12. MYSTERIOUS PHONE

I'll have a dance competition today, it's quite a busy morning. I prepared some equipment such as a thin and comfortable shirt that I will use for my underwear when I get dressed up later. I didn't forget to put in some make-up equipment, a comb and a corset. The corset is the most important asset for us as dancers. So that the cloth and kebaya that we use can look neat and comfortable to wear. You can't miss it, you can take off my cloth later.

"Sin, Daddy can't see Sintia appear right, sorry Daddy is not feeling well, and in the office there are some files that Daddy has to work on."

"Yes Dad, it's okay."

"But Dad still takes Sintia to school first, okay?"

Daddy hurried to get ready, he gave in leaving early so he could take me first to prepare for the grooming for the next stage. While mom chose to go to noon on her motorbike. Because there is still a lot of homework.

At 06.00 sharp, I arrived at school, it was very, very quiet. Only Wiji and Nicky's mother, while the others haven't arrived yet. Not waiting long, Mrs. Wiji immediately helped us with our make-up, using a Lampung filter, a white kebaya, a hair bun and a siger on the head. They also immediately got ready and decorated.

At 6:55 a.m. our pick-up car was ready, we had three dance groups performing three different types of Lampung dance. There is the Sembah dance, the Bedana dance and the Melinting dance. The championship was held in GOR and the participants were quite a lot from all junior high schools in one Metro city.

Our tough rivals, from Middle School 1 and 3, looked very luesy and they danced together and we had to be satisfied enough to be third place. I was really tired today, after the match at 14.00 noon, I could automatically go home, without having to go back to school.

Arriving at home.

So tired, I immediately took a plate of rice. Luckily my mom cooked the vegetables before college, and when I opened the fridge, it seemed that there was fruit ice and porridge with my favorite green beans that were still neatly wrapped. Okay, I'll just choose the porridge, right for the energy of people who are tired of activities.

Kring ... kring ....

"Hello, good afternoon."

"Yes, how are you, Sin?"

"Who is this?"

"Um, can't forget my voice."

"What, Miftah, I'm tired after the dance competition."

"Miftah?"

"Eh sorry, who is it?"

"Are you going out with Miftah?"

"Hey  Agung, how are you, brother?"

"Good news, are you going out with Miftah? How come you remember her voice."

"Ehmmm, just close brother, I usually like to call and sometimes play here."

Oh, what do I have to answer, why don't I just say yes, but if I say yes then he won't call me aagain

"Yes, it's okay, you just consider you a friend, right?"

"Gung really said that."

Gosh, I'm so clumsy, why don't I feel good, I'm also confused, what my relationship with Agung is. Sometimes he often looks jealous of me.

"Sin, why are you so quiet? Right. We're just friends, it's okay if you have a boyfriend too."

In a somewhat disappointed tone on the line.

"Anything, the important thing is comfortable, oh yeah, where do you rarely call me?"

"Find money, to be able to call you at a telephone booth or payphone."

"Is, it's too much to joke."

"It's true, sometimes when I have my spare time I take the city transportation, right? Not bad for snacks, I play sometime, huh? You're arrogant now you have a boyfriend."

"Yes, let me know if you play."

"Afraid someone has this apple?"

"Afraid there are lessons and dance schedules."

"Oh, really? Yeah, I've been playing sometime."

I could imagine what if Agung had the same feelings as me, especially if he remembered his struggles, maybe he had to save some pocket money to be able to call me. And imagine if what he said was true, he would have to learn to work by pulling public transportation with his uncle. 

This is what is not good if you have lots of friends, but intimate, if you mention the wrong name. Their voices are almost the same on the phone. By the way Miftah calls a bit less now, more often and Impin's attention to me. And even more so if at school I and Impin can still have a peek. The class fits right in front of my class. You want to go anywhere you can look at each other.

Two weeks from 17 August 1997, Mr. Yanto and several teachers toured our class. All children were asked to stand. And who will be chosen to participate in the marching competition during the celebration of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

It seems that the male team had chosen first. And I saw Impin participate. Right in front of my class, he gave the code for me to participate. Incidentally, all of my friends came along, almost in unity for a team. All right, I hope I can be strong in the marching race. It's quite far, about 10 Km around the city.

We didn't wait for a long time, we left the lesson for a moment, we practiced marching, for two weeks every day there would be material that we left behind, of course. To practice this marching. Never mind, Impin and I still got the theory and subject matter later at the tutoring location. Even though I participated in a myriad of school activities, thank God I still got class rankings at school. At least even though I am well known by the teachers or friends of my ranking organization, I can still take responsibility right!

Daddy always told me, daddy will not give you a lot of inheritance or capital, but in life the most valuable inheritance from parents to children is knowledge. And daddy never limits my associations, hobbies and activities, as long as everything is still in a positive context and doesn't get off track.

Indeed, if we can't take care of ourselves, a teenager like me is very vulnerable to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or other negative things. Junior High School, trial run. Moreover, I, who was both direct and indirect, was very close to the association. But if there are friends who ask me, all I can imagine is daddy and mom, it's a pity if I break up and don't become an accomplished human.

The lesson is, by following this hike, my relationship with Impin is getting closer. And it seems his best friend is starting to know that we have a special relationship. Aw ... aw .... I was happy and I was worried too, afraid of being complained about with Menik.

Every day there are my activities, especially towards this August. August 17th arrived, we had a flag ceremony at school. And tomorrow is the day we are waiting for, - wait for the championships to line up. Because today we went home early without school lessons, we quickly took the time to play.

Take a walk to the market and buy our subscription chicken noodles. There were maybe 10 of us in total, busy but fun. Anto's chicken noodles, cheap, festive, and delicious.

Some of my friends went home, and some of them came with me to go home. There are many reasons for them staying at my house, which must be because of family problems that also ensnared them. So they are more comfortable spending time, even overnight. Often times I saw them cry, and complained to me. But never mind, our names are friends, whatever their difficulties we help each other. Those who are sad are comforted, those who are difficult to help fill each other's day.

When I got home, it so happened that Mom was sorting out our pet tilapia. We are ready to execute fried tilapia fun. Cook in the kitchen jokingly. After finishing helping mom cook, we ate together on the back porch near the pool. Mom and dad also join us. Because almost every day my house is a gathering place, so everyone feels comfortable. Catur, Maria, Ervina, Nicky, Nita, Dedeh and the others used to call mom and babe. Somehow calling babe, maybe because it's still a hit with the film Dul is a schoolgirl. The film is a show for mom and dad every day.

At night, after the evening prayer.

"Mom, in three months there will be a study tour, maybe to Jogjakarta and in Lampung."

"Which one do you want to come with?"

"Want to come to Jogjakarta Mom, if possible."

"It's still a long time, I'll just think about it. Get over there. You guys take a break, tomorrow you want to join the marching race, right?"

"Yes, but we are not sleepy yet Mom."

"Well, then, I want to go to the room first, do you want a massage and give your Daddy's wind oil."

"Yes, Mom."

We rushed into the room, even though we hadn't slept and were just joking in the room.