"Kenzie let's go outside, the sky is so beautiful. Red…" The mother looked reverently at the sky.
I walked over to him. The sky is beautiful, with red, golden orange.
"The sun's going down a bit more, Ken..." Said he who kept looking at the sky. Actually the sun is still intact and will not set yet. Maybe fifteen more minutes.
A father came up to me and the mother, "Wow, do you want to see the sunset?"
The mother nodded slowly.
"Mom, Keizar is at school huh?" asked the father.
"Yes, Papa. He said playing football with friends."
The phone rang, "Yes, hello?"
The man was silent for a moment, then his face paled, "You immediately get away from here. I don't want you in danger. And call the police immediately! But you don't use your cellphone. Borrow someone else's cellphone so you don't get tracked. I feel they have one in the police. So we have to be careful." The father closed his cellphone.
The mother looked worried, "Pa, what's wrong?"
"What I'm worried about is happening, Mom. We have to be prepared for all eventualities." Papa looks worried, looks at me for a moment, then rushes into the house. I do not really understand.
The mother took my hand, and pulled me into the house. His face, which had previously been eager to see the twilight, became unconcerned. The sun hasn't set yet. It's a moment that lovers of the beauty of twilight will never miss.
"You wait in your room, Ken. Don't go out yet." The mother said then left me with the door closed.
I looked at the window which showed the beauty of the sunset. But it didn't last long, I was distracted by the sound of the two of them arguing. I tried to open the door a little, so I could hear them.
"Anyway I don't want to!" Mother said firmly.
"Not! You hear me now! You go now with Kenzie! I'll be fine here." Said the father.
"Okay you say!? If it's fine then why don't you let me stay?" Mother asked.
A silent voice, he was silent, took a breath, "Ma… Please hear me out this time. This is my last request to you. I just want to minimize the risk that will happen." He grabbed the mother's shoulder.
"Pa...."
"Please, just this once. You don't have to worry. I'll pick you up when the business here is done." While kissing the forehead.
I saw the mother nodded slightly. He didn't say anything but seemed to comply with his request.
"I don't have much time. Quickly go through the back. I will get their attention from the front." Papa stepped forward. Peeking from the window.
The mother came to the room. I went to bed. He opened the door, then stopped at the door frame, his face slightly surprised. He seemed to notice that I opened the door and overheard their conversation.
He approached me, he sat beside me. Picked up his cell phone, typed something. His face looked sad and tense at the same time. He typed for a long time. I don't know who he sent the message to. I do not see it. Gradually, while typing. The mother was in tears. Just for a moment, he immediately wiped away his tears.
The mother changed her sitting position facing in front of me.
"Kenzie…" He held my face in both hands, "You listen to mummy, please."
I just nodded not knowing what was going on.
"Kenzie…. you run as far as possible. Whatever happens, you have to keep running. Never look back."
"Uhh.." I replied, nodding. Somehow I feel this request is a request that I must comply without asking too much.
The sound and vibration of the cellphone woke me up from the dream that had been in my sleep at night. Still in a semi-conscious state, I took the cellphone, turned off the alarm. I can still sleep 30 more minutes, the first alarm shows 5:30 am.
I closed my eyes again and the phone rang again. Damn, this can't be the second alarm. I just closed.
I looked back at the clock on my cellphone, it was already 6:00 in the morning. For some reason, 30 minutes feels like 5 seconds. I have to get up and get ready for school.
I set three alarms. 5.30 for the first alarm, 6.00 for the second alarm and the last alarm that could give me a heart attack because of the volume, at 6.15. Usually when I'm tired, I don't wake up easily by the first two alarms, so I set up multiple alarms. It also works, if I wake up and still want to laze around, I don't have to bother setting the alarm again.
***
After bathing and getting dressed, I always sit and think "Do you have work today or is there something important?". Instantly I remembered something important. Today there was a delivery of the vision and mission for the candidate for the OSIS chairman, immediately I immediately took a notebook and wrote an outline of my vision and mission. Even though it's irregular I can manipulate it with my public speaking skills. I don't know why, when I speak in front of many people, it's pretty good. And there's just an idea that out of nowhere crossed my head, or maybe the idea just came out of my mouth without crossing my mind. Actually I didn't intend to become the student council president, but my classmates forced me in order to beat the class of those smart and arrogant kids. Because of that reason, I ran for student council president, after all, their candidate for president was a woman who often ranked 1st in general for 2 consecutive semesters.
"Ken, our generation can't be led by a woman, it's a shame. And only you Ken can be his rival, you're ranked 1st in our class." Said my classmate who forced me to run.
