Today is a day off, and it’s Sunday morning. You see this kid waiting by the side of the road, looking really bored. Yeah, that’s Lupus, your friend. There’s a small backpack lying next to him. It contains something that you’re not allowed to see. Yeah, guess it yourself. Honestly, I don’t dare to mess with it. Because when Lulu tried to find out what’s inside Lupus’ backpack, she got hit with a flip flop. Ouch, brutal.
But according to Lupus, his friends are even more brutal. Imagine this, they agreed to pick him up by the roadside at six in the morning. But it’s already past seven, and those damn creatures still haven’t shown up. Poor Lupus woke up early in the morning, took a shower to get rid of his sleepiness. But until now? Lupus is just standing there like a statue. Every time a car passes by, he watches it closely. He curses under his breath.
Some motorcycle taxi drivers who usually hang out at the end of the alley have been taking turns offering Lupus a ride. But Lupus refuses. Because those motorcycle taxis are only for short trips, specifically for going back home.
Suddenly, a minibus appears in the distance. It’s tacky red. Ah, there it is, the long-awaited arrival. Lupus starts getting ready to pack his things. It must be the right one, he thinks. Oh, so late. I don’t know, he’s been getting ready since dawn…
But before Lupus finishes his rant, the car passes by him without a care in the world. Huh? Damn, it’s not the one. Frustrated, Lupus slams his backpack on the ground.
“Alright, Tong. Let’s just go home. The one we’re waiting for won’t come. Come on, give me a ride,” the motorcycle taxi driver pleads.
“No, thanks!” Lupus scoffs.
Lupus waits again. He absentmindedly chews on his gum. Damn, now he’s too scared to stick gum on someone’s seat. Because before this break, Lupus got in trouble with the teachers because a Bahasa Indonesia teacher’s skirt got stuck with gum when she sat down. Who else in SMA Merah Putih loves chewing gum besides Lupus? That’s why Lupus got in trouble. And when it comes to facing teachers, Lupus can’t win an argument. He got threatened with suspension. It’s the same as lying since tomorrow is a day off anyway.
“Damn, it’s the teacher’s fault!” Lupus complains as he walks out of the meeting room. “She knew there was gum on the seat, why did she sit there? That’s why you have to be careful when you become an adult!”
But still, Lupus is kind of fed up.
“Should I just stick it on the table so no one can sit on it?”
Lupus ponders while continuing to chew. Unconsciously, the clock shows eight o’clock. Damn! Where are these kids? Annoyed, Lupus decides to go back home. He packs his things and heads towards the motorcycle taxi that’s always standing by at the end of the alley. But the motorcycle taxi driver pretends not to notice when Lupus approaches. He acts busy scratching his ear.
“Hey, give me a ride home!”
The motorcycle taxi driver looks at Lupus with the corner of his eye.
“Ugh, sorry. I didn’t want it earlier. Are you the only one who can act all high and mighty?”
Lupus feels annoyed. He walks away.
But why go back home? It’s just embarrassing. Didn’t he already say goodbye to his mom, Lulu, the neighbors, and even his beloved chickens? What would they think if he comes back? Hey, why did the outing end so soon? Why didn’t you bring any souvenirs? When did he say goodbye to everyone?
Filled with thoughts like that, Lupus refuses to give up. He quickly flags down a bus heading to Boim’s house.
Boim’s house is quiet. The owner is still in his sarong, enjoying a cup of coffee in the living room. He’s listening to his favorite dangdut songs on the radio.
Lupus knocks on the door.
“Hey, what’s up! Knock knock!”
“Oh, sorry… no one’s here,” a voice from inside responds.
“Wait, who’s talking? Aren’t you a person?”
“Yeah, obviously. Who are you and why are you so aggressive?”
“I’m Lupus.”
“Oh, Lupus. Just go home, dude.”
“Damn!” Lupus opens the door. Inside, he sees Boim’s maid cleaning up.
“Sorry, Den. Bibik thought you were a beggar. After all, even though Eid is over, there are still a lot of beggars. They keep knocking on the door. So annoying.”
Lupus just grins.
“Where’s Boim, Bibik?”
“Boim?” Bibik thinks for a moment. “He’s not here. What do you want with him?”
“Well, just wanted to meet him. It’s still Eid, and I haven’t had a chance to see him.”
“Oh… Boim said if there’s a guest who wants to apologize, just take it from the buffet… hihihi.”
Lupus gets annoyed.
When Boim shows up, still smiling like a horse, Lupus immediately vents his frustration.
“What’s up with you? Don’t you know I’ve been waiting for you since morning by the roadside? You said you’d come at six. And where are Gusur, Anto, Aji, Gito… Are they all in on this prank?”
“It’s not like that, Pus.”
