Light Warriors
Section 8

Rumi's transport stops at Joyoboyo terminal. Unknowingly, he continued to be watched by the tall man in a black jacket. 

Next, he had to walk again to the boarding house.  It passes the Wonokromo highway.  Many stall tents lined the edges, as well as various shops.  

The sun is very hot in the city of Surabaya.  There was no cloud covering the heat of the sun.  Rumi's sweaty body made the school uniform she was wearing soaked. 

Rumi glanced at the money in her wallet.  There was only a piece of money of five thousand left.  Enough to buy a drink.  

Among all the stalls, there was one stall that attracted Rumi's eyes.  Not large, rectangular in shape and made of wood.  There are not many variations of food that are sold. Some mineral water, soft drinks, cigarettes, and some packaged rice sold since this morning. Either still good or gone stale.  

An old woman was sitting around guarding the stall. His face and body looked wrinkled.  It seems that the woman is tired of living.  However, the look in his eyes seemed shady.  There was a speck of light that kept him optimistic.

Inside his stall, an older man was fast asleep.  Because the stall was narrow, the old man was forced to bend his body.  

For some reason, Rumi was interested in going to the stall and buying drinks.

 " Mom, I ordered one glass of iced tea, "he said to the old woman. 

The woman smiled at Rumi. "Sit down, son," he said.  "You must be tired after school."  

"Thank you, ma'am, " replied Rumi. Rumi sat on the wooden bench that the old woman had been sitting on.  Meanwhile, the old woman made a glass of iced tea for Rumi. 

Rumi observed the stall.  She saw the woman's husband who was sleeping.  On the old man's neck, there was a kind of large lump. Surely the man was suffering from some kind of illness and there was no cost to seek treatment.

Indeed, Rumi always felt concerned about the condition of his father at home. However, it turns out that there are still more suffering compared to his family.  He was lucky to have a strong twin brother to work with. 

My own mother is not too old.  Women and men own this shop?  

"With his iced tea, son. " The old woman broke Rumi's daydream.  

"Oh, thank you, ma'am," said Rumi. The old woman smiled. He looked at Rumi with such a deep gaze. 

"Where does mom live? " Rumy asked.  The iced tea in the glass was still half left. 

"I'm originally Ngawi, son, "he said. "Border of East Java and Central Java. But here, I'm staying at this kiosk. The man sleeping in the stall was my husband. We don't have the money to pay for a boarding room." 

"Oh my God, "Rumi was a little surprised.  "What if it rains, Mom? " 

"Yes find a place to shelter, son. This kiosk I covered with tarpaulin. My husband and I are in the shade next door."

"What is the Mother's Family in Ngawi?" 

The old woman smiled, "I have no family in Ngawi. I only have my husband." 

"Mother's Son?"

The old woman was silent for a moment.  His eyes were glazed over, but he hurriedly wiped them.

 "I used to have kids your age. Our only son." 

"Where is he now? " 

"Died, Son. Accident while being rammed by her friend, "The old woman grew moody.

"Oh my God, "Rumi shut her mouth. This time, Rumi followed along. " I'm sorry, Mom. " 

"It's okay. What's your name, son? 

You look so much like my son. " 

"I'm Rumi, Mom, "Rumi's got the old woman's wrinkled hands.  "Whose mother's name? "

Rumi sipped the remaining iced tea.  

"Mi, your name is similar to the name of my deceased child you know."

"Yes?  What is the name of the mother's child? " 

"Name Rohman, Mi." 

Rumi smiled.  Rumi looked at the scattered glasses.  

"That's dirty glasses, Mi. I haven't washed it yet."

"Wash all those dirty glasses, Mi," Teja said.

Rumi closed her eyes and conducted a further inner dialogue with Teja.

"Why should I wash it?"

"You don't feel sorry for seeing Ismunah's mother? Doesn't your heart knock to help him?" Back to asking.

"Hmm, alright," replied Rumi.

"Don't forget to help clean the stall too."

Ismunah's mother was astonished to see Rumi close her eyes. He looked at the teenager in front of him seriously.

"Hmm, then, do I help wash the glass-yes, ma'am? " said Rumi.

"Eh, no, " said Ismunah's mother.  "You'll be tired. " 

"It's okay, mom. I am usually tired. " 

Rumi immediately got up from her seat.  And washed those dirty glasses. After that, he helped tidy up Mother Ismunah's stall.  

"Well, it's done. This is better to see, Mom," Rumi smiled.

"Thank you yes. I'm sorry, I can't pay you yet" Ismunah's mother was embarrassed.

"It's okay, Mom. I am sincere. I was trying to help Mom" 

"Your heart is glorious, Mi, " said Mother Ismunah. " There's rarely a young man like you who remembers a poor old woman like me." 

Rumi smiled.  He took out a piece of five thousand in his wallet and paid for his iced tea. 

" Rumi, " said Ismunah's mother." You brought home the rice wrap that was on the table. "

"Well, don't bother, ma'am."

" It's okay, Mi. That was the rest of the trading this morning. It's a shame that no one eats. I usually throw it away." 

" Oh so yeah. Thank you, Miss Ismunah." 

"Together, Mi."  

Rumi took out some of the packaged rice on the stall and stuffed it into her backpack. Don't forget to kiss Ismunah's mother's hand before rushing home.  

"It's amazing that kid, "his mind. 

It still lingered in his mind when Rumi closed his eyes earlier, and suddenly Rumi volunteered to help him wash his dirty glasses and tidy up his stall.

Ismunah's mother silenced her creation. Pertiwi, the Earth Angel smiled at her.