At Harapan Muda Middle School, Ratna wasn't alone. She had two older siblings: Romi and Ratmi. They were only a year apart in age, just like baby rabbits—one every year.
The three of them were known for being quiet and not very good at socializing.
Unexpectedly, the trio caught the attention of the Guidance and Counseling Teacher. At that school, there was a psychologist who liked to observe "problematic" children. For some reason, that day she called Ratna and handed her a letter to be given to her parents.
Usually, Ratna’s mother came for school matters. But this time the letter was different. Her father’s name was explicitly written as the one who had to meet Ms. Susi, the school psychologist.
Ratna’s father was furious. He had to take a day off work just to attend a summons that he considered trivial.
“Sir, I apologize. We were forced to call you because your three children have social issues,” explained Ms. Susi with a spirited tone. “They are completely incapable of socializing. Other children play together, but your children isolate themselves in the classroom or the library.”
Ms. Susi was small, with shoulder-length short hair and dark skin.
That evening, Ratna’s father came home with a look of annoyance. He immediately recounted the events in front of his wife and children.
“That Ms. Susi has nothing better to do! How could I be summoned just for something like that?” he scoffed. “I told her, kittens socialize with kittens, baby goats with baby goats, and tigers with tigers. Well, human children must surely socialize with their own kind!”
Ratna, Romi, and Ratmi just looked at each other with innocent faces.
The lives of the Rikita children were simple. Their pocket money was just enough—only sufficient for the city transport and a small snack.
The school actually provided catering, but Ratna didn't join. She preferred to eat breakfast at home, and then eat again after school. If she bought a snack, it was only because there was an extra lesson. Usually, she could only afford one siomay (steamed fish dumpling) or a slice of bread.
Because of this, Ratna rarely hung out in the canteen. While her friends rushed out of class during the break, Ratna chose to stay quiet in the classroom or go to the library.
Sometimes, while waiting for her extracurricular activity, she brought her favorite packed lunch: soy sauce egg with onion and rice. Wrapped in simple plastic. She ate quietly in a corner of the canteen dining area.
The soy sauce egg with onion made by her mother always tasted delicious. Perhaps because it was cooked with love.
---
That afternoon, the Harapan Muda Middle School library felt deserted. The sound of the air conditioner whispered softly. Rows of English books were neatly arranged. In a corner of the room, there were large pillows on a carpet, while on the other side, tables and chairs were set up for reading.
For Ratna, the library was a place of refuge. Either out of shame for not having friends, or because she didn't have money to go to the canteen.
That day, Ratna was engrossed in a very interesting fiction book. She intended to borrow it. But without her realizing it, Rani and Vera were already standing behind her, giggling.
“Well, well... the good little student is reading a book,” Rani mocked, hitting Ratna’s shoulder hard.
Ratna turned with an unpleasant expression. Suddenly, Vera snatched the book from her hand.
“Give it back! I’m reading it!” Ratna exclaimed, annoyed, trying to take it back.
Rani laughed and pushed Ratna to sit down again. In a flash, Vera had run to the librarian’s desk to register the book.
Ratna yelled, “Give it back! That’s mine!”
But the sound of the air conditioner drowned out her scream.
From a distance, she could only see Vera smiling with satisfaction after successfully borrowing the book that should have been hers.
Ratna angrily swatted Rani’s hand away. But Rani slapped her cheek.
A surge of heat immediately rose to Ratna’s head. She stood up and retaliated. A fight became unavoidable. All eyes in the library were fixed on them.
Not long after, Ratna and Rani sat in Ms. Susi's office. In front of them were the School Principal, the librarian, and Ms. Susi herself.
“You both must deliver this letter to your respective parents,” Ms. Susi said firmly. “According to school regulations, fighting is not allowed! Aren't you ashamed, two girls fighting in public?”
“But, Ma’am...” Ratna tried to explain.
“No ‘buts’!” the Principal interrupted. “According to school regulations, you are both at fault. You must also write four folio pages with the phrase ‘I will not fight in school again’.”
Ratna and Rani walked out of the room with wrinkled clothes and messy hair. They stared sharply at each other, then turned away without a word.
---
Upon arriving home, Ms. Sari was shocked to see Ratna's uniform torn.
“Ratna, what is this?” her mother asked anxiously.
“She fought, Mom!” Ratmi exclaimed. “The school was in an uproar today!” she added.
“My sister is pretty cool, daring to fight,” Romi commented, laughing, seeing Ratna's hair looked like a rat that fell into a river.
Ratna scoffed, entered her room, and slammed the door. Tears flowed down her face. She was angry, disappointed, and also sad because the book she wanted to read had been snatched away.
Ms. Sari knocked softly.
“Ratna, open the door, dear. Mama wants to talk.”
Ratna didn't answer. She was afraid of being scolded.
---
That night, Ratna finally came out and showed the reprimand letter from the school.
“Mama, I’m not wrong...” she said, sobbing. “I was just defending myself. Vera snatched my book, Rani held me back. If you were me, Mama, would you just keep quiet?”
Her crying broke out.
“But the Principal wouldn't listen. I was still blamed.”
Ms. Sari read the letter, letting out a long sigh. There was a tight feeling in her chest. She stroked Ratna’s hair gently.
“Dear, Mama believes you,” she whispered softly.
Ms. Sari was a simple housewife. Although she was a graduate with a degree in economics, she chose to focus on taking care of her family. She was not the type who was good at speaking, but to her family, she was a source of warmth.
---
The next day, Ms. Sari came to school, replacing her husband who was reluctant to attend for fear of missing work.
But unlike Mr. Rikita who was loud, Ms. Sari was quiet. In the teachers' meeting room, she felt like she was being judged by the Principal, Ms. Susi, and several other teachers. Especially since Rani’s parents were known to be influential at the school.
Ratna saw her mother walk out of the room with weak steps and a bowed head.
She knew—as usual, her mother lost the argument. But Ratna also knew one thing:
her mother believed in her.
And for Ratna, that was more than enough.
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