Two Lunar Luminaries
The Withered Flower
Laya was lying on her bed after she finished her bath and changed her clothes. Her wet hair, as well as the water droplets that flowed down from her hair onto her pillow, did not bother her at all. His mind was wandering on the scene these two days.
Stopping at Iris's house and meeting Iris's family is a mesmerizing experience for Laya. He seemed to find the world he had longed for, especially seeing the relationship of Iris and Chrysanthemum, seeing how Iris cared so much about Chrysanthemum.
Some of them are jealous of their interactions. They seemed to have no distance, Laya could see how Iris loved Chrysanthemum, not only from her actions but also from the look of her eyes.
Laya had never seen such a gaze before, a gaze that only radiated love and affection. Laya could also see how much Chrysanthemum admired and cherished her brother, it could even be said that she depended on him a little.
Moreover seeing Seruni's mother, Iris' mother, somehow reminds Laya of her mother. Bu Seruni loved flowers so much. Her mother also loved flowers. Laya vaguely remembered when she was a child, her yard was filled with flower plants, ranging from roses, chrysanthemums, lily there were even Iris flowers. He recalled how his mother told him about the flowers, what they meant and what they meant.
But when Laya entered SD, the flower plant was lost overnight. His yard became arid, there were no more flower plants in the yard. That's when the instinct in Laya says that she can no longer talk about flowers. Laya learned a lot about flowers. He studied theories about how to plant flowers, so he knew many things and could freely talk about it with ma'am Seruni.
Laya felt flowers had become a part of her life. Her mother loves flowers, Laya captures that love. Although somehow her mother had thrown flowers out of her life, Laya felt that flowers were a part of her mother that she had to take care of.
After chatting with Miss Seruni, Laya felt she could understand her mother a little. Bu Seruni once had a dream to become a botanist. He was eager to get into ecology, but at one point in his life he gave up on that dream.
He does not regret his life's decision, but he wants to keep that part of his unfulfilled dream. So he planted a variety of plants at home, ranging from ornamental flowers, medicinal plants, sometimes he let wild grass grow and thrive there.
What his mother experienced may not be much different from what was experienced by Bu Seruni. At one point in life, her mother may have to give up on her dreams. Only their self-defense mechanisms were different.
Bu Seruni decides to take care of a small part of her dream, while her mother chooses to throw away the whole part of her dream.
Laya remembered remembering her conversation with Miss Seruni earlier this afternoon.
“Why are there no Iris flowers here bu?” tannya
“Why yes? Looks like mom just refused. I don't feel like I'm going to take care of them. Mothers live in limitations, therefore mother does not want to keep them here. I don't want to limit their lives. Mothers want them to live their own way, sprout in their own path, and bloom with
their own will. Mother wants them to have their own life.” Reply ma'am Seruni while looking at the flower Seruni in front of her.
“Duh I should ask mom before buying this yes, we change how ma'am? I can take this one home.” Said she was panicking.
“Not need to be replaced Laya. This flower has arrived at the mother, so this is where this flower should be. I will take good care of this seruni flower, so that later you can see that in the yard of the mother's house there are the most beautiful seruni flowers.”
Laya thought carefully about Seruni's answer. He felt amazed but also sad at the answer of Ms. Seruni. Bu Seruni so appreciates life, both her children or the plants she takes care of. Laya felt a great affection from ma'am Seruni in every life in her house. Even though the seruni flowers will bloom later, ma'am Seruni will still be the most beautiful Seruni flower in the house.
Even so in the depths of his heart the deepest sorrow haunted him, would his mother be able to rediscover a part of his lost dream, and bloom in her own net. She prayed in her heart, praying for the happiness of her mother, begging that she could bloom again in her own net.
***
Two weeks have passed since Iris signed up for the social games. During that time Iris had learned desperately day and night. He searched and read books in the library during the break. Looking for various articles or essays in the journalistic club room after school, so keep alternating every day.
On Saturdays and Sundays he went to the local library to see examples of journals and thesis. Iris has
decided to focus on the PWC as Mr. Ibrahim said.
