GROWINGS
8

He noticed some of the schoolgirls in white ash uniforms passing in front of his mother's humble hodgepodge stall.

In his heart he was very envious of the trendy and fashionable appearance of girls his age.

Wear white adidas sneakers. The modern model backpack. As well as sophisticated smartphones that increasingly support their style and appearance.

He looked down, watching the Nokia 6600 phone left by his late father.

Hape used to be a prima donna. And even became one of the most popular and popular hape slang, by young people his age.

But now, that hape seemed to mean nothing anymore. To show it in public is to shame himself.

"Ka, you eat there first. Let's change the mother who's guarding."

Eka just threw a smile at her mother. He went into his house. Found his two younger siblings watching tv with a serious face.

He opened the hood at the dinner table. At least today he can still enjoy white rice with kale stir-fry and peda salted fish sauteed with young corn.

While enjoying his meal, he saw a collection of photos with his four best friends. It doesn't feel like years, they've been through it together.

It's hard to be together. And when they are caught truant, they must receive the punishment of cleaning the school toilet together.

"Sir, called mother. Ask for help at the shop..!"

Eka finished her meal. Sipping a glass of water quickly. And soon back to his mother's shop.

Thankfully, it was this afternoon, there were still many who bought.

"Mom, I have three. Who uses lontong pedes really one. Keep the other one do not have to use lontong and do not care. One more thing, pedes are the same do not use tofu tempe."

Because of the defeat, Eka also had to help stew peanut seasoning and concoct the exact same hodgepodge concoction made by her mother.

But the attention of the mother and child, immediately turned to a mini bus that stopped right in front of their house.

"Mother Sri?" One of the two men, asked somewhat doubtfully.

"I'm alone."

"I am Ahmad from BPR Jabar. Can we talk to you for a second?"

"Ka, please serve a moment. There are two more, right."

"Yes, Mom."

Eka could already guess what the purpose of the two men came to her house this afternoon. Surely they will collect the money that was borrowed to treat his late father. And also as capital to make small businesses this gado-gado stall.

Finally, all work is done. Now he lives in order and closes the shop.

"Excuse me, son, can Grandma have a glass of water for a drink?"

Without saying anything, Eka directly poured water from inside the kettles into a tall plastic glass. And gave it to the old grandmother.

Eka noticed the old grandmother's shabby appearance. If all this time he thought that he was the poorest and most unlucky person in the world, but it turns out there are still others whose fate is more terrible than him.

"Just a minute, Grandma.."

Eka went back into her stall. Fortunately there is still a little leftover vegetables and peanut butter in the stall.

With enthusiasm, he made a serving of hodgepodge for the old grandmother. And while he was thinking of helping, even though the circumstances of his own family were difficult, a harsh reality had to be accepted.

"If the mother cannot pay it off within a month, then by force, this house will be confiscated. Excuse me."

"Two months, sir. I beg for his relief. I'll find the money."

"Sorry, Madam Sri. We just run orders from the center. Excuse me."

Eka saw the sadness on her mother's aging face. But he did not try to pursue his mother, and asked further about the matter.

"Please eat it, Grandma."

"Thank you son, you're so nice."

Eka back in the stall. He took some dirty furniture with him into his house. While in the kitchen, she found her mother crying alone.

Eka came back out. But while in the middle room, he reprimanded his two sisters. Take a shower and learn. And not watching tv constantly.

He went back to his mother's shop. But he found the old grandmother did not touch the food he had deliberately made.

"Why not eat, Grandma?"

"It's really my purpose here, not to ask for mercy from you, son..." The old grandmother said. And in just the blink of an eye, the old grandmother's appearance had already changed entirely.

"Grandmother...!!?" Between fear, worry and curiosity. "Whose grandmother?!"

"My arrival here just wanted to say that the day of the meeting was getting closer. Be patient any minute, Eka..."

"Grandma know my name?!!"

"I'm not God. And I'm not an angel either. But I was only assigned to always protect her."

"grandmother..."

"Remove that sadness. And look what miracle he'll bring you and your family." The old grandmother once knocked her wooden stick to the ground.

"Eka, the one you need to remember -- if he has gone away, then don't you ever expect to see him again.

For the sake of God, farewell is bitter..."

Eka can only stand. Looking at the old grandmother who apparently walked by not treading the ground. Except hover.

"See you, Eka. May time still allow us to meet again."

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