Lu[C]Ka Love
1. MY NAME IS LOVE

What did you like most about High School? Meet a gangmate? Meet the first love? Or enjoying the moments of skipping lessons? I really enjoyed my High School years. But, there must be something very unforgettable besides all that.

Graduation day. The day when the heart beats faster than usual, is not the same as falling in love, or it could be more. The struggle for three years through the good times in school, determined by today.

All the students were worried. No exception to me. Name's Love. I went to school alone on graduation day. Because my mother, she couldn't accompany me to take my graduation letter with me. Mom has to work. We have a Tegal or regular food stall business in the short 'Warteg'.

My mother is from Tegal, and also my late father. But I, since I was a child raised in the densely creeping environment of the Capital City, as a result, I cannot be fluent in 'Gapak' like my Mother.

My students are gathered in the school hall. Here will be announced who gets the highest score this year, and graduated with the best predicate. Of course I wish my name was mentioned by the Headmaster Mother.

"The best graduate rating this year, achieved by ... Princess Love!"

"Eh?"

I still can't believe what I'm hearing. I was still silently staring, while Lala, my best friend, kept shouting happily and hugging me. This is the end of my three years of struggle.

"Love Princess! Please get on the podium!"

Once again Beautiful Mother called my name. I breathed first.

"Congratulations! You graduated with the best grades, Love. I'm proud of you!"

Beautiful Mother congratulated me. I returned with my best smile. I feel like this is the best day of my life.

I gave a little speech in front of my friends. And they all applauded me for my success. I always smile for one day.

The graduation announcement is over. Now changing the event doodles our white-gray uniforms that we will not wear anymore. Technically we will not wear it again, but I remember the message of my mother who said not to cross my white uniform with a marker or pilox. Because we can still donate to children who are less able if it is still worth using.

When Lala wanted to cross my shirt, I forbade it. I must follow Mother's advice. And that's good advice. Then Lalapun understood.

I just look at my friends who are making doodles together. I laughed at their behavior. Even though the teacher has warned not to do do doodles. But there are more students here than teachers who break up. Be the whole school now so colorful like a rainbow.

...***...

I walked home with a big smile on my lips. I can't wait to tell Mom my graduation. I decided to stop by the warteg first.

"Mother..." My broom.

I didn't find Mom there. There's only Bulik Tati, Mom's cooking assistant.

"Where's mom, Bulik?"

"Your mother's coming home. There was a guest coming."

"Guests?" I scrunched my forehead.

"Bulik ora knows. Mbuh. (Tante is not familiar. Don't know who). But his clothes are very neat, tie and suit."

I frowned and heard Bulik Tati's explanation. I say goodbye to Bulik Tati and continue my journey home.

In the alley that was about to enter the house, I saw a luxury car parked. Lest this is the guest car that Bulik Tati mentioned? I hastened my steps to get home soon. I really wonder who met Mom.

When I was almost home, someone suddenly stopped me and brought me into the house. Sri Bude. He is my neighbor.

"Bude? Just surprise me." I'm holding my chest.

"Srsstttt!" Bude Sri told me to shut up.

What the hell is this really?

"Eh, Nduk. Is kowe iki arep didol right?" (Eh, son. Are you really going to sell?)

"Cumaha ieu Bude? (How is this Bude?) So really, Neng Cinta tea wants to be sold? Poor pisan!"

And now Teteh Rina's replacement was also snatched into Bude Sri's house. We are all neighbors. And we come from different regions. Bude Sri and Pakde Gun, from Jogja. They sell Jogja gudeg here. Then, Teteh Rina the Sundanese and her husband Uda Faisal the Padang. They sell Rice Padang. Me, my mother and Bulik Tati, are from Tegal, we sell rice stalls Tegal or Warteg. What a beautiful diversity, isn't it?

Okay, back to the topic of 'sold'. I don't really understand what they're talking about.

"Bude, Love does not understand the purpose of Bude and also Teteh. Who wants to be sold?" I prefer to answer with the national language only to be easily understood by everyone.

"Yes you, Nduk. There are people who come to your house. He said he'd buy you."

"Huh?" I was surprised.

"Bude, why would you say that? You can't sell me."

"From us the wrong info. Hayuh or we come to the house of Tea Inah alone." proposed Tea Rina. Actually the age of Teh Rina is almost the same as Bulik Tati, but she did not want to be called Aunt, and asked me to call her 'Teeth'. Let it look young he said, hihihi.

The three of us walked quickly to my house. Bude Sri said his greetings and went into the house. Me and Teh Rina followed him from behind.

My mother was sitting alone in the living room. The guest who arrived was no longer there.

"Dek Inah..." Bude Sri called my mother.

"Mother..." I sat down near my mother.

My mother looked at me with a sad look. What the hell is going on?

"Dek Inah, who was the guest that came here earlier? Does Dek Inah know him?"

Mom stroked my face.

"Mothers... Do you know that I graduated, Mom. I graduated with the best grades." I told Mom.

My mother did not respond to my words. Mother even shed tears.

"Well, is this tea crying?" Tea Rina was sad.

"Yes, let's let Dek Inah calm down. I'll talk again." Bude Sri was about to step away.

"No need, Sri. I'm okay." Mother wiped her tears.

"Love, my beautiful daughter. That was ... was Mr. Teddy. He's Pak Jansen Bahari's assistant. He came here on Mr. Jansen's orders." said Mother.

"Then?" I frowned at me.

"Pak Jansen intends to match her granddaughter with you."

"Well?!" Immediately I, Bude Sri, and Teh Rina gawked in shock.

"What do you mean by mother?" kataku.

My feet are starting to feel weak. My head feels thick.

Matchmade? Just be right!! I'm only 17. And I just graduated school. This is impossible. This must be a dream!

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