Toni looked at his friends from distant. They were swimming in the river happily. The others did the battle as if they were really a soldier, they shown their great power, and courage to their enemies. But it’s quite weird, they didn’t use a real gun – a revolver, it was a muddy-ground that made as ball-formed. They had battlefield as the place to defend and survive. They throw the muddy ground away to their enemies.
“Toni here, we lost one player. Let’s join us,” Roy asked Toni.
“No, Roy, I need to go the farm to give a hand for my mom,” said Toni.
He was really willing to join with them, but the empty stomach was the big problems. He was no energy to play. After went home from school, Toni had to go to the farm. If he didn’t, he would have been starving. There were no victuals and beverages at home. Those are served at the farms only.
Toni was in a hurry taking out the boat rope and starting rowing the boat. He was in blue mood. He could not gather with his friend – playing and swimming together. The sadness disappeared immediately, when he saw his mother in mind. She was working hard at the farm alone. No one helped her. Toni became feeling a pity to his mom, he rowed his boat fastly.
“What a pity!” said Toni.
Brakkk…. Toni’s boat voice landed. He arose and took the boat rope to a big tree. He tied it there. He started walking to the farm – the place his mom did her daily activities. That place was long indeed. To reach it, Toni needed to spend about 30 minutes on foot. It was not far away for him. He was accustomed to doing it. He whistled and sang the whole journey. In a few minutes, he saw an old woman was mowing the bushes that grow between the paddies and corns. Those bushes needed pruning faster because they had been tall. She was Solemah, Toni’s mom. She was about 50 years old.
Toni approached to his mom, “Ma, let’s take a rest,” said Toni.
“Wait for a moment, it was almost finished. Go to the hut first.
Toni walked toward the hut in a hurry. He was so hungry. He opened Salupak – the food storage. He found two cork fish and lots of rice in it. He really wanted to eat up all of it, but he didn’t. He needed waiting for his mom. They had to eat together, that’s their habit. Solemah always taught Toni to share anything, even if it was a little.
Toni and his mom were full already. They took a rest in a minute. “Ma, is cork fish given by Uncle Domi?”
No, Got from your fishing. In the morning, I tried to see it. And they gave us 6 cork fishes.Two of them, I cook and others kept it in the balcom,” replied Solemah.
Wow, my efforts were not in a vain,” said Toni happily.
After taking a rest, Toni and his mom continued their work. The sun was so hot that day, yet it didn’t make him to get lazy. He was enthusiasm helping his mom. Toni was a diligent boy. He was obedient to his mom. He had a beautiful dream for his mom. He wanted to give happiness for her, but he never knew when it could happen. Solemah ever said to him that she had been in tremendously happy, just by her side. Those words encouraged him to be closer to his mom by maintain their farm. Toni wished, his dream had come true by doing it.
The sun sank on the west of earth as if she wanted to say to Toni and his mom, they needed to end their work. Its shine become so blur and she disappeared, it was a premonition of evening. It was in a hurry, Toni and his mom went to a little hut. Why they didn’t go home? Toni and Solemah had a deal not to go to their home for 2 months. They’d stay at the little hut to save their times. They’d live in loneliness place, so far away form the noisy music of their neighbours.
“Mom, I wanna take a bath while keeping my fishhook in the river now.”
“Don’t be too long, it was about evening” replied Solemah. “Ok, my mom”. Toni run toward the hut and took his fishhook.
Toni was busy helping his mom cooking at Daar – a kitchen in farm.Toni blew the food’s fire seriously by Tupan – thing that made form Bamboo, while his mother serving the rice. They used firewoods to cook all of their food. It was simple dan economic. After finished, they ate together. Toni seemed so hunger. He ate up his fish and vegetables immediately. Solemah kept smiling, looking his son doing that way. She gave her parts for him. At first, Toni refused his mom offer, but finally He accepted it. It was just his way prentending his mom. He was looking forward to waiting for that offering, when his parts had run out already.
Toni took the cork fish and added his rice. What a big stomach! Eeaaammm... Toni belched. He was totally full. Toni was tremendously happy, even though they were poor, they still could fill their stomach in full. Outside there, there was lots of unlucky person could not be full like them. Solemah always said to Toni “Where there is a will, there is a way”. They’d not be starving if they were diligent.Toni always kept it in his mind tightly. He didn’t want to bother others because of their poverty. His mom could pay his school, it’s been enough.
