At night, Lena's family gathered in the living room accompanied by a cup of warm tea and a piece of bread.
They chatted and told stories about what they had done that day. Laughter and joy could be heard as they talked. Father Angga was always the funniest when telling stories. How could he not be? He told them by mixing funny things he experienced, even though they weren't real, but the most important thing for him was seeing the smiles on the faces of the people he loved the most and who were also the source of his strength—none other than his wife and Lena.
They kept talking until a memory crossed Lena's mind, a memory about the summons of her parents. Lena thought for a moment, she wanted to tell her parents but she was afraid they would be sad. She was very confused.
"Why are you daydreaming, dear? What are you thinking about?" asked her mother.
"Yes, my child, if you are troubled you can ask for our help, we will always be here for you," said her father.
"Um, Dad… Mom, this is about school."
"What happened at school? Were you bullied or something? I'll go to their house if that's the case!!!" said her father.
"No, Dad."
"Then what is it?" asked Lena's parents together.
"Lena was told by her homeroom teacher to call you regarding the unpaid tuition fees," answered Lena in a trembling voice, almost crying.
Lena's parents looked down and fell silent, they knew that the school would summon them regarding the unpaid tuition fees.
"What should we do, dear?" whispered Mrs. Fitri to her husband.
Mr. Angga, who was asked, seemed silent and thought about how to pay off Lena's school fees.
"I don't know either, dear. How about we just follow what the principal said, that Lena should just be expelled?" said Mr. Angga.
"That might make Lena sad, dear... Especially since she's already in the eleventh grade and will graduate soon," replied the mother.
"But dear, Lena's tuition is in heavy arrears and we haven't paid it. My suggestion is, let's transfer her to another school with cheaper fees. What do you think?" suggested the father.
"Let's ask Lena, dear, since she's the one going to school."
"Alright, let's ask our child first."
Lena was waiting for an answer from her parents. Honestly, she was afraid they would accept the principal's suggestion to expel her.
"My child?" asked the mother.
"Yes, Mom, tomorrow can you and Dad come to school?" asked Lena.
"Your father and I can, dear. But…" replied her mother, hesitating to continue.
"But what, Mom?"
"Your father and I want to ask you something. If we transfer you to another school, would you accept it, dear?" asked her mother.
Lena, being asked that, could only remain silent, bowing her head. She could not say a word as tears welled up in her eyes.
"If that's what you both want, I'll go along with it, Mom… As long as it doesn't burden you," said Lena, though reluctantly.
"I know, dear, you have a dream to study there. But even though you got a scholarship, the monthly fees are still high. Especially since it's the most prestigious school in this city," explained the mother to Lena.
"It's okay, Mom… What matters is that I can still go to school," said Lena.
"Alright then, if that's your decision, your father and I will find a new school that is more affordable," said her mother as she stroked Lena's head.
Lena nodded.
After the activity in the living room, Lena and her parents went back to their rooms to rest.
Lena couldn't sleep because she kept thinking about not being able to study there anymore and being transferred. She would leave behind her friends who always stood by her and cared for one another. And she would also lose her dream of becoming a doctor. She had chosen that school because many of its alumni had become doctors.
Lena kept struggling in her mind until she finally fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Mr. Wawan tried to contact the principal to ask for leniency for his student Lena. Mr. Wawan kept calling until finally, his effort succeeded.
"Hello, Mr. Slamet, good evening sir, sorry to disturb you," said Mr. Wawan.
"Yes, Mr. Wawan, what's the matter calling this late? Sorry I didn't answer earlier, I was in the bathroom haha," said Mr. Slamet, laughing.
"That's alright, sir. I want to talk about my student," said Mr. Wawan.
"Which student are you referring to?" asked Mr. Slamet.
"You surely know her, sir," answered Mr. Wawan.
"Don't tell me you're talking about that troublesome girl!" said Mr. Slamet firmly.
Mr. Wawan, being called that way, fell silent for a moment. He knew that Principal Slamet of Elysium High School would say that.
"Yes, sir, I would like to talk about that student of mine," pleaded Mr. Wawan.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Wawan, I respect you as a senior teacher and also like a parent to me at school. But this time, I can't help," answered Mr. Slamet.
"But sir…"
Before Mr. Wawan could continue, the call was hung up by Mr. Slamet.
"I'm sorry, Lena… I've tried. Once again, I'm sorry, my child," he muttered in his heart.
The next day, Lena and her parents got ready to go to school. The three of them left by pedicab because the motorcycle wouldn't fit them all.
When they arrived at the pedicab station, Mr. Angga immediately hired one.
"Sir, can you take us to Elysium High School?"
"Oh… Why are you going there?"
"I was summoned by the school, sir."
"Alright, sir. Twenty-five thousand to get there, fifty for round trip."
"That's expensive, isn't it?"
"That's already cheap, sir. Especially since it's far and you're bringing three people."
"Alright then, I'll hire it."
"Okay, sir, please get in."
Along the way, Lena kept thinking about where she would go to school next. She would really miss her friends.
Not long after, they arrived.
"Here we are, sir, you can get down now."
"Alright, thank you. Here's the money."
"Thank you, sir, I'll be going now."
Lena's parents were astonished to see the school—it was so luxurious and big.
"Are you sure this is your school, dear?" asked her mother.
"Yes, Mom, this is my school. It looks much better now because it was just rebuilt. It's different from the last time you came here three months ago," explained Lena.
Lena led her parents inside the school.
Along the way, whispers from other students could be heard talking about Lena's parents' arrival.
"Why did that poor girl bring her parents?"
"I don't know, maybe about the unpaid tuition."
"Hopefully she gets expelled from this school, I'm tired of seeing her face."
"Yeah, that's right."
Such were the whispers of the students, especially the girls, who never missed an opportunity to insult and wish for Lena to be expelled from school.
Lena prayed in her heart that her parents would not hear those whispers.
But unfortunately, her parents heard everything.
"Did you hear that, dear?" asked the mother.
"Yes, I did, dear. I can't bear to see our child being treated like this every day," said the father.
"You're right, we must transfer Lena as soon as possible," suggested the mother.
To be continued…