18 18 A FRESH START

A week later…..

Anne studied the girl in front of him. It was 1 p.m. and Anne's stomach was rumbling hungrily but Arissa didn't seem to care about it at all. It had been 4 hours since the two of them sat in the living room and learning preliminary skills in basic reading and counting. Unbelievably, she was able to absorb all the information which been given like a sponge in 3 days! On the 4th day, Arissa always staying in the library for at least 4 hours in a row and reading all the books in there. Her learning ability and thirst for new things are enormous. She was willing to study all the knowledge that she is learning now. Apparently, she is studying grammar and how to use proper tenses in English.

"Kak Rissa?" asked Anne with her pitiful face. Arissa tilted her head and stared back at her with a puzzled look.

"I am hungry. May I have my mealtime? I haven't eaten my lunch yet.. " asked Anne again in a discomforting tone.

Anne let out a sigh of relief and shuffled into the kitchen instantly.

when suddenly a voice greeted Arissa.

She nodded lightly and her eyes returned to the book on her lap. Focusing herself on what she is studying now. Words by words. Lines by lines. All those were mindblowing for her. Sedated and enchanted her. Caught her mind when she falls into the beauty of the words on her hands now.

"May I replace Anne?"

A familiar voice jerked her. Made her heart thumping shocked. When Arissa looked who it was, she sighed in relief. It's Jose. And now, the same man stared back at her with his shady eyes. A gaze that always makes her heart pounding loudly inside her rib cage and thousand of butterflies danced happily inside her tummy.

She felt her cheeks heat up instantly. Then, unconsciously, she bowed her head in embarrassment.

"Hey? Are you okay?"

Arissa nodded lightly. Still too ashamed to raise her head.

Then, he took the textbook that she was holding and began to explain all the uses of grammar systematically for the next 4 hours. But after a while, it was her stomach that turned growling fiercely and forced them both to stop the lesson that day. It was rumbling loudly and screaming delicious homemade food.

While having dinner, Arissa remains devoted to her books on the dining table. Arissa had read all the books in the library. And still, those were not enough for her. Her brain is like a huge supercomputer. Absorbing and devouring each piece of information that she has got from the books that she has read so far and memorized them well. Currently, he is reading Jose's psychology books for the magister program.

Mother Hua and Jose shook their heads in admiration when they saw her eyes still glued on what she is reading now.

"That child is really amazing…" said the old lady. She did not hide her excitement for Arissa at all. Meanwhile, Jose also nodded his head as a yes.

"There will be a national exam for beginner and intermediate level that held by the government this week." The old lady informed it solemnly to Jose who sat next to her on dining table.

"I want her to take the test .."

"Uh? Which one is it?"

"Both. I want her to take both test, Jose.."

He frowned confusedly.

"Isn't it too fast, mother?" asked Jose back in a surprised tone. He had no idea that his foster mother already had plans to put Arissa in this exam.

The old lady shook her head firmly. "I'm sure she able to do it ..."

"Are you sure?" asked Jose doubtfully. The mischievous smile curved on her wrinkled face when she heard the question.

"Yes, I'm sure of it. More over, it will be your responsibility if Arissa didn't pass the exam… "

"Huh?? What did you say, mom??"

His eyes fluttered in disbelief after he heard her words before.

The old lady replied with a sly chuckle. She really looks exactly like a nine-tailed fox demon!

Seeing her reaction, Jose cursed inwardly and glared furiously at her. If looks can kill, he believes there are millions of fire arrows are shooting at his adoptive mother right now!!

...............…..

The exam for beginner level will be held on Thursday while intermediate test will be held on the next day after tomorrow.

Now, because they are running out of time, he's drilling himself to teach Arissa day and night. Fortunately, she's a badass smart and he has no problem to teach her everything that he knew so far to her. If other children will lay a half-dead on the floor while they waved a white flag after studying non-stop for 6 - 8 hours, Arissa is the opposite. Her brain's ability to absorb all the basic lessons from grades 1 - 6 can be mastered very easily. In fact, it only takes about 2 hours to understand all the concepts of basic algebra and physics algorithms from secondary level programs. Seeing her marvelous progress, Jose himself even had to clap his hands. He had taught him everything that she would need to know to pass the national exam and the rest will be relying on her own abilities.

One thing that he knows for sure, Arissa will definitely pass the national exam this year! The old lady is right. This girl can do it!

...................

Exam day, beginner level

When the time has come, all kids who will participate in the national exam for beginner level, are neatly dressed in white and black. Jose is ready to take Lucia, Danny, Hanna, and Arissa to go to the exam. Aside from the four of them, Arissa was stood out because of her heights and looks. While her blue eyes are hidden by contact lenses that Jose bought. So, she won't attract too much attention of other participants.

Arriving at the venue, the four of them immediately took their seats and doing the exam seriously while Jose was waiting outside patiently. Trying so hard to behave normally like other parents who also waiting for their children inside the hall. One hundred and twenty minutes seems like forever for him. Tickling way too slow while he was waiting nervously outside at that time.

.........…..

As soon as the bell rang, the four of them walked out from the hall. The faces of all participants are now relaxed. A wide smile broadens on their faces while the parents are busily embraced their own children. While Arissa, who is more friendly with her juniors in the orphanage, was busy throwing some corny jokes to them and laughed together. Hand in hand, the four of them walked back to the orphanage with Jose.

............….

The day after tomorrow…

The exam of intermediate level…

Arissa sits in the classroom with the other kids and takes the exam seriously. The time given is 120 minutes to finish the exam. But, within 15 minutes, Arissa was managed to finish all the questions smoothly. The way is much faster than other students. With light steps, she handed over the answer sheet to the assessor and took a step backward. Meanwhile, the assessor was completely stunned and checked his own watch when he received the answer sheet from her hand. Finished already?

This fast??

"Are you sure of all the answers?" He confirmed her in doubt while accepting the papers from her hand.