"hey, Mang. Did you come here too?"
"Well, Adil. You just arrived here, don't you?"
"Yeah, Mang. Well, let's go in,"
"Come on, Adil," Komang said.
Komang was the kid who greeted Adil just now. He was a 6th grader at Rawa Laut 1 elementary school, the same age as Adil but in different schools.
Komang and Adil only meet once a week, it was during karate training activities like this afternoon.
Usually, karate training was held every Sunday afternoon in junior high 4 Bandar Lampung. There are not many children who take part in the training because it is not easy to get students to want to practice on school holidays.
Mr Supriyono was the coach, fondly called Senpai Supri by the children who took part in karate training. Every day, Supriyono works as a security officer at this school and develops karate extracurricular activities.
Adil and Komang sat relaxed on the edge of the schoolyard, waiting for friends and coaches to arrive. This afternoon, the school atmosphere was very quiet as it was a holiday. The sun's rays gradually shone again, after hiding behind the overcast clouds.
"This school is one of your favourite schools, right, Adil?" Komang said.
"Yeah. Apart from junior high 1, 2, and 25. That's my favourite school that I know," said Adil.
"In your opinion, isn't it important to differentiate between the names of schools that are favourite and those that aren't? I just want to know your opinion," Komang said, curious.
"It can be both, Mang," Adil replied.
"Where is the importance, Adil?"
"We know which schools have good quality so that they become people's favourites. We also have a sense of pride, right if we can study in places with good quality teachers and good facilities,"
"Hmm. It's true what you said," Komang said.
"But it is not necessary as well,"
"Well, this is what I want to know," Komang enthusiastically said.
"Every child has the right to get a good education. In my opinion, the quality of all schools should be good, so that all of them become favourite schools. If people make a difference between their favourite one or other, I feel sorry for the suburban schools that don't get noticed," Adil said.
"Wow. It makes sense, Adil. It's really a brave answer," Komang said.
"Hahaha. Well. That was just my opinion,"
"Hehehe. So, do you want to go to this school?" Komang asked, he meant junior high 4.
"I don't know yet. What is clear is that my father wants me to be able to attend a public junior high school, whether it's a favourite school or not," Adil answered.
"Success for your wish to study at a State Junior High School, Adil," Komang said.
"Amen. You too, Mang,"
"Amen, Adil,"
"By the way, which middle school do you want to go to, Mang? Now it's my turn to ask,"
"This junior high, Adil. Apart from my own wishes, junior high 4 is not far from my house. If I was accepted here, I would just walk home from school," Komang answered.
"Hmm. Where is your house?"
"Near Gelael Supermarket, around here,"
"well, I see. It's good to just walk, it's already arrived, it's good to walk too," Adil said.
"That's right, Adil. Where is your house, Adil?"
"I'm far from here, near junior high 7," Adil said.
"It's not bad if you walk from here," Komang joked.
"Well, Mang. It's crazy to walk from here, sorry my feet won't bear that," Adil teased a little.
A few moments later, at 2:45 p.m., Supriyono and the other children who were going to take part in karate training had already started arriving in the schoolyard. In fifteen minutes, practice will begin.
"Let's move closer, Adil,"
"you can go First, Mang. I will follow. I want to call my father first," Adil said.
Since he didn't bring a cellphone, Adil went to the public telephone booth on the edge of the schoolyard. In his trouser pocket, there were still 5 coins worth one hundred rupiahs. More than enough for a phone call, just telling his father.
First of all, Adil picked up the receiver. Second, he inserts 3 coins into the coin hole on the phone. Third, he dialled the 6-digit number of his home phone number, preceded by a 4-digit number as the area code, 0721.
Shortly after, Adil connected to his house. His own father immediately picked up the phone from him.
"Hello. Assalamu'alaikum. Who is talking?"
"Hello. Wa'alaikumsalam. It's me Adil,"
"Ooo, it's you. What's wrong, Adil? Have you finished visiting your friend's father's pilgrimage?"
"Well, Dad. This is me in junior high 4 now. I want to tell dad if I want to practice karate first, like usual,"
"Okay, Adil. After practice, go home right away. If it's late, public transportation rarely passes, right,"
"Yes, Dad. I finished training at half-past five in the afternoon," Adil said.
"Well, if that's the case, Adil. Be enthusiastic about the training. I support you," Mr Bambang said.
"Yes, dad. Thank you for encouraging me. See you at home. Assalamu'alaikum," Adil said.
"Yes, son. Wa'alaikumsalam," Mr. Bambang said.
Adil ended the conversation with his father on the phone. In seven minutes, practice will begin.
Adil goes to the bathroom afterwards to change his clothes from casual clothes to clothes for karate practice.
After he finished changing his clothes, Adil met with Senpai Supriyono and joined the children in the training.
"Good afternoon, Senpai," said Adil.
"Good Afternoon, Adil. How are you? Are you good? You are always enthusiastic when exercising,"
"Thank God, Senpai. How about you?"
"Alhamdulillah, I am good and healthy, Adil. Come on, get in the line right away. We'll start training soon,"
"Yes, Senpai."
Exactly at 3 pm, karate practice began. Before entering the warm-up movement, Senpai Supriyono ordered the children who participated in the exercise to pray first to the Creator.
"Children, let's pray according to our respective religions and beliefs. Start praying,"
When Adil was practising karate, Novan was still in the city transportation. Still travelling back to his house which is located near the Tanjung Karang Train Station.
Novan reached into his trouser pocket, looking for his wallet, which he remembers keeping there.
"Wow. Where's my wallet? Did I leave it at home or at Dinda's place? But when I left it at home, I brought my wallet with me," Novan said, worried.
The city transportation he was taking had just passed Tamin Main Market. It took another 10 minutes to arrive at Tanjung Karang Train Station, where Novan planned to get off.
"Wow, if I lose my wallet, my student card and extracurricular membership card are gone too. Besides my money as well," Novan thought.
"Then, what do I get to pay for public transportation?"