It's Not Sleep That Makes Me Dream, But You
Chapter 53: Riyan and Ayu (The Story of Junior High)

When I was in high school, I had a math teacher that I didn't like. I don't like him, but he's been on my mind all this time.

Because, he was the one who taught me to take responsibility for the obligations that are owned...

About 3 years ago ...

I propped up my chin, staring flat at the open comic book in my left hand. Across the table, right in front of me Ayu’ was also busy reading biology textbooks for class 2 Junior High that he put on the table, his book thick. 

       Fifteen minutes had passed since we walked into the library and sat down in this position. From then on, we did not talk to each other, busy with each other's reading books. 

       The atmosphere in the school library is currently very quiet, there is only me, Ayu’ and the library guard who are also busy with their work. 

       The library was quiet not because the students' reading interest here was low, but because the second lesson hour was currently underway, so it was only natural that the library was quiet. 

       Ayu’ and I were skipping the second lesson and sneaking into the library. I chose to skip because my class is currently having sports lessons, I don't like sports. While Ayu’. In fact, Ayu’ last year ranked first in terms of academics, can be said he is a good boy. Rarely are smart students skipping. 

       “Riyan?” Ayu’ suddenly called out to me, breaking the silence. 

       “Hmm?” I answered briefly, flipping the comic sheet. 

       “You why skip, another math lesson?” Ask Ayu’. 

       I glanced at him. “No, but sports. You know, I don't like sports.” Ayu’ thought, I just don't like math lessons, but he's wrong. I think the most terrible thing is the sports lessons. 

       “Oh.” Mumbled Ayu’ while nodding. “Kalo in my class again empty time.” 

       “Nothing.” I said in my heart. 

       “Pak Nurdin again meeting. In the class of boys in the storm, so I'm here deh.” Further. 

       “Udah said nothing!” I said again in my heart. 

       Ayu’ and I have been friends for a long time. We started making friends after two months of Junior High. A year ago, when I was in 7th grade I was always alone because I had a little difficulty getting close friends. I'm basically a little shy and don't really care about the people around me, but actually it can't be made an excuse why I rarely chat in class anyway, perhaps the exact reason why I had a little trouble building friendships with friends in my class was, because I didn't really understand their topic of conversation, so it's better to be quiet than pretentious. After all, I'm also the type of person who doesn't really care about other people. 

       “But, why did you skip, is not it..” 

       Haven't had time Ayu’s finished talking, I cut. “I told you, I don't like sports!” 

       Ayu’ looks pouty. “Apaan anyway, main cuttle aja.” He said, then continued. “Open class 8B again long jump assessment yes, tuh!” Ayu’ then pointed out the window on our left, my eyes followed the direction of Ayu’'s index finger that headed towards the sports field. Seen my classmates are doing long jumps alternately guided by sir. 

       He was seen taking notes while watching his students jump. They seem to be burning with spirit. 

       “How do you not go to class, not afraid?” Ayu’ stared sharply at me, asking firmly. 

       I swallowed because I was worried. Damn, because I rarely go to sports lessons, I don't know the agenda at all. In fact, last night after praying isya’ I have prayed, asking God with all my heart, asking that this day it rains and sports lessons are not held so that I do not need to skip. 

       But today it was so bright, the sun was warm. What is God busy about? My prayers are not heard. 

       I closed the comic book and said. “Gini Ay, it was after the first lesson of the crew looked cloudy, wanted rain. Yes usually if the test of sports lessons in the absence, so I'm here deh, uh don't know it even sunny gini.” 

       “Boong.” Ayu’ reply quickly. “From this morning the clouds were bright-light kok.” Further. 

       There were birds singing, indicating that it was really bright today. 

       “Today it's sunny tau’. A soothing day, where life goes on as usual, children go to school and play, adults are busy working, leaving for the office with smiling faces, she said, housewives take care of the house with all their heart. The eyes are also warm, the birds do not stop whistling, melodious. You should be grateful.” Suddenly Ayu’ advised me. 

       What a useful advice. But somehow my heart even said “Lebay.” 

       Stupidly I hope with such reasoning will make Ayu’ say. “Oh that's yes. Read the comic gih.” But in fact he was advising me. Although Ayu’'s curiosity sometimes makes him look innocent, but actually he has a mature nature. 

