The Story of Aira
8

Lista and Yesi come to Aira's house. They brought good news that afternoon.

"The four of us are in the top four. Cool...!!!" Yesi looks so happy. This is the first time he has scored so well.

"Yes, brother. Right duh!" sahut the Lista who is no less enthusiastic.

"Thank God...!" aira. "You guys are amazing." praised Aira as she raised her two thumbs up.

"It's all because of the tricks you teach. It was sat set wat wet, said the older brother at the time. Thank you kaaakk...!!!" babble Yesi.

They both hugged Aira. Aira replied to him sincerely. Secretly the father smiled proudly behind his room.

"Dad proud of you, son..."

It's not enough to get there. In the afternoon when Aira's parents were preparing their merchandise, Bu Sari came carrying a bag of black crackles.

"This is the result of my laborers in the garden this morning bude. Nothing compared to the kindness of bude children who always teach my children" said bu Sari while handing a bag of sweet potatoes to Aira's mother.

"Thank you ma'am, there shouldn't be any need to serepot this." said mom.

"Ah, it's okay bude. I thank my son a lot, Bude. I am grateful that Bima finally graduated from school" said Bu Sari.

Aira who was inside the room could only listen to the conversation with teary eyes. He was grateful that his efforts had been fruitful all along. Although he had to feel pain because it became the topic of the struggle of the people around him. At least those children can realize their dreams of becoming graduates with the best grades.

The news also reached the ears of Umi Khusnul, the owner of the educational park foundation in the village. Umi Khusnul also came to Aira's house to offer a job.

"I've heard everything about Aira. Even abi justifies all that. Abi is a teacher at the Elementary School where they are in school, so he knows very well how the students change before and after getting guidance from Aira. So I want to offer Mbak Aira to join the teaching team at our foundation." Umi Khusnul said with a very friendly.

"That's a lot of umi. I have no experience in that field." said Aira.

"But the evidence already exists. What else does Aira doubt." umi Khusnul smiled sweetly.

"Let's just say, Aira think about it. If you are sure of your decision, you can contact me. You can also go directly to our foundation. How's it?" umi said later.

"Yes, umi." Aira slightly nodded her head.

......................

Aira was still considering the offer. There is actually little desire to accept the offer, while waiting for a work call. Because he had previously sent CVs to several places on the recommendation of his father's subscription. But before that he would talk about it to his parents.

But he abandoned his intention to tell the arrival of Umi Khusnul to his parents. Because the father had already delivered a shocking news after sales. Said Aditya's mother came to the place where Dad sold.

"Not extended??!!" mom looked surprised. Mother did not know his arrival, because after isya' mother had come home.

"Why did it suddenly change, Dad?" ask the curious mother.

"Say Adit will get married, and this house will be renovated for the residence of Adit and his wife" said the father.

"Why doesn't Adit tell?" inner Aira.

"The sooner we move the better. I feel uncomfortable here for us. I'll find a new contract soon." break up Aira's father.

Dad looked at Aira's face which looked very sad.

"Why?" ask dad.

"No dad." reply Aira briefly. "I was just thinking, did they change their minds because of me?" Aira lowered her head.

"Don't ever think it's because of you. It's not your fault, son." said the father, wiping his daughter's long hair.

"Father, people's ugliness will spread faster because it is often talked about. Regardless of the facts or news of the bird. They must have heard that rumor." said Aira.

"I'm sorry dad, mom..." Aira lowered her head again. The mother embraced and gave a gentle swab to her shoulder.

"It's not your fault, Aira." said her mother.

"If I hadn't come here. I'm sure mom and dad won't have any of this..." Aira still blamed herself.

"Everything that happens to humans is no coincidence, nothing sudden. Everything has been outlined. And there must be wisdom behind everything that happens to us." said the father.

"It's not time to be smart. Because it's all happened. What matters is that we sincerely live it." continued my father while carving a smile.

......................

Aira's phone vibrated, a message from Ryan.

Ryan is :

How are you?...

Aira :

Good. How's mom?

Ryan is :

Less good.

Aira :

Wh why?

Ryan is :

Little fever.

Aira :

Have you been to the doctor?

Ryan is :

Mom gave me medicine.

Aira :

Mercifully. Heals quickly yes.

Ryan is :

Aira :

Continues to...

Ryan is :

Don't want to come see me?

Aira took her breath, then exhaled it outwards.

Aira :

Sorry Ryan, I'm with you looking for a rented house. I pray that I will heal quickly. Lots of rest. Don't forget to take the medicine, too.

Ryan is :

You're moving out?!

Aira :

Ja

Ryan is :

That fast?!

Aira did not reply anymore. He refocused on seeing the house he came to with his father.

"What do you think?" ask me when they're on their way home.

"I'm up to Dad anyway. I know this place better, right." replied Aira.

"Dad doesn't like the environment" said father.

Aira felt the same way as her father. It was just that he did not have enough courage to reveal it. The environment is indeed somewhat shabby, rubbish scattered. Not to mention buildings that are too close, with clothesline in any place. Chickens are left to roam around, and poop everywhere. Likewise with the existence of a place to hang out young children at the end of the alley, which increasingly makes Aira to aim in horror. He would not be comfortable living in such an environment.

......................

Aira pulled a blanket that was not so thick, and there were a few holes there. Signifying that it was a blanket that was old enough, it was time to be replaced with a new one. But she remained grateful, as the hollowed-out blanket could still provide warmth for her.

"After meeting them, I thought my life here would be better. Having a lot of good-hearted friends. But actually..." Aira closed her eyes for a moment.

"Then.., what if you don't find a contract. Where are we gonna live?"

Dreet... Dree...

Aira saw her phone, an incoming call from Aditya. Aira always couldn't resist that call.

"Yes, Dit..."

"I'm from your father's place. You don't exist."

"I came home early. Why?"

"I was there to apologize to your parents. And now I want to apologize to you, Aira..."

"For what?"

"For everything my parents did, Aira."

Being quiet...

"Mother is eating people's words. So he did just that. Sorry..."

"No need to apologize." replied Aira. "Me, dad, and mom, don't think too much about it."

"Say sir, you haven't been hired. How about I help you find?"

"No need, Dit."

"Aira...., just accept this time huh?! Please...!!! I feel responsible too."

"Adit.., I don't want you to continue acting like this to me..."

"Why Aira??? Is that wrong??"

"That's too much, and it can make other people misunderstand, Adit. Understand!! I'm tired, Adit...!!!"

Aira's voice started to tremble. Makes Aditya who was across there even more worried. Especially when Aira's sobs faintly sounded in her ears.

"Please don't cry Aira. I beg...!"

"I just feel tired, Diiit.." only to Aditya, Aira dared to complain about what she felt.

"I never should have come to this place. I troubled my parents. I make everyone hate me." said Aira.

"No Aira. They're just jealous because you can do what they can't."

Aira did not answer.

"Aira...?? You sleeping?"

"No." reply Aira. "Thank you, Dit. Because you're always there for me, when others stay away from me. But I hope this is the last time. I don't want the Princess to hate me, because of your concern."

"Rul..."

Tuout... Tuout...

Aira was crying under her blanket. After ending the call without permission to Aditya.

......................

"Only you and the Princess still believe in me. Ninik started to stay away from me like everyone else. I don't want to lose anymore. It would be better if I left first, than I should see one by one of you leaving me..."