Anjani Darling
Request Permission

One of the things I avoided the most while in this parlour was looking at the head mother. That's what makes it difficult to sleep at this time even though the night is getting late. I'm still thinking about tomorrow's meeting, where I have to ask the head mother's permission to work in the flower garden. Of course my goal is to be able to join the festival in Jakarta and be able to meet my father and mother.

"Anjani, haven't you slept?" desi's aunt who woke up from her sleep looked at me who was still opening her eyes. "What are you thinking?"

"Eh that .. it's okay, bi." I'm trying to be ordinary. About my plan I have not told aunt Desi, because since she was busy with kitchen affairs, once back to the room immediately fell asleep.

"Are you still upset about being punished by Diana?"

"No, bi. I'm used to the punishment they give me. From the start, I was full of it."

"Anjani, forgive aunt for not being able to take good care of you. Though I have adopted you, but it cannot be a hindrance to them sculpting you. I'm really sorry Anjani."

"Auntie took care of me very well. I'm so grateful to auntie for making me stay here. If there wasn't an aunt, I wouldn't be here anymore."

A hug I gave to aunt Desi. The woman who has been patient with me since I first set foot in this parlour. Aunt Desi was like a mother to me. He always tried to give his best even though I was aware of his shortcomings.

"Actually I want to work, bi." I said.

"worked? Where do you want to work Anjani?" desi's aunt expressed her concern because I only have an SD degree. Finding a job with only capital can be ascertained that the job I get is only as a manual laborer or domestic helper. "Actually I am also sad to think about your future Anjani. But I have no way that you can have a higher diploma. If I had a lot of money, I'd be schooled until college. I know you're so smart Anjani. But baby, we don't have much money. Not even renting a small room can."

"What's the aunt talking about? I no longer regret any of that. Kan aunty herself told me that success can also be achieved even though I do not have a diploma like the others. As long as I keep trying. Well, this is one of my efforts, bi."

"Where do you want to work?"

"Flower garden."

"flower gardens?" aunt Desi stared in confusion.

"Yes Bi. The flower garden near the lake."

"The garden in which the great villa is?"

"Yes Bi. I want to work there."

"Working in the garden means physical labor? Anjani, your body is so thin, you won't be able to work there."

"Who said? Aunty forgot yes, I am Anjani, although his body is small but his strength is three times!" I showed my muscles more visible bones to Aunt Desi.

"No-no. You're too skinny, son!"

"But auntie, see for yourself, how have I worked so hard all this time? Even Diana was fat if her power was from me."

"You sure you can work there Anjani?"

"Must be bi. Actually I have other plans."

"What is Anjani planning?"

"Bi, brother Philip told me about my father and mother."

"Father and mother will be present together at the rose festival in about three months. If I want to meet them, I have to be present in Jakarta at the event, and the only way is to be a festival participant.

To be a participant, I had to have a flower garden. That's why I want to work in a flower garden near the lake. My hope, that's where my way to Jakarta." I said, explaining back what had been done with brother Philip.

"Thank God, you finally got to meet your mom and dad. I'm really happy to hear Anjani. But ...."

"But what, bi?"

"Anjani, how do you get your head to let you work there?"

"Content bi. I've been thinking about it since then so I can't sleep. I'm so scared that the head mother refuses my request."

"You can't tell me that you're going to meet your parents, Anjani."

"Yes bi."

We were both thinking about how to obtain the permit considering that the head mother had severely restricted my movements. He only let me out for shopping or other parlor business. The rest, I'm only allowed in the parlor.

The reason for the ban is still the same as when they dismissed me from school. Head mother called me the troublemaker that Mega feared. He does not want me to look for because again the end will make his name and the name of the house embarrassed.

At first I was in a fight, not accepting to be treated like a prisoner. But over time I felt tired so that I accepted all the decisions of the head mother even with compulsion.

***

Fiuffs. Repeatedly I took a deep breath so as not to worry, but still my heart was pounding when I was in front of the door of the mother's room. I was afraid to just knock it.

"Anjani." call someone.

I almost jumped in shock. But it disappeared when I saw who called me earlier. Apparently brother Zein.

I don't know when Brother Zein's coming home. He did not live in a home since continuing college, until graduating and working in Padang. If I'm not mistaken he works at one of the SOE companies.

Zein usually comes home at the end of each month. It also only stays for one night at most. After that he returned to Padang. Usually the head mother who visits brother Zein to let go of longing.

Ever since our meeting back in the Pine forest, I never talked to him again. Even when we cross paths. I'm still pissed at him, because it's the main reason why my headmom hates me. That's why I have avoided it until now.

"What are you doing?" ask brother Zein. "Would you meet mom?"

"No." as I was about to pass, Brother Zein held back my steps.

"Anjani, can we talk to you for a second?"

"Speak what?"

"I'm waiting for you at the back of the parlour." Brother Zein walked first, meanwhile I'm still standing at the place I was. I don't know why it feels like not wanting to meet let alone talk to Brother Zein. He made my life so difficult like this. After all, talking to her only pisses me off because Zein never wants to admit to her mother's negative side. To him, the head mother was a good person. The punishments given to me are only a consequence of what I have done.