Replace Mother's job

Part 1.

This afternoon the weather was quite hot, even though it was only eleven o'clock in the afternoon. This is the last day I will wear the white and blue uniform. I just received my high school diploma in the blue folder. Cheerful laughter sounded from inside the class, my friends were happy because they got satisfactory grades.

All friends have plans to continue their education to high school or enter boarding schools. While I was just silent not knowing the next destination. Either continue school or not.

It's been three months, Dad never came home again. Never gave money to support my mother. I don't know what will happen to my family.

"Hey, Vira! How come you're daydreaming, your grades are good!" said Triana, my friend.

"Oh-uh, you're not surprising me," I mumbled.

"Let's go home, let's go!" asked me while reaching for the bag containing the diploma earlier.

Triana and I were waiting for an bus in front of the school, actually the house wasn't too far away. But because the weather was very hot, we decided to take an angkot that costs only two thousand rupiah per person.

There are not many passengers in the bus, so

can sit comfortably. From afar I saw another friend being picked up by his father or mother. So happy to be them, yes, I said muttering to myself.

Bus had arrived in front of the alley, I got off first, then paid the fare then waved to Triana. With unsteady steps I swung my legs towards Grandpa's relic house. Still grateful that there is a shelter, no need to rent a house anymore.

"Assalamu'alaikum ...," I said at the door.

"Wa'alaikumsalam ...," said the second brother Raka.

As soon as the door opened, I was shocked to death. The living room was littered with shards of glass. Meanwhile, in the room, the mother's voice was heard. I approached Raka and Riki and asked.

"What happened? Why is the house in such a mess?!"

"Father came and took the jewelry from the room!" replied Raka.

"Mom was at the market when Daddy came!" said Riki. They complained about my father's behavior with me.

"So Mom and Dad had a chance to meet?" I asked.

"Yes, Sis! They had a big fight and Father spoke the word "divorce" to Mother," answered Riki innocently. My chest feels tight, I can only cry in my heart while hugging my two sisters.

The bag containing the diploma was lying on the floor that was littered with glass. I went into my mother's room, it was no less messy than the living room.

Clothes in the closet, scattering out The jewelry box is already open with no more contents. I approached my mother who was sobbing.

"Never mind, Mom, don't cry anymore for a man like Dad! Mother's tears are too precious to cry for that unfaithful man!" Hearing my words, Mother's crying immediately stopped then hugged me.

****

The next day, Mother's body was very warm, she seemed to have a fever. The whole night wept for the departure of the irresponsible father.

My mother's jewels, one by one, have disappeared under my father's hands. Even though it was savings to pay for my schooling to continue high school. But now it's gone. I just give up. Seeing this situation, I don't know what to do to survive

It's been almost a year, Dad acted like this. In fact, he only comes home once a month to pick up his clothes. Seeing a situation like this, Mother started working odd jobs. Sometimes he works as a washing and ironing worker at a neighbor's house.

Since I finished junior high school, I didn't dare ask my mother about the continuation of this school. Mom doesn't seem to have moved on after being left by Dad.

"Vira ... Mother's body feels weak, dizzy and has no energy. Can you replace Mother's duties working at Mrs. Murni's clinic?

"What do you mean Vira should do, Mom?" I asked confused.

"You take the place of my mother ironing at Mrs. Murni's clinic!" Mother explained.

"Oh, yes, Mom! But how do you tell Mrs. Murni?" I asked again.

"Just a moment, let Mother call and tell me that you are replacing Mother today," she said.

Mother immediately took the cellphone from under the pillow, then called her employer at the clinic. Five minutes of talking on the phone, Mom told me to go to the clinic instead of her job.

"After ironing the clothes, you sweep the kitchen clean, yes, Vir!" message Mother.

"Yes, Mom, I said.

After kissing the back of Mother's hand, I left on foot. Incidentally, Raka and Riki were on holiday after receiving their report cards, so they could take care of Mother at home.

The distance from my house to Mrs. Murni's clinic is about twenty minutes. Not bad than taking an bus, it's better to just walk slowly. While it was cool to walk, I passed Triana, my best friend.

"Hey, Vira, where are you going? Does it look really neat?"

"Hey, Trii, I'm going to Mrs. Murni's clinic," I said, pointing at the clinic.

"Oh, you're sick, aren't you?" Triana frowned.

"No... I'm fine! Just replacing Mom's job ironing at the clinic!" I explained.

"Oh, I see, you want me to accompany you, don't you?" Triana volunteer.

"No need, Tri, I can do it myself," I said.

"Y-yes, I'll continue walking again," I said

leaving Triana still confused.

Arriving at the clinic, Mrs. Murni was already waiting in her practice room. I was very clumsy, embarrassed and confused, because it was the first time and first time I came here.

"You are Vira, Mrs. Safitri's daughter, right?" asked the middle-aged mother in a white hijab. This must be Mrs. Murni I thought.

"Yes, Mrs," I said.

"I am Mrs. Murni," she said. Well, confirm my guess.

"Now it's your job, start sweeping the downstairs room completely! From the kitchen to the front, ya!" his orders.

"After that, just continue ironing, ya!" she said again.

"Okay Mrs!" I saw in the corner of the door there was a broom. I just took it and started sweeping.

After fifteen minutes, I finished sweeping the entire downstairs room. Then I took the initiative to immediately mop the floor. Never mind, go on, just make yourself at home, I thought.

To be continued ....