After finishing her meal in a hurry, Arya immediately walked away towards Juragan Untung's vegetable field. His heart was full of enthusiasm, he wanted to prove that even though he was still young, he could work as hard as an adult.
When we got there, the sun was directly overhead. The workers were seen sitting cross-legged, enjoying their lunch break under the shade of a tree.
"Arya! Come here first, eat together!!" Juragan Untung exclaimed in a loud but warm voice, when he saw the figure of the teenager coming.
"Ready, Juragan. Sorry, I already ate at home," answered Arya politely, as he approached and sat in a circle with the gentlemen who were eating the packaged rice.
"How is your school, Ar? Isn't the report card distributed today?" asked Juragan Untung again, his eyes full of admiration.
Juragan Untung knows very well Arya's life journey. Her parents died when Arya was still a toddler, and she was raised by her grandmother with great love. Her grandmother really hopes that Arya can become a successful person, so she is willing to send her to the best school in town. However, a year ago his grandmother died. What amazed Juragan Untung even more was that Arya did not immediately break down or despair. The teenager instead chose to shrug his shoulders, working hard to be able to finish school.
"Oh, Lord... don't ask about school! You'll always be number one, right Ar?" said Kang Memet, interrupting the conversation proudly.
"Hehehe... Thank God, Kang. Just try your best," answered Arya briefly, but there was a look of pride radiating from her shady eyes.
"If you need anything, just tell me, Ar. Don't hesitate, I'll definitely help you," said Juragan Untung gently, looking at the young man who was now enjoying the atmosphere of having lunch with them.
"Thank you very much, Skipper. Just being able to work with you, I feel very grateful," replied Arya sincerely, her tone full of appreciation.
"Well, this is a cigarette. After eating if you don't smoke, it feels like the world is empty," offered Juragan, handing him a cigarette.
Arya smiled faintly, "That's right, Juragan. Let's live a simple life, as long as after eating we can smoke, our heart will feel calm." He took the cigarette and lit it. Thin smoke rose, as if for a moment his tiredness was blown away by the wind.
"Hahahahaha... Your style is a winner, Ar!" Kang Memet burst into laughter, followed by the laughter of the other workers who were also entertained.
"Okay, if you've finished eating and smoking, let's get back to work! Big Boss has been waiting for these vegetables. If we're late, we'll be the ones in trouble," shouted Juragan Untung giving orders.
Arya immediately got up with burning enthusiasm. Sweat began to drip down his clothes, but his hands never stopped moving. He worked so hard that time passed so quickly without realizing it.
The wall clock in the sky seemed to be moving quickly, and now the sun was starting to slowly set, marking five o'clock in the afternoon. It's time to go home.
"Arya, this is your salary for this week. Later, when it's time to plant the seeds, I'll let you know again. Be frugal, don't spend it on a spree," said Juragan Untung while handing him a brown envelope.
"Ready, Master! Thank you. If you have work, just let me know, I'll be ready," answered Arya, smiling broadly at the envelope.
However, behind his smile, there was a hint of disappointment that crept into his heart. Actually, this school holiday he plans to work full time, to earn as much money as possible. Apparently, the work here is finished.
With heavy but firm steps, Arya walked home.
Now, Arya only lives alone with her aunt, Aunt Aida. After her grandmother left, Aida was the only family she had left. Aida also has a sad story; In the past, she was often a victim of domestic violence by her husband. Having nowhere to go and no longer able to survive, he chose to divorce and now works odd jobs, including making tempeh chips, to cover his daily needs. They both live in the house left by Grandma Imah, simple but full of memories.
When he got home, Arya immediately took a shower and changed clothes to feel fresher.
"Ar, let's eat first, the rice is ready!" shouted Aunt Aida from the kitchen.
"Ready, Sis! Just a moment," said Arya.
They sat side by side on the mat. The dinner menu is simple: boiled papaya leaves, shrimp paste chili sauce and salted fish. However, they ate it with gusto, because of hunger and the warmth of togetherness.
"Sister, here... please buy rice," said Arya quietly, then placed a two hundred thousand rupiah note on the small table in front of Aunt Aida. The money is the result of his hard work today.
"Ah, no need, Ar. Just save it for you. Auntie still has money," said Aida gently, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at her nephew.
Aida's face looked sad. He does work making tempeh chips, but the results are only enough for daily food, just barely.
"Earlier I got a total of three hundred thousand, Sis. I have saved one thousand for my school needs later," explained Arya, trying to convince her.
"Yes... thank you, son. Auntie, keep it for now," said Aida, finally taking the money with slightly trembling hands, her heart felt heavy but full of emotion.
Every time she received money from Arya, Aida's feelings were mixed. He felt he had failed, felt useless because he had not been able to provide a decent life for his nephew. While Arya's friends are busy playing games, having fun or going on holiday, Arya has to work hard and sweat to help support both of them. The tears almost fell, but he quickly wiped them away, trying to be strong in front of Arya.
Suddenly, Arya remembered the ring left by her grandmother and looked up at the cupboard. Accidentally, he saw a small, worn-looking envelope there.
So far, Arya has never paid attention to the top of the cupboard when cleaning her late grandmother's room.
Out of curiosity, Arya took the envelope and opened it. Apparently, inside there was a red letter.
"My granddaughter Arya, if you find this letter, it means that grandma is no longer there. My granddaughter Arya, in this envelope write a ring inherited from generations of our family ancestors. Wear it, if you are lucky and chosen by the ring, then your life will be full of luck. However, don't ever think that the inheritance ring that grandma gave you has a cultivation technique or small world in it. That ring will only bring luck to your life. Grandma loves you very much." Arya, who read the letter left by Grandma Imah, didn't even shed a tear.
Arya also used the ring, without realizing it, she felt the warmth from inside the ring flowing into her body.
Until finally Arya fell into a deep sleep, due to the energy entering her body,