Anjani Darling
Anjani And Pasambahan Dance

Tomorrow is the graduation day of sixth grade elementary school students. It means graduation, brother Philip, brother Zein, Mega and his friends. Brother Philip will continue at Junior High which is right next to our school.

"Anjani, tomorrow's my last day in a red and white uniform. You know, I'm the best graduate, too. You don't want to give me a present?" brother Philip said as we walked home.

"I have nothing to give" I replied. Indeed, during my stay in the orphanage, the life I lived was very simple. School clothes and supplies, people's gifts. There was never any pocket money every day. If I'm lucky then Aunt Desi will give me some bread for lunch.

"You don't have to give me expensive gifts. For example, make me a poem, a song, or you should be performing at a farewell tomorrow."

"Indeed brother Philip wants to see me perform?"

"of course. You just appear to be a special gift for me."

"Then look at it tomorrow."

"Are you going to perform?"

"Some," we both laughed together.

"Anjani, you have to promise me, you have to stay happy" Philip said as he looked at me.

"Why?"

"Because I love seeing you smile, let alone laugh like that."

"Am I pretty then?"

"No!"

"Then I'll frown." I started making fun of Philip's brother until your laughter broke again.

"Anjani's. Why stop?" philip asked, when he realized I wasn't stepping.

In front of the alley to the orphanage, Brother Zein was silent while looking at us who was on the sidewalk. What's wrong with him. Why does it always appear so suddenly. Just make others surprised. Why does he have to see me like that anyway?

"Hey Zein!" greet brother Philip.

Instead of answering, Brother Zein just passed by with a strange look. Ever since he got hurt for being accidentally pushed by me, we never spoke again. I saw him several times watching me. But after being caught by me, he threw away his face like this.

"You haven't been friends with him?" ask brother Philip.

"No. He hasn't apologized." I was still upset because he called me a discarded child.

"He'll never apologize,"

"Then I don't have to be friends with him!"

Arriving in front of the orphanage, Philip's brother and I separated. He continued to walk towards his house which was right next to the parlour.

As Mega says, Philip's house is huge. She only lives alone with her mother. The house always looked lonely, Philip's mother also rarely left the house. Even for shopping, he always told others.

During my stay at the parlor, I only saw her once. Very beautiful woman. Her face though was a little cold, but it looked ayu with white skin.

Philip doesn't look like his mother. Physically, especially physically. Philip's brother has blue eyes. Her hair was a bit blond, while her mother had a bushy black hair. By nature, Philip's brother was very friendly, while his mother was cold.

***

At six o'clock in the morning, I was already at school with some of the kids who were in dance classes. Art teachers assisted third and fourth graders are decorating.

"Anjani, come here!" call Mrs Ratih, my art teacher. "I'm going to decorate you, so you need to calm down." she asked.

About fifteen minutes, I was ready with typical West Sumatran clothing, complete with a suntiang weighing ten kilograms.

"You're so pretty, son. Just this time I saw a member of the dance team as beautiful as you." Madam Ratih poking my cheeks. "Be well done. Okay!"

"Okay ma'am," I gave a thumbs up.

Not long after, the music sounded. The Pasambahan dance friends began to dance. After finishing, one of the fourth graders read the pantun to accompany me inside. As soon as the road opened, Brother Philip immediately smiled looking at me.

Slowly I stepped forward, carrying a betel-filled carano to be given to brother Philip.

He did not know that I was the carrier of the carano because he had never told me before.

I had actually thought of the right gift for Brother Philip, but there was nothing I could give. Finally I went to see Ratih's mother, asking for a chance to be allowed to be a carrier of the carano. At least that way I'll have a photo opportunity with Philip's brother.

"Anjani, is that you?" philip whispered.

"Hmm, let's quickly grab the betel!" I whispered back.

"You're so pretty."

"What?"

Pantun has to be spoken. Sirihpun already taken. Now I have to get off the stage with the other dance team.

Backstage, Mrs Ratih was waiting. He seemed satisfied with my appearance. Although there is no training, it works perfectly.

"Anjani, you're amazing, son." again Ratih's mother softened my cheek.

"Thank you, Mom, for giving me a chance."

"Anjani, can you ask me something?"

"What Mom?"

"If you were your mother, would you?"

"I mean mother?"

"Anjani, do you want to be a mother's son? I promised Anjani I'd be a good parent to you. We'll be very happy if you're ready. I can't bear to see him living in a parlor. Everyone knows, the condition of the orphanage is lacking, because it's a mother's child, huh?"

What Ratih's mother said made me take a few steps back. I was happy to change in fear. Then hurriedly ran away leaving Ratih's mother.

It's bad I ran with custom clothes, plus heavy editing.

I don't want to be Ratih's son. It was really nice, but I still wanted to meet my mom and dad. I just want to be my parents' child forever.

The clear thread slowly began to fall, coinciding with someone we didn't have until I myself fell.

"Sister Zein!" I said.

"You're so careless. Running in a narrow place. Look, because you got hit, my cake fell!" brother Zein nagging.

"Sorry ...."

"Anjani, are you crying?"

I ignored Brother Zein, immediately passing towards the back of the school. I'm really scared. What if teacher Ratih's mother comes to the parlor to adopt me. The chief must have immediately agreed because he never liked me.

"What am I supposed to do?" I walked back and forth.

"Anjani!" philip appeared at the right time.

"Sister, help me. Mrs Ratih wants to take me!"

"Take it easy Anjani, just tell me. What's up?"

"Bu Ratih wanted to make me his son." I told him back what happened earlier. Philip nodded his head.

"I know Mrs Ratih very well. But I also want to go home!"