Dear You

"Okay, let's end this biology lesson with a prayer. Grace, please lead the pray" said mrs.Diana, my biology teacher.

"According to individual beliefs, pray begins," said Grace leading. "Pray enough."

I packed my stationery in my bag and walked out of the classroom.

Just a few steps, a boy my age calls me, I know him. He is Wildan, my best friend.

"Are you going home?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Don't you want to hang out?"

"Where are we going?"

"I don't know. To the mall, maybe."

"I don't have money. I'm also lazy to hang out, Wil." I said softly.

"It's okay. I'll just asks Lula."

"Okay. I'll go home." I said goodbye.

"Be carefull on the road, La," said Wildan, waving his hand.

I gave my thumbs up, then walked towards the school parking lot to take my motorbike.

It didn't take long for me to arrive home, because the distance between my house and my school was not too far, maybe about two kilometers.

I saw three bicycles parked in the yard. Who's home today? I asked my self.

I parked my bike in a row with the thress bikes and entered the house.

"That's my eldest daughter," said my mom, pointing at me who was still standing in the doorway.

I saw strange man who woke up and sat down when he saw my presence. My eyes sparkled to find John, the man I liked was also among the three men who visited.

The first person I greeted was John of course. I greeted him happily. Then I shook the hand of Bram and a strange man in a grey shirt.

"He is my lil bro. his name is Arga," said Bram introducing the foreign man.

Me and Arga shake hands.

"Ella."

"Arga."

I sat next to John, purposely to seek his attention.

But John is still John. That man was forever cold and stiff. Not Arga and Bram, who seemed very enthusiastic is responding to my words. While John himself only smiled a little every time I teased him.

"John, later when I become a doctor, you must be diligent in visiting me. I'll take care of you." I said starting with my seduction sentence.

"Listen, John. Doctor girl is a dream wife, you know?" said Arga teasingly.

John's face turned bright red because of Arga's teasing.

I laugh happily because of Arga's presence. Maybe that man could be the mediator between me and John.

In my heart said, if I can melt the heart of a John, I will treat Arga two portions of jumbo meatballs. I promise.

Oh no, I almost forgot. Don't I have to have John's phone number so that my plan to melt his heart can run smoothly? But how? I'm too prestigious to be blatant.

"Arga, can I have your phone number?" I asked.

Arga who heard that became shocked. "Me?"

I nodded. Then the man started to say his number phone.

"John, can I have your phone number?" Now I dare myself to ask for his phone number.

I glanced at Arga who smiled mischievously at John as if he wanted to say that I started seducing John.

I pointed my middle finger at Arga, making the man laugh with satisfaction.

To my surprise, John actually wanted to give me his number. He even typed it himself on my cellphone.

I stick my tongue out at Arga – scoffing that I can get John's cellphone number.

"Tonight you are satisfied with your approach. I'll wait for your dating news," said Arga again teasingly.

I don't know what Arga was created as a human, why at the first meeting that man had a hobby of making me blush and his friend turning red like a boiled crab.

That's right what Arga said. At night my fingers were busy typing word for word into John's message. I'm too excited to continue to reply to messages to that hazel-eyed man.

Me: Where are u doing, John

Let's have a video call

Long enough I waited for the message reply. He's online, but why isn't replying to my messages? Am I not important to him?

Ah, come on, La. You just got the number, not the heart. He gave his number doesn't mean he likes you. Be patient a little, I thought to myself to encourage.

Okay, I'll be patient.

My heart fluttered when I saw him typing. Long time. I don't know what he wanted to say to me.

Two minutes passed, the status was still typing.

My heart is beating fast. My expectations ran wild at the thought of what this man would convey to me. Maybe he will confess his feelings? Is it as fast as that?

Tiiinggg...

Sweet John: I'm busy

U must go to sleep

I packed my smartphone. What does this mean?

After many minutes I waited, was that the only answer?

Tiiingggg...

Again a message came to my cellphone.

I excitedly opened it. But the look on my face changed when I found that the sender of the message was not John, but Arga.

