I'm Just a Figurant
Ch 24 - Scholarship

While waiting for the diploma to come out, other students are usually competing to take tests at the universities they are looking for. Their activities are very different from mine.

I'm aware of my family's abilities, so I don't expect to go to college like any other friend. Every day I follow my father pulling an angkot while preparing a job application. It's time I helped my family's economy. Helping Dad pay for my sister's education.

"Are you sure you don't want to go to Nduk?"

"Yakin Yeah. Mending Khansa works only Well, later if there is enough money Khansa can go to college next year Well."

"If you want to go to college, I can try to find a debt. I can put this house certificate in the cooperative..."

"It doesn't have to be Dad. This is the house of grandparents, not in anything. If you can owe, not necessarily later we will be strong to pay. Make daily eating less. I'm calm, it's never too late to learn. Pray that Khansa can get a job quickly, so that he can help Dad. Who knows if the money can be saved for college."

"Are you really okay, Nduk? Your other friends all go to college, you can't afford not to go to college? Your grades are good Nduk, baby if you don't go to college..."

"It's really okay. I don't have to worry about that. Let's go home Well, looks like today's got a good deal."

"Yes, today we can buy Nduk fried rice. This windfall must be because Daddy's daughter's coming to work." I stroked my hair with love. There was regret and helplessness on his face. I smiled cheerfully, trying to encourage him.

***

Time showed at eight o'clock the night when we arrived home. I was just about to open the door when suddenly the next-door neighbor came.

"Khansa came looking for you."

"Eh, who's Mom?"

"Says the BK teacher (Counseling Guidance) at your school. Tomorrow you are told to go to school to face him. If it's not wrong, it's Bu Ekha."

"Eh really, Mom?"

"Whoa, how could you lie. Yes, that's the message. Don't forget to go to school tomorrow."

"Yes Mom, thank you so much ma'am."

Then I went into the house. My brain wonders, what did Teacher BK look for me for? In addition to overcoming troubled children (which is rarely in my school), the task of other BK teachers is to accept every curses of students, for example, about the inability to pay tuition, and the job of the school, choice of campus you want to go to and others. All this time I've never been to BK because there was nothing that made me have to go there.

I don't want to guess. I want tomorrow soon so I know why Teacher BK called me.

***

The next day I went to school in a free-suit but polite. The school seems quiet because it is a class increase holiday and graduation holiday for 3rd graders.

Every school reminds me of Alex. His figure was always everywhere. There are so many memories that we have shared. From funny memories to sad.

Maybe now Alex is confused, choosing which university he will enter. Getting the highest UN value will certainly make some universities not hesitate to ask for it.

Are Alex and Diana going to college at the same place? If they go to the same school, their relationship will be closer. They're destined to be a match, I don't need to remember them anymore.

I got to the BK room and knocked on the door.

Geck... Geck... Geck...

"Lake in." A motherly voice sounded from within. I opened the door and opened my body. I saw a woman in her late 40s sitting in her chair.

"Ehm..." I was confused to start.

"Mother yesterday to your house. Said your neighbor you went with your father to work, huh?"

"Y-yeah Ma'am..."

"Khansa, you really are a good boy huh. When your peers are confused looking for college, you even follow your father to work. You don't want to go to Khans?"

"Ehm... For this year I haven't been able to go to college. Maybe next year or two more years I'll try to go to college..."

"Why not this year?"

"My family hasn't been able to afford the tuition yet Ms..."

"If you get paid, you want to go to college?"

"Huh?" I looked up, dumbfounded at Bu Ekha's words. He smiled slightly before continuing.

"Your BMU submission has been approved (BMU \= University Entrance Scholarship). You just look for a public university and pass the national entrance selection, then BMU will be immediately liquid. This scholarship does not apply to private universities, so make sure you have to go to a public university. Understood?"

"Emmm... Ma'am, Sa-I still don't understand. As I recall I never applied for that scholarship Mom. Wasn't Mom the wrong person? Maybe what I mean by the other Khansa?" I'm still so surprised. Miss Ekha must be wrong. I've never applied for that scholarship, why would I suddenly be able to accept it?

"Mother is not wrong. Your name is Khansa Aulia, right? From class 3 E?"

"Y-yes Ma... But I never applied for that scholarship, Mom..." Again, Miss Ekha smiled faintly.

"There's a kind person who put your name forward. He assured me that you deserved it. After I see, it turns out your development is also extraordinary. You are from peripheral Junior High, but you managed to reach rank 49 in all graduation, it is worth Our appreciation. Rarely do students from the peripheral Junior High get to the top 50, you become the first Khansa. You deserve this scholarship."

My tears suddenly flowed out. I really didn't expect to hear such happy news. This whole thing feels like a dream.

"Hiks... Do you really get a scholarship? Can I really go to college?"

"Yes, that's right. Requirement is only one, you must pass the selection at a state university, understand?"

"Me-understand Mom." I nodded enthusiastically. Like getting a lump of gold, want me to scream right then and there.

"Prepare to take the test. All I know is that the selection will be done next week. Register yourself as soon as possible."

"Good Mom."

"You can list it yourself? Do I need a companion?"

"Sa-I can go by myself Ma'am. Thank you very much, ma'am." I took Miss Ekha's hand and kissed her. He embraced my body. Hah, just this time I received this warmth. Suppose I knew a BK teacher in my school was this warm, I'd always be at home going to the BK room.

"Khansa, you're a good boy. I pray, hopefully you pass the entrance selection and can go to college. May all your ideals be fulfilled soon. May you raise your family's degrees..."

"Amin Ma'am... Thank you so much for your prayers, ma'am..."

I hugged Bu Ekha a little longer. After that we chatted aloud, telling me about my activities during this holiday. By ten o'clock in the morning, I resigned.

I feel really happy and relieved. For a moment I forgot about Alex because of the euphoria. I paddled my bike hard, impatient to tell my father about the happy news.

***

Happy Reading 😊