Joy: A Hope's
Chapter 8: Getting Started

July has arrived. The month of June just passed like the previous months, there were likes and there was suffering. Two things that cannot be denied by humans in life.

However, at least in the last month there was one special day that seemed devoted to Joy. On the day of Joy's graduation, she managed to achieve general ranking until finally passing the selection in the favorite High School that became her target. However, Joy also had to experience some gloomy days when she disagreed with Eros, the father. Joy was forced to swallow a bitter pill to bury her desire as high as the sky. Joy must give up her dream to follow the dream Eros wants to achieve through her.

There's nothing Joy can do but give up. Inevitably Joy continued school at the SMK level, not High School. Though Joy already has a great opportunity to enter the prestigious place plus get a scholarship again. But once again, she stresses that Joy's life is like a walking robot driven by someone.

Eros himself enrolls Joy at a vocational high school in the city, and somehow the story goes so that Joy can pass the selection for granted. Apparently Eros registered Joy through the track of achievement.

Ah, ja. Joy has never visited her new school. He said Joy's new school was quite close to Bang Ari's boarding house. Eros accidentally searches for a nearby school because Joy will live with her brother later.

Joy could only sigh, bracing herself to continue being patient. To fight also does not have that much guts. He had to let go of the next three years restrained in the flow of life that has been arranged by Eros himself.

When he realized that he was going to stay on one roof with his brother, his thin smile was engraved. Doesn't matter! That doesn't sound too bad.

Next week, Joy is in school. Precisely the introduction of the school environment for one week, then after that Joy and her classmate were only declared to graduate one hundred percent as students at the Junior High School.

Joy could not wait for that day to come. Not because of anything, he just wanted to meet Ari who had been missing contact in recent weeks. Since that day, Joy has never contacted her brother again. At first Joy was upset. But in the end, he gave up too. Ari contacts her several times, but Joy ignores her. Joy did it to surprise the young man. Incidentally, the middle of this month is Ari's birthday.

In addition, Joy is also a little curious about the shape and atmosphere at her new school. The school that will be the place to study for the next three years. The place where Joy would spend her ashes white. Is the environment as good as in Joy's imagination as Eros often tells?

I don't know! Joy doesn't want to believe anything she's never seen again. He used to experience that. His expectations were already great at something that his friend was explaining. However, when Joy's own eyeballs had witnessed this, she could only gawk in disbelief. He looked at his friend in protest and asked what was so special about it.

In essence, being beautiful and good in everyone's eyes is relative. You may like small things, but not the people around you. You glorify it, but it is ordinary in their eyes. And vice versa.

Ugh, considering the time that is getting thinner and thinner living in the village there is a little unwillingness Joy wants to leave. The place that has been in place for fifteen years already holds many memories that Joy could not possibly forget. Not only that, Joy will be away from her parents. Never once has Joy left and left the village. Living days, even years away from parents. Surely Joy will be difficult to adapt although in the end will get used to it too. But one thing Joy should know is that this is just the beginning of everything. Most likely if it is finished later and has got a decent job he will be further away from parents to pursue a career.

Earlier this morning, Joy visited Bayu's house and told him everything she had experienced for her little friend. Bayu is quite concerned about him because only this time they will split school. Moreover, the reason they split school is only because of a simple thing. There is nothing that Joy got other than motivational words from Bayu not to give up just like that.

“You must not be discouraged. Not being a school in High School, not a reason for you to be a writer?”

Bayu patted her shoulder while putting on a soothing smile. “Joy, your chances are huge. Don't be discouraged. Even if we don't have another school, it doesn't mean we forget each other, does it? For me, you will still be the best friend I have ever known.”

Joy could only smile at that moment. Satisfied with the words of Bayu. His gaze was so fixed. Blood all over his nerves rippled violently. No Bang Ari, no Bayu. Why did everyone around him become adults, precisely suddenly mature?

However, there is also a point in what they say. Not continuing in High School, is not a reason for Joy to stop pursuing dreams. A born author does not have to be a graduate in Indonesian. The point now, Joy must deepen the skills she has while Eros still gives her the opportunity to make writing a hobby.

All right, Joy's gonna forget the past. It was time for him to focus on a path that seemed more challenging in plain sight. Although initially a bit doubtful, Joy is optimistic that she can definitely get through it all.

A new school, a new atmosphere, a new uniform. Everything has to be new.

Joy chuckles at her best friend's behavior. It was like that before. If Joy is sad, then Bayu with all his silly behavior will comfort Joy until she laughs again. For Joy, Bayu is indeed the definition of a true friend.

Joy hopes that after this, they will not become strangers. Learning a lot from experience, many of those who used to be said friends ended up like people who did not know each other after being separated by their respective worldly affairs.

***

That night, back Eros can turn to patrol the night. In the village held a rotating picket every week so that all male residents can be part of the guard, although some of them are also stubborn and do not want to run the task. By evening, Eros was ready at the patrol station. As usual the post has always crowded new Eros come, dominant young people who are still single.

Eros smiled and greeted back when some of the fathers his age or even older threw greetings at him. Although Eros looks cold and quiet from the outside, but it does not make him stop socializing like this. And because of that too, Eros learned a lot of things even though at some times still selfish and unwilling to give up.

“Ari where, Om? Long time no visible.” One of Ari's friends asked in a straightforward tone. The young man seemed to wander about like someone was looking for something.

Eros turned to the young man and returned with a smile. Perhaps his oldest son's friends also felt lost to an adult and humble figure like Ari.

Ah, he thought again of that bad boy. Is it too much if Eros says that he misses? It's a lie if Eros dodges it. It's just that he's a prestige to say it every time Ari calls.

“Ari already works out of town,” Eros replied in the end, making some friends Ari nodded while ber-o ria.

Elsewhere, Santi, who had just finished frying the yam from their garden, called Joy and told the child to bring some of the fritters to the patrol post.

Joy who had been busy playing mobile phone in the living room suddenly excited and grabbed the small bushel from the hands of the mother. “Ready, Mom!” he was firm while respecting.

Santi chuckles. I don't know what makes his son the spirit of four-five if told to the patrol post. I don't know what made him stay there.

Her hand then lifted gently rubbing Joy's hair. “Be careful on the road,” the message.

Joy nodded with her smile before darting away from there like Superman.

Santi could only shake his head with Joy's behavior. Until the smile that had been held back was finally engraved as well.

Joy's arrival at the patrol post while bringing food makes the atmosphere again crowded. They looked like they were fighting each other over fried potatoes. Typical food of the villagers. The processing is simple, but it tastes good. Some of them also endlessly praise Santi who almost every husband wants to entertain them like this.

One thing that made Joy full again that night. Eros seemed to be smiling with his arrival. Unlike yesterday-yesterday who would be cynical when he saw it in a patrol post like this.

***