During 2 semesters I was ranked 1st in the class, but our class was just an ordinary class. Not a special class like Rachel's class. During those 2 semesters, he also received a general rank of 1, which means that his average score was the highest among our class. I don't really care about rankings, never even tried to get them. Every time I take an exam, I never study. Indeed, when learning materials in class, I always pay attention to the teacher who teaches, trying to understand and solve the problems given. But I'm not that interested in studying alone at home or repeating the existing material, sometimes during exams there are moments where I forget the formulas or terms that appear in the questions. Usually my other abilities will activate.
Cheating. Well cheated my own book to see the formulas and terms I forgot. Not cheating on a friend's exam paper on the side.
"I guess that's enough for a little note."
Vision and mission completed in 5 minutes. I laughed at myself for making this so quickly. Actually, in delivering something, whether it's a speech, oration or the like, the most important thing is the core of our goal, the way we deliver is also very important, compared to detailed and neat notes but not presented in an attractive way. The essence of this vision and mission speech is how to get people who listen to agree and agree with our ideas, try to influence them. Eye gaze is also an important aspect, must be full of confidence by looking at the people who are listening. How can we convince others if we are not sure ourselves, right?
I reached for my cell phone which rang, there was a message coming in.
"Ken, haven't you forgotten? It's the day of our fight." Whatsapp from Arvin.
"It's okay, I just finished the vision and mission notes. I smirked at my own reply.
"When did you make it?"
"Just 5 minutes ago, and even then almost forgot to make it." I laughed a little.
"Hahaha, you have a habit of taking things for granted, Ken. Watch out for bad speech."
"It's okay, my friend, this is called the power of suffocation."
"Okay, don't be late for school, you won't fight later, your image is already bad. You've been deliberately slow all this time so you don't go to the morning apple."
"Yeah, you know, you guys are forcing me to nominate me. OK, I'll get ready first." I put my phone away and got ready to go.
There was a knock on the door, "Ken, have breakfast first. Mama's ready."
"Later at school ma, I'm in a hurry." I said.
"Mama's been fighting for breakfast, you don't even want to."
I immediately opened the door to see my mother standing in front of me with a hopeful face.
"Yes ma, I have breakfast..." I had to say yes. When I saw Mama's face like that, I didn't have the heart to refuse.
***
"Mom, I'll say goodbye." I said goodbye and quickly left.
It's 6:30, no more, no less. My school would start at exactly seven o'clock, no more and no less. While the distance between my house and school is about 30 minutes, and even then without a hitch. Damn I'm going slow.
I quickly rode my motorbike through the back alley of the house, because this road was faster than the highway. I drove at a speed that was quite stressful for some people. In ten minutes it will be here, good luck.
From a distance I saw a woman in the same uniform as me walking, I think she was also slow, especially on foot.
"Let's go together?" I offered him a lift before I saw his face. "Hey Rachel?" To my surprise, it turned out to be Rachel.
"Hey Kenzie. It's okay I just walk, it's close." Reject Rachel. Maybe it's because we're not close or maybe it's because he's....
"Come on, we're already slow, let's go up." I'm a little pushy, it's impossible to let him walk while I just pass him right.
"Yeah, thank you."
On the way I opened a conversation,
"You seem quite ready, Rachel."
"Not really, but the vision and mission have been fixed for a long time." He answered casually and sounded a little haughty. Maybe, or just me.
"It's cool, everything is ready. Weapons and ammunition are ready, it's still time to fire." I slightly commend his readiness, he is always at war fully armed
"It's stupid, it's like that. How about you, Ken?" he asked back.
"Well you know, I'm not the type to prepare detailed plans, but prefer to improvise."
"But we are nominating as chairman of the organization, so everything has to be planned."
"It's not that I'm stupid. It may seem like it, but my work style is closer to random energy spikes than a methodical and organized approach." I turn off the motor and we have arrived.
"Yes, everyone is different, by the way, thanks for the delivery, but I'm still aggressive for a while. I won't give up one bit. Get ready…" Rachel smirked.
I gave a small laugh, "It's okay, calm down, I brought you not for other purposes and purposes." I smirked.
"Come on, Ken. The apples have already started."
I ran with Rahel while looking at the clock it was 7:07, I think I was driving a motorbike slowly because I was busy chatting.
***
"Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Peace be upon us all. Today is our first day of school this week after you were off yesterday, I hope that your energy for studying has been replenished and you are always eager to receive lessons from the teachers. Stay disciplined, because disciplined people will always be used in the world of work. We all know that developed countries prioritize discipline, we take the example in Japan there, even discipline is taught from an early age such as the culture of queuing, being on time, greetings and so on. Even though your grades are good in your studies, being undisciplined is useless. Discipline is like a multiplier, no matter how high the value of the lesson is when multiplied by 0, the result is still 0. So remember your message."