Arga: Ella, it's already late. Why don't you sleep?

Ah, why is it that messages from people I don't want come in?

Tiinggg...

Another message from Arga that come in.

Arga: Haven't u slept yet?

Remember, don't sleep late at night. Tomorrow u still have additional class.

Ah, how can Arga know if I have additional class tomorrow? Did he find out about me?

But a few minutes later I remembered that I said earlier that I was currently busy preparing for the national exam and admission to state universities.

Huh, being in the late class makes me foret fast.

I closed my cellphone.

But a few minutes later, a message returned to my cellphone. Who else but Arga? It's impossible if John sent me a message right?

Arga sent a pict

I opened the photo he sent. Then a moment later I regretted it.

Why did he send me his selfie? And stupidly I spent 20 MB just to download the photo. Stupid!

I put my cellphone on the nightstand. I walked to the balcony of the house with a cup of cold milk.

From here I can see the bustle of the capital's busy and dense streets. Even on a Saturday night like this too.

I was so engrossed in enjoying the night that I didn't realize that the clock was already 11.40 p.m.

I don't care if there is still additional class tomorrow at 08.00 a.m. I can still wake up at 07.00 a.m., take a 10 minutes shower, and hurry to school.

I can definitely do the marathon tomorrow. I'm used to being like that. Getting up late is my specialty.

I squirm when the sunshine sting my skin.

What time is it now? I asked myself as I reached for my smartphone beside me.

Me eyes widened when it was written at 06.45 a.m. I got up grabbed the towel and ran to the bathroom.

It only took five minutes for me to shower and change clothes.

"Don't you have breakfast, La?" asked my mother.

"I don't have breakfast, Mom. I'm late," rejecting me.

"Your own fault why wake up late. Do you watch Korean dramas until three in the morning, right?" guessed my mother right.

"Hehehe..."I blushed.

"Keep on with your bad habit. If you get typhus again, feel it."

I laughed at the expression of my mother who was anxious to face me, whose hobby is staying up late just to watch Korean dramas.

"I go to school, Mom." I said goodbye while kissing the back of my mother's hand.

"Take care, Baby." My mother ordered.

I nod.

I got on my motorcycle and rushed to school.

I'm not feeling well, surely I'm late.

And sure enough, the school gates were closed. But I saw a boy my age with disheveled hair standing in front of the gate too. Who else if not Brandon.

Brandon smiled triumphantly whe he saw me coming. Must be in his heart cherring because now he has a friend who also came late.

"You're late too, La?" asked Brandon, whose answer was clear, right?

"Are you feeling happy?" I quipped.

Brandon laughed. "Very happy."

I rolled my eyes lazily.

"Why did you come late? You are not like this as usual," asked Brandon in surprise.

"Last night I was too engrossed in watching Korean dramas until morning." I answered briefly but was able to make Brandon laugh out loud.

"You are so busy laughing at me." I said sarcastically.

"Oh, of course. This will be a historic moment for a model student to arrive late," joked Brandon.

I pinched his waist tightly until he moaned in pain.

"You really are a vengeful person." Brandon grumbled.

"Oh, of course." I answered proudly.

Two security guards who had not seen the bridge of their noses now came to us. They asked in contrived stern voices.

"If Brandon, I can understand. Isn't he already a subscriber to come late? But she, you? What is your name?" asked the tall security guard to me.

"Ella." I answered briefly.

"Yes, you are. I used to see you coming at six in the morning. Why are you late today?"

"I woke up late. Will we continue to be interrogated here?" I asked getting annoyed.

Seeing me who was already in a badmood, finally the two security guards opened the gate for me and Brandon.

"You're so awesome, La." Brandon said in awe.

"What's so cool?" I asked confused.

"Your terrible gaze seemed to be able to make the two security guards unable to move and finally opened the gate for us. You're cool."

"Hey, Brandon, we're late doesn't mean we don't have the right to study. Never mind, I want to go to class first." I said as I ran from the parking lot to class.