        He's right, I should be more grateful, not disappointed just because it didn't rain today. It could be that if it rains hard today, I might go home wet and get sick because I don't have an umbrella today. Thank God, today is sunny. 

       Soon, a man with glasses entered his age of about 50 years. I, who was aware of his presence, immediately turned my gaze towards the library door. The library guard greeted him with a smile, then they went to bed. That man is the math teacher in my class, his name is Mr. Dalyadi. 

       Mr. Dalyadi then looked around. Our views met, not that he scolded me for skipping class, but he smiled instead. Unlike usual, he would pick me up and take me to the BK room when he found me truant in the cafeteria or in the library like this. Bizarrely. 

       While Ayu’ is seen bowing his head while pretending to read a book, afraid of being caught truant, he said, because Mr. Dalyadi also happened to teach mathematics lessons in his class.Once Mr. Dalyadi rubbed his eyes that looked slightly flushed. Taking off the glasses, rubbing his eyes, and putting his glasses back on, the movement was repeated several times by Mr. Dalyadi. His eyes were easy to get dust. 

       “Riyan, there's Mr Dalyadi!” Whisper Ayu’ to me. 

       “Hmm..” My answer is short. 

       “You're not afraid of that anyway?” 

       “It feels strange, why he is not angry, but usually he will be angry if I see me again skipping this lesson.” I said while watching Mr. Dalyadi who is currently seen being cool chatting with library officials. 

       Suddenly, I remembered something. I still have a math remidial from the daily replay a week ago, and Mr. Dalyadi gave me the freedom to do a remidial at any time, which is clear that I didn't go remidial, my math scores will be very bad and threatened not to go to class. I don't know why all of a sudden I want to follow the Remidial as soon as possible. I immediately opened my bag, took my paper and stepped closer to Mr. Dalyadi. 

       “Pak, I want to ask for remidial later in the afternoon can not pack, children's time on excrement, can you pack?” I said to Mr. Dalyadi. 

       He looked at his watch and said. “Can-can, tumben you ask remidial, usually blur-blur.” Mr. Dalyadi is holding my shoulder. “Emang you reiterate how much value can you get? “ He further asked. I immediately handed over my paper and Mr. Dalyadi just shook his head. 

       “Later afternoon to my office.” Her speech. 

       “Iya sir, thanks.” My reply. 

       I went back to my place, Ayu’ looked at me with a face full of wonder. 

       “Where, yan? Obtained.” Ask Ayu’ 

       “Yep, later in the afternoon I was told to do a remidial exercise in his office.” My answer. 

       “Emang, repeat yesterday you got what value anyway, yan?” 

       I immediately gave the paper in the grip of my left hand to Ayu’. Ayu’'s face immediately looks radiant, his eyes seem to glow. He was unceasingly looking at my paper. He really looks amazed. 

       “Why is it like that anyway?” Manyaku flat. 

       “Sini, balikin.” My love. 

       At four o'clock in the afternoon. 

       I bowed stiffly while working on a remidial in the teacher's room, precisely in Mr. Dalyadi's room. Right now, Mr. Dalyadi is sitting right in front of me, watching me while reading a book. There are ten things I need to do, and I feel groggy. I want to get done quickly and go home. 

       When I skipped the library earlier, I had Ayu’ help me learn to deal with the remidial. He really taught me with all his heart. I also studied seriously, not as usual, anyway I should get more than zero, as high as fifty. I was really amazed at Ayu’ who was able to teach me and persevere with my stupidity. 

       Mr. Dalyadi rubbed his eyes with dust while staring at the twilight sky from his office window. 

       “Yan, do you have any plans for your future? You have any ideals?” Ask Mr. Dalyadi to me. 

       “Ngot tau’ sir. All bad grades, sports can't. Don't know what to be, I complained. 

       “You do not need to have special talents, importantly, your life must have a purpose. Let te direction.” Reply mr. Dalyadi. 

       I'm halfway through working on my remidial. Auras of stupidity began to spring from my pores. I'm really having a hard time working on the problems. I surrendered… 

       “Ah, tired..” I stretched my body as I stepped through the door. 

Out of Mr. Dalyadi's office, I was greeted by the smile of Ayu’ waiting for me on the terrace of the office. I thought he was home. 

