Watch Out for Falling in Love

A Promise

I don't know how many times the door of the room made of brown teak wood was knocked by Ningsih. The middle-aged woman was anxious to see her youngest daughter continue to confine herself inside for most of the day. He just goes out to eat and shit. The rest were busy in the room.

Whenever asked about what had really happened since his return from Nathan's house, Diandra kept quiet. Then suddenly there was the sound of sobs in the room. From the first to the soft, then the louder like a roar full of emotion, to sobbing sedan like a desperate person. Sometimes things fall on the floor. Of course, it made Ningsih more worried. There must be something wrong with Nathan. Her thought.

Finally Ningsih let her daughter who just graduated from High School calm down. Wait until he tells you what really happened. While continuing to sew clothes ordered by others whose money he will collect to resell to PTN in Semarang later.

Maybe because of tired and tired of continuing to lock themselves in the room, Diandra decided to leave the room. With a disheveled face, marsupial eyes, puffy, and pitiful looking, the 18-year-old girl suddenly rushed into her mother's room which had just finished praying.

Ningsih was surprised to see her daughter suddenly rest on her lap. Hugged it as if it had not seen each other for a long time. He rubbed his head full of tenderness and affection.

"What's up, Dian?" ask Ningsih gently.

"Nathan, Ma" he answered softly.

"Why with him? You guys had a fight?"

Diandra nodded weakly.

"He's a jerk, Ma. He's been lying all along. Andra hates him! I want to trample on him like stepping on a cockroach on the floor. Then I threw him in the mouth of a hungry crocodile."

"Wow, is evil right? What the hell is going on?" Ningsih was curious.

Andra was silent for a moment. There was a groove of tears dripping down the corner of the eye. He wiped it fast. Tired of crying over the man he thought was loyal.

Then, stammering with sobs that echoed, the girl told me again about what she saw in Nathan's room. About another girl who was with her lover for a year without knowing it and how devastated her feelings had been betrayed.

Ningsih sighed sadly. He can feel it too. The betrayal she had once experienced now repeated to her daughter. Remember when the husband was two for 7 years. Married another woman without her permission and was only revealed when an accident occurred.

A young woman he didn't know came to see her dying husband. She claims to be her husband's wife as well. Ningsih was shocked to hear the woman's confession. The two had a fight in the hospital before reconciled relatives.

Not yet had time to ask for an explanation directly from the husband, the man had already breathed his last. Ningsih was so beaten. He had depression. Moreover, the mistress demanded an inheritance as well.

Strangely the young wife suddenly came carrying a will made by the husband before dying. Ningsih felt there was a gaffe. Unfortunately, the handwriting and signature of the husband show its authenticity.

Now almost all of the inheritance fell into the hands of young wives. All that remains is a house with its furniture. While rented houses, villas, cars, businesses and official deposits belong to the young wife.

Ningsih lived a life full of limitations. Moreover, he had to finance his three children. The first child is still in college level 3. The second child just went to college. While Diandra was still a Grade 1 High School at that time. His life is full of pursuit of loan sharks in order to connect life forced to do.

Ningsih struggled to raise them. He also slammed the steering wheel of an ordinary housewife who used to be all-sufficient now turned into a tailor at the convection factory. Unable to cope with the demands of work and often overtime, Ningsih fell ill. Eventually he chose to be a seamstress. Soon the first child graduated and began to help Ningsih in financial matters.

Slowly the financial situation is a little better than before. He always emphasized on his three children to always be patient, hard work, never give up, and focus. When Diandra felt the beauty of falling in love, Ningsih was worried. She was afraid that her school lessons would be interrupted. Don't want to work in vain. Fortunately, his daughter always managed to become a class champion. Ningsih's worries slowly dissipated. He allowed her to have a lover as long as it remained within the boundaries of the norm.

To this day his daughter felt a betrayal. To be honest Ningsih felt very disappointed and angry at Nathan. Not willing if the only daughter was hurt. Hoping that such bad luck would never happen to his own son again.

"Dian ..." said Ningsih softly. He caressed Andra's head.

"Hhhhm ...."

"You know, Mama has worked hard to finance and support the three of you. Mom doesn't want your efforts to be in vain. Mama wants you to be successful. Don't be like Mama who is just a tailor," he said.

"Mama don't say that. For Andra, Mama was great. Even if it's just a tailor. Andra is proud." Andra changed her seat to face her mother.

"This is because there is no other choice. Mama's ability is just sewing, honey. Your father never let you work. Even Mama has never had a graduation."

"So Mama used to go to college too?" ask Andra. He looked up at his mother.

"Yes. Mama went to college, but quit before she graduated. It's all because of your papa. He asked Mama not to continue college. Your father was a rich man's son. He guarantees security and happiness if he is with him. Mom was stupid at the time. Deceived by love. Now Mama is sorry when she found out your father was cheating. He deliberately made Mama comfortable and busy at home taking care of the children. While your papa can be free out there. After your father left, Mama limped. Our lives that are easy and easy are now changing completely. Do you remember how good our lives used to be?" said Ningsih with her teary eyes. Remember how happy it used to be and then it changed drastically in an instant.

