THERE'S ALWAYS A LEANING PLACE
Part XI

"To the canteen, yuk! Doni invited Via.

"Sorry, Don. I brought lunch."

"Tumbens. You usually have lunch in the cafeteria."

"Have been prepared Mother. Mother said, it is healthier to eat food from home."

"Mother?"

"Mom Aisyah. I live with him."

"Oh.... How about I eat in the cafeteria. You take your food there, eat there."

"It's not good with the cafeteria, Don. Time's just a ride."

"You bought a drink."

Via still seems doubtful. He had to save pocket money because he did not know for sure his allowance rations. The money given by Ms. Aisyah yesterday is actually still intact. Via does not want to waste.

"Udah, I'm buying."

Via smiling bitterly. Now he can no longer treat his friends like he used to.

"Not even dumb? Come to class, take your supplies to the cafeteria," Doni pulled Via's hand.

Finally, inevitably Via follows Doni. After picking up supplies, Via walked with Doni to the cafeteria.

Via was unaware as he passed class XII IPA-3, there was a sharp eye gaze following him. Doni is the same. They are talking about the race they are going to take tomorrow.

Until they finished eating and returned to class, the pair of eyes were still watching. Presumably the owner did not like the closeness of Via and Doni.

"From now on, you've been sticking with Doni, Vi?" whiskey Ratna.

"Paste? Stamps times..." Via thawing.

"Since being called Mr. Herman you two have continued. I'm like a wasted piece of trash."

"Sorry, my dear. Doni and I were appointed participants in the English debate."

"Two?"

"Sixth. Me, Doni, Viki are a team. The other our underclassmen."

"IPS-1 class viki?"

"Rubber, Non. He is an English-speaking master. It's almost as if he's speaking English."

"Unfortunately she..."

"Why?"

"He has typhoid."

"Then anyway? I think it's healthy?"

"Thin suffered by Viki tuh high-pocket money items mediocre. Bhuahaha...."

"Ih, nasty. Do you like to make friends with cute and lots of money? Now I don't get into your criterion dong," said Via with a sad look. He felt sad because he himself did not have excess pocket money.

"Aduuuh.i'm just kidding, don't get into the heart. Just go in the trash can."

Via forcing a smile. Eyes glazed.

"For my own pocket I thought. I don't want to bother Miss Aisyah too much. I should know myself."

Ratna patted Via's back. He felt guilty for making his friend sad. He forgot that Via became sensitive when talking about things related to money.

And, the rest of the lesson hours of the day followed Via with a feeling of unease. Meanwhile, Ratna who was sitting next to him felt guilty.

"Vi, I'm sorry I hurt your heart. I didn't mean to," whined Ratna.

Via shook his head weakly. Not a word came out of his mouth.

As soon as the bell rang the sign of time running out, all the children cleaned their stationery. Via stuffed the book into his bag spiritlessly. Also leave the class with your mouth locked.

As Doni passed by, Ratna looked at Doni. His eye movements signaled that Via was not okay.

Doni approached Ratna for an explanation. Ratna pulled Doni to be some distance away from Via.

"I was wrong to say. He's so inferior to his condition now" whispered Ratna.

Doni nodded in understanding. He chases after Via.

"Via, wait!"

Hearing Doni's voice calling out, Via stopped his steps.

"Emm... Do you have a dictionary from Oxford?"

Via nodded. He still lives in silence.

"Brought, no?"

Again Via just nodded.

"Sorry, can I borrow it?"

Again, Via just nodded. He opened his bag and picked up a thick book.

"Ga papa, take it easy," Via finally spoke.

"really? Yes, English is very easy for you."

"That's what Viki is."

"You don't have to go low. I know that you are inferior to me" said Doni, raising his arm over Via's head.

"Yes..low it down! At this hour, I fainted the smell of your sweat" said Via with a small laugh.

"Eh, the smell of my sweat can make people aware of fainting." There was a feeling of relief in Doni's heart seeing Via already able to laugh.

Ratna who was trailing a few meters behind them smiled faintly. He hoped that Via would no longer be moody.

"Tuh, you've been waiting for Ms. Aisyah. See you tomorrow, yeah!"

Doni walked towards the student parking lot. Just a few steps away from Via, a voice called out to him.

"Doni, wait!"

Doni's feet stopped stepping. His head turned to look for the source of the voice calling.

"By nebeng, right? Please," a pussy-haired girl pleads with Doni. His voice was made so spoiled.

"Not wrong Lia want to ask for a screwdriver? Aren't you allergic to dust?" answer Doni with a sigh.

"My car entered the workshop just now. You're still mad at me?"

"angry? No, it's not."

"If so, I can take you, right?"

"We're not in the same direction, Lia."

"Yes you anterin me first. What's wrong with a friend."

"There's no harm."

"Well, then I can take you."

Doni begins to get frustrated with Lia. The girl was so aggressive.

"I don't have a double helmet. Just one. If there's a cop, I'll have to ticket."

"Let me face it. I'm the police."

"How come you're insistent, anyway?"

"I want to feel the thrill of riding a motor sport."

Doni grunted in annoyance. He was confused to find a reason to refuse Lia's request.

"Lia, your papa's car is waiting by the gate, all right!" exciting Ratna.

"You don't have to lie, Rat! The car that brought me to the workshop just now, really."

"Your father happened to pass by. He's been waiting since. You were called no response. Try opening your HP!"

Lia opened the bag and took her phone. He quickly opened his phone screen and saw there were 5 missed calls from papa.

"Yes, don't be your bitch."

Lia left Doni and Ratna with her face bent.

"Papain papa pick up. Usually also if Mr. Slamet can not pick me up I asked to take a taxi. Failed my plan. Though Doni was pressed, unable to cower," Lia grumbled inwardly.

Doni smiled with relief at seeing Lia leave him. It feels free from the trap.

"Thank you, Rat, you've saved me."

"Saving? Were you in an accident?"

"You're this. Kan know for yourself there was a lioness about to pounce on me. I've been squeezed. You came on time."

"He's not a lioness. Just a jellyfish, really. Uh, if I saved you, I'd get a present, wouldn't I?" Ratna smiled cunningly.

"Haha... Mater!"

"Eits, I'm not a matre girl, but realistic. Deal with me, yes!"

"OKs. But not now, it's late."

"Tomorrow?"

"I'm in the race. After the race is over!"

"Deal. You owe the whole thing. I'll go home first. Bye..bye..."

"Style wear bye bye. Assalamualaikum, that's Neng."

"Waalaikumsalam," said Ratna cuek as she walked away from Doni.

Doni just smiles while shaking his head.

***