THE MOUNTAINEER'S STRUGGLE
Eps3.

The chicken woke Mom. Si Jalu must have marked the time already at 04.00 WIB. The 40-plus-year-old was shoved into the kitchen. His steps came to a halt, momentarily eavesdropping behind the door. Ayu's loud voice that was teaching caused a knotty smile on her face.

Mother no longer has to wake her virgin, every hour 03.00 Ayu pray tahajud and teach. Then Ayu will learn. Tumben, still teaching at this hour. Usually they read textbooks. Repeating the lessons that have passed and reading the lessons that will be discussed by the teacher later in the afternoon.

"What's the key today?"

"Emak has a chicken breed, there is a greeting earlier, Ayu please help Mak cut and boil. The roof is all uleg yes, Neng," he asked without looking. Fun to mengaron rice on the stove.

Deft Ayu helps Mak. All entries are complete. Ayu rushed to take a shower and clenched herself. It's fast now wearing her veil. It used to be almost an hour of time wasted wearing them. The 140cm tall sweet girl smiled as she remembered Lina who always taught her to wear a veil.

"At first sultry Ayu, hot not playing. It is not fun and trendy. Seeing our best friend who Junior High can show off beautiful hair with hair accessories color - colorful, it feels envious. But, said Mr. let's get sultry now as long as not to overheat in the afterlife also avoid the interference of pranksters."

"meaning?"

"Later you will see for yourself" he replied

"Just leave Mak, Father, assalamu'alaikum."

Ayu pamit's. The bag on his back was full of books and school uniforms. Today Ayu wears a long training complete with her sports jersey. A stack of books on deck with the right hand on the chest.

Ayu had gotten used to reading books on the way. Sharp descent through is not an obstacle to continue reading. Repeating lessons if repeated or just reading a book or magazine loan from his best friend.

45 Minutes of travel Ayu complete. The highway is still running. Only one or two cars passed. The city's transport has also been loaded with passengers. Ayu waited a long time.

"Alhamdulillah, finally there is also" he whispered softly.

"Come in, Hajj ma'am!" janda the kernet gave Ayu a way in.

The car is running at medium speed. Five minutes later, a female passenger in a miniskirt and tight clothes stopped the vehicle.

"Alone, Beautiful, may Aa accompany." her face teased with a wink and a disgusting smile. His hands are no less naughty patting a solid butt filled.

The girl showed me dislike. Face reddened from holding back anger.

"Not polite, don't be kang!" wrathful cerocosnya.

"Well, so wear clothes as well as the real Neng. Doesn't the wind catch his shirt like that?"

One father instead of defending the girl blamed her clothes.

"This kid's trying to see a little kid is already neatly veiled, who would want to flirt if with a covered outfit like this, the clothes are identity. Although, your morals are good but if the outward appearance is like this, do not blame people misinterpret. One will judge first from the outward appearance, then will see the speech and temperament. So please correct your external makeup, so in the Lord, people will look at you with disdain. Your clothes are your first shield and protector from interference. Uh, kang conductor, you also please appreciate every passenger. Your actions could violate sexual harassment laws, you know. Would you like to be reported and in jail? Just imagine if this girl was your mother, your sister, your aunt or your special person. How would it feel to be treated like that?"

The father looked riled up, his hand stroking Ayu's head. Salut only Ayu in angkot was hooded.

The conductor and the girl bowed.

Ohh ... This is Lina's reply. True, really feel into this veil shield, no words that harass thrown let alone the inappropriate actions that Ayu found after hijab. At least the greeting that sounded disturbing him from the prank youths.

At that time the hijab was only in the use of madrasah children. Junior High children do not wear it. Really hijab identity obedience is not the origin of trendy with the current fashion. The hijab model does not exist. Only a rectangular or bergo veil without a model.

\*\*\*\*

Ayu stepped into the classroom. Almost three years through education in junior high school. Only two months to go for the exam. Ayu returns in the moody Landa. Not afraid of the upcoming test.

Shadow if only just count the time to be a student. The High School bench may be just a shadow. Always bothering and eliminating the joy on his face.

Ayu's achievements have always been the best. Academic values are not a reason to quit school. Again the blessing of Father and Mother became a barrier. His friends were married and had children at the age of a dozen. While Ayu still dreamed of continuing his education. The steps are steep. At his age, the village girl is like a branch of a ranum flower that is ready to be picked. Ready to welcome the application and become a bride in the guarantee.

"Neng, enough until Junior High School, yes. Nur and the other friends are married and have children. If your school is high who will apply. Now you're 15. So you think a little bit already understand the tradition. It's not good if girls get married late. What people say."

"What do people say is more important than Ayu's future, sir?"

"Not that, son. The president is there, the minister is there, the police, the army is there too. What we have to learn to do. We are only small people and our expectations are small. Don't be so high-minded."