When I arrived in front of the class, I didn't just enter. I knocked on the door of the classroom and said hello.

"Please come in," said mrs.Laras, my mathematics teacher.

I entered the classroom followed by Brandon behind me.

A short message came to my smartphone. I opened it secretly.

Arga: What r u doing, La? Have u been in school?

I thought the messenger was John, but I was wrong.

Quickly my fingers type word for word.

Me: I'm in class n I'm studying.

Not long after, a text message returned to my smartphone still with the same sender, Arga.

Arga: Okay, keep up, La.

I closed my smartphone and returned to work on the problems with focus.

The class was silent for a long time, until the bell rang after class.

"Okay, I think today's mathematics lesson is over. See you at the next meeting," said mrs.Laras.

"Thankyou, Mom." We said one class in unison.

"What's the lesson after this?" Mrs.Laras asked.

"Biology Mom." I said.

"Okay, please wait for the arrival of the biology teacher. Do not be rowdy!" said mrs.Laras then walked out of the classroom.

But my class is still my class, it can't be if asked not to be noisy.

Isti and I talked together – talking about how we will continue our education.

"Do you still want to fight for a seat in medicine?" Isti asked.

I nodded firmly. "Of course. Being a surgeon has been my dream since I was in the second grade of junior high school." I said with great confidence.

"Good. I wanna see my best friend is beautiful in her white coat.."

I smiled. "How about you? What program do you wanna take?"

"I wanna take a physics course."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

Isti nodded confidently. "I really love physics."

I applauded excitedly. Indeed my friend this one is really different than the others. At a time when many people don't like physics, she is diligently studying physics.

"You are great, Isti. Someday I'll make you psysics teacher for my children." I said proudly.

'Please pray. Let's be successful together."

"of course."

"Hey, what are you talking about, guys?" asked Alice who came suddenly beside me.

"Isti and I are discussing what study program we will choose when in college." I explained.

"What study program did you choose, La?" asked Alice.

"Medical."

"Are you serious?" I nodded firmly.

"Aren't you afraid of blood?" asked Alice.

"Did you forget who helped Brian during the accident in front of the school?" asked Isti to Alice, trying to remind.

I remember when Brian was the victim of a hit and run by a car driver. The blood coming out of Brian's head was very much. I ventured to stem his blood with my jacked while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

"Ah you're right. Ella, you really are like a doctor in the drama Romantic Doctor Teacher. So cool," said Alice while continuing to give me a thumbs up.

"How about you, Isti?" asked Alice.

"I wanna take a physics course."

"Wow, so cool. Do you wanna be like Isaac Newton?" Isti blushed at Alice's said.

"How about you, Alice?" I asked.

"I wanna be a nurse."

"Wow, you will be my partner." I said cheerful.

"Please pray."

"Always."

"Oh yeah where's Amara?" I asked. My eyes swept around the classroom and I saw Amara arguing with Zidane.

"As usual, she was fighting with her enemy," said Alice in a lazy tone.

"I imagine what if they are match." I said making Isti and Alice laugh out loud.

"I vowed to sing five songs at their wedding," said Alice with laughter.

Since the beginning of being in the first grade of senior high school and above until this final grade, Amara and Zidane have become mortal enemies. There are all sorts of strange and nonsensical things they argue about. In fact, not infrequently they play chase like two children plying in a park.

"Damn you!" Amara cursed Zidane when the man doused her with his drinking water, making Amara's straight hair become wet.

"Don't you realize that Amara and Zidane have a similar face?" I asked.

Isti and Alice were silent for a moment while staring at Amara and Zidane's face alternately, then they nodded – agreeing with my statement.

"They are really destined," said Alice who agreed by Isti.

"You are sure wanna sing five songs at their wedding right?" I asked teasing Alice.

"Hahaha...yes, I'll sing for them," said Alice firmly.

Tiinggg...

A message entered my smartphone, surprising us who were busy gossiping.

Arga sent a pict.

He came home? Means John also came to my home. Yipppiiiii..... my mind jumped with joy.