Toni disliked claiming too much. He understood his mom’s life. He was a simple boy. For him, enough is good as a feast. He was not easier to be influenced by new trends, for instance many of his friend had phone, new bag, new shoes and cycle. Toni kept calm about it. He gave it a damn. Not for Roy, he didn’t want to go to the school if his wants were not fulfilled. In previously day, he treated his parents, if they didn’t buy him a HP. He’d stop his school. Finally, his parents agreed to buy it. They were so worried. Roy had a good life. Both of his parents were a teacher. Roy was quite arrogant, not for Toni. They’re pals.
“Hey, Roy, suddenly Toni appeared. Do u attend to the lesson today? Are u sure? The day before yesterday, U’re sayin’ that u wanna skip the entire lesson,” said Toni.
“Emmm, that’s just a joke. I just pretend to make sure my parents to buy me a phone..Hehehe..” replied Roy. “U’re totally good at lying, Roy”. “It was not Roy, if I could not cheat them”. In proudly, Roy took a Nokia Phone from his pocketnya and shown it to Toni.
“Ton, see, is it good, isn’t? Wow, that’s great. U’re looking so cool right now. Emmm if I were a girl I’d try to catch ur attention. Hahaha.... Eitss, do u wanna see another? Yes.. U know, this phone has lots of musics. Do u know what the name is? Roy took out another thing from his pocket.
What is it, Roy? Huhhh, u’re not trendly. You’re deserved to call ‘A geek in the pink’..hahahha..its name headset. See, if I assemble it into my phone, you’ll hear the music song. Try it. Toni tried to hear it. Do u hear it? Yes..I do. Wow, that’s brilliant creation. Btw, how could it be? asked Toni curiosity. That’s way we need to follow the technology development, Ton. You’re so lucky become my friend. If not, you’ll know nothing about it at all. Thanks Roy, you have given me a chance to touch your phone, hehehe.. I think you’ll be diligent studying right now cuz you have them.” Toni tried to mock him.
“ Studying is a piece of cake, why I need to think it. I have you to help me. I relied on u. Eitss have you done the assignment of mathematic? “Yes, why?” replied Toni. “Copy, please,hehehe,” demanded Roy. Toni shook his head, he thought Roy’d changed his behavior, not to copy anymore, but he was in mistake. Actually he didn’t want to give it, he wanted to help him more as a proverb said “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
“Here,” Toni gave his assignment to Roy. Thank Ton, you’re so kind. Toni felt a pity to Roy. He let Roy copy his assignment. He didn’t want to see Roy got punishment from Miss Ria again. Roy run toward the class and copied the entire assignment. Toni loved Roy the most. He was the only friend that he had. Roy always helped him when he got problems, too. He was a friend in need is a friend indeed. Toni was confused about his behavior. Why didn’t he do that? He had a lot of time to do that. It was conversely with Toni. After go home, Toni needed to go to the farm helping his mom, but, in fact he still did it.
“Ah I don’t give him a damn!”, Toni tried to avoid his thinking and went to the classroom
“Good Morning, guys”, said the headmaster. Morninnnnngggg!!! The pupil answered his greeting. Today you’ll have a new friend. Toni and Roy were all ears to the announcement,they were wondering about the new student. Is he handsome or beautiful or conversely, ugly. A girl who had white skin, a beautiful long hair, and brown eyes, entering the class.
“Wow, she is perfect,Ton” said Roy to Toni. “Don’t speak louder, she will hear it,” replied Toni.
Guys, our friend is from Jakarta. Rin, let’s introduce yourselves, please” demanded the head master.
“Hi, my name is Rini Ariyanti. My old friends call me Rini. I am from SMAN 1 Jakarta. I plan to attend this school because of my parents’ job, they abandon their job in Jakarta and try to set up this town. Thank you”
“Okay, guys there any question, please,” asked the head master. “Phone number Sir,” replied Roy loudly. ..huhhhhhhh... all of the students screamed to Roy. “Be quite, please, you could ask to Rini directly after the class ends,” replied the head master. And then he ordered Rini to take a seat. After that, He left the class and gave the class to Miss Ria again. That day was mathematic subject. Miss Ria ordered her students to collect their assignments.
