THERE'S ALWAYS A LEANING PLACE

Part XIII

Via got off Ms. Aisyah's car. He did not go to his class but to the library. There the class brothers who will participate in the debate race have gathered.

"Sister Viki and Brother Doni haven't come yet?" ask Via.

"Had, just now," replied the man standing behind Via.

"Eh, Vicky. Very neat?"

"It wants a race. Appearance needs to be considered dong."

"Who knows there are girls who meet. Yes, Ki?" the new Ledek Doni is coming.

"Once rowing, two three islands are exceeded" replied Viki cuek.

"Kapuk island, Mas?" Anton, the XI class student chimed in.

"Hus, little boy don't follow!" dengus Viki pretended to be angry.

"The kids are ready?" asked Ms. Ratri from the library door.

"Already, Mom," they answered compactly.

"Prepare mentally.Remember, the main key is confidence."

"What time are we leaving, ma'am?" ask Viki.

"Hour 7.15. Get there around 7:30. You still have time to pay attention to the atmosphere and the opponents you will face. We'll wait for Mr. Herman."

"Ready, Mom!" answer Doni.

"You don't strain, relax" said Ms Ratri.

"The feeling from earlier was all relaxed. Even Ms Ratri looked tense. Why even tell to relax while Ms Ratri herself looks like a spaneng. I think people want war. Selow, Ma'am.." Inner Via.

"Well, Mr. Herman has arrived. You guys get ready, yeah! Wait on the front page!" ma Ratri's orders.

"Okay, Mom."

The six of them headed to the front yard of the school. The atmosphere was already quiet because the children had entered their respective classes.

After saying goodbye to the principal, the six children and Mr. Herman and Ms. Ratri got into the car. Mr. Herman was driving at moderate speed. As expected, 15 minutes later they reached the race location.

Mr. Herman and Ms. Ratri went to the secretariat to take care of the re-listing. While the six students headed straight for the race room.

"Vi, old faces appear" whispered Viki.

"Hoooh. It means we're fighting a mortal enemy. Lest the opponent we face most of that-that too."

"I know 6 people who came yesterday. From SMA 8 there is 2, from SMA Pancasila there is 3, and the 1 from SMA 11."

"You're good too, Ki. I just memorized that from Pancasila High School."

"Not many have come. I noticed only about 6 schools coming," said Doni.

"There's still half an hour left, Don," Viki responded.

A quarter of an hour later the participants began to crowd the hotel hall. Via looked at Viki with a look of confidence.

"Totally a lot of old faces, Vi."

"Yes, it's not just the three of us who are old" said Via. He chuckles at his words.

"Are there really many XII classes?" ask Doni.

Viki and Via nodded.

"We understand their power. But do not let your guard down because we do not know their development" whispered Viki.

"Are you ready to play, kids?" ask Mr. Herman.

"Ready, sir," they answered.

"A lot of old enemies, sir," whispered Viki.

"O yeah? You memorized?"

"Yes, Sir. There's about 50 percent old face," Via assures.

"That means your enemies are heavy because they already have experience," said Ms Ratri.His face seemed increasingly tense.

Via smiled,"Relax, Mom. We have prepared a strategy. Yes, Ki?"

"Foolah. The important thing is not to underestimate the opponent. It could backfire."

Shortly thereafter, an announcement was made from the loud speaker. Participants are asked to gather to listen to the explanation of the race rules and take the lottery.

At exactly 8 the race begins. They present their arguments with confidence. Moreover, participants who have experienced racing in the previous year.

The race is suspended at 12 for ishoma. The Via school team decided to pray for lunch.

"Good escape, sir," replied Doni.

"Team 2 is pretty good. Even if you're just the first to come along, your arguments are good and convincing. Just, Anton needs to be confident when he talks. You often seem to doubt. It could be a gap that the opponent uses to attack you."

They discussed strategies for the next round. They also make mapping of the opposing forces.

So engrossed in the discussion, Via did not realize there was a pair of eyes watching him. That person only watched from a distance away.

After an hour of rest, the jury announced the results of the preliminary round. It turned out that both teams from the Via school advanced to the quarter-finals. The quarter-final round that afternoon as well.

Fortunately, the quarter-final draw was quite profitable. They don't face each other. So, there is a chance of meeting in the next round if you win.

At 14:30 the quarter-finals were completed. Apparently, only 1 Via school team escaped. As predicted, team 1 qualified for the semi-finals.

"It's okay just until the quarter-finals. You guys are good. This will be your experience next year" Ms Ratri comforted.

"Yes, Mom. We are not disappointed" Anton replied.

"You guys are great!" puji Via's.

"The great brother. We have to learn a lot from Brother."

"You're all great. I'm proud of you" Mr. Herman interceded.

They finally laughed. They walked together towards the parking lot.

"We're going back to school, sir?" ask Anton.

"No. Arrive at the school at most one hour of lessons left. You guys are tired anyway. We go straight home. You guys take you home."

"But I'm not one-way. Father's time back and forth. Not effective, sir. Father to the kesorean house. Mending me up just jolt," said Via.

Mr. Herman thought for a moment. Then he pulled out his phone.

"alright. But really you're okay to go home on a bump?" Mr. Herman is still doubtful.

"It's really okay, sir."

"Safe taxi. Then let me take the taxi online."

"Dek Via! What are you doing here?"

A guy in a blue dongker suit walked over. Via was surprised to see the figure in front of him.

"Mas Farhan?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Via just entered the race. It's just finished and we're going home."

"Mas Farhan's son Bu Aisyah, huh?" ask Mrs Ratri.

"Yes, ma'am" Farhan replied, clenching his hands to his chest. Then he greeted Mr. Herman and his friends.

"We're done, we're going home. Via is not in the direction of the others, he wants to go home on a ride," added Mr. Herman.

"Liar with me. I just happen to want to go home now."

"Well, what a coincidence then. I'm heading Via, yes. Thank you, Mas Farhan."

"Either. Let's all. Assalamualaikum."

"Getishalight."

Farhan walked to the car followed by Via. The girl sat in the back seat.

Farhan started driving slowly out of the hotel and restaurant complex.

"Mas Farhan was at the hotel?" ask Via in doubt. He tried to break the silence so they wouldn't be awkward.

"Meeting with an eye-to-eye guest," replied Farhan flatly.

"Oh..."

After that there was no more talk. Farhan did not seem to want to ask Via anything. They are immersed in each other's thoughts.

"O Allah, is this a refrigerator or penguin? So cold. Ask about the race. Try if I was asked about the race. I must have answered at length times high. Uh, volume dong." Via stopped his silly thoughts.

Twenty minutes they're in silence. They finally got home.

"Thank you, ma'am," said Via before descending.

Farhan just nodded. He came down and went into the house.

***