Ryanthi: Sweet Cake, Bitter Reality
● ONE : Day Opener

The sun had not yet shown its rays, when Ryanthi woke up. The little girl turned to Farida who was still sleeping next to her. Ryanthi's eyes flashed with doubt, as she was about to wake the woman who was her biological mother.

"How is this?" Ryanthi. He dared to shake Farida's body.

A moment later, Farida opened her eyes. "What's wrong?" ask the woman lethargic. "It's still dark now" he said slowly. Farida went back to sleep. He turned his back to Ryanthi, who was sitting there staring at him.

"I wet the bed again, Mom," whispered Ryanthi with an anxious face. He was afraid that Farida would come back to scold him. Something the woman does all the time, whenever Ryanthi wet the bed.

Farida complained softly hearing the confession of her little daughter. He has often warned his only daughter. However, somehow Ryanthi always repeats it.

Slowly, Farida got up from her sleep and sat down and tried to gather all her energy, which was still languishing in the dreamland. He thought of a small clip, then paired on the hair to form a bun, although not too neat. Farida also had a long yawn.

The plain face of Ryanthi. The boy was scared. His clothes and pants are wet. Likewise with blankets that are only in the form of a faded rag, because it is too often used. "Oh my God, Ryanthi! It was only three days ago that I washed this rag," complained Farida.

Ryanthi did not answer. The little girl just stared at Farida with her clear eyes. Of course, he hoped that he would not be scolded again like yesterday, when making such a mistake.

Farida complained again. His body is still very tired. She was also sleepy after almost an entire night of finishing a cake order from a neighbor. However, if this is the case, he has to get up and take care of Ryanthi.

"I'm sorry, Mom," said little Ryanthi.

Farida did not answer. He immediately got up. There's no point in getting angry, because it doesn't change anything. After all, it was still too early to make a scene. Everyone will wake up immediately, if there is a little noise.

Their home is a densely populated area. Contract plots mingled with the houses of the citizens. The layout of the building is also irregular. Sometimes they have to break through the clothesline belonging to the neighbors, when going through the road. Meanwhile, the path to the contract in Farida is at the top. Access to the entrance there is only a narrow alley for one motor only.

Living in such a place was certainly not Farida's wish. Moreover, he had to take along the young Ryanthi. The princess was only about five years old, when she was brought in to move there. A rented plot that is not too large, with a price per month of five hundred thousand rupiah.

Five hundred thousand was not the nominal bit for a single parent like Farida, who survived only from selling cakes. However, the woman felt very lucky, because the owner of the contract was very good to her. They often provide leeway in terms of payments.

"Have you put all the textbooks for today in your bag?" farida asked while sitting near Ryanthi who was wearing shoes.

"Here you go, ma'am" replied Ryanthi, who is now in elementary school. "Mom, in my class there's a picnic next month. All the friends come along. A moment." Ryanthi unzipped the pocket of her bag. He pulled out a piece of paper. "Said Miss Maryati, this letter must be given to parents," said the little girl while handing out a paper containing neatly typed writing.

Farida placed a plate of white rice and an omelet on the carpet. "You eat first while waiting for Alesha," he said. As Ryanthi ate the simple breakfast menu, Farida read the paper.

There, it was clear that the school would hold an annual picnic. Details of the costs were clearly spelled out, ending up in the hundreds of thousands as a total of all sorts that were included in the picnic agenda.

"Yes, God." Farida muttered softly. He turned his attention to Ryanthi who had already finished breakfast. "Here it is stated that all costs must be paid at the end of this month. Why did the school give the notice so suddenly?"

"Jeez, Ryanthi," said Farida, shaking her head in disbelief. "You know how much you're gonna have to pay for this time? How to find three hundred and fifty thousand in a period of two days? Don't you think what your mother's condition is?"

"Sorry, Mom. I forgot," said Ryanthi, not daring to give a defense other than that.

"Why do you always say forget?" Farida sounded so upset. "Once I tell you, we're not rich. Your friends can spend a hundred thousand dollars just for fun. Meanwhile, for us .. that much money can be used to buy food for three days. So think a little!"

Early in the morning, Farida was already irritated by Ryanthi. The burden that he had to bear for many years, felt increasingly heavy.

"Then, how?" ask Ryanthi slowly.

"What's how?" Farida asked back.

Ryanthi hesitated to speak. However, his innocence as an eight-year-old can not be covered. "My friends already paid money for the picnic. I'm the only one who hasn't," he said.

Farida took a long breath. In the little heart of the woman, she actually felt unbearable. However, their financial condition is not possible. "Yes, already. You don't have to go to the school's annual picnic. Just tell me that you don't have any money" Farida broke up. He picked up Ryanthi's plate and glass of breakfast, then moved into the kitchen.

"Mr ...." Ryanthi followed in the footsteps of the mother with teary eyes. However, if Farida had already made her decision, then no one would have been able to prevent it.

While in the kitchen. Farida put the plate and the glass in the basin. The woman was silent for a while, until Ryanthi's voice resuscitated her from the daydream.

"Alisha has arrived. I left first," said Ryanthi hesitated, because she knew that her mother was upset with her.

Farida. He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Farida used to do that, when she was struck by turmoil. "Yes, I've." Farida smiled gently. He approached Ryanthi, then stroked the little girl's head. "Tell Miss Maryati, you'll pay the fee by the end of the month."

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Hi, boys. Welcome to the first novel of Ceuceu. Sorry if there are still many shortcomings in the writing or anything related to this novel. Hopefully you can entertain and accompany the leisure time of readers wherever they are. Do not forget, give support with likes, loves, and comments as much as possible. Thank ye.

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