EVEN THOUGH Vladd no longer goes to school in a slum, he still continues his friendship with his former classmate: Sapi'i. Sapi'i is the son of a street sweeper in Cengkareng. Yes, the road in Sapi'i's father's work area is a toll road. Can you imagine it? Early in the morning Sapi'i's father started work, sweeping toll roads. Meanwhile at home, Sapi'i, who no longer has a mother, who he said died in a train crash, is having trouble taking care of his five younger siblings. Which is still small, again. After taking care of his younger siblings as best he could and after giving responsibility to his oldest sibling and peeking at his neighbor who opened a cigarette shop, Sapi'i
go straight to the newsagent. Sapi'i picks up newspapers to deliver to customers. After delivering newspapers, Sapi'i went straight to school.
Breakfast? Where's the time? Besides not having time, there's also no one to make breakfast. Last night's food was never left. Everything was sold out and eaten by the whole family. Anyway, the rats in Sapi'i's house are suffering. Many mice have moved to neighboring houses.
Now Sapi'i is "stealing" playtime at Vladd's house. To be precise, to Vladd's room. He held all the items in Vladd's room and asked one by one what their names and uses were. Vladd was so tired of answering Sapi'i's question. Because Sapi'i's question is really innocent. It's like this: "Why is it called a mouse? Why not just Yo-yo? Or gangsing? Then, why use English? Just say, mouse. It's easy!"
"Then what's the difference between this keyboard and the band's keyboard?"
"You can use stamps to send letters. Why don't you use the internet? Isn't that nice, Vladd?"
It's like that's how it is. It makes Vladd so excited and annoyed to hear it.
"How's school going, Pi'i? It's fun, huh?" Vladd diverted Sapi'i's question.
"Yes, it's definitely fun. We suddenly have our own building. We don't share the Coblong Elementary School anymore. Where there is a library, practical lab, our own basketball and badminton court. Anyway, that's great!"
"Where did the principal get the credit loan from?" Vladd asked pretending to be stupid.
Sapi'i shook his head while grinning. "No, I didn't get credit! Did Bang Dikun edit the pot around the alley? The principal said the school got support from a mysterious conglomerate."
"Mysterious conglomerate?" The real Vlad was shocked.
"Yeah, mysterious. You didn't tell me his name. Mana never came. Just sent people back and forth, checking on school construction."
Vladd smiled to himself. It turns out that Papi Eraisuli chose to donate secretly. Not bad. Vladd is proud to have a Papi like Eraisuli. In an era where people are making a fuss about asking to be published because they are giving charity, Eraisuli is hiding.
"I'll play at your school sometime, okay?" said Vladd enthusiastically. "
Sapi'i punched Vladd's arm, lightly. "Like whatever. That's your school too."
Vladd grinned.
Sapi'i looked at the desk clock next to Vladd's computer. Suddenly he panicked. "I'll go home first, okay? The younger siblings haven't been fed yet!"
"Are you the one who cooks for them?"
"Usually it's Sopie. But he's having a fever, there's no one to cook. So, I'll buy some pecel near the Sengol alley."
"No need! You just come with me," said Vladd, dragging Sapi'i out of the room.
It turned out that Vladd had led Sapi'i to the kitchen. In the kitchen, Aunt Zuleha and Maryati are chatting. They were surprised to see Vladd's arrival.
"Bik, please prepare food for ten people, put it in the basket, okay? You, Mar, get fruit, canned food, and instant noodles, about enough for ten people for one week's supply," ordered Vladd, making everyone stunned. In silence, Aunt Zuleha and Maryati moved quickly to prepare Vladd's request.
"You don't need to be like this, Vladd. I feel uncomfortable," whispered Sapi'i to Vladd.
Vladd smiled amusedly. "I would be the one who wouldn't feel good if I didn't give your little sister a souvenir."
"But you are exaggerating!" Sapi'i protested.
"Alaa, compared to your school's mysterious benefactor, this is nothing."
Sapi'i couldn't speak anymore. He just embraced Vladd with emotion. "Oh, I won't feel comfortable coming here often. I'll think I'm asking for food..."
"No, just relax."
