THE MENTARY FOR THE ESTUARY

CHAPTER 30, THE DAYS OF THE COMPETITION

Riana received many congratulations, not only from her fellow teachers at her school, but from other school teachers who appreciated her achievements with her six students who managed to enter the semi-finals. What's more, Riana is the youngest teacher, so it really ignites the admiration of everyone involved and present at the Student Culture Week activities.

“Great Mbak Riana, I so have a feeling that Saras CS can be a champion.”, said Mr. Catur while patting Riana's shoulder with a proud attitude.

“Aamiin, sir. But I've instilled in those kids that, whatever the end result will be, they should still be proud of having become the best version of themselves,” Riana said. Chess sir nodded. Be more proud of this young teacher. And he really seriously hopes that Riana can continue her education. She knew Riana was eager to go to college. His ambitions and expectations about the world of education are very high.

“Mbak, how about for example mbak dapet college opportunity, through the scholarship path, so? You choose to continue teaching, or college first?” ask Mr. Chess prank.

“I love both sir, but one I have to choose right? I will choose college first, with a note, after graduation, back to teaching and get better later.” said Riana steady. Mr. Chess was more and more amazed by the thoughtlessness and breadth of the girl's heart.

“Good intentions will always end well, mbak. Bismillah yes,” said Mr. Catur while still patting proudly Riana's shoulder. Riana did not understand, but she nodded as well. That's okay, after all what he said was a good do’a right?

***

“Mother... Thank you very much ma'am, for training and delivering us until we are at this point. It feels Saras still can not believe, if our band in the end entered the grand final, and with the acquisition of the highest value anyway.” said Saras seriously while hugging Riana. Just now they were listening to the announcement, and again, the band from Riana's school ranked top in the scoring.

“Yes, Saras, and all of you. I'm proud of you, you all have succeeded in surpassing yourself. And that's what's worth pointing out. What you have to remember and understand is that the biggest competitors are not other people, not your friends at school, not the participants from the 33 provinces, but yourself. Laziness, fear, insecurity, insecure, overthinking, that hinders your progress.” Riana said earnestly. His children listened obediently.

“BU, for tips so that it can be strong, dong.” Pinta Saras's. And the request was taken by the other children. Riana sighed, staring at one by one of her students.

“Mother is not a hero, mother is not a super hero, mother does not feel strong mother. Mother has also fallen, fallen, never felt inferior, just like you. Whether we are strong or not, only we know. Never think that if someone else is strong, you will have the same power. This means that everyone should know to what extent their strength. If you are tired, stop first. Stop, it doesn't mean give up, but yes. The purpose of stopping is just like giving ourselves a chance to relax, to reflect on everything, later if the energy has been gathered again, yes so strong again, but if tired, stop again. That's it, simple, don't make it difficult.” said Riana at length. Suddenly, Andre picked up his guitar which he was carrying around from earlier, and began picking it while singing slowly.

“When you're tired

Just stop

Make room, give time

They said, "Thank God"

Though willing not as easy as the word.” Then everyone (including Riana) sang along.

“Not to worry, I just got hurt

Accustomed 'to pretending to laugh

But can I cry once?

Before going back to lying to yourself.”

“Pak Abhi yes, bu?” ledek Rachel's. Just contact the sound of a very compact “cieee” choir filled the entire room.

“Eh-eh, have started july yes you guys. I'm there, have fun, guys. We'll see you around dinner. There will be a brief briefing also in the mother's room, about your performance in the grand final tomorrow. You guys ready?”

“Ready!” exciting everything compact. Riana nodded, satisfied. And finally, he left the boys' room, then picked Abhi up in his room. You see, this afternoon, they will take a walk together, a short tour around Malang City, which is almost forgotten because Riana is too busy with Muara.

***

“Seneng, Bhi?” riana asked as she slowly stirred the meatballs unfortunately. Yes, this is the end of their short tour; stop at the Malang meatballs shop to enjoy and capture the flavor. Bakso Malang, one that can not be separated; the most iconic of this cold city of East Java.

“I am very cool, what else can play to campus as well, and how can you meet the lecturers as well. Even so feel a small reunion,” said Abhi while preparing to enjoy the meatballs.

“Shortly, Bhi, it's not sambelin yet. How much do you want to sambelnya?” ask Riana.

“Don't do much, I'm not too cool to eat spicy, Ri.” Answer Abhi slowly. Riana. After Abhi's meatballs were ready, they continued to eat while still chatting.

“I did not expect, it turns out you have been in this city with a long duration,” said Riana.

“Yes, but after college I haven't been here yet, so I forgot. That's why I ask you to make a short walk..” explained Abhi.

“If I never forget this city. I'm the same Ganesh was born here, but we live in Lawang, in the district, not in the city.” Riana said. Abhi nodded, understood.

“But, thank you for taking a walk this afternoon, I am very happy,” said Abhi sincerely.

“Iya Bhi, the same. Yes, I ate it, already want this six o'clock. We have to go back to the hotel right..” Riana said. Abhi nodded. Now, they resumed eating but in a quiet atmosphere.

***

[Very nice trip today... I hope this isn't the last. If only my time could be extended.] Riana was so surprised to read WhatsApp story posts and also Instagram Abhi. The photo he installed was a photo of him with Riana, but the caption sounded so something in the ear. What does this mean to be extended? Time with Riana? Wouldn't they meet again every day? Kan Abhi is also in Jakarta... Because she kept thinking about it, Riana became unfocused. Many times Saras called, he did not respond. It was only when Andre poked his shoulder that he turned his head.

“Why?” he was half surprised.

“Says you want a briefing, bu?” ask Andre.

“Astaghfirullah yes, I forgot. So look at the kids, make it tomorrow..” Riana explained in detail what all her students had to do in the grand final tomorrow, because what they will show later is something completely different. Riana had prepared everything carefully as it turned out. Deadline a month given by the principal, it was enough to make Riana prepare many concepts for the band, moreover, she already knows the plot of the Student Culture Week Festival like what. So it is easier for him to adjust the training time, with the ability of his children. Indeed, the basis of his children pinter too, so there is no difficulty means that it makes them. Yes already, let's do’akan, hopefully the last day of tomorrow's competition given smoothness. Aamiins.

(BBC).