Chapter 16. Dewa

"Dil...Adil," Dewa called his brother, from behind the bedroom door.

"It's time to sleep, kid. Don't you say you wanted to talk?" Dewa said.

Dewa accidentally opened his brother's bedroom door, because Adil didn't lock it tightly.

"Well... it's open. You didn't lock it, Dil," Dewa thought.

Dewa saw his brother who was fast asleep without a blanket. Dewa took the blanket next to his brother, and then covered Adil's body with it.

"You forgot to turn off the lights, Dil," Dewa said.

Dewa also turned off the light in Adil's bedroom before he left the room. He went to the family room, sat, and read a book about the history of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

His father approached Dewa who seemed focused on reading a book.

"You seem too serious reading the book," Bambang said.

"Oh, dad…haha. It's fun reading a book about Indonesian independence," Dewa said.

"That's good...hahaha. So that the younger generation doesn't forget the struggle of our patriot," Bambang said.

"I get it, dad,"

"Wise people said that a great nation is a nation that does not forget their patriots. Therefore, you as the next generation shall learn from the struggles of the past to spur your enthusiasm to work for the community, Dewa," his father advised.

"Sure, dad. Thank you for the motivation,"

"By the way, where is Adil? How come he doesn't join you here,"

"I checked in his bedroom, it turned out that he was sleeping soundly, Dad. I just turned off the light and covered his body with a blanket then," Dewa said.

"I see. I think he is tired. In the morning, he left for a pilgrimage to his friend's father's grave, before he practised karate at SMPN 4 Bandar Lampung," his father said.

"No wonder Adil sleeps soundly, Dad. Sometimes I feel like laughing watching him sleep," Dewa said.

"Hahahaha. How come? What's wrong?" his father asked.

"His facial expression is funny. Sometimes he frowns, sometimes he grins. But he doesn't snore at all," Dewa answered.

"Hahahaha. I see. I didn't even know about it, just found out from you," Bambang said.

"Try once in a while to check in his bedroom when he's sleeping... hehe,"

"Sure, Dewa. I'll check sometime,"

"By the way, after Adil graduates from elementary school, do you have any plans for him to enter which junior high school, Dad?"

"Nothing yet, Dewa. Adil has never spoken to my father about it. However, I ordered him to enter a state junior high school," Bambang said.

"What's so wrong about private school, Dad?"

"Yes, there is no problem if he is in a private school, but if Adil can enter a state junior high school, it will educate him to compete in a good manner with thousands of elementary school graduates in this city. If he enters a private junior high school, the admission test is not as tight," Bambang said.

"That's also right, Dad,"

"And again, if you register at a private school, applicants are usually accepted immediately. Even if they use a test, the test is not as complicated as in the state. I want him to register and study at a public junior high school so that he won't be spoiled, and learn to achieve something with hard work,"

Dewa just nodded his head at his father's words. He agreed with his father's opinion, without any contradiction.

" Dewa, do you think me ordering Adil to attend a public school is inappropriate?"

"I don't you are wrong. You just try to educate him to be independent. He is a boy, Dad. You have to train him to work hard for his goals," Dewa said.

"Hmm..." his father mumbled.

"But, I do have another opinion, Dad,"

"What is it, Dewa?"

"If during this year's State Junior High School Admission Test, Adil failed to pass as a student at a public school, I beg you not too angry at Adil. Because the effort and prayer are our obligations, but God will determine the outcome," Dewa said.

"Hmm..." his father was still muttering, thinking.

"Anger is not always a solution to solving problems, Dad," Dewa said.

"Yes, son. Your words are true,"

"Adil is the type of child who can find solutions that are different from people in general, Dad. He also doesn't talk much, that's the primary key for him to become a leader," Dewa said.

"Okay..okay. Does that mean I have to be more patient in dealing with him?"

"Yes, dad. Including when you advised him when he was naughty or did something wrong," Dewa answered.

"Okay, Dewa."

Meanwhile, at the same time in a different place, Galih's house.

Galih was busy chatting with Linga on the phone. Both of them were friends along with Adil, who recently did not get well with Adil because of what happened a few days ago.

The incident in question was that when he was going to Dinda's birthday, Adil forgot to tell his friends that he was still cleaning the school bathroom, even though his friends had been waiting for him for a long time.

That was what made Galih hate Adil. His hatred became even more intense when he found out that Adil had gone to Dinda's house for the birthday invitation.

"So, that's why you don't like him?" Linga asked.

"Yeah, no. I've been waiting for him for almost an hour at the ceremony field. He doesn't give any call. Then he just said that he forgot to tell us when we were at Dinda's house," Galih replied.

"Keep on,"

"Well, I was angry. I was so annoyed when he asked about Dinda's home address, I didn't tell him," Galih replied.

"Hahahaha. You're also fierce," Linga said.

"Hahahaha. You don't say. I just don't like his attitude, which seems to be playing favourites. Even though he said, fellow friends in the same gang must stick together. It turns out he is like that,"

"Then, I heard from other kids, you also don't like it when Adil is close to Dinda?" Linga asked.

"That's right, no. You know that I have a crush on Dinda. If Dinda prefers him, it's the same as inviting me to war," Galih replied.

"Hmm. If he took Dinda from you, we'd better get him out of the gang. Keeping him in our gang is the same as keeping an enemy in disguise... hehe," Lingga said.

"But if we get Adil out of the gang, won't the problem get worse? Surely, he won't accept our decision,"

"Well, why shall we care about it. I'm sure things won't get worse. After all, who is Adil at our school? Not a gang leader, not a class president. He often gets punished by Mr Darno, our counselling teacher,"

"Hahahahaha Yes, for sure. This is also your suggestion. I'll consider getting Adil out of our gang,"

"Good, Galih. It's time for you to get rid of Adil. Remember, the same opportunity doesn't always come twice,"