"Yes, Ma. Andra knows. Now all papa's property is seized by the woman***** that," Andra replied furious.

"Yes, Honey. Mom had been fooled all this time. Mama is so scared when you have a boyfriend. Afraid you're let down men. Mama is afraid of you and also your two sisters failed to become successful people. That's why Mama Pinta is with you, baby. Please promise to focus on college until graduation" pinta Ningsih sobbed as well.

"Yes, Ma. Andra promise."

"Mama doesn't forbid you to fall in love. Nope. I just don't want my bad experience to repeat itself to you, honey. Don't date yet. Love can make anyone illogical and lazy. Mama wants the struggle and hope Mama has not been in vain for your future. You understand, don't you, honey?" Both of Ningsih's hands gently touched her daughter's face. Looked at him full of hope.

"God willing. Andra promised not to date, Ma. Andra will focus on college first until graduation," said Andra steady.

Ningsih's eye beads glazed over. He felt overwhelmed and his chest felt tight. Then a smile fell on his aging face.

"I'm sorry if you seem pushy. Mama is sure you can realize your goals if you focus. Always remember that a good man will never hurt you. So you just need to be patient" he continued.

Andra nodded in understanding. Now the pain is slowly easing. Not as sick as before. He feels a little better. However, those painful memories still remained deeply embedded in his mind.

"So have you cleaned all your clothes?" asked Ningsih with a happy face. The rest of her tears are still there.

"Not yet."

"Yes, Ma. Andra get ready first. But ... Does Mama have the money?" tanyanya doubt.

"Quiet down. Mama's got savings for your college expenses." Ningsih rubbed his daughter's head again.

"Thank you very much, Ma. Inshaa Allah. Andra won't disappoint Mama."

Ningsih was hugged so tightly by Andra. He felt guilty for his sadness just because of an uncertain love. His future is long. Maybe there will be a better love someday. Her thought.

A promise was made to please her heart. The mother and son smiled. Hope good luck still sided with them in order to change things.

***

Two months later, Andra underwent OSEK. Various strange attributes and with a black and white uniform were worn for several days. A strange name was pinned on his chest.

The exhausting activity from morning until late afternoon was forced to go through. Luckily, Andra has a strong body condition. For a week Ningsih accompanied and helped him take care of all the needs of OSEK.

On the last day an incident occurred. One of the freshmen suddenly fainted in front of him. Falling on Andra who was behind him. Due to the large number of fainting, the senior was overwhelmed. Andra was asked to clean it up so it could be moved to the dugout. Assisted by other students.

The three walked away. Considering he himself was also feeling tired. Not even in the break room, another student who helped her fainted as well. He panicked. Then seek help.

Unfortunately, that afternoon somehow the campus was deserted. Though usually many other students go back and forth to watch the OSEK event. Until his eyes saw someone passing by. He called her someone who turned out to be a student as well.

"Sorry, Brother. Can you ask me for a favor?" her door.

The student was surprised to see two girls lying on the floor.

"Why them? Fainted?"

"Yes, Brother. I was told to take them to the dugout, but I couldn't take them alone. Can you help me not cut them?"

Can't bear to see the new student was troubled with a dull and tired face, finally he tried to help. One by one the two new students were carried into the break room.

Until Andra also felt so weak powerless. He also collapsed in front of the room.

"You want to faint too?" ask the student.

"No. I'm pretty strong. Just limp. Take a break for a while," he said. His face was pale.

The man chuckled and ruffled his two-pointed hair.

"Sok strong yes you. If not strong wave your hand towards the camera," he ledeknya. He also stepped away.

"Eh, Brother. Wait up!" yell Andra.

"What's wrong?" He looks.

"Thank you for much help."

"You're welcome." He smiled and left while pulling his Adidas bag on his left shoulder. In both of his ears was a long iPod cable stretched into his pants.

Andra was stunned to see him leave. His senior looked calm and kind. I don't know what his name is. Then someone called it. Andra looked back.

Both of his friends who had fainted had apparently died.

"Well, you guys know it fast. I knew I didn't have to go inside. Let him stay here until he realizes himself. Berat tau," his grunts.

"sorry. Uh, but thank you for bringing us here" said one of them.

"Thank you, too" said the other.

"Yes are equally. Thankfully, someone helped me."

"Oh yes my name is Ivane from Banten.  You who?"

"Gue Diandra, born in Depok, but lives in Bandung."

"If I were Widia of Sragen."

"OK deh. Now do you want to go back to the field or still want to pretend to be sick?" andra proposed while smiling meaningfully.

The three exchanged lyrics and smiled cunningly. It was finally decided to continue her pain and return to the dugout with a face of sand.

***