The Unexpected Twist
Meeting with Mama Ervin

Nora had just walked out of the school gate when her eyes were fixed on a middle-aged woman trying to get inside the school area. The woman looked young and beautiful, but her clothes were simple and shabby. The school security guard appeared to obstruct and reprimanded him with a harsh tone.

Nora felt that there was something strange about the woman. He felt like he had seen his face somewhere, but could not remember where. He decided to approach the woman after parking her car near the school gate. The car is a Toyota GR Sport Type black red metallic color, the car is a gift from the mother who just returned from abroad a few months ago. The car is the dream of every youngster, with its sleek and sporty shape, striking and sparkling colors, as well as advanced features that make it comfortable and safe in driving.

Nora smiled faintly and greeted the woman politely. The guards recognized Nora as one of the high-achieving students at the school and immediately released their grasp on the woman.

“Sorry, what can I help?” ask Nora.

“You're a student here, right? Please ask these stupid men to let me go. I am one of the parents of students at this school,” replied the woman in an annoyed tone.

Nora nodded slowly, but still hesitated. He wanted to ask who his son was, but before he could say anything, the woman had already shouted to Ervin by name.

Nora turned her head and saw Ervin running towards them with an anxious face. Ervin is the younger brother of his class he once helped when he got into a fight with the bad boys at school. Ervin is a smart and diligent boy, but is often bullied for coming from a poor family. Nora felt sorry for him and wanted to help him.

“Ma! Mama what's here?” ervin asked in an unhappy tone.

“Those people are still bully you, huh?! Look at your face wound! Let's go to the principal's office to report!” said the woman while pulling Ervin's hand.

Ervin just stayed in place. He did not want to deal further with this matter. He knew that the people he fought with must have come from rich families who had influence in school. If not for help from Nora, maybe the scholarship he got had been revoked.

Ervin was not even aware of the whereabouts of Nora beside him. He was too busy to notice what his mother was doing. He did not want the other students to speak harsh words or insult his mother.

Nora watched this scene silently. It turns out that she was Ervin's mother. It was fitting that he felt familiar because he had seen the two of them in a small cafe near their school garden. He just scratched his nape and observed the mother and child.

“Sorry before I did not know that aunt was the mother of Ervin,” said Nora in a formal tone.

“Oh, do you know my son?” ask the woman in surprise.

Nora just nodded slowly and smiled at Ervin who was a little surprised to see him. He patted Ervin's shoulder gently.

Nora remembered her promise first. He once promised to treat Ervin as a thank you because he had helped him when they took the bus as well as the incident this morning. This time he would take this opportunity to repay the kindness of his underclassmen.

“You've eaten or hungry?” asked Nora casually.

Ervin answered already, while his mother replied yet. Ervin looked at his mother with dislike. He knew what Nora's question meant. The girl would definitely want to invite them to eat in an expensive and luxurious place.

Nora smiled sweetly and said, “Yes, already. Aunt Ervin come with me to eat. Coincidentally I was alone carrying a car.”

Nora takes them walking towards her parked car in front of the school gate. He opened the door and took them in.

Ervin's mother hit his son's shoulder happily. He was fascinated by Nora's beautiful and sophisticated car. He thought that Nora must be the son of a kindly rich man.

Ervin was embarrassed and unwell. He did not like the attitude of his mother who was too happy with material things. Nor did he want to make Nora feel overwhelmed by their situation.

“Can we get in your car? Forgive our inappropriate appearance for a luxury car like this.”

Nora smiled kindly and opened her car door. “Of course you can. Please log in and sit anywhere you like!” take her in a soft voice.

Mama Ervin walked to the back of the car while holding a happy smile. He pulled Ervin's hand to sit next to him. However, Ervin refused and instead chose to sit in front, right next to Nora.

Nora turned to mama Ervin through the rearview mirror and asked, “Why would you want to sit in front? Don't you want to go with lo?”

Ervin shook his head slowly and replied, “Gue doesn't want to sit in the back. I feel it's not polite to brother, because as if I consider you a driver.”

Nora just smiled faintly and turned on her car engine. He drives quietly and carefully, using only one hand. Along the way, Ervin's mother keeps chatting with Nora, asking various things about her. Nora answered honestly and politely, without hiding anything.

“So your mother is the director of the architecture company, huh? Wow, that was great.”