Vladd accompanied Sapi'i, who was struggling to carry two large boxes filled with food, back to his house. They took a taxi. The problem is that Vladd doesn't like driving his too luxurious car into a narrow and muddy alley, and getting off at the front of the alley. These are difficult times, it can provoke social jealousy. Mistakes for what else.
Sapi'i looked at Vladd, uncertain.
"Why, Pi'i? Hurry up and go. It's a shame your younger siblings are waiting," Vladd scolded impatiently.
"What to do?" Sapi'i's voice sounded confused.
Vladd was getting increasingly annoyed. "What, what? Speak clearly!"
"Look, Vladd, it's not that I'm kicking you out. But you shouldn't stop by my house," explained Sapi'i quietly.
Vladd's facial expression was already angry, but a few seconds later he tried to smile. "Okay, it's okay. I understand, Pi'i. If that's the case, I'll go home, okay?"
Sapi'i nodded, patting Vladd's back intimately. "I'll accompany you to find a taxi."
"No need! I'm not bringing anything. I'll just take the bus. Just take the one heading to Blok M. Then connect to Pondok Indah. Easy, right?" said Vladd, then sauntered out of the alley.
Even though he had experience getting on and off public transportation (when he was studying at a slum school, Vladd had tried riding buses, metro minibuses and other public transportation), it turned out that Vladd got lost too. As long as the bus says Blok M, he gets on. Didn't know that the bus was headed to Tanjung Priok. Likewise, see the Blok M-Kampung Melayu metromini. Vladd just jumped. It turns out the metro minibus goes to Kampung Melayu. Continue like that until it gets dark.
Finally, around ten o'clock in the evening, Vladd jogged exhausted at the Cimone bus terminal, Tangerang. A scary-looking thug approached Vladd.
"Share cigarettes!" the thug snapped harshly.
Vladd looked at him with a sleepy look. “There's also a remote."
The thug was getting annoyed. "Eh, little guy, don't be kidding, okay? Share cigarettes! If you don't have any, just give it money. Too bad!" force it again.
"What?" Vladd asked, wearily. "Grey hair?"
The thug couldn't take it anymore. He roughly searched Vladd. He was very disappointed after he couldn't find anything. In Vladd's pocket he only had a few hundred rupiah left and a remote control.
The thug roughly grabbed Vladd's remote. "You're stupid, aren't you? Carry a remote control with you. So everyone knows you have a television?"
Vladd was embarrassed. How do you answer that? Why does he have to admit that it's a magic remote? It could be serious! So what should I do? Shut up, just surrender?
"ANSWER!!!" the thug shouted loudly.
Vladd was still stunned. You could faintly hear a moaning dangdut song being played in a warteg.
"Dangdut?" said Vladd, quietly.
"Dangdut? What do you mean?"
Suddenly Vladd smiled, mischievously. "Yes, bro. With this remote, you can dance dangdut!"
Vladd was obviously excited.
"Don't be insulting, okay? My knees are arthritic, you said you could dance dangdut. Prove it! If you fail, you go home with just your name!"
Vladd took the remote from the thug's hand. Then press the "dance" button. It didn't take long for the fierce thugs to dance dangdut in a really cool style.
At first the thug grinned happily. But after a while he became sore too.
After dancing, it didn't stop.
“That's it, that's it! Stoopp! I'm tired!" the thug continued dancing.
Vladd shook his head with a chuckle, then left
That night Vladd came home with his omprengan. The problem is that there are no longer any public transportation operating. There are also one or two, but the majors are very far from Blok M. The nations are Pasar Kemis, Mauk, Kapuk. It's like that's how it is.
When the omprengan arrived in front of Vladd's house, Vladd's yard was very busy. police cars, there were ambulances, there were a bunch of people gathered together. As soon as Vladd came, everyone was in an uproar. Shouting together, "IT'S VLADD!!!"
Aunt Zuleha immediately crashed into Vladd, hysterical. "Mas Vladd! You're still alive, Mas! Thank God! Thank God! We have to party. Slaughter ten goats! Party! Thanksgiving!"
Vladd was stunned.
It was Maryati's turn to come forward. His face is really tight.
