Joy: A Hope's
Chapter 1: About Joydev

Sunlight was hot that afternoon. Even mountainous areas that are close to the word cool feel the burning fire that seems to want to devour the skin of the body to blisters. Pelipis incessantly sweat until it seeps down wet the cheeks. A rice field area that stretches in the middle of the residential area under the foot of the mountain there are a number of farmers who are plowing the fields using buffalo, and there are even some while planting rice. Some of them choose shelter from the heat of the sun in small huts, each built on the edge of the rice field. The rest, choosing to quickly finish their work in order to rest in peace after the exhausting work.

The harvest season has just passed. It is time to plant new seedlings again for harvest in the following season. Although sometimes feel tired to complain several times, but the farmers never once stopped their work. The children at home are always waiting for their return while bringing their hard work to enjoy together. Maybe some of them have already gone to school. It is a great responsibility for parents to support their families and meet the economic needs of their children. That's one of the big reasons for them to work hard.

Among the farmers, a husband and wife were planting rice in a patch of rice owned by them. A sight that is quite a step for the villagers. Usually the wives will stay at home and take care of all the housework, while the husband will work in the fields or gardens. However, different from that one. They always seem compact in every job done. Make some citizens feel envious or even salute to see their cohesiveness in everything.

“Pak, he said today our son's graduation day? Is it okay if we don't attend her graduation day?” ask the wife to her husband who is now about to finish his part.

They're almost done. The husband stopped for a moment. He was stunned to hear the wife's words for a while. Until then he said, “I'm sure Joy can understand the state of her parents.”

There is no consent from the wife. He was sure his wife was a little disappointed by the response he gave. Silence covered both. The wife continued to plant rice, while her husband was still on the spot. It looks like someone is thinking about something. For a moment, he turned to his wife when he remembered something.

“Didn't Ari represent us and accompany her sister at graduation?” ask Eros.

The man who had stepped on the head of five with a face that began to wrinkle raised one eyebrow waiting for the answer of the wife. His dark skin signifies that he is a hard worker. Not much different from the woman named Santi. Now, looking at the husband with a sirat full of meaning.

“But, right, Pak—”

In the next instant, the arrival of someone along with his exclamation interrupted the couple's chat. Interjecting Santi's words to hang in the air and then just disappear.

“Mak, Sir!” The call came from behind. Eros and Santi's reflexes turned their heads, finding their youngest son, now a teenager, running hastily towards him. Don't forget the bright look on the boy's face. Behind him, followed by Ari, their eldest son, also with a faint smile. Their blissful hearts are a sign that they are about to bring happy news.

“Joy, champion one general!” he cried again, with excitement to make some other farmers turn towards them so excited.

“Really?” Eros followed Santi out of the paddy fields - to be exact - up to the mainland, and welcomed happily the arrival of his two sons.

Santi hugged Joy. However, the teenager immediately dodged with his ignorant look. Santi shriveled in confusion before finally chuckling when he realized one thing. She is in a dirty state now, while Joy, her son, is dressed in a complete and clean blue white uniform. Joy's uniform could get dirty if she continues the action.

Not only Santi, Eros and Ari also chuckled with Joy's behavior while avoiding Santi's embrace. Sometimes the teenager still acts like a child in general if it has been dealing with his family. Likes spoiled and seems to forget the adult figure if in the community.

“Iya, even Joy graduated with the highest score in SMP district this year, Mak,” said Ari representing Joy.

Eros and Santi turned to look at Joy with teary eyes between haru and were proud of their son's achievements - before looking at Ari while hearing his eldest son's words. While Joy was endlessly smiling. Feeling very proud - his chest huddled violently mixed warmly - on himself seeing the reaction of his parents.

“God is very good,” murmured Eros. Then he led his family to a small cottage, where they took shelter every time they finished working in the fields.

“ Anyway, tonight Mamak will cook a special good meal to celebrate the graduation and achievement achieved by Joy,” said Santi.

They were already sitting in a circle on a small hut with wooden planks and a weaving roof of that grass. Eros and Santi have taken off their dirty clothes and replaced with other clothes that are worn but clean.

Joy giggled amusedly at the annoyed face of her brother. “Huh, just say Brother is envious!” blatant ridicule of Joy.

Then Ari glared. “What did you say? I envy you? Yakali, my grades are still above you know! Very arrogant,” suspects do not accept lotus by his own sister.

Joy stuck out her sticky tongue with her eyes popping. He wanted to kill his brother more than that. However, seeing Ari's dead red look made Joy undo the intention.

Seeing his two sons fighting each other and perhaps already crossing the line, Eros spoke up. “Already! You guys are already big, have grown up still fighting,” he said mediate.

Santi gave a smile hearing the small commotion of his two sons. He looked at Ari, his eldest son, Lamat. Spoons. A little guilt on her for not generalizing her children and sometimes pampering Joy more than Ari. Santi's little heart was touched, he was slapped with Ari's words even though he knew his eldest son was joking. However, it still felt like he was taking out the junk that the young man had been harboring for years. Santi was disappointed in her for not being a good mother.

“Ari, Mamak apologize if all this time Mamak care less about you. But, that doesn't mean Mamak hates you.” Santi glassy. Once again wink, then the crystal liquid will shed. Santi lowered her head, not wanting her sadness to be consumed by her son and husband.

Ari who saw the sad look of the middle-aged woman who had bet her life to give birth to him was immediately guilty. Ari approached the mother. Grab Santi's palm and hold it tightly. Warm. One word immediately enveloped Ari. Warm on the palm of the mother's hand as if flowing until the young man's heart also feels warm.

“Mak,” call Ari Ogre.

“Look at Ari,” he said again while shaking the hand Santi held.

Quickly Santi wiped the remains of his tears under the eye patch and slowly straightened his face again. A thin, soothing smile rises on the lips when it finds Ari's sad look.

“Tadi, Ari Just kidding, Mom. Ari apologizes if Ari offends Mamak,” said Ari regretfully. The young man bowed and kissed Santi's palm many times. He felt guilty because he had accidentally hurt his mother.

“Ari true. The wrong mom. Ari does not need to apologize like this,” reply Santi did not want to make his son feel guilty for something that is not Ari's fault entirely.

Ari splashed into Santi's arms and hugged the woman tightly. Santi's eyeballs met her husband's bead. Eros looked at him as if saying, “What you are doing is right.”

The thing that made Santi feel more relieved than before. Until in the end, Santi returned Ari's embrace. Gently rubbed the back of his eldest son who was growing up. While Ari continues to use the word sorry in the mother's embrace.

Joy joined in smacking a faint smile seeing that. The romanticism in his family that makes Joy can survive until now even though they live in simplicity. You could even say their economic conditions are very difficult. However, the small things that happen in the family can make Joy laugh to forget all the burden of the mind.

Joy is just a country boy far from the word economic life. However, at least Joy's life is guaranteed to be prosperous. With the family, Joy will be able to get through all the obstacles. Little obstacles were waiting for him in the gate when he had set foot on the white bench of ashes.

Joy's determination has been only one. He will study hard so that he can achieve his goals someday. The one thing he avoided the most. Hopefully not to disappoint both parents while undergoing education. Countless thoughts felt by both parents to send her to school, Joy will reply with success in the future.

***