Roy was so aggressive, he wanted to get Rini’s phone number as fast as possible.
“What’s wrong Roy. You wanna pee?” said Toni. “Ton, I need your help. Ask the girl ‘s phone number, please” demanded Roy. “We’re still in class. You wanna get punishment from her again?”
“No way, okay after this class ends, ask her, please.” Yupz.. I’ll ask her. Promise? Yes.. I promise.. The subject was quite hard to understand, it was about trigonometry. After explaining it, Miss Ria ordered students to ask. There was no question, so she made a lot of question. She wrote down on the white board. No one was brave coming in front of class, except Toni. Toni was good at mathematic. His friend relied on him. Almost of the questions, he answered it.
Finally, “Ton, give me the answer for number five, I wanna write it on the white board,” ordered Roy. “Are you sure, Ton? I’m totally surprised you say like that.” “You see the girl, I just wanna catch her attention. By answering this question, I do hope she could recognize my name. hehehe..” toni said proudly. He raised his hand and came in front of class to write down the answer. Miss Ria was proud of Roy’s progressing.
“You’re on the right track, ron? Keep going on! Miss Ria gave a compliment to Roy.
The bells rang, the first lesson ended. It was a time of taking a rest. Soon, Roy went to Rini’s chair, but Rini first approached them.
“Oh My Godness, why this heart beating so fast”, said Roy worried. “Hi my name is Rini, and you? Rini greeted and addressed to Toni. “My name is Toni, and he is my best friend, whose name is Roy,” replied Toni. He introduced Roy. Roy who was aggressive before became so ashamed. He shook her hands. He was trembling and his hands were filling out with sweat. Rini smiled seeing his behaviour. Roy became an awkward person. He didn’t know what to do after he shook her hands. He was in a trouble now. He was not confident. He couldn’t bear it anymore. He tried to have an idea to avoid it. “Ton, I wanna go to the toilet right away,” Roy whistled to Toni. “So sorry, Rin, I’ve gotta go now,” said Roy and went outside the class.
Now Toni and Rini left alone in the class. Rini began the conversation. “Ton, I see that you’re good at mathematic? You’re almost answered all of the questions.” Toni was in a paradise when Rini adored him. He could feel it, but he didn’t want Rini knew it. He tried to avoid it. “Oo, thank you., those question, I think it’s not really complicated,” said Toni. “Where do you live?” Rini gave him a question again. “Oo, I...I live...in.. his speech was halting. He was embarrassed to notify his house. Should he say that he live in the Farm right away? What a shame!! But, he tried to hide it and said. I live.. I live around this town, but it was far away from this school.” May I drop by anytime at your house? I wanna study together with you and Roy.” “Sure why not, but it’s too far away to reach it. If you have any problems you could ask me at school.” “You’re so kind, btw could you give explanation the answer for number 1 and 6, I’m still confused,” said Rini. “Sure, that’s piece of cake,” Toni explained on how to get the answer as if he were Miss Ria. He was not in a vain, Rini became understand faster. At that time, they became so well acquainted each other. Toni never knew if Rini loved him. Her charm attracted Toni’s attention, too. Toni hid his feeling. He didn’t want to pour his feeling to Rini. He knew that Roy loved Rini the most.Toni didn’t want to break their friendship. It was better, they’re the only friend. As some said that “You can go through life and make new friends every year - every month practically - but there was never any substitute for those friendships of childhood that survive into adult years. Those are the ones in which we are bound to one another with hoops of steel.”
8 months passed by, Roy was still not confident to face Rini alone. He was always accompanied by Toni when he wanted to approach her. Roy ordered Toni to find out what Rini liked. At the first time, Toni didn’t agree, but finally he was pity to Roy. Roy did everything to catch Rini attention and gave anything for Toni to support his willing. Roy lent his phone and bike. Roy was still unsatisfied. It was too long waiting for it. He had a big request to Toni. That request was a burdened for Toni. Roy wanted Toni to stay at his house for the time being, till he could conquer Rini’s heart and got her to be his girlfriend. Toni really minded about thi one request. He knew about Roy’s behavior. Roy’d force him to deal with the request. If he granted his request, it meant he’d not be able to go the farm helping his mom again. He got confused on how to explain it to his mom.