       “Where, can you get it?” Tanya Ayu’ while following me who started to step down the school hallway. 

       “Tau deh.” Answer's short. 

       “The answer is ngarang?!” Ayu’ pout. “And I am tired of teaching you!” Further. 

       I just smiled at him.

       We were at the school gate. Ayu’ and I continued walking on the edge of a quiet highway, under a peaceful twilight sky. 

       “Riyan, can I have something?” Ayu’ asked me while walking. 

       “What’an?” 

       After being silent for a while, Ayu’ further asked. “Why the hell, today you want to learn math?” 

       I let out a breath. “It would be wrong if I learned math?” My reply. 

       “Yes, it's weird. You are not as usual.” Answer Ayu’ 

       Yes, I am also confused as to why. “Yes anyway, usually I'm anti-mathematics. Sometimes also run away if told remedial.” I clearly. 

       Ayu’ shook his head and said. “Not that I mean!” 

       “Trus what?” I said in my heart. 

       “I feel.. Today you seem to care more about others, especially Mr. Dalyadi.” Ayu’ said while smiling at me. “You asked for remidial early as if you felt sorry for it, or.. You might just want to thank him, but you don't know how to.” Ayu’ smiled at me again. 

       “Peka!” I said in my heart again. 

       Well, caught. Ayu’ right. In the eyes of Mr. Dalyadi, maybe I am not a good student. Often truant, fall asleep while he teaches, never get good grades, and blur when told remidial. Obviously, I wasn't a good student to my math teacher, and I started to regret that. I feel like thanking Mr. Dalyadi who always patiently guided me, but I had a little trouble. 

       “Ay’, you know not?” My toot. 

       “What's the problem?” Ayu’ looks confused. 

       We stopped walking when we arrived at a crossroad. 

       “At the library earlier.. Mr. Dalyadi cried.” 

       “Eh... mas’, I didn't see?!” Ayu’ is getting confused. 

       “Daritadi, he kept wiping his red eyes.” I clearly. 

       “Ah, he was not crying, but his eyes were entering dust maybe.” Ayu’ trying to joke. 

       “At first, I thought so too, but I'm sure she was crying.” 

       The wind blew between us, bringing the cool air with the warmth of the afternoon. Ayu’ and I were both silent at the crossroads, only the sound of vehicles on the road enlivened the situation. 

       “Kalo she cried, about why, yan?” Ayu’ is starting to get curious. 

       “Now, maybe tomorrow he will retire, and he is enjoying his last day at school, as well as remembering everything. Besides, Mr. Dalyadi has been teaching for decades, right?” 

       I stopped for a moment and continued. “Because Mr. Dalyadi didn't scold me at the library earlier, I feel bad. I felt, if I wasn't going to see him again, that's why I suddenly wanted to be remidial. If the mathematical remidial is as tired as the sports lessons.I also do not want to do it, after all, you also help me learn. If my guess is right, Mr. Dalyadi will retire, maybe I should also be careful.” I explained everything. 

       Ayu’ smiled again and asked. “Be careful why?” 

       “Yes, just after leaving school, he will think of me as a naughty student for the rest of his life. So I feel guilty.” I said. 

       “So... You learned desperately just to thank ya?” Ask Ayu’ while nodding. 

       “Yep, after all.. tomorrow will be teacher's day.” I smiled sincerely at Ayu’ 

       The next day, all the students at the school gathered in the ceremonial field to say goodbye and thank you to Mr. Dalyadi, today he officially retired. Exactly as I thought. 

       Last night the news about Mr. Dalyadi who was going to retire spread quickly through the Whatsapps group class, so all students have prepared their own memento gifts. While others give all the disciples good things, or favorite things of Mr. Dalyadi, I only give Mr. Dalyadi my remidial paper which can be worth a hundred. I really tried hard for it, and he also accepted it with pleasure and a little moved. It's the first time I've scored a hundred in a math lesson. 

       With that, maybe Mr. Dalyadi will look at me as a good student, and that's how I thank him. I'll probably remember all of Mr. Dalyadi's advice. “Life must have a purpose.” Said. There comes a time when everything will turn into memories. 

       “See you again sir, happy teacher's day.” I said in my heart when I saw him step out of the school gate.