Short Story : "Spirit of Hope"

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Tinnn ..... tiin ... tiiin .... A rowdy noise that used to be heard in city streets. Dust, smoke, pollution are all mixed up. The atmosphere becomes stuffy and very hot. Trash is still visible on the sides of the road. The red light is on. The children scattered to the street. Some are wearing little guitars there are also carrying bottle caps are arranged in such a way that can accompany the chant of the song they sang. Stop and sing on every car doors. Unfinished their song a few pieces of coins already in hand. Then they looked down as a sign of gratitude. The green lights came on, they pulled over to the curb.

The children scattered with their own goals. Street children, always wandering the streets all day. The two little childrens wandering around the little merchandise were not as busy as the children. Fun hanging out on the roadside bench. Worse yet both are absorbed in smoking a cigarette without any guilt. Though they are still small. Newest in fifth grade elementary school. They both joked and just looked at the street. Then from the right side they walked with a rush of a girl wearing a blue-white uniform with a bag on her back. Her style looks slum walking toward the two children.

"Hehh! You! Who wants to hang out here! "He yelled and beat the childrens.

"What's more, you smoke? You stupid! You naughty! You want to die! "The girl grabs a cigarette from the hands of the two children.

"Oh, sick ..." the childrens whimpered. The girl grabbed two childrens arm and dragged to walk. The childrens did not stop moaning in pain.

They stop in front of a building almost destroyed. Fixed with patches. The building was made a place to live by the street children. Apparently the girl was very furious with the two childrens. Her round eyes indicated that she was very angry.

"Why do not you doing?"

"We work. We're taking a break. Tired to way to terminal. "

"Just until the terminal tired, rest first. Huh! No need to spoil! You guys want to be good. Tired of a little moan. What the hell. Continue, who did you have to quit? Heh? "The two children looked down. No one wants to speak up.

"Why not answer ?!" the children paused. "You are still small. You know not, anyway. If you just smoking you want to die! You know! Where did you spend the money on the cigarettes? From your sales? Yes? I told you, all your results are saved! Make it your school! Not for snacks! Especially to buy cigarettes! Your base! all this time listening to my speech is not? "the children sighed for a moment. Both childerns were still silent.

"I warned you again. If tomorrow you are still smoking again, look out for you! Want to be caught by the police? Heh ?! Get in there! "

The teenage girl was named Puput. She is now in third grade of junior high school. Beautiful children but with a firm and hard nature. Only one hope at this time, can continue the school and street children who she already considered as her sister could go to school like herself. Therefore it seems that is very hard on them. They must go forward, it is impossible for them to live on the road.

Already almost 11 years They lives on the road. It's impossible not to feel bored. Especially in such a difficult environment. not to mention threats whenever they can be caught by the police. As the oldest child, Puput is responsible. Doing what she should do to her siblings. In that little place her lives with four other children. They are all still elementary school children.

Tonight it's time for Puput to prepare a simple meal. Rice with a side dish of omelette divided into five. Already used to Puput should eat without side dishes.
"You guys do not do anything, yes. If you have to work, yes work. Do not think of anything else. Do not try it. If you have to shine shoes, just do it. It should be selling. In addition to what I ordered do not have to do anything else. Especially you guys! Didin, Ono! If you repeat tomorrow, I do not care if you die on the road! understand? "Puput advice that sounds very firm for children. Puput just do not want children falling on bad things.

"Yes ..." they replied in unison.

The next morning, they were getting ready each. Arranging her hawk goods. The tools of polish. And its cake. Yes, Puput does not teach them to sing or beg for like other children. Although the results are not much, but that's enough to teach them to work hard. While Puput itself school from morning until noon, after that must be porters of flour in the market.

This afternoon Puput did not find Didin and Ono selling at the place he usually passes. In their house was not there. Suddenly a madam she used to meet in the market came.

"Puput .. Didin and Ono had come caught by the police .. !!" said the madam was breathless. Puput so panic. She thought hard and worried.

