Ew, Creepy! Part 9
Gito was feeling kinda restless in his classroom seat. Not because it was the first day of fasting month, but because he had a promise to keep. Lupus, who was sitting in front of him, was busy passing notes with Pitak, the new kid from Ujung Pandang. His real name was Fita, but Lupus preferred to call him Pitak. Yeah, he liked changing people’s names just for fun.
But Fita wasn’t pitak, man. He was actually pretty cool. Especially when he told stories. It made Lupus laugh. And even funnier, he always brought white Toblerone chocolate. Lupus loved getting the ends of it.
Pluk! A tiny piece of paper fell on Lupus’ head. Lupus read it:
“Ugh, so annoying! During tarawih prayer last night, the person sitting next to me kept copying my answers!
Fita”
Lupus chuckled and glanced at Pitak. Then he replied:
“Always something with you, Pitak.
Hey, let’s pray tarawih together tonight, okay? You can choose which one. Al Azhar I, Al Azhar II, or Al Azhar II I (like cineplex, you know?). Let’s find an interesting sermon and do fewer raka’ats. Oh, but don’t invite Nyit-nyit who sits next to you. He shouts ‘Amiiin’ so loudly. Embarrassing. Besides, it’s nice to pray tarawih there. We usually get cooler sandals after.
Deal?
Lupus”
Pitak nodded. “But after school, can you take me to the bookstore? I want to find books for my paper reference,” Pitak whispered.
Lupus nodded.
The classroom looked empty. The biology teacher seemed lazy to teach. Probably hungry. He only asked Poppi to write on the blackboard. All the kids were busy taking notes. All the kids were struggling to stay awake. Yeah, because it was already afternoon. Half past one. Half an hour left until the bell rings for dismissal. Even during fasting month, school goes on as usual. “Fasting and studying go hand in hand,” said the principal.
But after one o’clock, they couldn’t go home right away. Because there was a biology lab at two in the afternoon. Until three o’clock. So, they were gonna be super bored hanging out with the biology teacher all afternoon.
Damn!
Lupus was so fed up sitting in his seat. “Where’s the teacher when you need him, acting like Donald Duck!” Lupus muttered as he watched the Biology teacher pacing back and forth, worried about the students who were too lazy to take notes.
Yo, dude! “Hey, you can’t diss people during fasting month!” Dicky called out to Lupus, who was sitting next to him.
“Oh shoot, yeah! I forgot. I gotta apologize to that duck!”
“Hehehe…” Dicky chuckled.
Meanwhile, Gito was still feeling restless. Turns out, he had made plans to accompany Salikha to sign up for an English course. Salikha only had a break from twelve to one in the afternoon, so time was really tight.
Yesterday, Gito thought he could sneak out during the second recess. But turns out there was a surprise test. And usually, the biology teacher doesn’t take that long to teach. Usually, by twelve o’clock, the kids are allowed to go home, but this time it’s already past half past one and we’re still here. The reason? The teacher said there’s gonna be a practical session later, so might as well give us the practical materials now to save time.
Gito had to come up with a plan. He was determined to skip the practical session if he managed to escape.
“Poppi, you take notes until Chapter V is finished, okay? The teacher needs to go to the office,” the biology teacher’s words felt like a breeze to Gito, urging him to quickly escape. “And kids, don’t make a ruckus, alright?”
When the biology teacher stepped out, Gito quickly fixed his book.
“Pus, Pus, I’m gonna bail. If the teacher asks, tell her I went to the bathroom, okay?” Gito whispered to Lupus.
“What if she doesn’t ask?”
Gito hesitated. Then he flicked Lupus’ head while quickly stuffing his small bag behind his shirt.
He sneaked out of the classroom.
“Is it wise to leave the class while the teacher goes to the office?” A deep voice behind him made Gito’s footsteps halt at the classroom door. He turned around. The PMP teacher who was teaching in the next class was standing in front of the classroom door. Apparently, he had been observing Gito’s suspicious movements.
“Uh-um, Sir, I-I just need to go to the back for a bit,” Gito stammered.
“Did you ask for permission?” Now the know-it-all teacher approached Gito.
Gito started getting anxious. Cold sweat dripped from under his shirt. He was afraid the biology teacher would come back from the office.
“Y-yeah, Sir. Earlier.”