"Is that your new crush?" asked Alice.

"Have you moved on from Joe?" asked Isti.

What's wrong with them? Yes, I did move on from my upperclassman who hung our relationship for two years. But not with Arga. I like John, his friend.

"Not with him. I like his friend." I replied.

"then why did he send you the message? Does he like you?" asked Isti.

"No. we're just friends. He's just an intermediary between his friend and I, he also already has a girlfriend." I said.

Isti and Alice nodded in understanding.

We talked again, this time talking about different things.

Long enough the class was left rowdy without a teacher coming into our classroom and teaching. Until the bell rings.

I packed my stationery in my bag and walked towards the school parking lot.

I ride my motorcycle fast, this is because I can't wait to meet John. John hasn't come home for weeks, it makes me miss him very much.

I arrived in front of the house. I saw two bicycles parked in the yard.

Wait a minute, two bikes? Why not three?

Ah, my feeling are just getting worse. And yes, John isn't in there. There was only my mother and two younger siblings with Bram and Arga.

"Hi, Ella." Arga greeted me cheerfully.

"Where's John?" I asked dryly.

"Ouch, forgive me for not bringing your love John here. He has an event with his little sister," said Arga feeling guilty.

"What is the event?" I asked confused.

"I don't know. What is clear is he is having an event with his little sister."

"Younger sibling?" Arga nodded.

I nodded in understanding.

"Don't worry, Ella. He left greetings for you," said Arga trying to make me not disappointed.

"Oh yeah?" I asked happily.

Arga nodded.

"What did he say?"

"He said greetings to Ella, greeting a little sweet."

"Why only a little? Why not many?" I protested.

"be patient, someday there will be a very sweet greeting for you hahaha..."

"Okay." I answered not knowing what else to answer.

My mom and my siblings are busy talking with Bram, talking about things that I don't think are exciting at all. Meanwhile Arga and I just silent.

I opened my smartphone, watched Super Junior, my favorite Korean boyband.

"Do you understand the language?" asked Arga who had been watching.

"Of course."

"Wow, where did you learn from, La?" asked Arga in awe.

"Many sources. Starting from Korean dramas, watching KPOP videos, and finding out on google."

"Do you study alone?"

"Of course. How could my parents spend a lot of money to teach me to learn a language that they think is less important?"

"You're awesome, La. Will you teach me Korean?" begged Arga.

"You want?" I asked.

Arga nodded excitedly.

With a passion that is no less passionate, I teach Arga to speak Korean. Still at the basic, level starting from hangul, greeting in Korean, to word that are often heard.

"You're really great, La. You are good at language," praised Arga excessively.

I'm laughing.

Talking with Arga until late afternoon was also fun even occasionally the man teased me, matched me with John.

"Why are you so excited about matchmaking me with John, Arga?" I asked.

"Because John is my best friend. I think you two are suitable to be a lovers."

"Really?"

"Of course. I'll voluntarily help in your future marriage."

I laughed at the words of Arga.

Married? Things that never occurred in my brain before. I'm too ambitious to be a medical student and want to continue my master in Korea. Ah, because of watching medical dramas too often, I was very motivated to actually become a surgeon.

"I wanna be a surgeon in Korea, Arga. Will John be waiting for me that long?" I asked.

"Of course. Even if it takes 5o years, he'll still be waiting for you, Ella. Believe me."

I'm laughing.

Hopefully what you say is true, Arga.

Tonight I look busy with a broom in my hand. My sweat started pouring down my temples.

Apparently my bedroom is so messy that just tidying it up makes me feel like funning out of a marathon.

I don't know what got into me until started thinking about studying in a clean and tidy room.

My daddy was amazed to see me pacing with my hands full of plastic drink bottles, dominated by soft drinks.

"Oh my God, Ella, is that a bedroom or a dumpster? Why is there so much trash in your bedroom? No wonder if Kimberly doesn't wanna sleep with you." My daddy scolded.

I just blushed to hear what my daddy said.