Rahel and I lined up in the slow people section, Arvin saw me from where he was lining up. Even though from far away I can see his face looks irritated because of my delay, but also looks a little surprised. Maybe surprised to see Rachel lined up beside me.
"In a moment, there will be a speech and debate for the candidate for the OSIS Chair, I hope you will choose the right person, a disciplined person. The point is that the student council president candidate is a role model for other students."
"Those in the slow row, come forward here." Pak Raka's voice sounded angry. We stepped forward towards the place usually reserved for slow people. Just to be lectured or to show us. But for me this is normal. And it doesn't make me feel ashamed. That slows down quite a lot.
"Oh my gosh, it turns out that Kenzie, our student council president candidate, is slow, this is what you mean. How do you want to be a leader? If you can't give a role model to others." Mr. Raka just reprimanded me. Looks like he hasn't seen Rachel yet.
"Sorry sir, I'm also slow, my dad's motorbike suddenly broke down." Rachel swiftly raised her hand.
"Oh… you're slow Rachel too. I commend your courage to admit that you are slow, even though you may not see it." Mr. Raka looks happy.
"So children, discipline is important. But there is always the X factor that makes us undisciplined, such as being late to school because of unexpected things, if that's the case, you can forgive me. You can follow Rachel's example, she admits her mistake and apologizes. That's an example of a leader with a big heart." Pak Raka praised Rahel just because Rahel raised her hand? Even though we were both late. I smirked, thinking of an idea to reply to Mr. Raka.
"Excuse me sir, can I borrow the MIC?" I raise my hand
"I would like to commend Rachel for her discipline and apologize to everyone for my delay."
"Okay" Pak Raka agreed. I walked over to Pak Raka's place, took the MIC.
"Thank you for the opportunity given by Mr. Raka, first of all I apologize for my delay in attending the morning assembly, I'm sorry I can't be a good example as a potential leader."
Mr. Raka looks happy, he probably thinks I will withdraw from the nomination for Student Council President.
I took a breath and gave a half smile.
"I want to mention a little about discipline. Discipline itself is a feeling of obedience and obedience to the values that are believed to be their responsibility. We all know that in the election of the OSIS Chair, everything has been arranged, when to speak, when to campaign and so on. I believe that Pak Raka understands more about discipline itself, but sometimes we forget to apply it without realizing it. Just a few minutes ago Pak Raka talked about discipline itself but broke it right then and there." Everyone who followed the morning apple was curious as to what I meant. Tense faces were painted on all the students, including Pak Raka as well.
I glanced up at the ceiling for a moment. Then look back at the faces of my friends
"We all know that teachers must be neutral in this election, but Pak Raka has clearly demonstrated your own faults by supporting one of the candidates. Whether consciously or not, you dropped me who was nominating the Student Council Chair because I was not disciplined, but without realizing that the other candidate was also in the same box as me. And that's when my father praised him even though it was too late. We already know it together. Discipline doesn't really use excuses, it's called slow, slow. So both of us as student council president candidates apologize for not being perfect leaders in terms of discipline." I said with a slight tilt of the body, facing Mr. Raka.
I turned back to face everyone, as if this was already the stage for a speech. "Actually, for me, what is more important than discipline itself is empathy. Remember, do we all have the same problem? Do we have the same abilities? We are all different, no one is exactly the same. Some are economically weak, or some are in trouble. Can that discipline be equalized?"
I glanced at Pak Raka, his face was red.
"Everyone who is slow has different reasons, we don't even know which reasons are real and which ones are fake. But is it fair to punish slow people with excuses like Rachel? I do not think so! Isn't discipline obedient to the values we believe in? if so, why do we make rules that even box someone as an undisciplined person? We can just delete the rule, so that there are no violations and no one is said to be undisciplined just because they are 5 minutes late for the morning assembly. Why not make rules that are fairer and have a high sense of empathy without having to turn off everyone's creativity." I paused for a moment and took a breath. Some of my friends' faces lit up, especially my classmates. Actually I don't know what I'm talking about myself. Just say...
"So I say again, don't underestimate people who are not disciplined by the naked eye. They have a problem that may be severe. We'd rather have a high sense of empathy than a high sense of discipline. Let's support our school together with the rules that we agree on together, not the rules that are agreed upon by the elites." Pak Raka suddenly grabbed the MIC that I was holding.
"Sorry sir..." I quipped, then smiled. I stepped back into the line.
"Sorry Rachel, I stole the start first. I know what your apology meant. Put your hands up and try to steal the limelight with a positive image." I laughed sarcastically.
"I didn't mean anything." He said annoyed. He bit his lower lip. He must be annoyed that I lost one of his support pieces.
Several teachers came out to see my short speech which dared to directly attack Pak Raka who was playing a cheat.