SURREPTITIOUS
PROLOGUE

The wind was blowing hard enough to drop the dry leaves from the stalk of the big tree. The dead leaves were scattered on the ground. A middle-aged man wearing a green-black hygiene uniform seemed to sweep away the dried leaves. Behind him stood a building that read Germada High School.

The school janitor sighed heavily as he looked up at the leaves that kept falling from the big tree. "If the leaves are still falling, I won't sweep them until they stop falling."

"Sir Tarmin," call the security guard at the gate.

The janitor named Tarmin turned his head.

The security guard named Juki waved his hand. "Sir Tarmin, come here."

Mr. Tarmin approached him and opened his mask. "Why, Mr Juki?"

"Here, this morning my wife made orek tempe. Come on, let's eat first" whispered Mr. Juki.

Mr. Tarmin also seems to be starving when he sees Mr. Juki opening his container. "But, Mr. Juki, my job...."

"Ah, Mr. Tarmin, just relax. The leaves will not stop falling. We just eat first, you need a lot of energy," said Mr. Juki while removing the mask.

Mr. Tarmin nodded. They also eat together while hiding.

Meanwhile, in one of the classes, precisely the XI-IPA-B class, a female teacher named Tessa dictated sentences per sentence while standing up and walking around through the desks of her students.

In the class, all students sit alone on their respective benches with a distance rather far apart.

"... the virus particles will spread through the mouth or nose...."

Even though her 'fourth' eyes were staring at the book in her hands, actually Bu Tessa was watching her students. Whether they write, or not. If any student is caught not writing or even sleeping, then the student will be in trouble. He can deal with Bu Tessa and his points are deducted.

Ms. Tessa continues, "This is especially the case in healthcare facilities where the virus aerosol from a patient is infected...."

All the students in the class, both male and female, looked serious about writing. They don't want to get into trouble, because Miss Tessa is a killer teacher.

But, there was one student who ate silently while covering his face with a book. He also lowered his mask to his chin.

The student beside her realized that. He gave the code so that the student who was eating the bread stopped.

The hijab-wearing student on the front bench looked worried as Ms. Tessa got closer to her desk, but from then on she listened and wrote according to the dictation of Ms. Tessa.

"This high spread is thought to be due to the process of air circulation that is not good in an enclosed space" said Bu Tessa.

A long-haired student looked blankly at her, but her hand moved to write down the sentence that Bu Tessa had read. Even his hand movements were very fast with neat writing.

Ms. Tessa was standing next to the student. Realizing that Bu Tessa was looking at her, the girl looked up at Bu Tessa. The middle-aged woman looked suspiciously at him.

Without saying anything, Ms. Tessa took the student's notebook and read it. There's nothing wrong. Everything she read was written by the girl.

All the students looked towards the girl. They look worried.

"Amadhea, please explain about the spread of the coronavirus without looking at the book," said Bu Tessa.

All the students looked at each other and whispered.

The student named Amadhea nodded. He explained, "WHO has confirmed the high possibility of transmission of coronavirus is through the air due to virus aerosols that are expected to survive in the air longer. This is especially true in healthcare facilities where the viral aerosol of an infected patient undergoing medical treatment can be inhaled by medical personnel and people around them if they are not wearing a device standard self-protectors."

All the students in the XI-IPA-B class applauded.

"Where are the viruses likely to spread?" asked Bu Tessa who was not satisfied with Amadhea's answer.

"Some reports mention the high spread of COVID-19 outbreaks in enclosed areas such as restaurants, nightlife venues, fitness venues, places of worship, among others, and a workplace where there is activity of many people who gather and talk to each other, shout or sing" explained Amadhea.

Miss Tessa nodded. "Good, Dhea, it means you understand this material, but that doesn't mean you can daydream in class."

Amadhea nodded. "I'm sorry, Mom."

Just as Ms. Tessa opened her mouth to continue dictating, the bell came home ringing. All the students packed their books and stationery into bags.

"Ready salute!" exclaim the Class Chair.

"Thank you for the lesson today, ma'am," said all the students in unison.

Miss Tessa nodded. "Together, be careful on the road. Don't take off your masks, yeah."

While passing through the gate, the disciples greeted Mr. Juki. "Sir Juki, I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Non. The mask should not be worn."

Mr. Tarmin who was sweeping the leaves also received greetings from the disciples. "Sir Tarmin, see you."

"Yes, be careful on the road, yes, children" replied Mr. Tarmin.

While Amadhea seemed to walk gontai. He headed to the terminal and sat on the bench that was available there with a few others. The girl looked at her watch which showed at 9.

Since COVID-19 is rampant in Indonesia, all learning activities are restricted. Every school that undergoes face-to-face learning is required to follow health protocols, one of which is by dividing two sessions for students who come to school.

The first session, the students must be in school and follow the learning from 7 to 9.

While the second session, the students will follow the learning starting at 10 to 12 hours.

Bus stops.

Amadhea and several people sitting on the bench entered the bus.

On the way, Amadhea did not stop daydreaming. He looked out the window with a blank look. The rain began to rain down on the earth. The crack fell to the window, making Amadhea's daydream fall. The girl took the earphones out of her bag and she put them in her ear and tuned her favorite song.

Slowly the two girls eyes closed. He also fell asleep.

"Amadhea... Amadhea." faintly heard the hoarse voice of the woman calling out her name.

Suddenly a cold hand touched his calf. Amadhea was shocked. He got up and looked around. Seen passengers sitting quietly. Some play their phones, read newspapers, and some sleep.

Amadhea looked down under her chair, but there was nothing. The girl removed the earphones from her ears. "Sir, please stop in front."

The bus stopped.

Amadhea got out of the bus while opening her umbrella and breaking through the rain. He chose to walk to his home.

...👻👻👻...

...S U R E P T I T I O U S...

...By...

...Irna Marhamah Ucu ...

...19.21 | 1 September 2021...