"Thank you, madam." She then ran away without having had time to change clothes first.

Sure the police office is full of street people. But Puput has not found Didin and Ono. Apparently they were sitting in front of the police. Why to ask questions.

"What are you doing in that place? You guys also party there? Where do you get? "Asked the police repeatedly. Didin, Ono, with the bandits. Bad, mischievous kids.

"We do not use drugs, sir. We just play ... break .. "said Didin trembling. Hah? Drugs? So they are accused of a drug party ?.

"But you also smoke! Is that all? "

"Sorry, Sir. So you accused the boy of this drug party? "Puput said interrupted the tension.

"Who are you anymore? Go there if there's no need! So disturbing!"

"I'm their sister, sir."

"Oh really? Then you also participate in the party? "

"I told you they were not a party of drugs, sir. How do you know they're a drug party? "

"Heh! It had always been their place. The boys also saw it for themselves. Not satisfied plus smoking, "said the police officer pointed to the recalcitrant bandits. Puput really annoyed. The boys' basics lie. Surely they are making it up to harm Didin and Ono.

"So you believe them? Should not all be accompanied by evidence, sir? Then if they really use drugs, why are they okay now? Is not a drug user always a strange? They're not users, sir. The boys are lying! They accuse others, but they do it themselves, sir! "

"Hey! She's a lie, sir! "The stubborn boys sobbed.

"What? You're a lie! It's obvious you guys wear! Look, sir! They went crazy like that."

"Heh! Liar, She's the accuser! "

"Stop! Stop! "Snapped the police officer banging on the table. "This is a police office! Do not make a fuss! "Moments later all became silent.

"OK. Later you will be at the shelter. "

"The two of them, too, sir?"

"Of course!"

"But they're not singers or beggars like the rest, sir. They are selling. Not a beggar, sir. "Puput protested.
"The same. They are recalcitrant street children. The little boy is already smoking. Just wait for you to be moved later. "The policeman left. Dizzy apparently facing the children.

"Sir, I beg you. They are my litle brother, sir. "Puput held his hand. then he kneels. Didin and Ono who had been silent for fear, so shocked. "Do not take them, sir. I will be responsible for them. I will punish them if they dare to be naughty again, dare to smoke again, sir. I beg you to believe me, sir. I'm in school, sir. Look at my uniform. You believe in me. "Unexpectedly Puput shed tears. The policeman looked at the uniform that Puput used.

Didin and Ono walked slowly. Stepping after Puput who had been silent. They both looked down at nothing. Their shabby faces, their shabby clothes dusted make them even more pathetic. Suddenly Puput turned his eyes sharply on the two children.

"You children are stubborn. I have to know how you can understand. "Puput stifled his temper. Ran into the house that is far from simple.

Puput is still silent tonight. Tomorrow's off, so Puput is a bit unconcerned with the lesson. Sitting up at the sky, She tired off today on the small bench in front of the house. Didi and Ono timidly approached Puput sitting beside her. Puput turned away still did not want to see them.

"Sorry, sister. We were wrong. Sister Puput may punish us. "Didit finally spoke.

"Yes sister, We are stubborn. We are afraid to make sister Puput cry. We will work hard from now on. We will be diligent selling. We also can help sister Puput in the market. We want school too. "Ono assured. Puput turned towards them.

"Sister? This is the first time I've heard you call me like that. "

"We are two your litle brothers, right?" Puput just messed up the hair of the two children. Didin and Ono happily apparently managed to apologize to Puput.

Today Puput face is lit up. She walked happily with the luggage in her hand. The children greeted her in surprise. Asked what she was carrying. School uniform apparently. The children are happy to be delighted. They are happy to be in school soon.

Starting today, their schedule changes. Morning until noon they school, just in the afternoon they return to work. Puput can smile happily. Yes, everything is surely nothing is impossible. Now what she wanted that she thought was limited to wishful thinking can be realized. If we want, we can.

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