

" Sleep in the room there.Ga good girl sleeps on the bench kayak so" Mom grumbled and kept her shopping in the kitchen.

Rika pulls Mom's hand, please,

" Mom.Here first, Rika wants to talk....Soon Rika passed by Mom..."

" Pass ...? Thank God, son.." Mother looks very relieved.In vain she slammed bones every day to finance her son's college.

" After graduation Rika wants to go to Jakarta ya Bu, find work "

" Why don't you come near here just nduk, let you often go home to see mom"

" In the city around here difficult Bu can work.The name is also a small town, although in Jakarta Rika promises to often see the mother.Doain ya Bu Rika quickly get a job"

Rika lay her head on her lap, clutched both hands and kissed her, she said,

" Rika is grateful, has a mother..."

She closed her eyes and went back to sleep on her mother's lap.