Her friends Melinda and Reski are also always ready to provide support for Iris, accompanying her in the library or journalism room. Not only they Anwar and Laya also often offer help to Iris. Iris was always grateful that she was surrounded by good people.
Even so Iris understood that this world has many sides. Although many people who support him there will always be people who sneer at him, like Mr. Idris who blatantly considers what Iris did in vain. Iris heard a lot of small talk about her.
Many assume that he is selfish and greedy, especially with the fact that he has failed, many also feel that Iris will only waste his time, as Mr. Idris said. Some of her underclassmen also sneered at her, they felt Iris was depriving them of their chance. Iris tried her hardest to ignore people's chatter about her and focus on her goal.
But despite trying hard to close his ears, Iris still felt careless. Even more so after various speculations emerged about him and Laya. The news of its proximity to Laya is spreading more and more. The intensity of Laya coming to Iris' house also increased, in the last week alone Laya has three times come to Iris' house.
He would come to Iris where he used to wait for the cargo and offer to take her home. Even though when it reaches the house Laya is no longer a guest. Laya will talk to her mother, help care for plants and even play with Chrysanthemums, ranging from playing ball, bicycle to fly kites together.
Iris did not mind it, Laya did not bother her, her sister and mother also looked comfortable with Laya. Iris had absolutely no intention of taking issue with it. But those who do not understand it will make their own conclusions and spread various strange rumors. They will only believe what they want to believe.
Laya has also shown a lot of changes. It is no longer so competitive. Although it has been two weeks since the announcement Laya did not sign up for the Social Olympics. He is no longer seen working on SBMPTN or UN in his spare time. He switched to reading fiction. He also quit some of the lessons that followed. The biggest change is that it stops shooting.
Many attributed Laya's change to Iris, some convinced that they had established a special relationship, supported also by the testimonies of the people who saw Laya pick up Iris and go home together.
But the rumor is nothing, what hurt Iris the most was the rumor that Iris deliberately seduced Laya, so that Laya fell into her trap and let go of all the competition, so that Iris could win. Iris did not understand at all, how could they think that far.
As at this time, when asking Mr. Ibrahim in the teacher's room, there was Mr. Idris and Mr. Widia, there was also Mr. Adi biology teacher. Iris was talking to Mr. Ibrahim when Mr. Idris approached them and commented.
“You really want to join the race? Doesn't love the same time money what?” he said while peeking at the file that Ibrahim was reading.
Iris and Ibrahim both ignored him. Seeming dissatisfied with their reaction, Idris approached Adi and sat in front of him.
“You are already in class 12, it is no longer the time to join the competitions. If he really wants to come, you should follow the Laya, he will have won, so the chance of winning is certainly greater. Yes, sir Adi?” tanya seemed to ask for support from Mr. Adi.
“Hemm, you are also an IPS child who is often the general champion. I agree with Mr. Idris, you better focus on SBMPTN, rather than participating in things that are definitely rich gini.” Answer's relaxed. Mr. Idris looks very satisfied with Mr. Adi's answer.
“Iya sir, children today are very difficult to say.” timpal sir Idris, look very satisfied after finding a like-minded interlocutor.
“Again IPS children can finally be what si.” Reply Adi sir with a smile, as if mocking the existence of Iris.
The mockery seemed to drain all the energy inside Iris. Iris wanted to fight but her body felt frozen. His entire body was tired after studying all night, and his heart was also tired of hearing scorn and scorn.
When he thought that he had reached the limit of his patience, a warm touch was felt on his shoulders, without him noticing that Widia was already standing next to him.
“Without reducing respect, I think it is very inappropriate for a teacher to speak so in front of his student.” This time, I heard the voice of Abraham.
Mr. Ibrahim put the paper that had been read on his desk, removed his glasses and looked gently at Iris.
“You can go back to Iris's class, I'll read-well your writing. We'll talk about the results tomorrow, okay.” He said it was soft unlike the tone of his previous voice.
Iris just nodded, and as if understanding each other, Widia took Iris out of the teacher room. Iris doesn't know what happened to her teachers in the classroom. He did not know and did not want to know, the only thing he wanted was to go as far away from that place.
