SWEET COVENANTS

The Sweet Covenant - 15. Be Independent

This morning as usual, at the same time, the same way, Irina was preparing to leave for school. In her private room Irina prepared herself cheerfully. In line with the movement of her body that seemed to not need to be given orders again in living her morning routine, Irina's mind was also floating to remember the fun moments with Rian at the weekend.

A short message that was still visible appeared on Irina's screen lying just like that on the study table was definitely the main reason why Irina's face was so carefree.

"Morning, darling... Wait for me to sit in our favorite class. Early in the morning many smiles, do not frown," Rian wrote in a short message.

"Yes, Om.." joked Irina in reply to a short message from Rian.

"Hahahaha," Rian's laughter was doing he tried to convey to Irina in writing. Of course, Irina also laughs behind the screen of her gadget.

Irina stopped replying to messages from Rian after realizing that the time she had to prepare to go to school was very short if she had to be interrupted by retaliating chat. It is better now that Irina is focused on preparing herself to meet Rian immediately at school. They will have plenty of time together at school. Starting today, there are more good reasons why Irina likes to go to school.

Yes, of course because there is Rian, his lover who will accompany him to live a long day with the color of their togetherness at school.

***

Irina came out of her room and rushed down towards the dining room. Before leaving school, Irina and Adrian did always set aside time for breakfast, this morning activity has become a culture that is familiarized early on by Marinka, Mother who always paid attention to the two of them with all her heart. Irina even always remembers how Marinka said that having breakfast before school could make them smart. Whether it is just a Marinka essay or indeed that is the fact that exists in the theory of human science on this earth, what is clear is that Marinka's words have been ingrained deep in the subconscious minds of Irina and Adrian so they both choose to prepare early for breakfast before leaving school rather than skipping breakfast and making the hour the first break at school as a substitute for breakfast as other students in general. In fact either by chance or due to the breakfast culture before leaving the school they have preserved, Irina and Adrian grow up to be smart and quality children as students in school.

Just now Irina arrived at the dining room area and approached her chair to sit down, Adrian was already in his seat and was enjoying a plate of fried rice that was clear from the glance Irina was almost finished from the dish on her plate. Irina could see it only took one to three more mouthfuls, Adrian could end his breakfast activities. Hurriedly Irina took a plate of fried rice with a small portion and an omelet that had been scrambled as a side dish. There was no talk between Irina and Adrian even though they were sitting next to each other, there was only a tinkling between the friction of the cutlery and the bottom of the plate as their feeding container that filled the silence in the dining room. Awkwardly? No. gabe. It's mundane.

Sometimes Marinka breaks the silence by offering small things while staying busy preparing various things especially while watching her two teenage children breakfast, Marinka also prioritizes preparing wholeheartedly the perfect breakfast for her husband, Riffan.

"Irina, would you like some milk?"

"Adrian, would you like another omelet?"

"Eat the right way, so don't fail to focus on learning."

Such are the words that Marinka uttered to Adrian and Irina every morning as a form of concern and affection as a mother to her two children.

Irina tries to eat in a bit of a hurry to make up for Adrian who is almost done with his breakfast. Clearly, Irina was afraid of Adrian. No, being left out was no big deal, Irina could still go to school with Mr. Jo, their driver. The problem is having to hear Adrian say stabbing words whenever Irina behaves against Adrian's will.

"I'm ready for the usual time, but why is Adrian almost done with breakfast?" irina murmured in her heart while remaining focused on enjoying her breakfast.

"Maybe I'm late for running Rian's chat?" mumbling again.

Uncompleted Irina thought of the other conjectures revolving inside her head, Irina was startled by Adrian shifting her chair to stand up. Spontaneous Irina immediately turned her head towards Adrian who was sitting next to her with wide eyes and a mouthful of rice on her spoon which should immediately go into her mouth now just baring in the air with her tiny mouth open without welcome.

"WHAT?!" cry Irina in the heart.

Adrian's white plate which was still presented as a complete package of fried rice dishes was empty. Only a pair of cutlery left over Adrian as a sign that he was done with his breakfast. Without even looking at Irina, Adrian said goodbye to Marinka and approached Riffan, their father who had just come down from the top floor and was walking towards the dining room.

Irina was silent and did not know how to behave. Should he call Adrian and ask him to wait for him? In fact, Adrian always acts as he pleases, as he wishes, and Irina is always ignored with questions that are only left to herself without an answer.

Irina waited for Adrian to come back to her or at least explain what the circumstances were. However, what happened Adrian instead went without saying a word to the terrace of the house to then leave.

Irina was still sitting in her sitting position for a split second, until finally realized to continue her breakfast activities after Riffan came over and sat in her chair and opened a conversation with Irina.

"Continue your breakfast, Irina... From today Adrian will go to school and go home alone. Mr. Jo will take you to school and pick you up if your school time is over" said Riffan gently as he began to enjoy breakfast in front of him.

Irina did not say a word other than to resume her breakfast activities as ordered by her father. A little subtle nod he did as a sign He understood what Riffan was saying.

Actually Irina still wants to know the reason Adrian went alone and let Irina ushered by Mr. Jo. Irina is a little worried whether all this is because of yesterday's moment in the park, considering Irina was alone with Rian while Adrian recently reminded Irina not to date anyone.

