The Rose of De Haas

Chapter 14: The Growth of Roses

The Primary School teachers at the time

Time continued to pass without feeling, until now the Rose De Haas was old enough to enter elementary school.

Just like children who just entered the first day of school, Rose also felt embarrassed when entering the school area and meeting with their peers.

In the guidance of the Papa, Rose walked with hesitant steps to enter the school even though Mr. De Haas had told Rose many times not to be ashamed.

"Mr De Haas? Well, good morning I did not think we would meet here," said Mr. Van Marwijk, friendly as usual.

Mr. De Haas commented on his trademark thin smile.

"Yes, without feeling like my son is old enough to start school."

That day the rose looked very beautiful with her blonde hair braided in two, the work of the Mama this morning.

The beauty of the Rose De Haas is indeed very balanced, the perfect blend of Europe and Asia makes the beauty of the Rose quite different from its friends who are of original Dutch descent.

Rose's face looks perfect with a pointed nose but not so big, pointed chin and has a very charming hemisphere. Rose lips are also thin like most indigenous women, but the skin is smooth white without spots like most Dutch people.

"Roses, you are beautiful. Do not be ashamed like that, go play with friends," said Mr. Van Marwijk softly to the Rose, but the boy was even more hiding behind the back of the Papa.

"My son is shy, Mr. Van Marwijk. all this time he has not played much with other children besides your son, Greg," said Mr. De Haas then chuckled.

"It's a pity that Greg is now in third grade, so he can only meet the Rose once in a while" Mr. Van Marwijk chimed in, while Greg is busy persuading Rose to get into his class as lessons are about to begin.

Greg is a brave and cheerful boy, the Rose's only closest friend since his family's move to Batavia.

Just like Roses, Greg's mother, Rukmini was also a native.

"Good morning Mr. De Haas and Mr. Van Marwijk, it's great to see you both" said Mr. Van Sprang, the principal.

"Good morning, Mr. Van Sprang.This is my son's first day at school, I leave him to you and the teachers here" Mr. De Haas said, looking at the small back of the Rose who had walked into the school with Greg.

"It's an obligation for me, Mr. De Haas. Please send my greetings to Mrs De Haas" replied Mr Van Sprang kindly.

The school chosen by Mr. De Haas is indeed the best Dutch elementary school in Batavia.

Mr. Van Sprang, the principal was also a friend of Mr. De Haas while studying in the Netherlands.

So surely Mr. De Haas felt it would be safer for Roses to attend a school run by his old friend.

"I'll definitely say, thank you."

...****************...

The first-class atmosphere where Roses began their education was very calm, the Londo children seemed to focus on learning to write following the direction of the teacher who had been busy writing some light words on the board.

"Rose, are you done writing it?" mother asked softly after seeing the Rose had closed her writing book.

"Already, Miss Huru," answered the hesitant Rose.

"Then can I see?"

The teacher grabbed Rose's book, read what the little girl had written.

"Well, where did you learn? Your writing is beautiful and neat. Very good, Rose!" praise the teacher after seeing the results of the work of the Rose.

"My mother taught me to write and read, Teacher," replied the Rose.

"Wild roses can read?"

The little girl nodded enthusiastically, making Master Ma'am smile proudly.

Although he knew that Roses had a native mother, it made Roses superior to his classmates who even today can hold a pencil properly.

It is hard to believe, a child who had just entered elementary school at that time was immediately able to read. Only children who have extraordinary parents are able to make their children can be like the Rose at that time.

"On the blackboard, Teacher wrote like this, Kees Loves to Read," said Rose as she read the blackboard before her.

"That's fine, Rose. Children, remember to study diligently in order to be smart like the Roses, yes" Master said with a gentle smile.

"Why should I be good as a rose? Mama she's just a stupid Inlander" Nico, a Rose classmate, said lightly, making Roses bow their heads.

"Nico's right, Miss Master. Mama Roses are just an Inlander no more noble than we are" Rebecca added.

"Not to say that, kids. Insulting others is an act that is not commendable and punishable by God. You all understand?" the Teacher's Remembrance.

The still downcast rose sadly knew that Nico and Rebecca were still looking at him with a look of dislike.

The poor little girl knew nothing. The marriage of his parents was also not something he could arrange, where could he choose in which family he would be born.

"Roses can sit again dear," said Master while gently rubbing the top of the Rose's head.

"Thank you, Master."

"Nico and Rebecca, quickly apologize to the Rose," the teacher asked firmly.

Though with reluctant faces, Nico and Rebecca are forced to apologize to Rose.

"I'm sorry, Rose" they both said.

"Yes." Yeah."

That was all that the little Rose could say whose heart felt sliced.

The little girl could only hope that her school life would run smoothly until the end.

Life as a Noni is not an easy thing that the Rose must pass.

Mental Roses have been prepared by Mama and Papa early on to face ridicule like this, but Roses still feel sad and hurt.

He could now only pretend to feel nothing after what Nico and Rebecca had said, although there are also some friends who look at the Rose with a look of pity because they feel that what Nico and Rebecca did was wrong.

The rose simply sat still, waiting impatiently inwardly to return home immediately.

If the Rose was born to a native Dutch woman would it change things?