Roy was really good at lying but, not at love. He notified to Toni that he had a brilliant idea that may be acceptable by Toni’s mom.
“Ton, I have an idea to tell a lie to your mom”. Are you crazy Roy? I don’t look like you, Roy. We’re different. Lying is common for you, not for me. Lying is the root as all evil. “Ehh, I’m not finished yet, interrupted Roy. I don’t wanna teach you about lying. I think it’s not big lying. This could be benefits for you and me, too. Listen, Ton, tell to your mom that final examination is closer, so you need well-prepared. I’ll invite you to join the course. Don’t worry about the cost, I’ll pay it.” Roy tried to influence Toni and told that course it could make him well-prepared to face the final examination. “Roy, I can’t tell a lie to my mom. And you know, no one could help my mom. I’m a pity of her,” replied Toni disappointed.
“Please, ton no one could help me too, Roy forced Toni. Toni was puzzled about two choices. Roy, Tommorow I’ll give the confirmation, okay,” Toni tried to pleasure Roy. “Okay I totally do hope you grant my wishes again. You know my parents really want you to teach me the entire lesson. They like you the most,” Roy spoke hopefully.
Toni still thought about the decision, he needed to make up his mind fastly. Suddenly his dreamy was disturbed by his mom voice. “Ton, what are u doin’? You look so sad, what’s matter?” his mom so worried about him. “No mom, I’m just getting a headache. It makes my body so weak.” Toni tried to hide the truth. “Why don’t you take a rest? Come here, where the hurt that u feel? Solemah massaged his forehead gently. “Mom, I wanna talk u about something? Mmmm what is it? Toni began to talk about problems, but he was still doubtful. So, he found any reason to stop the conversation. “Ouch My head is really dizzy, mom. I wanna take a rest. I’ll tell u at night about it.” Toni held his forehead as if he was really in a pain, but he wasn’t. It was an action to tell a lie his mom.
At night, Toni was confused. He had to tell it or not. He remembered Roy’s face filled with hopefull. He knelt to grant his wish. Solemah took a seat closer to Toni. “What’s about your headache, Ton.” It’s been good already, mom. In the afternoon, u wanna say something, what is it?” said Solemah gently. Toni began to tell it. Ma, Final examination had been closer, so for 3 weeks, Toni could not help u again. Toni needed to have extra-course that proposed by teacher at school. What about ur opinion, mom? Should I go? Don’t worry about the cost, the headmaster gave me privilege, so the cost is free.” Solemah shook her head. It was sign of agreement. “It’s good. I don’t mind. You could attend to the course. It’ll make u well-prepared. And u know, I don’t want someone replace your first ranking” she said proudly and stroke his son’s hair gently. “Thank you, I love you, mom. I promise I’ll study harder” toni was in tremendously happy hearing the good news from his mom. “Mom, my friend, Roy offers me to stay at his house. His parents have allowed us to study together.
Okay, No matter, if you want to stay at his house.
Roy, my mom allows me to stay at your house”. That’s sound great. Ton, she’s Rini, let’s go there. Ton, after go home, I want you to invite her to my house. Give the appropriate reason is studying together, okay. Roy was in good mood now. Ok, I’ll try it. Pray for it..Hahaha..They laughed. Toni approached Rini. Rin, Do you have some activities this afternoon? “Afternoon, No”. How if we study together at Roy’s house, I want you to teach us English, please. That’s good idea. Yesterday I had difficulties about the mathematic. I wanna discuss it, too with you. Okay see you later. See you, too. Toni gave some clue to Roy that Rini agreed to study together this afternoon. Yeah, yeah, said Roy responded to the clue that given by Toni. He was fully happy as if someone who won a big tournament.
They gathered at Roy house. Roy really wanted to gain Rini’s attention. Roy tried to serve the Rini’s favorite food. He gained the all information through Toni. Rini never gave it back to Roy. Rini was busy by giving many questions to Toni, but Roy never gave up. Roy always sent messages to Rini by using Toni’s name. Rini guessed it was Toni. Rini never knew if Roy loved her she had considered, Roy was just a good friend. However, it was different with Toni, she gave more attention to him. She loved him.
