The Staircase
The June Gift

Four months ago I was summoned to the stage, taking pictures with the teacher and the four students who ranked in the top three of the two majors, I was majoring in Social Sciences. A big smile implies the happiness of that moment in February, the month where I felt two different moments of atmosphere at once. Happy moments, and desperate moments.

I am happy to finish school with good grades and achievements. The thunderous applause at that moment made me satisfied after twelve years of school. At the same time, I felt like I had no hope. Notification of the college application page through the scholarship track informs me that I have not passed the selection. I have no energy, even the rank one award charter has no effect at all, I am still weakened. Mom and Dad don't know about this. I am ashamed to tell them. I only dare say that I am number one. They're happy. But my smile was like a mask I had neatly set on my face so that they would not be suspicious of what I was thinking at the time.

The school that enrolled me in the scholarship. I really owe a debt of gratitude to the teacher who will soon retire, Missi. He knew I didn't pass the selection and called, saying that he intended to enroll me in the second selection, still on a scholarship. Dear my achievements, said Missi four months ago.

For four months also my mother repeatedly presented the names of the great Universities, one of which I was not interested. I just nodded as if to agree, so that mother doesn't nag.

Dad never forced me to go to college, but he was happy if I helped him in the market. Dad and mom had a fight because mom did not agree that I was too often in the market, it would change my mindset that had started to know the currency. While dad, don't want to burden me with mother's wishes. Dad gave me a chance to choose; work, business, or business. Mom was angry. Almost threw his piggy bank. Mom had trouble lifting the piggy bank. Weight. I know it's all metal money. Every day, they set aside the rest of the shopping money and sales money. The sound of friction between the metals was clearly heard.

Seeing mom start acting with her feelings, I immediately made a vow. I said I'd go to college if there wasn't any more nagging at home. Mom was silent. I dared to make such a vow because I was sure; mother could not a day without her scolding. Father giggled softly, nodding in agreement with my vow.

For months, she became calm, quiet, and patient. Even if you try to provoke his emotions, you remain patient. I started to get upset, it was also secretly that Missi enrolled me in the second scholarship program. He sent me proof of registration on my phone. I said, no need to bother registering me. But Ms. Desi believes I can pass the selection. Just waiting for the written exam schedule. For the cost of leaving for the city borne by the school. As a rank one award. I can't dodge.

Until the day of the written exam came, I said goodbye to my mother and father. Mom was very enthusiastic about preparing supplies, clothes, and exam equipment for two days. Extensive advice from the father and mother began to be spoken, maybe if written will be as thick as a story book illustrated by children in length. I took their advice.

The first time I went to town, I was amazed. My phone rang, Missi called me, "If you have not forgotten to tell me, yes."

I arrived at the bus terminal, then transit using opelet to the house of Missi after he sent the full address.

I sat behind the driver, facing the exit. Quickly pulled my hand from the rusty opelet backrest, peeling it off. I remember my dream fifteen years ago in an old opelet. I was busy watching the surroundings, who knew there was the chief's grandfather I thought to myself.

Two days later I returned to the village. I told Missi I wasn't sure I could pass the selection. Some things I can't answer, I'm running out of time, and it's too hard. While my rival is over a hundred people.

So did the pessimistic sentence I repeated when my mother asked me how the exam was. They're not too demanding I should get away with it. Arrive in the city and go home safely, I'm happy.

His announcement in early June. Although it was pessimistic but I wonder the results. Ever since I got home from town, I couldn't sleep at night. Not to mention the market is very noisy, fortunately mother never nagged in the slightest. I don't know, two days in town maybe mom nagged me. But obviously these few days mom kept quiet, more often offered me food, cake, and care.

"Today, right, the announcement?" Ask mom. Early in the morning, I asked this question.

"What date is it today, ma'am?" I asked while rubbing my eyes.

"June 20, check your phone." I can't wait, sitting in my bed. I'm not very energetic, still want to mess around, but haven't had time to yawn - mom has given me a cell phone.

"Yes, mom. I wash my face first."

I am not too excited because I am sure I will not pass the selection. But in order to reduce my mother's curiosity, I slowly opened the announcement page.

"Can't be checked yet, ma'am. At three o'clock in the afternoon the announcement will be accessible."

"Hmmm.hey." I left my room disappointed. I continued to sleep until eight o'clock. Mom didn't nag a bit. I heard three times that my mother went back and forth in front of my room.

I remember, today, my mom and dad had a birthday. Today, father is even sixty years old, mother is fifty-nine years old. Father is old enough, but his spirit overcame that of a young me. I haven't woken up yet, Dad's already at the market.

I was helping my father out at the market, a little annoyed at him who never took a day's rest, "You don't have to worry. Tibet sir, bring in a new employee to help me here." Answer father.

Mr Tibet, new employee? I asked in my heart. Since when does the Tibetan man trust others to sell his vegetables since the events of Mila's father, other than father? I'm sure the new employee you mean is none other than the one who has served the Tibetans for a long time, like my father. Moreover, selling like this only needs honesty, it's the first and most important capital said the Tibetan sir two years ago.

"Who's the new employee, Dad?"

"Dad doesn't know yet. Mr. Tibet just said there'd be someone to help me out here after you go to college."

I'm sure walking into town will make you feel lonely without me helping you out at the market. This was clearly engraved on his face which looked heavy I left behind. Since the first time to the city, the look of this face was clearly on my father's face.

At three in the afternoon, after returning from the market, my mother immediately greeted me with a cellphone that had rang, said the mother. Ms. Desi. What's the matter is he called me up to five times at three.

I called back, "Hello, ma'am." Greet Miss Desi.

Had not had time to ask his intention to contact me until many times, Miss Desi immediately snatched, "Mommy has checked the announcement." Speak quickly. "Mom told you, you must have passed the selection." The intonation of the sound echoed in the loudspeakers of my phone.

"I mean, ma?" I still don't understand.

"I mean your mother passed the selection. You're accepted into College. Congratulations, yes. I'm glad to hear that." Detail of Desi.

My mother had been eavesdropping, hearing the word passed the selection mother immediately pranced happily.

I smiled broadly. Dad was happy too. "Happy birthday, dad. Happy birthday, ma'am." I said while hugging them.