ANESKA BELAVINA

Sunny mornings with a cool rural atmosphere coupled with the sound of birds chirping in the morning always accompanied me to help Mother sell vegetables at the market.

My name is Aneska but Mother has a special nickname for me. Like this morning, Mom called me. "Eka."

I once asked Mother, why do you call me Eka? Even though I have such a pretty name.

Mom says because I am the only child, her soul mate, and treasure. Only me, the only one who is most precious in this world after my father left us.

"Eka!" Call Mom from the kitchen.

"Yes, ma'am!" I answered screaming because I was outside drying the clothes I just finished washing. "I'm outside, drying clothes!"

There were no more calls, maybe Mother was busy preparing the vegetables she was going to bring to the market.

"Eka," Mother's soft voice called me from behind.

"Yes ma'am," I replied looking back. "You want to go?" I asked because I saw Mother was carrying vegetables ready to be sold.

"Yes, it's already noon. Usually, people have gone to the market. I have to leave immediately so that our vegetables sell out quickly."

"That's heavy, Mom, let me carry it on a bicycle. Wait a minute, I'll finish drying the clothes first. This is a little more," I said seeing so many vegetables that Mother brought.

"You just keep drying your clothes, let Mother go alone to the market. Don't you also have to go to school?" Mother asked.

"Yes, I have to go to school but it will be a bit late because today my school is in the afternoon. Let me take Mommy to the market."

"It's okay, it's okay. Let you clean up at home. Don't forget to cook rice before going to school so you can eat," said Mother.

"But it's heavy, ma'am, the vegetables," I replied, still wanting to go to the market.

"Let's just take the foreman's car later. The car will pass by soon."

"Okay then," I replied. "But be careful, ma'am."

"Yes, take good care of the house. Don't let the cat climb on the table, or else the salted fish will be eaten by the cat."

I'm laughing. "Don't worry, Mom. I will protect the salted fish with my life."

After getting my permission, Mother left with vegetables. I kept staring at Mother's back until she disappeared into the corner of the road.

Our house is quite simple. Located on the side of the road with a not-so-wide yard, enough for a place to sunbathe clothes and a little greenery for needs in the kitchen.

After drying the clothes, I continued my work. Feed some chickens and some goats.

Followed by sweeping the page so that it looks a little cleaner, and pleasing to the eye. After the work outside the house is done, I continue my work by cooking.

I chose firewood in the corner of the kitchen. My kitchen looks all black because Mom and I cook using firewood.

I look for wood that has dried so that the fire can quickly start, I put pieces of wood that have been split into a stove made of red earth.

Because I'm used to cooking with firewood, it's easy for me to light it. I let the fire burn perfectly, meanwhile I immediately washed the rice to cook.

After I finished cooking the rice and vegetables, I continued to wash the dishes and clean the house. Routine work that I always do when I don't come with Mother to the market.

"I'm tired, I should take a break to stretch my legs." I took the television remote to watch a music program that was almost out of time after all my work was done.

Not long after, someone heard someone greeting from outside the front door.

"Excuse me!"

"Who?!" I asked screaming because I was sitting on the floor.

"Sir Sugeng!" Answer from outside.

"Wait a moment!" I immediately got up from my seat and immediately opened the door.

"Aneska, sorry to interrupt." That's how the neighbors used to call my name.

"Mr. Sugeng, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I want to tell you, tomorrow there will be a salvation event at Mrs. Popon's house," replied Mr. Sugeng.

"What's the occasion, sir?" I asked. "What's the time?"

"His little son wants to be circumcised tomorrow morning. So, tomorrow she wants to hold a celebration. It's just a small event. Aneska's mother, invited to pray for the recitation tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh, I see. All right, sir, I'll tell Mom when I get home from the market."

"Yes, thank you. In that case, you will say goodbye first. Excuse me."

"Yes sir, you're welcome," I replied. "Thank you."

Pak Sugeng immediately left my house, maybe he wanted to go to another neighbor's house to announce the same event.

I locked the house again and continued watching television. After the music show was over, I went into the room.

"Looks like I have homework today. Let me see." I took the bag hanging behind the door.

I carried my bag into the living room so I could know when a guest was coming.

One by one, I took out the textbooks. I opened page after page of the textbook for today.

"Nothing, I did it yesterday. Thankfully, it means I still have time to eat."

Again his textbooks were put in his bag and put on the chair. "I'd better eat after that then I take a shower."

After finishing eating and proceeding with a shower. Aneska then prepares to go to school.

Her long jet black hair with white skin, as well as slightly chubby cheeks and two round eyes coupled with a sharp nose, make Aneska stand out more than her school friends.

"Aneska!" Someone from behind called his name loudly while walking on the side of the road to go to school.

Aneska immediately looked behind her, her friend was riding a bicycle toward her. "Laras! You alone, usually go with other friends."

"They left earlier. You don't ride a bicycle?" Laras asked.

"No. My bicycle had a punctured tire so I had to walk."

"Come with me but you bring the bike, I'm tired of pedaling," said Laras.

"Yeah, I'm the one pedaling. You just sit in the back." Aneska immediately put her bag in the bicycle basket in front.

After Laras moved to the back seat, Aneska took over the bicycle. "Are you ready?" Ask Aneska.

"Yes," replied Laras, sitting sideways, hugging Aneska's waist.

Aneska then pedaled her bicycle down a small rural road, past the rice fields that stretched on the right and left of the road. From time to time, Aneska and Laras laughed cheerfully, joking with each other.

They rode bicycles for almost twenty minutes until they finally arrived at the wide-open school gate.

"Finally we have arrived," said Aneska with an up and down breath.

"Just enter the bicycle parking lot," said Laras.

"Yes." Aneska immediately pedaled her bicycle inside and headed to the bicycle parking lot which was already full.