But, in order to shorten the time, Irina chose to undo her intentions. But as if to understand Irina's confusion, Marinka who has now sat in front of Irina to accompany Riffan, her husband who was enjoying breakfast began to explain affectionately to Irina.

"Irina..." marinka said meekly to make Irina stop her breakfast activities that are almost finished to then look fixedly at her mother who this time smiled sweetly when she realized that Irina was staring at him.

"Adrian is willing to pass, now must focus on exam preparation activities. Last night Adrian said that his school hours increased so Adrian had to go home late than he should have," continued Marinka again.

"So, from today until the exam period is over let Adrian focus yaa... Irina let Mr. Jo take the shuttle," Marinka still explained calmly.

Irina just nodded her head and resumed her breakfast to say goodbye to her Mom and Dad. It's time to go to school, Adrian was faster than him 15 minutes ago, but Irina actually doesn't mind at all after knowing the reason. After all, it feels more fun to go home and go to school without Adrian who always makes Irina awkward.

"What kind of brother makes his sister's heart depressed every second?" rutuk Irina in heart while starting to put on her shoes.

"Are you ready to go, Mother?" ask Mr. Jo about his funny face.

Irina giggles at seeing Mr. Jo's face and briefly reminds him of Rian who is currently waiting for him at school. Mr. Jo is a funny middle-aged man. Since Irina was a child has served the Domino Family and even though Irina has grown up, Mr. Jo still likes to treat Irina and Adrian like a child she used to care for with all her heart.

"It's been a long time since Mas Adrian and Ms. Irina left and went home from school without being escorted, so miss the past," remember Mr. Jo who was greeted with a knotty smile from Irina that can be seen by Mr. Jo from the reflection of the mirror of the middle mirror on the dashboard when the car has walked along half the route to the school.

"Dripping escorted with Mr. Jo deh rather than going home with Brother Adrian, like to make upset." said Irina.

Mr. Jo just chuckled in response to Irina's apocalypse.

No need to take a long time now they have arrived in front of the school gate. Irina fixed her hairstyle and said goodbye to Jo.

Irina walked her feet cheerfully as she entered the crowded school grounds with the bustle of students who also just arrived, on time and not too late. A faint smile was scratched at her tiny lips when she remembered Rian was waiting for her in the classroom.

***

Irina entered her classroom which was already starting to bustle with the hustle and bustle of students inside. Given that they had all just finished taking the exam, then there was no lesson they needed to worry about, there was no need for any PR they struggled to complete that morning as usual. Their faces all looked as if the heavy burden they had to shoulder for the past week had ended.

Irina's face was now joined sumringah when she found Rian had sat on her stool and welcomed Irina with a warm smile that dazzled. Her witty face began to tease the timid Irina sitting beside her.

"Ciee... Shame on your own boyfriend?" tease Rian who made Irina wrong and somewhat annoyed with the attitude of Rian who did not hesitate to read Irina's feelings.

Although a little upset, Irina still understood Rian's attitude. Irina put on a sullen face while deliberately busying herself taking the book from inside her bag with a bit rough and clearly visible that she was wrong behavior noticed Rian.

"There is no aunt lesson, no need to be busy being an exemplary student," ledek Rian while propping up his chin with his right hand on the table, complete with a relaxed and cute style but still featuring a man with a unique charismatic figure.

"Yes, Om...."

Before long appears a teacher enters their class, a middle-aged woman with a neat and simple look who is Vina's Mother and is the homeroom teacher of them.

Vina's mother, who is now sitting in her place right in front of the class, waits for a moment for her students to act calmer to create silence in the classroom that was still full of laughter.

"Kids, first of all I would like to congratulate you on the completion of the odd semester exam that you have conducted a week back. May you do well and your test results be satisfactory" said Ms. Vina meekly but remained firm as an opening to begin her direction that morning.

The students cheered happily and clapped cheerfully as a sign of gratitude for the words made by their homeroom teacher, Ms. Vina, as well as a celebration of their success in passing the exam.

The crowd in the classroom did not last long and slowly went back into silence after Mother Vina hinted with both her hands for all the disciples to calm down and then resume her sentence.

"The next three days I will fill your class with various directions and introduce various learning plans for the next semester. I'll also share your exam results that you'll likely receive on the third day, Wednesday."

The disciples again cheered happily when they found out the results of the test they would soon be accepted quickly. Then as fast as lightning, they re-created silence in the classroom after again Mother Vina hinted with both hands so that the disciples would calm down again.

"After the third day, considering that the school should focus on preparing the 12th grade students to face the graduation exam, you are released for two weeks."

Spontaneous entire pupils in the class cheered joyfully louder than ever before. Irina and Rian were looking at each other with a face of sumringah as if this long vacation would be a fun time for the two of them.

Rian grabbed Irina's hand and held it tightly under the table until it was invisible to their teacher and friends.While Irina was a little surprised and looked at Rian with an inexplicable look. Rian just smiled mischievously and clasped Irina's hand even tighter.

"Why, can't you?" goda Rian was softened only by the red tinge of heat on Irina's face and Irina's heartbeat that was silently beating faster.

Vina's mother was still busy giving various directions in front of the class when Irina was no longer able to pay attention to the words of Vina Mother carefully. This time his concentration had been broken by the pounding of his heart that was getting louder in his mind while feeling the warmth and tight grip of Rian's hand, his lover.

***

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