"You sleep alone it's messy like this, how about you sleep with other people?" continued my daddy.

"What do you mean, Dad?" I asked not understanding.

"You're all grown up, Ella. Someday you will definitely get married. If you were a girl you were careless like this, how about when you get married?"

"Then my husband will help me clean the house." I replied with great confidence, even though I don't even have a boyfriend.

"Ah, you are really good at evading, La," said my daddy starting to mess.

"Of course. I'm daddy's daughter." I replied with a laugh.

"Never mind, you jut clean your bedroom."

"Okay, Boss." I replied with a salute.

***

I can stretch my muscles after getting tired of cleaning my bedroom.

I sat my self in my study chair – opened the laptop and started studying.

Wait a minute, where are my glasses?

My eyes are busy sweeping my bedroom, looking for where my glasses are. Very dangerous if my glasses disappear.

I left my bedroom, met my mother who was busy watching TV.

"Mom, did you see my glasses?" I asked.

"Did I hear you right? Why do you ask other people about your things? Isn't that your thing?"

I rolled my eyes lazily.

Ah, asking my mother isn't the best thing. Instead, I got scolded because of my carelessness.

"Is this what you are looking for?"

I was surprised when my mother was standing next to me holding out a pair of glasses with my black frame.

"Where did you find it, Ma?" I asked in surprise.

"In a public place you don't know." My mother replied sarcastically.

"Wow, there is no doubt about the strength of a mother. She can find things no one else can find." I said, clapping my hands proudly.

My mother pinched my arm until I moaned in pain.

"It's not the strength of a mother, but you are careless. How can you forget to put your glasses on when you know that your eyes are so dependent on them? Luckily your ears can't be removed at any time. If you could remove your ears, I'm sure you'd forget where you put them." My mother kept nagging me.

"Thank's, Mom." I said while kissing my mother's left cheek then running into my bedroom again.

I opened my smartphone, it's still 07.20 p.m. – that means I still have plenty of time to stay up late. This time I will make very good use of my standing time, example is studying.

Tiiingg...

I left out a harsh sigh as a text message landed on my smartphone.

My heart jumped with joy when I saw who the sender of the message was. John. It's a miracle because a John dared to contact me first.

Sweet John: What r u doing, La?

My fingers immediately typed it word for word.

Me: I'm studying, John

What r u doing?

Tiiinggg...

Sweet John: Am I disturbing u?

Me: Oh, No, John.

I'm not studying hard.

Tiiingg...

Sweet John: Just study, Lil sist.

Damn it!

I squeezed the end my smartphone with exasperation, then I threw it towards the bed.

Ceklek!

I opened my math book, read the problems and answered them for a moment.

My left hand is busy scribbling with a pencil – counting one by one using the formula that I have long understood.

I smiled happily when I knew that my answer was in one of the options.

I photographed the way and my answer was to Maxim.

Maxim: Thank's a lot my dearest Ella

I rolled my eyes lazily.

Maxim is still Maxim -- he will say sweetly if what he wants is fulfilled, including in terms of cheating.

Honestly, I'm lazy to give my answer to Maxim. The boy is very annoying. He asked me for an answer but he got a much higher score that that. That's so unfair.

Five minutes – ten minutes – it's already 30 minutes I've studied. I deserve a break.

I stretched my muscles until they sounded crackle.

Tiingg...

A message entered my smartphone. Who else is this? Is that Maxim?

I promised if it was Brandon and he asked me for an answer again, I would not give him. Even though he had to meditate on the highest mountain.

Arga: Good night, La

R u busy now?

I can breathe a sigh of relief when I see the message sender is not Brandon. It mean I didn't have to be someone that cruel and heartless who was stingy about giving answers to my friend.

My fingers active typing a reply message for Arga.

Me: Good night, Arga

No, I just finished studying

What is wrong?

I was shocked when my smartphone rang loudly to indicate that a call or video call had entered my smartphone.

Sure enough, Arga asked me to video call.

I shifted the green mark on my phone screen. Then Arga's face appears on the screen.