One day, there was a fight with Toni and Roy. It was the time when Roy tried to be honest to Rini about his feeling. He held a rose at his hand. It was Rini’s favorite flower. Roy began to convince Rini if he really loved her. “Rin, have a time? There is something that I wanna talk,” said Toni nervous. “I have, what is that?” Rin, may be it was stranger for you, but I need to be honest now. It is about my feeling. Actually, when I first see you, I’m falling in love to u. It is a first sight. I could not bear it anymore. Roy took the flower and gave it to Rini. Rin, will u be my girlfriend? Rini was so shocked, she was confused, she never jnew if Roy said the words like that. Rini was speech halting. What did u mean,Roy? We’re friend. How could you say like that? Sorry, Roy, it is better for us to be a friend. Rini run away., but Roy hindranced her. “Why do you refuse me, Rin? Do you have boyfriend already?” Rini became so confused. Roy forced her to explain it. At last, Rini answered it. Roy I haven’t had boy friend yet, but I love someone. “Rin, Who is he?” I couldn’t tell it to you, Roy. You do not want to hear it. Trust me. It will give us a pain. Just forget it.
Rin, please, if you don’t tell me it means you’re lying to me. All right, Roy I tell you. But promise me, you will not be angry whoever he.” Okay I promise. He is our best friend. Whose name is Toni. Sorry, Roy I never tell you, even Toni. I love him the most. Roy’s heart beated so fast, all of his body was trembling. Slowly, the flower fell on the ground. He run fastly in a pain. He was so surprised, Rini whom he loved, falling in love to Toni, his best friend. At the times, Roy began a quite person. He never talked to Toni. He really hated him.
Suddenly Toni came. “Roy, tell the result, is Rine accept it?” said Toni with fully wondering. Roy walked away as if he didn’t hear Toni’s words. Roy..Roy..Wait, wait. Roy run away faster and disappeared. Toni was totally confused. What happen to him? He knew nothing at all.
It had been 2 days, Roy didn’t say anything to Toni. Toni so worried. He began to find out the cause. Finally, he heard the gossip from his friends at school. A girl talked to her friend.
“Eh, Bia, you know Rini, she love Toni.”
“How did you know?” “I heard it through the grapevine. I think she didn’t like him, she just wanna take an advantages of him. Do you think a girl likes Rini wanna make relationship with poor man, like Toni.” Toni knew everything. He was in a hurry finding Rini and asking about the rumors. Rini confessed about it and told tahat she had refused Roy. Roy was so sad. He didn’t know what to do. Actually he loved Rini, and so did Roy. Toni persuaded Rini to accept Roy’s love, but he did it in a vain.
“Rin, I know you love me, but why? I’m just a poor man. My mother is a farmer. Are u not ashamed to be my girlfiend.” “Ton, I like you cuz you’re a honest person, u likes helping me doing my assignment. What’s matter about your identity? Why I must be ashamed of having you? Do you think I know nothing about your life? I know everything about your life, Ton. I know Ton,” replied Rini. Toni with his sad voice said, Rin, I want you to know about my feeling to you. I love you the most, Rin. But, I don’t wanna be an egoist person. Roy loves u, too. If I have you, my relationship with Roy will break up and we will never be a best friend again. I just wanna be like before. We laugh, eat and study together. I hope you will understand more about my position right now.” Relationships were like glass. Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself putting it back together. After he said, he abandoned Rini alone.
Toni went to Roy’s house. He heard Roy playing a game in room. “Roy can you hear me? Open the door, please! I wanna talk. Roy didn’t care about Toni’s words. “Okay Roy, if u don’t wanna open the door, it doesn’t matter. I’ll speak from here. Roy, we’re pals. I don’t want our relationship break up about this problem. Frankly about Rini, she is pretty girl. I love her, too. But, I never know if she likes me. Can you hear me Roy? Ok, I won’t disturb you again, but open the door, please. I wanna take my clothes.” Then Roy, opened the door. He was so egoist. “Take all of your clothes, go away!” said Roy. All right Roy, I put your phone here. I’ll take all of my clothes. I’m so sorry if I hurt your heart. U could trust my words. I never know if she loves me. I have told her not to love me again. Roy, I go home now. I wish tomorrow and lusa, you want to speak with me. Take care of you. Don’t worry if you have a problem at school, I’ll always be by your side.” Toni brought all of his stuff and abondan Roy alone.
