The Staircase
Class Seven

Mila's painting I put on my room. Is correct. You did not mishear that I now dare to sleep alone. The shadow that once haunted me that the adults said was just a hallucination, has now disappeared. The crowd around the rented and the Tibetans who often visit all bring vegetables, it makes me not lonely, the fear disappears by itself.

Dad had laughed at me who looked geeky in the painting. Toni found out from Mila's friend that I brought Mila's painting in secret. Yesterday afternoon before going to town, Toni took the time to stop at our rented. Toni reminds me to look after the painting, our memento, Ki. He said with a sweet smile.

In seventh grade this morning, I met a lot of new students. Various kinds of look on their faces, some are happy, confused, and sad because they have to part with their Elementary School friends first. Like me sitting alone at the front desk. It was as if waiting for someone to call my name.

Our classroom was next to the school office, so no one dared to fuss let alone shout. I consistently chose the front seat.

Our school is not far from the market where my father sells. Before going to school, of course, I went through my father's stall first. Dad gave me a pocket money of two thousand rupiahs. Formerly three or five hundred rupiahs were enough for pocket money in the school cafeteria. But now, five hundred rupiahs can only fry bananas and bakwan, while porridge costs a thousand but half a bowl, two thousand if you want to be full.

Dad's income is also unstable, up and down. Many buyers complain that the price of vegetables is getting expensive. Tibetans also complain of pest attacks that are difficult to eradicate. Even other vegetable farmers had failed to harvest. Fortunately, Tibetans are not out of sense. The Tibetan man takes care of his garden intensively. When many farmers fail to harvest, that's when the benefits of the Tibetan pack multiply. In the past, a hundred thousand was the same as a million. But now, spending a million dollars was faster than collecting it.

Last month's school list almost forced fathers and mothers to drain their piggy banks. But thanks to my savings in Elementary School, which were greeted with sweet smiles by them, it finally managed to make me sit proudly in my current chair.

The sun was getting hotter, its scorching light was trying to barge into the classroom. I shifted my chair, avoiding the light that almost touched my skin.

I saw on the threshold of the entrance to the seventh grade, there was a teenage boy whose temper was like a little Budi. I can not forget the name Budi, a name that we can find almost on every page of the Indonesian book that immediately crossed my mind.

The classroom was noisy, as they scrambled for chairs and tables. But among them there are those who put index fingers on the lips, remember that our class is next to the school office. Some of them are looking for their peers, forming gangs, and some are asking where, where, and what to wear in school. I'm sure the ones being asked where it was were those whose residences were far away from the First High School. I remember, if not Budi, it would be Randi. As I look back. Justright. He said he was from Trans Prompong, an index not far from the market.

"You're good, right?" I approached her in the corner of Budi's and Randi's favorite first-class seating positions.

"Yes, I'm Budi. You who?" In my heart I thought that I was wrong, the proof was that he asked me back.

So far I feel like I've had a lot of physical changes. A mustache that began to grow, a jakun that stuck out, a loud voice, and a slightly more contained body. But my curly hair will certainly remind him. I'm sure he's Budi.

"I'm Aki. The Trans Prompong Elementary School. But up to third grade I moved school." He opened his eyes wide, startled.

"Aki." Just twirling my body. "How are you, Ki. Much has changed from you, yes." She's addressing. We both smiled happily.

I pull up my curls, Budi laughed lightly. "Yes, I just remember now." His word.

"I know you're forgetful, Bud." I chuckle softly.

"Yes, Ki. But honestly I'm not. This change of yours, you see. Far from first grade."

"It's been four years, Bud." I replied after counting the last year of meeting with Budi.

"Oh, yes. Well, not expecting, yeah, we could have one more class."

"I thought you were going to this school." Chuckles softly.

"But how do you know." He pointed at his chest.

They also experience significant physical changes. From the way she looked at me, the way she spoke, to the way I answered her questions changed. He became an adult teenager. In my opinion, growing up over time will be an inevitability. I'm sure not a few adults want to go back to adolescence and even childhood. I feel it even though it is only in the teenage phase at this time. I want to go back to my childhood, even though my childhood was no better than it is now.

"Oh, yes. Where is Randi? Aren't you two like sisters?" Imbuhku while chuckling softly.

His face changed instantly. He lowered his head. I'm still waiting for the answer.

"Ra-Rand." Her speech stammered. "Died, Ki. He's ten years old. Banging on the floor when she was a child used to be a malignant tumor. He can't be saved, Ki." Budi samakin sat his head, masygul.

I was surprised. If the person who had a heart attack may immediately fall on the floor. I remember when we were in first grade, Randi once told me that he had hit the floor. I thought it was a regular bump. Even two years one class with Randi I didn't see the slightest change from him. Only its nature is somewhat temperamental, easily provoked by emotions, rash, and often not connected with the topic of our conversation. That's all I know. And it's common.

I didn't shake for a few seconds. Really, I was hit, shocked not to get upset.

I haven't had time to say a word of condolence, suddenly the school bell rang loudly. Budi hurriedly searched for his hat and tie, he installed it carelessly, incongruously to the left.

"Look, Bud." I taught him. The other students went outside the class. "I'm so sorry I didn't know it happened." I said while helping Budi put up his tie. I wrapped the tie around Budi's neck, tied it up, and then gently held it. A thousand languages. He resigned, even if the tie strangled him, maybe Budi did not fight.

We're lined up in the schoolyard. The flag ceremony every Monday is always the opening day for students at their new school.

After an hour, the flag ceremony ended, "If Aga how's it going, Bud? You've met him, haven't you?" I asked while walking down the school hall to the seventh grade. Be beside me. There was no one near him but me. Today's flag ceremony successfully toppled two schoolgirls at once. They fainted the scorching effects of the sun, and said the Headmaster's long welcome.

"If Aga is well. I often see Aga in the Tibetan sir's shop." Answer Budi. "We never communicate, Ki. Me and Aga are limited by time, busy." Imbuh Budi, nelangsa.

Indeed, what I heard from the Tibetan sir, that Aga became the backbone of his family today. Being the backbone is not easy. Many household burdens are borne by themselves. Even someone is willing to sacrifice his life and future for the sake of the family. No wonder Budi has trouble communicating with Aga. Iunderstood it.

"Bud" called me with an embarrassed smile. "You know where Nina went to school?" Budi's gaze was clearly making fun of me.

"It's a shame, Ki. Nina's not at this school." Budi chuckled softly.

"Urusan's making fun of friend number one." My protest.

Six years in Elementary School, only Budi has one class with me in Secondary School. Even Budi who was originally sitting in a corner, immediately moved forward. We sat side by side, not even one table. Our distance was about half a meter, not making us deaf to respond if one of us both invited a conversation.

"You know what grade I was in sixth grade yesterday?" Tanya Budi while closing her face, said slowly. The teacher in front of us was writing the material.

"Big ten?" I replied, and continued writing.

"One." The intonation of Budi's voice he pressed a little.

I turn my head to the side, Budi smiled proudly.

"Wow. Congratulations, yes." I regretted. The two of us hurriedly pulled out a hand as the teacher in front turned around, facing us.