"Hi." Arga greets me.

"Hi." I answered.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just relaxing. What can I do with my life?"

"Why don't you study?"

"I've studied. Now I wanna be lazy."

"You don't be like that, La. You are 18 years old and you have a long way to go. You have to achieve your dreams in order to be a smart mother for my children. Uh, sorry, I mean for John's children."

I laughed out loud at the words of Arga.

"Arga, what's wrong with your eyes?" I asked.

"My eyes?" Arga looks confused.

"Do your eyes hurt?" I asked.

"No."

"Then am I in your eyes?"

Arga blushed. "Nothing, Ella. Because you only exist in my heart."

I laughed at Arga's answer.

"Is it true? Your eyes are fine right?" I asked convincingly.

"Alright, La."

"Is it normal for your eyes to watch movies?" Arga nodded.

"Okay, let's watch a movie at the cinema."

Now Arga blushed even more.

"You ask me dating, La?"

"If you want..."

"Why don't you ask John out on a date?"

"If I can even ask his friend to date, why not?" I answered lightly.

"You... don't make me expect more of you, La. Your charm is really strong."

"Oh yeah?"

"Of course. But it's enough for me to be your best friend, La."

"Alright, we are friends. Best friend but married." I joked.

"Don't rush to get married, La. Pursue your dreams first. Sooner or later you will definitely meet your soulmate, rest assured." Arga started to say seriously.

"Hm."

Tonight I talking with Arga via video call until late at night.

"Arga, I'm sleepy." I said.

"All right, goodnight, La. HND."

"What is HND?"

"Have a nice dream."

I smiled. "Have a nice dream too, Arga."

I turned off my smartphone and tried to sleep.

***

My eyes flickered as the alarm on my smartphone started beeping. It's still 05.00 a.m., but I have to wake up.

I was in my white and gray uniform and ready to go to school.

"Mom, Dad, I'm going to school." I said goodbye while kissing the back of my parents' hands.

"Take care, La." My mom said.

I nod.

"Remember not to be a whiny. You have to be strong!" said my Daddy.

I smile. "Yes, Boss."

Since a long time ago my daddy always given me advice so that I become someone who is strong and not easily oppressed.

Surely my daddy is still afraid if I become someone whiny like when I was still sitting in elementary school. I still remember when I once ran away from school crying sobbing just because my friends made fun of me, they insulted my parents' job as a snack seller.

But it's been a long time. I've turned into a brave people since I was in the fifth grade of elementary school because I joined the taekwondo club.

I grew up to be a very brave girl until now, it's proven that I have won twelve gold medals and six silver medals in taekwondo matches.

Did my dad forget that his eldest daughter was suspended twice because she heard some school thungs?

Did my dad forget how the thungs were doing after I beat them up?

Ah, my daddy is like that sometimes too possessive and think this child is still small and very weak.

I arrived at the school parking lot, met Alice who greeted me cheerfully.

"Good morning, La."

"Good morning, Alice."

"Have you done your chemistry homework?"

I widened my eyes. "Which homework?"

"Did you forget? Hish, even though today was collected."

Bad! Why could I forget to do my chemistry homework? That fierce mrs.Eny will definitely not forgive me, especially her spicy words that are ready to pounce on anyone who doesn't do her homework.

"Have you done your chemistry homework, Alice?" I asked.

"I've done my homework, La. You can copy my answer." Alice said.

My face beamed. This is what I wanted since earlier.

Alice and I rushed to class. With super speed, I copied Alice's answer in my book.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I finished copying Alice's answer.

"Luckily you came early, La. So you can copy my answer," said Alice.

Yes, luck seems to be on my side. This is the reason I love to go to school in the morning, so I can copy my friends' homework.

My eyes caught the image of someone passing by in front of my class.

I froze when someone turned to me. Our eyes met for a moment and he smiled slightly at me – then he walked away from my class.

God ... why did he come back again?

Why did he come again after I struggled to forget him?

Why does he come again when I've managed to reconcile my feelings?