"You don't have to, Mom. Your cooking is good enough for me," Dinda said.
"In that case, I don't have to look for a housekeeper to help cook," Ida said with a smile.
"for sure. But, aren't you tired when you have to cook? When you come home from work, it's always late at night,"
"Dinda, listen. Dad is gone now. He has left us forever. I only have you and your brother now. For your future, I will never feel tired. I promise,"
"Okay, mommy," Dinda answered, obediently.
"If I could earn my own money, I would help mommy," Dinda thought.
A few minutes later, the Salted Fish Fried Rice was finished. The aroma tempts the nose and tongue to have a taste.
Ida put the cooked fried rice from the pan on each plate.
"Are you done making the tea, Dinda?"
"It's all good mom. I'll put it there,"
"Good. Do you want to try the fried rice?"
"I am craving it," Dinda said, enthusiastically.
Dinda took a small spoon and tasted 10 grains of fried rice made by her mother. When the rice touched her tongue, Dinda's right hand spontaneously pointed a thumb at her mother.
"How does it taste, Dinda? Is it good?"
"It's delicious as well as savoury, Mom. I will be carving for it again,"
"sure thing, honey.. well, let's bring it to the dining table. Don't forget the mineral water and tea," Mrs Ida said.
"Aye aye."
Ida and Dinda arranged food and drinks on the dining table while waiting for the guests to finish praying the midday prayer. At 1 p.m., the sound of chatter came from the direction of the prayer room.
"Dinda, it looks like they've finished praying. Try calling them here to eat," said his mother.
"Sure, mom. I'll call them first,"
"Okay, Dinda."
Dinda approached them in the prayer room. Sure enough, the three of them had finished carrying out one of the five daily prayers.
"Mr Cipto, Adil, Novan, let's go to the kitchen first. Let's have lunch," Dinda said.
Without many questions and comments, the three of them followed Dinda's invitation to go to the kitchen room. In the kitchen, Mrs Ida greeted them and invited them to sit down.
"Make yourself at home, Mr Cipto, Adil, Novan," Ida said.
"Sorry to bother you, ma'am," Novan said.
"It's nothing, Novan,"
"Thank you, ma'am, for cooking us lunch," Mr Cipto continued.
"You're welcome, Mr Cipto,"
"Let's eat. Let's pray first. Dinda, lead the prayer,"
"Yes, mom."
They had Lunched together at Dinda's house while raining. The presence of the guests made Dinda feel entertained.
"If only every day there is an atmosphere of gathering like this, it will be crowded at home," Dinda thought while eating fried rice.
"Mr Cipto, Adil, Novan, they eat well. They must be really hungry," Dinda thought.
Seeing Dinda who was thinking, like daydreaming, Mrs Ida patted her right shoulder.
"Dinda, please eat your food. How come you're daydreaming,"
"Hehehe. I'm not daydreaming, Mom. I just love watching Adil and Novan eat,"
"What's wrong with us, Dinda?" Adil joked.
"You eat with Gusto," Dinda said.
"We're hungry, Dinda. Pardon me," Adil said.
"Pardon Adil, Dinda. Sometimes he tends to embarrass,"
"And you thinking you don't?" Adil teased.
"Sorry, I'm not," Novan said.
"see, you are overconfident," Adil said.
"It's okay. How come you're even fighting," Dinda said, smiling.
Lunch was still going on and only finished at half past 2 in the afternoon, as the rain stopped.
Not only finishing the food, Mr Cipto, Adil, and Novan also helped wash the dishes, clean up the cutlery and drink, and dispose of the food waste in the places provided.
After everything was settled, the three of them excused themselves to go home.
"Ma'am, I'm leaving first," Cipto said.
"We too, ma'am," Adil continued, representing Novan.
"Okay. Be careful on the road. Thank you for accompanying the pilgrimage to Dinda's father's,"
"Why are you in such a hurry to go home?" Dinda Asked.
"I need to go for karate at 3 this afternoon at junior high 4,"
"It's 3 pm, it's now only 2 pm," Dinda said.
"I want to come earlier, Dinda," Adil said.
"I need to as well, Dinda. This afternoon there is a thanksgiving at home," Novan said.
"Well, if that's the case, come again sometime," Dinda said.
"Okay," Adil and Novan said at the same time.
"Well, what you take to home, Novan?" Dinda asked.
"I took a public car, Dinda," Novan answered.
"What about you, Adil?"
"I'm with Mr Cipto," Adil replied.
"Mr. Cipto, I'm going to junior high school 4," Adil said.
"Okay ..," Mr Cipto replied.
The guests left Dinda's residence. As a result, only Dinda and her mother were left at home.
Novan had entered the city transportation route Tanjung Karang-Garuntang. Meanwhile, Mr Cipto and Adil ride a motorbike.
The motorbike driven by Mr Cipto started tracing the road towards junior high 4 Bandar Lampung.
"Do You practice karate every Sunday, Adil?"
"Yes, Mr Cipto. Starting at 3 pm until half past 5," Adil said.
"What you take on to go home?"
"Usually I take a public car, Mr Cipto,"
"Is it still work on a Sunday afternoon?"
"Yes, sir. As long as I don't come late. At night, there is no public transportation anymore," Adil replied.
"In junior high 4, where did the children who practice karate come from, Adil?"
" There are those from junior high 1, 2, 3, 4. But for those who are still in 6th grade, there are only 3 people. It's me and 2 people from Rawa Laut 1 elementary school," Adil replied.
"Wow. Good job on your training, Adil. Who knows when you are in junior high or high school, you will be able to excel through karate,"
"Amen, Mr Cipto," Adil smiled sweetly.
"If you have graduated from elementary school, don't break your relationship with me, Adil," Cipto hoped.
"Sure thing, Mr Cipto. Adil promises not to break up with you," Adil said.
"Good then,"
Mr Cipto continued to ride his motorbike until he arrived at the gate of junior high 4 Bandar Lampung. Junior high 4 is one of the schools that has a good image in the eyes of the citizens of Bandar Lampung.
A myriad of achievements was born from this school. Not surprisingly, many parents want their children to study here.
"I will go home first. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"Yes, Mr Cipto. Thank you," Adil said, watching Mr Cipto pass.
From the right, a boy his age approached him while saying,
"Adil! Wait!"