My Son Is My Strength
Departure to Jakarta

When you hear the word Jakarta, what comes to mind Arini is a metropolitan city, a stifling city. The city seems to be a magnet for most people in Indonesia. Many people outside Jakarta flocked to this city to find work or education.

Arini's gaze pointed at the window of the bus he was riding on, looking at the surroundings. Various kinds of busyness were immediately plastered in front of his eyes. Dense streets, towering buildings, also the hustle and bustle of the timeless Jakarta community.

Yes... Arini is now in Jakarta, to take her education to a higher level, namely undergraduate. Arini initially did not believe that he could study in this city and enter a University that is quite prestigious for the upper class, especially the lower class like him... it was like a dream for an Arini to study at a college like this. Because he entered this University only capitalized scholarship, capitalized intelligence only. If Arini capitalized on economic strength, it is certain that it is impossible.

To connect life in his village alone, his mother had to work odd jobs from place to place and he worked part-time in order to help his mother to bear the burden as the backbone of the family.

Her father died three years ago. At first he convulsed, then short of breath, after which he fainted. At that time, they did not have enough money to take their father to the hospital, so they only took him to the health center.

Arriving there. Puskesmas looks lonely, Arini's father is put into the IGD room. From outside Arini saw several nurses pressing a pacemaker on his father's chest.

Arini can only see her father from behind the glass window of the IGD room. He was sad to see his father like that, his tears welled up. Until the sound of the machine shifted his gaze, he was stunned to see a straight line in the machine.

His tears that had welled up from earlier had now fallen already, he could not hold back anymore. It was sad, very sad. Her father, who was always there for Arini and her sister, is now gone, gone forever.

Since then his mother has been the successor to the head of the family, becoming the backbone for their small family.

Arini has a younger sister who of course he loves very much, they are only two brothers. Called Arumi.

*****

Since the announcement of high school graduation and the news delivered by her teacher yesterday, Arini continues to be pensive beside the window of her room. Staring at the twilight that comes brings a reddish orange color. If Arini's mood is good. Of course, the twilight of this afternoon is very beautiful to enjoy, but not.

Thirty minutes or so he sat here, pondering, weighing, figuring out, what decision he should make.

Long time he was silent. Do not know what decision he should take, and whether the decision he took will be right or vice versa? Confused about everything in front of him, does he have to pursue his dreams to the big city and leave his aging mother and his younger brother who still doesn't know anything? Or stay in this village and bury everything he ever aspired to?

Question after question came up, swirling around in his mind. Arini was so confused right now, even so confused, with all these questions, that one voice broke her daydream.

"Ofers." Call her mother, in a soft and soothing voice.

He turned his head back. There was someone calling him, and of course he knew whose voice it came from.

"What are you thinking?" Asked her mother in a soft voice, as she approached and sat down next to her son.

"I didn't think of anything. Just enjoy this twilight atmosphere.” Answer a little lie.

"You don't have to lie to your mother, you already know how your nature is. Don't lie to your mom!" his mother answered Arini, with a still soft voice.

"A. a. I'm the best graduate in school, ma'am." Arini answered a little nervously, because her mother knew that she was lying.

"Alhamdulillah, good dong then. Then why is Arin confused and looking sad?" The mother replied happily and at the same time asked Arini why she was confused and the look of her face that looked sad.

"Actually not only that, Arin also got a scholarship to study at a university in Jakarta. And that means, Arin will leave mom just as adek alone here.” Arini replied with a face that was getting sad, indicating he did not want and could not be separated from his mother and beloved sister.

His mother was silent, a few minutes, then took a deep breath. Hair removal Arini.

"Aryn. Mother is equally adek not alone here, there is still uncle Joni, aunt Anum, and of course there is Allah SWT who always keep the mother equally adept. So you do not have to worry if the problem, which you have to worry about is you yourself son.. because you are only there, let alone it's a big city.” His mother answered, mentioning one by one the names of neighbors who were good to them.

"But..” Arini said hanging, because he was confused whether he should be happy? With her mother who allowed her to leave. And that means he has to leave his mother and sister.

"Mother supports you, son, pursue your ideals until you get them. It's not easy, but nothing is impossible, right?" Her mother said, dispelling doubts about Arini.

"Pursue your ideals!" She hugged Arini. Her tears just flowed away, there was a feeling of sadness, joy for her daughter. Sad because soon he had to part with his daughter, and happy because his daughter could go to a higher level. "You have to succeed, son!" Smashed again.

Hearing his mother's words, Arini was now convinced, what decision he had to take. And actually this decision is also what Arini wants, he wants to continue his education to a higher level and pursue all the dreams he has aspired to so far.

It was the afternoon that meant the most to Arini. His mother allowed him to wander after his ideals. Armed with the money from his hard work and from the allowance given by his mother, he left for Jakarta. The capital city is notoriously unfriendly. However, Arini is not a weak woman to face all that. She is a strong and tough woman.

*****

Seriate...