The whole journey, he was in blue mood. Why this event must happen to him? There were things that we didn’t want to happen but had to accept, things we didn’t want to know but had to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go.Toni looked at his boat and got in it. Arrived at the farm, Toni saw his mom trying to push a big wood bough that falling at their farm. Solemah did all of her power to move it. She ignored his sweat rolled down to his cheek. She stopped for a while to take a breath and recover his energy. Toni watched his mother. It was more than 2 weeks, he left her alone. There was in a pain there. The tears began to run down Toni’s face, he had not wept till then, but it was now such a relief to be understood that the tears came. It rolled down endlessly. Without thinking, He run toward his mom. “Mom, let’s push it together.” Solemah was a little surprised. “Toni, why are doing here? Don’t you attend to the course? I had finished already, mom. I so miss you, mom.” “I so miss you, to Ton” said Solemah. Mom, let’s push it together. One. .two.. three.. Little by little the big wood bough moved slowly away from the land.
After they were finished, Toni asked his mom to go to the hut. He walked toward to the hut. He took a seat there, he found a peace at the place. His eyes stared at plenty of paddies at the farm, the birds whistled noisy as if they wanted to say to Toni that they missed him. That peace neither found at Roy’s house nor at his school. How nice place is! Other things may change him, but he knew that he started and ended with the family. The sun shone shamefacedly, reduced his light and disappeared slowly. Through the beautiful shadow, the old woman went toward him.
“You don’t go home, Ton?” asked Solemah. No, mom. I wanna stay. I so miss u.
The chorus of the frogs floated in wonderfully loud and shrill, and once in awhile a long sharp drone from a tree-troad pierced it. Toni was lying to mom’s lap. He wanted to say something. “Mom, I love u. Solemah kissed him on the cheek. I love u, too. Toni was in saddness.
“So sorry, mom.” Solemah was wondering. “Sorry, sorry for what, Ton? Are u upset if I tell a truth? No, tell me. I’m glad to hear that.
“Mom, Toni has told a lie about theextra-course. Toni doesn’t attend it.” Toni explained that Roy forced him to tell a lie and his relationship with them thoroughly and familiarly. “Ton, I’m so proud of you. U wanna confess your mistakes. I have forgiven all of your mistakes.”
One more time, Toni said, “Mom, so sorry. I ever tell a lie to my friend about you. I do not acknowledge you. . Mom, if I hurt your heart, I take it all back,”. Solemah was in blue mood seeing his son and saying the words like that. She was hard to breath. She controlled his heart and took a deep breathe slowly and said, “Ton, it is not your fault, it is Mom. I could not give a worthy life like Roy. I involve you to live in poverty. You should not apologize to me, but I myself should do it to you. That’s all right, Ton. You’re worth saying like that.” Toni could not bear it again, he hugs his mom tightly. I’m totally sorry mom, if they hurt you, I take it all back. I take it all back, mom. Solemah gave responded to his son’s hug. It is all right. Ok, just forget all of it. But, now promise that you’ll never tell a lie again,” said Solemah comforted his son. I promise Mom.
“What about your relationship with Roy and Rini? Have found the way out?” Solemah changed the subject to avoid her sorrow. “It is a dead lock, mom. Roy could not speak to me again, whereas Rini must be angry to my behavior.”
“Don’t give up, okay. U need to try it and try it. Remember what mom says to you. “Where there is a will, there is a way”. I believe your friendship will be in a good at the same time. It was about time.” “Thanks Mom”.
That night, Toni was in full happy. He could pour all of his feeling to his mom. And she understood him. He was in a relief, his mom had forgiven him. He knew that Families were the compassesses that guide him. They were the inspiration to reach great heights, and his comfort when he occasionally faltered. It was late night. Before going to sleep, he prayed to God. There was lots of thing that he talked to Him and he emphasized a deep meaning in the last sentence “God grant me serenity to accept things that I can’t change, courage to change things that I can and wisdom to know the difference”. He understood deeply that family was God’s gift to him. He could not choose and change his family by himself. But, he totally believed that he could fix his relationship with his best friends, Roy and Rini. It was about time. He was so tired now, then he closed his eyes slowly.
