The Winter Promise

Chapter 13: A Glimpse of Light Inside a Storm.

The National Examination has ended, today I plan to go to school to meet with my homeroom teacher. Coincidentally today, I will receive a letter of recommendation to proceed to the next school. Before I go too far I will tell you about this recommendation.

So the education system in my country has a rule where schools can provide recommendations to their students to make it easier for them to enter certain schools, in accordance with the recommendations of schools.

And the recommendation is determined in accordance with the academic value or achievement possessed by students during the in

school. The better the academic grades and achievements of a student, the more schools recommended to him.

But many students also do not take the recommendation because the school is not in accordance with what

what they want. Whether it's from the distance between school and home, or other reasons.

Of course I'll take the recommendation from the school. Because you can easily get into school

state, besides you don't have to bother studying to take the entrance exam at every school.

“Mom has seen all your grades from first to third grade. Your grades aren't so bad and

there is one school recommended from the school for you.”

My homeroom teacher gave me a brown map. I also opened the map and in it there are some papers that display my grades during school here.

And my eyes were also fixed on the name of the school that became my recommendation.

SMK Sawah besar, multimedia department.

But how is school? I've never heard of that school. When I get home, I will search the internet.

“So this is my recommendation? Why multimedia?”

“Because the value of your artistry and computer is quite high. So that's why you got a multimedia major. Actually, your math and physical grades are also high, but you once wrote on the school's purpose sheet given by the school. You filled it into all vocational schools, right? So that's the recommendation you get.”

“Once yes, at least I get a recommendation. Thanks for the guidance, ma'am.”

I put the paper in the folder again and put it in my bag. Then I rushed home.

When I came out of the teacher's room, in front of me right now was Rina waiting for someone.

“Yo, want to see the recommendation results as well?”

But Rina did not answer me and just lowered her head.

Very awkward, I should not have reprimanded earlier.

“...Ar.”

“Hmmm..”

“What after this you are busy?”

“No, why?”

“Do you want to accompany me around school first?”

“Is there something you want to talk about?”

“..Yes.”

“Good.”

There was something I wanted to ask him, too.

Finally we went around school while remembering the times when we attended school here. The first purpose

we visited the front of the school.

“Do you remember the first time we lined up here for class division?”

Wow... I remember that time, when I had absolutely no idea that Riki entered this school and also

I don't know Maul yet.

“At that time I was very confused to interact with others, because no friends from my SD

go to the same class as me. Then I saw you standing before me with a very cynical look.”

If it wasn't wrong then I was looking at a man who looked into every row of classes for

find out which woman is the most beautiful.

“Ah.. I remember that, that time was also the beginning of our first acquaintance.”

“At that time I was so afraid to reprimand you because I thought you were a bad person.”

“Masa? I didn't know it was scaring you.”

“Of course, everyone who saw you back then will definitely think the same as me.”

Did ya? I guess at the time my view wasn't too creepy either.

“But thanks to that I know that you are actually a good person Ar. It's just that your aura emits the opposite.”

“I am not the kind person you think I am, the aura I emit is the truth of myself.”

Because from the beginning I had no intention of doing good with anyone else. It's just that I thought of a way to make life in school profitable for me. That's why I keep trying to interact with my friends in my class.

“I think honesty is what makes you look good in my eyes. You never hide your intentions

another in doing something, I think that's what makes you cool.”

Lina smiled right in front of me.

Dugs.. Dugs…

I felt something warm inside my body. Whatisthis?

“Really? You're too much in praising me Rina.”

“I'm not exaggerating, it's like that's the reality.”

Can I be happy now? It seemed like it was no problem to be happy after hearing that, but

don't get caught by him if I'm happy.

“How about we go to next place Ar?”

We also went around school. During the trip, we often met with our classmates who were on the lookout for the results of their recommendations. They look really happy when me and Lina walk together. I don't know what they're thinking. It must be obvious, they think that me and Lina are already dating.

Am I hoping too much? But that's all I can conclude after seeing their attitude.

We finally got to the back yard of the school. The most historic place for my trip to this school. Because it's just here where I spend time alone.

“What are we doing here?”

“There are memories of itself here.”

Rina stared at the back wall of the school filled with scribbles.

“Then this place became the place I was most afraid of because so many men expressed their feelings for me.”

“Why are you afraid of it?”

“I'm afraid of hurting their hearts. It's so sad Ar, when you've gathered your courage

to express love to someone, but the feeling is even rejected by the person you like.”

Rina was visibly sedentary when she said that.

“I don't think it's like that. It's already a risk to those who want to express their feelings. You shouldn't have

need to worry about it.”

“Maybe if I had the same nature as you, I would have thought the same thing. But our nature is different Ar.”

“Sure, our nature is very different. There is actually something I want to ask you.”.

“What is it?”

“What did they say when the rumors were true?”

“Hmmm..”

“Do you like me?”

AAHhh... I am ashamed to say that, is there anything I can use to cover my face?

Lina was silent after I said that.

“...What if it's true?”

Doesn't it? Then he really likes me.

“Of course I'm very happy if you really like me, but still I don't want to date at this time.”

“You already know for yourself, I don't like anything irrational.”

The atmosphere became silent, I saw Rina who was breathing very long. He looked at me with eyes full of faith and courage.

