Grasping Longs
Part~12
"Kok bengong mbak ?" nina Tegur neighbor Ariana boarding house.
The beautiful girl was seen approaching Ariana who was sitting daydreaming on the porch of her house.
The night was getting late, even Ricko was asleep but Ariana still could not close her eyes. Until he decided to get out of his room and look for fresh air on the porch of his house.
For a few days he thought about how to get 2 million for his son.
"Not sleepy." said Ariana.
"Tumben's home ?" continued again.
Usually Nina will come home early from her job as waitress in a bar in the city. But the new hour hand showed at 11 p.m., but the girl was already at home.
"Again not feeling well" said Nina with a hoarse voice because of the flu.
"Bak himself why haven't you slept ?" added again.
"It's okay to just get wind." Ariana tried to smile to cover up her turmoil.
But it seems that Nina is not an innocent girl who can be lied to just like that, she knows Ariana is having problems.
"Mak there's a problem ?" nina to the Point.
"Not really." said Ariana flat.
"Come on, since I've lived here I've considered you like my own brother. We are both nomads mbak, it does not matter if we share complaints with each other." urged Nina sincerely.
Ever since Ariana lived in her rented house Herman and Widya, she has become familiar with Nina. But to talk about personal matters still feels reluctant, even though Nina looks sincere to him.
Ariana seemed to be sighing, then she started to open her voice. "Mbak is confused, Nin" he said later, maybe a little vent no matter what he thought, after all he already considered Nina like his own sister.
"Just tell me who knows I can help" Nina assured.
"I'm in need of 2 million to buy Ricko's laptop, but confused about where to find the money. While you know for yourself, my sales are just enough to eat everyday." Ariana looked blankly at the darkness of the night in front of her.
"If I had I would have helped you, unfortunately I already sent money to the village this afternoon" Nina said regretfully.
"It's okay, it's your duty to help your parents in the village."
"Why don't you just borrow it from Widya instead of being very close" Nina suggested.
"I can't possibly trouble them constantly Nin, they've given me a free place to stay I'm grateful for." said Ariana.
Hearing Ariana's words, Nina seemed to be silently thinking. "Actually I can help mbak but do not know mbak want or not" he said hesitating.
"What ?" Ariana was immediately excited as if getting a glimmer of hope.
"Hmm, it's best not to mbak."
"Of Nin, I will do whatever work is halal." urged Ariana in a pleading tone.
"I don't know if it's halal or not, but if you want tomorrow I can replace me at my place of work" Nina said.
"At your workplace ?" Ariana confirmed her hearing.
"Hmm, but if you don't want to be okay. I'll ask permission." said Nina.
Ariana seemed to close her eyes, the shadow 8 years ago immediately filled her head. How that time he worked as a waitress in the bar replacing Widya.
And it just so happened that the vip guest he was serving at that time was Demian with his business relationship.
The man took advantage of his semi-conscious state and raped her.
"Bak kok bengong, if you don't want to be okay anyway." scolded Nina when she saw Ariana was daydreaming.
"Why is your job there ?" ask Ariana curious.
"Just deliver mbak drinks." said Nina.
"Actually if you want to get more money we can accompany guests to drink but the risk is greater. So I like to refuse if there is an offer, pity the parents in the village mbak." he added.
"Yes you're right, when we are less aware there must be a threatening danger" Ariana said, considering how she used to produce Ricko.
"But if you don't, I'm sure there won't be any danger. Because tomorrow's special guest is my subscription. He is very good and does not like anything, even just by accompanying him to drink he gives money tips very big."
"really ?"
"Hmm, that's why I nawarin mbak. His name is Mr. Bram, he's a wealthy businessman."
Ariana seemed to think for a moment, then he was steady with his decision.
"All right, I want to." he said sure.
"Did you think carefully ?"
"It's the only way that I can get more money, although not up to 2 million it doesn't matter." said Ariana.
"Well, then tomorrow I'll tell the manager I'm working with that he'll replace me."
Nina looks excited, she is sure Ariana will be fine. Likewise, he who almost a year of working at the bar also never get problems including harassment from visitors.
The next day.....
"Oh, did you get the money? tomorrow is the last day to collect the money." asked Ricko that morning while helping his mother wrap her cookies.
"Will I try, son, you take it easy tomorrow the money must already be there. Now you take a shower, you'll be late for school." Ariana said.
"Hm." Ricko got up from his seat and went to the bathroom.
"That much money, where will you get it? looks like I should help mom."
Ricko who was taking a shower seemed to think hard, how to help the mother.
Moments later after finishing his breakfast, Ricko leaves with Herman who is also about to leave for his office.
And without Ariana knowing, today Ricko came home 3 hours early because some of his teachers were having a sudden meeting until all the students were returned faster.
"It looks like I should take advantage of these 3 hours to make some money before mom picks me up."
Ricko is seen walking out of the school gate, with quick steps he walked down the road to the traffic light which is 500 meters from the school.
Arriving at the traffic light, Ricko seems to remove his uniform leaving a home shirt that looks grubby that he used as an interior.
With his friend's ukulele guitar lent to him he began busking, approaching every vehicle that stopped in the traffic light.
Starting from five hundred silver, one thousand, two thousand to lim thousand he received from the busking results. Ricko is very excited, though tired but he is happy to be able to help his mother.
"That kid ?" muttered Demian when a glimpse of Ricko playing his ukulele while singing approaching the car in front of him.