“Hmm…” The teacher now stared intently at Gito. As if he couldn’t believe it. He really hated kids who liked to leave the class before the lesson was over. He was the one who often caught kids hanging out in the back cafeteria. No wonder he became the PMP teacher. Pancasila Moral Education!
Yo, dude! Gito saw the Biology teacher coming out of the teacher’s office from afar. Oh man, things are about to get messy! Gito felt restless. Afraid of getting caught.
“Alright, go ahead. But make sure you come back to your class, okay?” The PMP teacher’s decision felt right on time.
Without thinking twice, Gito turned around and ran to the right.
“Hey, Gito! The bathroom is on the left!” the PMP teacher shouted.
Gito didn’t look back. He thought the important thing was to get through the day without any trouble.
And almost at one o’clock, he stood on the escalator. Salikha looked anxious, waiting on the upper floor, near the cassette store. Debbie Gibson’s songs brought a cool breeze on that hungry afternoon.
“Hey, Lika!” Sweat dripped down his forehead as Gito reached the upper floor. The cold AC air gave Gito a refreshing feeling.
“Phew, on time, huh?” Lika greeted.
“Sorry, Lik. The lesson was full until one o’clock. I tried to sneak out!”
“Sneak out? You’re really something.” Lika looked at Gito with pity. Being looked at like that made Gito even more awkward. Her eyes, eyebrows, lips—man, Lika, why are you so beautiful? Unconsciously, Gito examined every feature of Salikha’s face.
“But it’s already almost one o’clock. We don’t have any more time, Git. Let’s just do it tomorrow,” Lika said, glancing at her watch.
“Uh, don’t. Tomorrow, I’ll bring my car. I’ll drive you there.”
“And you’re gonna skip school again?”
Gito nodded.
“Don’t, Git. It’s a waste. School is expensive, you know. You don’t know how many kids want to keep going to school like you. Why waste it?”
“Just this once, okay?”
Salikha shook her head. “Let me handle it. I can do it.”
Gito leaned against the pillar supporting the building. Staring at the huge New Kids on the Block poster in front of him.
“So, it’s not happening now, huh? Such a waste,” Gito complained.
“At least, I still want to thank you for your good intentions towards me. I’m also not sure if the course at the place you suggested can give me dispensation with my irregular work schedule. But even if it doesn’t work out, it won’t be a waste. At least we tried. Like you, even though you couldn’t come today, you tried to make it. I have to appreciate that. People often fail to appreciate effort,” Salikha said.
Gito looked at Salikha. There was a cool feeling hearing her words.
Gito pulled Lupus to the cafeteria.
Seriously, Pus. I’m like totally crushing on her. She’s mature, wise, and even though she’s simple, she has a broad perspective. She wants to grow. She said she wants to find another job with a fixed schedule. Can you like hook her up with your magazine, Pus?
“You think I’m the director or something? Even if I apply for a job there, it’s not guaranteed that I’ll be accepted,” Lupus replied.
Ugh. But I’m so in love with Salikha. I want to help her.
“Ugh, you’re always like this with girls. Your love lasts for a hot minute,” Lupus said.
But she’s different, Pus.
“So why are you sad now? Just date her then?”
She said I’m still too young. Ugh, she doesn’t take me seriously. Even though we’re only one year apart. So heartless, right?
Well, how can you, who still enjoys partying, be compatible with someone who prioritizes work, future, career, and studying?
Ah, screw you, Pus.
But speaking of which, I saw you two alone at the Department Store yesterday…
Oh, you were there too? Weren’t you supposed to be practicing?
I ditched practice with Pitak too. Accompanied him to find a book. Now, compare that to people like us who prioritize dating over practicing with your beloved Salikha.
Gito pondered. “Yeah, sometimes it’s us who can’t appreciate what we have, right, Pus? What if Salikha were in our position, would she act the same way as us?”
Who knows. But let’s forget about it. The PMP teacher and the Biology teacher are waiting for us in the office. I have no idea what punishment awaits us…
“If you’re too lazy to go to school, just work at the Department Store there, so you can satisfy your flirting!” the PMP teacher scolded, as Lupus and Gito plopped down on the teacher’s chairs.
Gito and Lupus exchanged bewildered glances. And so, they began to be bombarded with outdated advice.