They arrived at an elegant, luxurious restaurant. Ervin lowered his head, feeling unwell. He realizes that he owes back to Nora, the girl who has always been kind to him. He was confused how to repay all that kindness.

Nora invites them into the restaurant. They are greeted by a friendly servant and guide them to a pre-ordered table. They sat in soft, comfortable chairs, and were given a menu by another waiter.

“Tante and Ervin want to order what? Today it was Nora who treated,” Nora said with a smile.

Ervin was confused to see the menu in front of him. I am not used to eating in places like this. He did not know what to order, let alone the price of the food was very expensive. He looked at Nora with a look of help, hoping that he could give advice.

“There are 13 food menus here. You can choose which one, I do not mind at all,” said Nora while giving a menu to Ervin.

Ervin scratched his nape awkwardly. Actually he wanted to eat rice, because he had not had lunch today. However, he felt he did not know himself if he chose himself.

“Lo only choose, Brother. I just follow,” replied Ervin with a thin smile.

“Alright, then what would Aunt want to eat? And the drinks?” ask Nora to mama Ervin.

“I want to eat chicken honey sauce with white rice and drink mineral water only. Ervin is also the same drink, because he should not drink sweet-sweet.”

Nora nodded slowly and looked at the waiter who was still waiting for their order. “Alright, we order chicken honey sauce with white rice and mineral water one serving, fried rice with mineral water one serving, and medium rare steak with Pina Colada one serving.”

“Is there any more extras?” ask waiter.

“Nothing, thank you,” said Nora while returning the menu to the waiter.

They waited long enough before their food came. Ervin sees Nora waiting patiently, without complaining or getting bored. He saw Nora eating her steak gracefully and neatly. Nora cut her flesh into small pieces, then picked it up with a fork held with her left hand. He did not use the knife again after that, and put it on the right side of his plate. He occasionally sipped mineral water from his glass, and did not touch the bread or butter that was on the table.

Ervin was embarrassed to see the difference in the way they ate. He sees Ervin's mom eating voraciously and recklessly, even while playing his cell phone. He knew it was impolite behavior, let alone in a place like this.

Nora finished eating and paid their bills. He then drove them back to their home some distance from the city. He did not complain at all even though the trip took almost an hour. He kept smiling and making small talk with Ervin's mom, while Ervin just kept quiet and pondered beside him.

Nora and Ervin have just arrived at the village where Ervin lives. The two of them are schoolmates who respect each other and regard each other as brothers. However, not everyone in the village welcomed them well. Most of the citizens looked at them with cynical and scornful gazes. They think Nora is Ervin's girlfriend who wants to follow in the footsteps of her mother who once made a scandal in the village.

Nora felt something was wrong as she got out of the car. He caught the whispers that pierced his heart.

“Haha, it turns out that it is not his mother who ******. Turns out his son also continued his mother's journey to embarrass our village.”

Nora could not bear to hear that word. He wanted to make it clear that he and Ervin had nothing to do. He wanted to defend his innocent friend. Ervin tries to prevent it, but Nora has moved quickly towards a group of gossiping mothers.

The mothers were surprised to see Nora approaching. They were terrified to see Nora's sharp gaze. Nora smiled faintly and said in a cold tone.

“Sore, mothers. Sorry to interrupt your conversation. But what you are talking about is not pleasant to hear by me. I was with Ervin just a schoolmate even I considered him a little sister. Actually I don't want to prolong the problem, but if I don't confirm there is a massive slander. So as an older person I ask you to be wiser,” said Nora calmly, which makes mothers unable to dwell.

The mothers did not dare to answer. They feel shame and guilt for having charged without proof. Nora turned around and walked back towards Ervin. He saluted Ervin's mother who was waiting in front of the house. He also asked for permission to go home and thanked them for their hospitality.

Nora got into the car and immediately left the village. He was relieved to be out of a place full of prejudice.

Ervin drove Nora to the car. He felt grateful to have a friend like Nora who would help him face problems in his village. He hoped Nora would not be offended by the words of her villagers.

“Ervin why don't you go out with him? Mama see he's a rich kid pretty untapped.”

Ervin was disgusted to hear his mother's words. He knew his mother was only after Nora's treasure and didn't care about her feelings.

“Ervin is not like Mama,” said Ervin then entered his room.

Ervin didn't know if his mother was smiling cunningly muttering, "If you don't want to act then mama will."