"Do you know, sir, what time is it now? everyone is looking at Mas Vladd. Mr. and Mrs. Mo immediately boarded the last plane back. Even though you are opening a new hotel in Switzerland. And Madam is having a check-up in the Netherlands."
"Sorry, I didn't bring a watch," said Vladd nonchalantly, then walked towards the house.
Maryati was still grumbling. "Call, bro! Why don't you have time to call all day? Mas Vladd is too much! I've reported the police, called an ambulance, harassed the security guards. Everything, it's useless!"
"Then what do you want, Mar? I come home at seventeen? Is that so?" Vladd commented, annoyed.
"Yes, that's not it, Mas. But Mas Vladd said, grandpa, he said..."
Vladd, who was walking into the house, suddenly turned around. "Eh, yes, Mar! That's the omprengan driver outside asking to be paid fifty thousand." Then Vladd entered the house and left Maryati, who was increasingly grumbling.
In his room, without washing his feet or brushing his teeth, Vladd immediately fell asleep. Yuck, Vladd is dirty, isn't he? It still smells like terminal.
In the morning in front of Vladd's room it was already busy. Eraisuli and Smirnov along with orblak (back person: Maryati es) were busy knocking on the door
Vladd's room. The alarm was deliberately turned off, so there wouldn't be any noise. Vladd didn't want his sleep to be disturbed.
Like it or not, Vladd woke up too. Opened the door using the remote. Everyone rushed inside. Luckily, Smirnov quickly came to his senses and chased the orblak away.
"Out-out-out! Do your homework!" Smirnov said firmly.
Maryati ice flocked out of the room.
Only Smirnov and Eraisuli remained inside. Vladd sat on the edge of his bed, grinning. “Another state visit!”
"Shut up, Vladd!" scolded Smirnov, annoyed. "You've ruined everyone's event!"
"Papi doesn't feel good with Papi's business partner in Switzerland. Luckily he understands that Papi's business is more urgent than opening a hotel," Eraisuli grumbled.
"And Mami, you have to re-schedule the check-up. It's a good thing that Mami still remembers her Dutch course. If not? Where would the doctors want to wait for Mami to come back?" added Smirnov excitedly.
Vladd looked at his parents, surprised.
"If you're busy, why are you gathered here?" Vladd asked innocently.
So Smirnov and Eraisuli's scolding became even more excited. Vladd? The real thing is getting more and more dumbfounded. As a result, Vladd was banned in various ways.
“You can't play, you can't do this or that except at school. Vladd was conscripted into military service, ehh, studying. Learn learn and learn. After passing the verdict, Vladd's parents left the room.
Vladd snorted in annoyance.
"Never mind, I'm going to turn around and no one cares. Most of all Maryati!" Vladd grumbled.
That same day, Eraisuli returned to Switzerland again.
Smirnov? Social visit to Sarajevo with a group of wives of freshener factory employees. Eh, it doesn't connect, does it?
Vladd came home from school and had just landed one foot on the road in front of the house, when Sapi'i stopped him. Beside Sapi'i stood a man of Eraisuli's age.
But not as fit as Eraisuli. This is the opposite. Thin and pale.
"Vladd, meet my father," said Sapi'i, introducing the thin man.
"Vladd," Vladd shook Mr. Sapi'i's hand, friendly.
"Mamat," said Mr. Sapi'i without smiling.
Sapi'i looked at Mamat and Vladd alternately. Hesitant.
"Ngg, earlier, earlier..." Sapi'i didn't continue his sentence. He looked very confused.
Vladd took Sapi'i's hand, familiarly. "Let's just talk inside, shall we? Come on, sir!" invite Vladd.
Sapi'i and Mamat remained silent and didn't move.
Makes Vladd even more surprised.
"Come on, Mr. Mamat, let's drink inside first," repeated Vladd kindly.
Sapi'i glanced at his father who shook his head vigorously.
"I'm not here to drink. Pi'i and I are just returning the food you gave me!" Mamat explained firmly.
Vladd was stunned, turning to Sapi'i. Sapi'i nodded languidly.
