ROMANTIC POEM

A 19-year-old boy was screaming for his mother. In his hand was an announcement letter.

"Mama Tabita, I was accepted to study at a campus in Singapore. That's not all. I passed the test to get a scholarship."

"I guessed it, congratulations, boy." Mama Tabita hugged the teenager who was standing in front of her. The boy who offered her the umbrella service was already tall and very smart. "From the start, I was sure that you would pass. Hurry to your papa's room. I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that too."

Zephaniah changed completely from his previous life. He was very smart and handsome. There was no longer the impression of being homeless because his skin and body were well cared for. Zefanya knocked on the door and he entered a room.

"Papa, I have graduated." The teenager handed the paper in his hand to the middle-aged man sitting in his chair.

"Congratulations, son." Mordecai rose from his chair and gave Zephaniah a hug and a pat on the back. "When are you going?"

"Next month, Papa."

"Okay. Take your time here. Teach your siblings so they can follow in your footsteps."

"Okay, Papa."

***

The driver picked up Abira who had just come out from the school building. The girl always came home on time because she had to eat lunch at home. While from a distance her little sister waved hands because she had to fill the school radio program this afternoon.

"Zi, there's a letter for you." One of Ziona's friends gave her a letter wrapped in a cute blue envelope.

"Who is still using a letter? Is this an ancient era?" Ziona smiled and she opened the envelope.

FELL IN LOVE IN YOU

The morning sun appears with its rays

I remember your face and name

Hope to always see your smile that gives shade in my heart

I miss you but I can't touch you

Far from you makes my heart erratic

Close to you makes me doubt

Keep smiling

Because your smile is my longing medicine

Keep smiling

Because your smile is the answer to my prayer

From Samuel

"Samuel?" Ziona tried to remember who Samuel was. None of her classmates named Samuel. A message came into her cell phone even though she had not found an answer about who sent the letter.

"I'm sorry if I was presumptuous to take your cell phone number from the basketball participant data. I'm Samuel 12th grader. I also sent the poem to you. Can we meet after school?"

"Can. But I have to lead a radio show first. Do you mind if you have to wait?" Ziona replied to the message.

"I'm not going home because I always hear your voice from the school radio. I will be waiting for you on the basketball court, okay?" The last reply from the man made Ziona smile.

"Samuel." Ziona said the name and tried to remember but she still failed to know who the figure who sent the romantic poem was.

***

Charles and his wife were sitting back on the bed. They were looking for a solution for the departure of their foster child, Zephaniah. For the past six months, the orphanage has experienced financial difficulties. Indeed, Indonesia was going through difficult times. Many entrepreneurs went bankrupt and had to sell shares at low prices.

"Zephaniah needs a place to live and the cost of living there. The campus will only pay for his college needs," Charles explained when he read the email he received from the scholarship provider.

"You have friends in Singapore, right? How about Zefa working while studying?"

"It's not Indonesia, honey. In Singapore, students like Zephaniah are not allowed to work."

"Just ask first. Who knows he can help."

"Okay. But at least Zephaniah has to have some holding money to last him for a few months."

Tabita got off the bed and opened the cupboard. Inside was a box containing some of her jewels.

"We can sell this diamond. Zepha's education is much more important," Tabita said. In her hand was a diamond necklace.

Charles approached his wife. "Don't sell it, honey! We will pawn it. I will find money so that your jewelry can be redeemed." Charles could not let it because it was a diamond given to his wife by his father-in-law. "I promise to make up for it." The man hugged his wife while kissing the top of the woman's head who had been his life partner for decades.

***

After finishing the broadcast, Ziona came out and couldn't wait to meet the man who sent her a poem. Very romantic. That's what's on her mind. She has arrived at the basketball court. Dag dig dug sounded from the sound of her pounding heart. Her eyes searched for the person she wanted to meet but there was no one at all.

"Maybe I'm too late," Ziona muttered with a lackluster body language.

"Hmmm!" A voice from behind her. Ziona turned around and saw the tall man in front of her. Not only tall but the man was very handsome. His skin was natural whitel, his hair was blonde, and her eyes were silver. It seems he was not native to Indonesia.

"You're not late. I went to buy a drink for you. You must be thirsty after the broadcast," the handsome boy said. In his hands were two bottles of water.

"Is your name Samuel?" Ziona asked, examining the face of the man in front of her.

"Yes. I'm your sister classmate. I accidentally saw you when your sister passed out in the school garden. From there I began to be curious and find out about you. I approached Abira on purpose just to know about you."

"Faint?" Abira who fainted too often made Ziona forget when her sister fainted in the park.

"Yes. Three months ago Abira fainted in the park and you immediately ran from the library. You even pulled my hand so I could help bring Abira to the medical room." Memories of the first meeting made a faint smile appear on Samuel's lips. He fell in love at first sight.

"Ha?" Ziona was confused because she didn't remember anything.

"Maybe you panicked so you don't remember me. But since then your shadow always accompanies my days. But I don't dare because Abi said you don't want to date because you have to focus on school."

"Hehehe…" Ziona scratched her head in embarrassment but she had reasons for that.

Monkey love is very natural for teenagers like them. But considering her father's prohibition, Ziona chose to obey instead of being compared again with her sister or blaming her for spending time on courtship.

"That's what makes me like you. There's nothing wrong with being close friends. I promise I'll ask you to be my girlfriend after we graduate from school."

"Is there anything like that?" Ziona innocently asked. She has never been in a relationship while her sister has changed boyfriends many times.

"It all depends on us. Think of our friendship as the first step for us to get to know each other. How?" Samuel looked at Ziona's eyes with his silver eyes.

"But Daddy forbade me to date."

"We're not dating. We are friends. Later dating when you graduate from high school."

"Okay." Ziona agreed. There's nothing wrong with enjoying her teenage years. That's what popped into her mind.

"As a celebration you drink this first." Samuel opened the bottle cap, then gave the drink to Ziona. "Do you still have free time?" Samuel asked after Ziona stopped sipping water from the bottle.

Ziona looked at the time on her cell phone screen. "There is extracurricular activity but the teacher didn't come."

"Great!" Samuel cheered with joy. "Then what are we going to do next? Are you going straight home?"

"Of course not. I must be taking advantage of this free time. When else will I be able to escape from my father's rules?"

"Then I'll treat you to meatballs in the canteen." Samuel pulled Ziona's hand and it drew the girl's eyes to see their hands.