"Ju knows not the cost of the reason you refused Ayu school, nor because of Ayu's ethics which was the cause. But because of shame if Ayu is late for marriage if school. Only Ayu lives a daughter who has not been pinned down by people. Sir, a soul mate is God's business. Someday Ayu will meet someone who becomes a priest. There is a man whom God has made Ayu. Sooner or later he'll knock on the door of the house to preach."

"Emak knows it, but what Ayu was high school for. Better help Mom at home take care of sister. It's enough until SMP." Nyerocos mom is like a embroidered mercon firecracker.

His view is always narrow. Ayu is sad if it turns out that it is the woman who does not want to change fate. His people should have rejected and broken that understanding. Not being a loyal follower.

"Woi was daydreaming what Yu was, just dumb-ass." Lina patted his shoulder

"Where are you going, Lin ?" Ayu did not answer even back to ask.

"It's Allah to Aliyah, only I move house later, Yu." Lina's face looked clouded.

Lina should be away from her best friend. Three years together now have to separate because Lina has to move domicile. Lina moved to Jepara.

Ayu's face was dim. He must lose his best friend. A place to express feelings when in trouble. Sharing of joy and sorrow.

"I don't think I'm going to continue my education. You won't allow."

"Why?"

"Tradition, it's a hindrance and an enemy of our progress. I lost against it."

"You're gonna give up, yu?"

"meaning?"

"Hard protests will defeat the traditions and hearts of your parents."

"How?"

"That you should find out for yourself, you know better how your parents are. Just don't lose and give up. If only tears were free. Persistent fight never give up that Ayu Lestari. Not falling down and crying behind the pain."

Ting.... Lina blinked her eyes.

Ayu finally smiled. Lina was right that a strong protest should be made. Education is not illegal. It's obligation. Children are not a burden on their parents. So, when asking for the right to education is the same as asking for another primary living.

Sandang, food and its rights board, Education as well. But, saying out loud asks it feels free. Mother's voice is more creepy than the thunderbolt that strikes. High tones for parents are also sins. Then what to do?

\*\*\*\*\*\*

School exams are over. Ayu is optimistic the results are satisfactory. Isn't the effort not to cheat results? Already from the first Wulan chess Ayu repeated the first class lesson, the second Wulan chess learned the second class lesson, the third Ayu repeated the third class lesson.

Efforts have been maximized results in Allah will be good. Ayu believed that. But, Father's blessing for school still not in his grasp.

"From today I will go on a hunger strike" Ayu said in her heart. Protest loudly without having to say anything rude, forcefully with a high tone. But, Ayu knows that Mother Father loves very much. Takan might want to see his son miserable.

If indeed you can not afford in the economy Ayu will not force. You are quite able to finance then if the reason Ayu tradition will break down in his way. Lina's right, Ayu will fight back.

"Come on Neng, eat ! Don't sulk like this. We have had a lot of discussions. Ayu is about to finish Junior High so she has finished school until here. We have discussed it repeatedly," said the father this time with a rather high tone.

"Let's go to school, sir, let Ayu, don't want to eat anyway. If Ayu's sick, it's okay."

"Already, sir, this bluff is a boy. If you are hungry, you will also eat" said the mother who is not sure about the seriousness of Ayu's demo.

Finally, you are silent. The worry slipped in the heart. His girl determination is strong. Ayu the head of stone. If in the sense that it's a good thing then Takan will ever want to give up losing and give up.

All day no food entered Ayu is still strong. Only, the water in the drink. A day for Ayu is like a fast on Monday. The little thing. The second day his body began to limp. By night his body was cold. Then the chills and fever struck.

Mom and Dad panicked to see the condition of his daughter. Pale face, bluish fingernails, lip twitching due to high fever. Ayu delirious. But, still keukeuh reluctant to eat and take medicine.

"Yes, Neng, I let Ayu go to school. But ... keep the honor and good name of the family. If you can make your father proud. Otherwise, do not smudge charcoal on the face of the parents. I think Ayu knows what that means."

"If you hear Ayu has a boyfriend then immediately it must stop school and get married," Mother cerosos.

"This woman, Ayu said she wanted to go to school instead of looking for a boyfriend. Ayu's time even dating is not studying at school. If that happens Ayu immediately stops school. Mother must remember Ayu's promise," said Ayu who lay weak.

"Already, don't talk too much! eat a lot. Ayu has to take medicine. The day after school list but must be to Madrasah Aliyah. No public school."

Ayu nodded, a mouthful of rice entered her mouth after two days of empty stomach. I feed him with great affection. Head shakes. Obstinately. Stone head. A smile on the skin. That's Ayu, the girl who doesn't give up easily. Child pride family.

Ayu can now breathe. Forgive Ayu, Sir. Not to worry. But, this is the only way to change Ayu's fate. This is how Ayu fights for the right to education. A tear ran down his cheek.

Ayu will show that Ayu will make you proud. Ayu's achievements are a gift to you. A strong determination carved a great achievement in the little girl's heart. May all the goals be achieved.

To be continue~