“That's right, Vladd, my family can't accept your help. Sorry, we've already eaten Auntie's cooking. We share the rest with our neighbors. I'm afraid it's going to get old. "But if it's fruit, instant and canned food, I've returned it to your aunt."
"What are you doing?" said Vladd annoyed. "I sincerely give all that to you. Why are you going back to Aunt Zuleha? What for, Pi'i!”
Sapi'i was about to answer, but his father went ahead.
"I ordered it, Sis. If you don't rhyme, it's up to you. I just want to let you know, my family can still eat without Little Brother's help."
After saying that, Mamat immediately left. Vladd looked at Sapi'i, asking for further explanation.
“Now you know my father, Vladd. A diligent street sweeper. The salary is often not enough for daily food. Yesterday when he saw that the house was full of food, he became offended. His self-esteem cannot accept your help. You understand, right?" Sapi'i explained slowly.
Vladd reluctantly nodded. "Then tell your father, I'm sorry. But you know I didn't have the slightest intention of offending your family's feelings."
"I know very well." Sapi'i smiled. "I'll go home first, Vladd. Poor little brothers."
"Yes, greetings to them."
Sapi'i left.
That night Vladd couldn't sleep, he was busy thinking about how he could help the Sapi'i family. Food refused. Money? Especially. Vladd could have been hit by his father Sapi'i. What's up? Towards morning Vladd just got inspiration. Vladd hurriedly set the alarm and fell asleep with a smile.
The next morning, as soon as the alarm rang, Vladd jumped out of bed, took a duck bath, then immediately ran out of the house on his mountain bike. Going home, Vladd's bus was waiting. Vladd went straight to school in a disheveled condition.
The incident of running away early in the morning repeated itself for a month. The whole house thought that Vladd's hobby was riding his bicycle early in the morning. Vladd looks slimmer, but healthier.
One afternoon, Sapi'i returned to Vladd's room. This time Sapi'i looked confused.
"What else is there?" looked at Vladd.
"No. I'm confused, Vladd. Yesterday's salary, the agent gave me double. Even though Eid is still far away. Even fasting is still six months away."
"This time the agent likes your work, Pi'i. You're a diligent newspaper delivery man!" praised Vladd.
"Bonus, what do you mean? Seriously, 100 percent of your salary?"
"So?"
"That's it, Vladd. I've asked the agent, he said this is the salary of my brother who also delivers newspapers. This person who claims to be my brother asked for his salary to be given to me. It seems like in Jakarta I don't have any relatives. All my relatives live in the village. "
"Oh yeah?" Vladd commented, while trying to hold back a smile.
"I want to catch him wet. But..."
Sapi'i did not continue speaking. He looked at Vladd, suspicious. "Why are you smiling? You, you... Damn you, Vladd! You must be the one claiming to be my brother! Damn you!"
Sapi'i slapped (but gently) Vladd's cheek. Vladd grinned as if a thief had been caught stealing clothesline.
"Yes, yes, I admit it!"
"You're crazy, Vladd! If your mother finds out that her son is delivering newspapers, he'll faint!" Sapi'i cursed angrily.
"After that, I was confused, Pi'i. Even giving food was rejected. Let alone money. So, I just gave a service. That's okay, right?"
"Obviously nothing!" Sapi'i said fiercely. "Your school is a mess, you could get sick from delivering newspapers."
"You're too much ah!"
"No! I'm serious! If you want to help my family, it's better to help my father."
Vladd immediately grinned. "You're kidding, right?"
Sapi'i shook his head firmly. "I don't mean giving money. But please give me a better job. He won't refuse!"
"Told me earlier!"
Vladd took his cellphone then pressed a number.
"Papi? This is Vladd. Pi, is there any work for Vladd's friend's father? What? What's his specialty? Ngng, he's a cleaning supervisor at Cengkareng. Yes, Cengkareng airport. OK, Pi. Done, Vladd will tell you later. Thanks, Pi. Bye! "
"Cengkareng airport cleaning supervisor?" Sapi'i glared.
"Oh, just be ignorant. God also knows, I mean well. "Eh, Pi'i, hurry up and tell me your father started shipping the next day. He was appointed head of the cleaning department at my father's cargo office."
Sapi'i immediately hugged Vladd full of emotion.