“Teenagers these days can’t keep their promises. Pathetic. It seems like promises are made so easily now, and broken just as easily. You make the promise, you break it. You start it, you end it… wait, why does it sound like a dangdut song?”
“Anyway, I’m really angry. All you guys have gone crazy. So many promises not kept nowadays. Are promises really worthless now? Don’t you ever think about how the person who’s been promised to, waiting by the roadside, feels so restless?”
“Oh come on, you’re always late too, Pus.”
“Yeah, but at least I show up. It’s better to be late than not show up at all…”
“Still, Pus. Being late is another form of breaking a promise.”
Lupus pouts.
The thing is, Pus, I’m broke. I don’t have money for a vacation this holiday season. Anto and Gusur are in the same boat. So yesterday, after school, we agreed not to go.
“But why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were in a meeting with the teachers!” Boim rolls up his sarong. “Alright, now let’s go to Anto’s. Maybe he has another idea.”
Boim rushes to the bathroom. Just then, Gusur appears. He’s already grinning from afar.
“Hooo1, guys. I’m so happy today. Soooo happy…”
“What’s up, Sur? Did you win the lottery?”
“No, Pus. I got pickpocketed on the bus earlier.”
Boim, who was ready to dive into the pool, hesitates. He comes out and shakes his head.
“Pickpocketed? And you’re happy?”
“Why not? The wallet that got stolen had all my debts to the noodle seller, siomai guy, and fruit salad guy. And there’s an agreement in there that whoever finds this wallet has to pay off the debts. Hahahaha…”
After everything is settled, the three of them head to Anto’s house. Anto was supposed to bring the car for the picnic. But why didn’t he pick up Lupus this morning? At the very least, he could have let him know that they’re not going anymore.
Arriving at Anto’s house, it’s even quieter. Lupus, Gusur, and Boim stand in front of the gate. Where is everyone? Where did they go?
“Hoooooiii…, Antooo…, come out! Your house is surrounded!” Lupus shouts crazily.
Gusur just giggles.
“Yeah, Tooo…, we three have arrriiived…,” adds Boim. “I’m Lupus on my right, and on my left is a sack of rice…”
Gusur, who was planning to burst into laughter again, suddenly pouts.
But it turns out, it’s Anto’s dad who appears. He’s surprised by the antics of the crazy kids. The kids clearly blush in embarrassment.
“Looking for Anto, huh? Just go straight to the back. He’s busy fixing the car!”
Lupus, Boim, and Gusur all flock to the back.
When they find him, the kid is busy with his beat-up car. His hands and face covered in oil.
“Sorry, Pus. I might not be able to go. My car broke down again. I don’t know what’s wrong with it. It wouldn’t start this morning. Can you fix it, Pus?”
Lupus pretends to carefully inspect Anto’s car.
“Ohhh, I see, To. Maybe it’s because the side mirror is not positioned correctly…”
Anto is baffled. What does that have to do with anything?
That morning, at the start of the holiday, they had to cancel their picnic plans. They just ended up hanging out at Anto’s house while eating leftover Eid cookies.
It’s pretty boring, to be honest.
“So what should we do for this holiday?” Lupus asks.
“I actually have an idea, Pus. If you guys agree. Usually, during holidays, we just spend money. Going on trips here and there. It’s true that it’s refreshing. But what if this time we spend it by making money? By working. It’s like a community service. Kasak-Kusuk Ngobyek. Because if we’re not taught to work from a young age, we won’t be used to it. Teens in the West often spend their holidays by earning money. Working at a restaurant, being a dishwasher. That’s why when they grow up, they’re already used to working…,” Anto suggests.
“Ugh, come on, Anto, you can read it yourself in the magazine. The situation here is different. Like, what restaurant around here would hire inexperienced part-time workers like us?” Boim argues.
“That’s exactly it. We have to adapt to the situation here. But hey, if you’re up for it, we have a pretty cool gig. It’ll be beneficial for all of us. Especially for you, Pus,” Anto suggests.
“Why me?” Lupus asks, confused.
“Here’s the deal. During this long break, our school principal wants to repaint our run-down school. So, yesterday, I casually suggested that we could do the painting ourselves, Mr. Principal agreed, as long as we do a good job. And hey, this is perfect for you, Pus. You’re always messing up the classroom with your gum. It’s like a chance to make up for it. If you guys agree, I’ll call the principal this afternoon, and we can start working tomorrow morning. How about it? It’s a decent way to earn some extra cash,” Anto explains.
Well, it does sound like a good idea. The kids immediately agree.
The next morning, Lupus is woken up bright and early by his mom.
“Pus, I heard you wanted to be woken up early? You said you have work?” his mom asks.
Lupus groans lazily. What time is it even?
“Come on, Pus. You made a promise to your friends, remember?” his mom insists.
Lupus just pulls the thick blanket over himself. Ah, the best part of the holidays is definitely sleeping… hehehe.
