MY UNCLE MY HUSBAND

Aruna's past when she was in junior high school (part. 1)

008 Aruna's past when she was in junior high school (part. 1)

Aruna, who is still very young, can't face the anger of Karsih, who really hates prostitutes. And according to Karsih, Aruna is one of the prostitutes according to Karsih's criteria. Past trauma made her hate Aruna because of an incident in Aruna's past. Karsih marked Aruna from then on, no matter whether what she heard was true or not.

The incident happened three years ago, exactly one month before Aruna graduated from junior high school. Three months since Aruna entered the house where she now lives. Exactly three months after Ms. Aisyah married Mr. Arga, her current stepfather.

***

There were more or less a thousand or so noisy students and girls rushing out of their respective classes and most of what they were rushing about was the canteen and toilet of all the students, who ran out happily because the break period had finally arrived. A female student turned out to be sitting and being lectured in the Guidance and Counseling Room because she had a problem.

''What are you thinking about?! It's about to take an exam, and your absence is very bad!" exclaimed a female teacher, scolding a female student sitting in front of her. She is a guidance and counseling teacher at Aruna's school.

''Aruna Hashifa, student of class 9B. Did you hear?!'' asked the BK teacher again because Aruna only answered each of her questions with a nod.

''I hear, Miss," said Aruna briefly.

''Why don't you answer my question? Have the teachers been giving the wrong assessments all this time?! Students in classes A and B are selected students. You are all outstanding students from the top three in each of your previous classes. How can a student who has been designated as an outstanding student among other students, through the filter of the teachers' assessment, act like this at the end of the school term?''

Aruna, a 15-year-old girl who is in the 3rd grade of junior high school, is receiving strict instructions from her guidance and counseling teacher after three warning letters from the school came to her house. The warning letter from the school never reached Aisyah, Aruna's mother, because Aruna always immediately hid the warning letter from the school so that her mother wouldn't read it.

''Aruna! Why are you still quiet? Your silence will not solve the problem, you have to know that!" exclaimed the BK teacher, getting annoyed because Aruna looked relaxed, even though her face was slightly lowered.

''Yes, Miss.''

''So. What problem are you experiencing that makes you act like this? Before I called you here, I asked the teachers who had taught you. They all always say good things about you, except for this teacher in ninth grade. You are very smart and always interact with the teachers regarding lessons, but in the last few months, you have always been silent. In fact, you often skip class too. What's wrong with you?''

The guidance counselor was silent, waiting for Aruna's reaction. But, unfortunately, just like before, Aruna was silent and didn't answer anything. Aruna didn't look down but didn't look up either. The guidance and counseling teacher had difficulty assessing Aruna's attitude, which was very difficult to cooperate with.

"What's wrong with this female student?" she thought to herself.

“This girl doesn't look sorry at all. However, it was clear that she was disappointed and sad. Her eyes looked angry, not afraid...'' thought the teacher while muttering in her heart.

"Are the rumors about you true?" asked the guidance counselor while continuing to stare firmly at Aruna.

Aruna looked at the guidance counselor with a sharp and challenging gaze. She seemed to understand where her teacher's conversation was going.

''Aruna, I don't know what you were like before this. I found out about you a few days ago because of this problem. The teachers really regret your attitude at the end of Aruna's school term. Your grades are all ruined, your attendance record is in the red... Aruna. If you have any problems, tell me! Maybe that way it will be easier for you."

Aruna sat down and continued to listen carefully to everything her teacher said. Aruna remained silent and did not answer the guidance counselor. Her face was straight facing the guidance counselor, but her eyes were still looking downwards.

''Aruna Hashifa, previously you were a good child and good at socializing. Your relationship with the teachers is also very good. You don't hesitate to volunteer to help the teachers. What made you change in ninth grade? Aruna, don't you feel sorry for your mother?''

Again, Aruna's reaction surprised the guidance counselor. Aruna looked up at the teacher with eyes that showed her dissatisfaction. But, surprisingly, the teacher was shocked and shuddered when Aruna glared at her.

''Aruna, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to offend you at all. But Aruna, please think about it. In a month, you ninth-grade students will face your final exams. Think of your mother! I'm sorry once again, but Aruna. I already know about you. Your mother is a widow, she is a single mother. Wouldn't you pity her if you got bad grades and were forced to go to a private high school...''

Seeing that her teacher had softened, Aruna also finally lowered her tension. She lowered her gaze again but she still didn't want to answer anything. Finally, the guidance counselor gave up after feeling that there was nothing she could get from Aruna. As a teacher equipped with an understanding of children's psychology, the guidance and counseling teacher withdrew for the time being and did not continue her interrogation.

After Aruna's interrogation, it turned out that the guidance counselor continued to look for Aruna every day. Aruna continued to miss school again. In one week she only went to school for two or three days. Even then, sometimes she always sneaks out into the subject area. Every chance she gets, the guidance and counseling teacher tries various ways to open Aruna's heart, so that she wants to be more open. But, all in vain. Aruna's mouth was shut tightly, she didn't want to say anything at all.

*****

''Aruna!...'' shouted the guidance counselor, seeing Aruna and several other students who looked like they were having a fight.

''Hey. You guys!" Several other students surrounding Aruna immediately ran to avoid hearing Miss Arin's call. The guidance and counseling teacher who provided counseling to Aruna.

''Aruna, you!... Come on, let us go to the infirmary first!"

"No need, Miss... It's okay... It's normal."

''Aruna, it can't be like that. Look at that, your school skirt is torn... And here, your hand is bruised."

"It's okay Miss... It's no problem... I'm going back to class, Miss."

''Aruna!''

Aruna left Miss. Arin, after nodding, said goodbye to her. She left Miss. Arin, who was still astonished, couldn't hold it in any longer even though she clearly saw that there were several bruises on Aruna's body.