Not the First
A Mother's Heart

Before dawn I was awake. My head was heavy and I felt cold. My body was shivering even though it was no longer raining this morning.

I was still silent in my bed. I heard my mother calling me from the kitchen.

"Rey, it's dawn!" call mother.

"Abtime, Bu,"

Apparently my voice was not heard by him until when the next call mother's voice had risen.

Before long my bedroom door was opened. Mom came to me. He was quite panicked, saying I looked pale. Hurrying he touched my forehead

"You're Rey's fever. It must be because you let your body rain" she panicked

He hurried to leave the room. Before long she came again with a glass of warm water and fever medicine in her hand

"Drink this. If you don't go to school, I'll ask your guardian for permission. Just rest up,"

"No Ma'am. Last day at school. There will be a joint prayer and direction from the principal. Rey has to come. Monday is a national exam. Rey didn't want to miss out on information related to the exam"

"Oh. If you want to stay in school, I won't forbid. Rest first. I'll get you some warm water,"

I left Rey alone. Rey doesn't want to lay her body down anymore. He just sat on his bed with his istiqfar. He doesn't want to get sick. I have to go to school today

Once he was strong enough to walk, Rey got out of bed and went to the kitchen. He no longer saw the dirty dishes. Breakfast is on the table. Rey slightly developed a smile. This morning I finished my task of cleaning the kitchen and preparing breakfast.

"Band, Son. I prepared warm water. After that, do not forget to eat breakfast so that you are strong. Do not forget to bring the milk you have prepared and some pieces of bread in the taperware. Take it to school for supplies. Make sure to take your medicine before lunch. Mom wants to clean up in the laundry room first" mother soon passed from the kitchen as soon as she finished her banquet.

Rey swept the dining table. Sure enough, there was already a box of instant milk and a food box prepared by the mother. Bathtubs that have been filled with warm water are still seen to cause thin smoke. Rey smiles at her mother's kindness to her

******"

After being ready for her school uniform, Rey pleads with her father and mother. Dad seemed to be sitting in his wheelchair and wanted to breathe some fresh air. Rey helped dad by pushing the wheelchair up to the front porch. Mother who saw the two of them coming out of the house immediately came out of her study.

"Mom order grab yes. Let's just relax you get to school. Remember, in the afternoon do not forget to take the medicine"

Father immediately observed his daughter's face after hearing the mother's words

"You sick, son?" Ask my dad in a slightly stamped voice

"Just a little fever, Dad. It also healed. My body started to sweat after the warm bath that my mother prepared and this coat" Rey said as she showed off the thick sweater she was wearing

After the mom-ordered grab arrives, Rey immediately kisses the hands of her parents and leaves those who continue to look at Rey from a distance.

Rey scrunched her forehead remembering something. Before going to bed, I reminded Rey to stop by the hope store after school. But this morning I forgot to remind him.

Ah, I have reason not to see Aldy today. Because of my poor condition, after school I will rest at home. Today there is nothing to do except a briefing from the secretary. The kids could have gone home early. Rey will be seen at home so that her condition will recover and can take the exam in a fit condition.

****

Sure enough, by ten o'clock all ninth graders had been disbanded. Rey immediately left the school when she saw a brown angkot passing by. In no more than 30 minutes, Rey was home.

Mom didn't ask Rey to help with her work today. Rey was asked to rest in her room so that she could recover quickly. Rey took the opportunity to sleep.

Perhaps due to the influence of the drug he drank, he could fall asleep after the dhuzur prayer and woke up when the adzan magrib reverberated. His body was refreshed and his dizziness had also disappeared.

"Hallo. Laundry Laura's mom?" a voice sounded from across.

"Yes sir. Can anyone help?" ask Rey in a gentle and polite tone.

"Sorry Mom. It's from mess 105. My laundry hasn't been taken. I will be out of town next week. Can it be taken now?"

" Good sir. I'll take it after the magrib prayer"

The phone was closed from the other end. "Sir, there's no compassion at all" Rey whispered inwardly.

Rey immediately took ablution water and performed magrib prayers. After that he immediately took the key to his motor contact and left the house to mess 105.

When I got to the front of the house, the door was wide open. Rey immediately turned off the engine and said hello.

Without having to repeat, the owner of the house is already at the door to meet him.

"I'm going to Jakarta until next week. So this laundry is delivered Sunday only. It's a payment for the laundry," the man thrust a black plastic bag at Rey and gave the intended amount of money to pay for the laundry.

Rey accepted it politely.

"Father of the Jakarta? I really want to go to college, sir," said Rey spontaneously knowing her mother's laundry customer was Jakarta.

"Yes. I live in Jakarta. Not a week on duty here"

"Where does my father live? My father's brother lives in Kemayoran sir. I finally got there when I was in 3rd grade, when my dad was healthy,"

The man did not answer. He just looked at Rey and smiled slightly at the words of the girl in front of him.

"Monday I have a national exam, sir. I'm going to ask my mother after my diploma division to go to Jakarta and continue school there,"

"Oh yeah. Hope the test is successful and gets good grades. Can I ask you a favor?" Ask the man again

"Could sir. Don't hesitate," welcome Rey kindly.

"Can you find someone to clean my room and change the seprey in the room. Not for now. It'll be Sunday before I go home, too,"

"I am sir. If you just clean the house and change seprey let me. Unless to dismantle this house, I can't," said Rey trying to melt the atmosphere.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Remain sir. Trust me just the same. When dad came home. I made sure the house was clean and tidy,"

"alright. Thank you then. The key is in the front guard. I'll order them if you deliver laundry Sunday morning and clean this room. Thanks for the help,"

"Ready sir. I'm allowed to go home first," Rey please leave after it feels no more than what he needs to talk about.

"Be careful. It's getting dark. It seems you're also unwell,"

Rey was a little surprised at the man's last statement. Ih..good also apparently this guy.

"I have a little fever sir. Probably because of the rain yesterday,"

There was no reply until Rey turned her body around and left the house. When the engine was on and Rey turned the vehicle around, the man waved his hand and smiled at her.