“That's right Ar, I like you.”

“Hah!?”

Wait for.. Wait... I didn't listen wrong? Lina, like me?

“Then what about the guy you like from SD?”

“Didn't you remember Ar? That man is you.”

It is only fitting that when I heard the story at that time I felt that I had experienced it.

“Means you also go to Cibubur Elementary School?”

“Iya, but I get her morning class.”

“So the woman who was almost hit by the ball at that time. That you?!”

I almost forgot about it. It turns out that in elementary school I once saved one girl who was almost hit by a ball.

“Yes, do you not realize it?”

“Of course, your appearance is very different once.”

If my time in SD used to be, Rina is not as flashy as in SMP. If there had been a beautiful woman in my school, it would have spread to my classroom. Although I was in the afternoon class, but the information turnover in my school at that time was very fast.

“When I saw you again at Junior High, I was so happy. But you're so different

from the old.”

“Different?”

“If you used to look friendly and kind in front of people. But when it comes to SMP, you are much colder and creepy Ar..”

There is actually a story about the change that happened to me. But because it has nothing to do with it

with a love story, maybe I'll tell you next time.

“...But at least your good nature never changes.”

“I never felt good to you when I first met.”

“Did you forget when you lent me a pen because I forgot to bring a pencil case?”

What the hell? Since when have I experienced such events in the movies.

“I forgot about it.”

“I'm just glad to see you haven't changed at all.”

I fell silent and thought about how Lina was feeling right now. I really don't want to refuse it at this time. Although he tried to smile in front of me, but I knew that he was suffering a lot for sure.

“...You should have known my answer to what.”

“Iya, I know it's Ar.”

Rina also looks moody which makes me so do not have the heart to see it. Actually I don't want to reject Rina if I can, because she is the woman who has been the light of my life.

Maybe I was too overused about saying that. But every time I want to do something

bad, surely Rina was always there to remind me. He was also the one who always opposed me if I had the wrong thoughts.

So I thought, when I was being hit by a very strong storm, Rina became a glimmer of light

lighted me at that moment. Even at the last moment, he stopped me.

“I'm sorry Rina, but I still don't want to be bound by anything.”

But light is light, and I am darkness. Light and darkness cannot unite. Want as hard as they are put together, there is still a barrier that separates them.

“Iya it's okay Ar, I already know you will answer it.”

Lina smiled at me, but that smile was painful in my heart. Because right now, he was feeling very sad. I'm sure of it.

She started sobbing and I could clearly see her hands clutching her skirt with her

real strong. Like she was holding back her tears.

Suddenly made me go straight up to him and embrace him.

“Do not grieve.”

I also stroked his head slowly. She started to hold her head against my chest, and Lina started to cry.

Did I do something bad to him? I had just seen her cry like this for the first time, and I had made her cry. I feel bad for him, what if he gets angry with me and doesn't want to talk to me anymore, but it looks like this is our last meeting, so I don't have to think about anything like that.

Actually, this wouldn't have happened if I had accepted it and made it my girlfriend. Besides being her boyfriend doesn't seem to be a problem, I already know how her nature is and I don't think she's going to make me bother.

But how else. Right now I'm not being bound by anything, I want to be free to do

everything. I don't want to be deterred by something like jealousy, the affection that other people already have, and anything related about it.

“You evil Ar... Stupid, callous, stupid.”

“Iya.. Yes... I am a bad person.”

To this day, I still think about what made Lina like me like this. There's no way that just what happened in SD made him like me. Because I think it's very ordinary.

“...I'm not just gonna give up, I promise I'll need your idealism.”

Rina wiped her tears and then looked me in the eyes with a very strong determination. Looks like he

I mean it when I say I want to destroy my idealism.

“All right, let's see how you can do it.”

I actually had thought about this before.

Is there anyone who can break down my idealism. If there is no one who can destroy

my idealism is that maybe I won't get married. Rather than thinking about it, it was better to just leave it alone and look. Who can change my idealism.

“What is your recommendation letter already out Ar?”

He switched the conversation. It seemed like he was trying to forget this by acting as usual towards me. If it can forget all the sadness he feels at the moment, it is better for me to be ordinary and for our common good.

Yeah, we're together.

“Already.”

“Where are you recommended?”

“SMK Sawah Besar, multimedia majors.”

“SMK Big Crater huh? I heard that the school is quite famous also in Jakarta.”

“Hee.. I just found out.”

It's amazing, just with the recommendation I've been able to get into a top school. Looks like my grades

it's good, heheheheh…

“Are you going to take that recommendation?”

“Of course, if indeed it is a pretty famous school, would not it be a pity to let it.”

But still, the distance of my house with the school was very far. Looks like I have to take Transjakarta to get there.

“If you?”

“My schedule is new tomorrow. So I don't know which school to recommend.”

“As I expected from a smart guy like you.”

Because tomorrow is the day for those students who have many achievements to take his recommendation. Seems

Maul and Riki also just took his recommendation tomorrow.

So I'm the only one who doesn't have any achievements here.

Let it be, it's just my ability. Rather than lamenting it, I would rather accept it. Anyway

what I got wasn't so bad.

All righty! Let's see how much fun SMK is.

the End Chapter 13