MY UNCLE MY HUSBAND

Aruna's past when she was in junior high school (part. 6)

013 Aruna's past when she was in junior high school (part. 6)

With pressure and persuasion from Aruna's parents. Finally, Aruna wanted to tell why Aruna, who was very diligent and liked school, suddenly became a child who liked to skip classes.

It turns out that the problem started when Aruna recovered from typhus (typhoid fever) which she suffered when she was in second grade of junior high school. At that time, Aisyah was still a widow. She had not yet married Mr. Arga. At that time, Aisyah only worked as a daily factory worker with a tiny salary. When Aruna was sick, she didn't have the money to take Aruna to see a doctor. Coincidentally, not far from the rented house where Aruna lived there was a maternity clinic.

Aisyah, who didn't have enough money at that time, took Aruna for treatment from the midwife on duty there. Because they were neighbors, the midwife willingly provided free treatment for Aruna. She wanted to help Aruna, who was an orphan who had no father. She couldn't bear the situation of two poor women who had no one.

Because Aruna received treatment from the Maternity Clinic, the Doctor's Certificate that came out was a letter from the Maternity Clinic with the birthing specialist's stamp and signature on it.

When Aruna returned to school, the Indonesian teacher, who at that time also served as Aruna's homeroom teacher, made fun of Aruna in front of all her classmates regarding the doctor's certificate from the maternity clinic.

**

''Aruna Hashifa. Were you sick yesterday?''

''If you get typhus. Usually, it's done in three to five days at most."

''Why are you taking so long, two weeks?!''

''Then what is this? Why is the doctor's letter from the midwife? Why does it look like a woman who is pregnant...''

A teacher who is supposed to maintain ethics and teach manners to his students is unexpectedly the one who makes fun of his students. Without realizing it and feeling guilty at all, he just dropped a woman's self-esteem without even realizing his mistake to this day.

**

"Runa, is that really true?" asked Aisyah in a voice that trembled with regret.

''Yes, mother... like that.''

''Astaghfirullahhal Adzim... Oh Allah, Runa. I'm sorry... It was my fault. If only I had taken you to the doctor and not to the midwife, you wouldn't have had to go through something like that," said Aisyah, regretting what she had done at that time. She really cursed herself for her recklessness.

"Mother... Mother, you're not wrong... You're not wrong..." said Aruna in a trembling voice, trying to calm her mother.

''Well, that's it! That incident passed a long time ago... You were pressed by the situation at that time. Runa, tomorrow you will go to school to finish everything," Mr. Arga firmly responded to what Aruna had told him.

''But, father... It's been a long time... There's no need to prolong it any longer! When Runa finished school, Runa left there. No one will bother Runa anymore..." Aruna whined, begging her stepfather to just let her be.

"I can't Runa! All problems must be clear! I can't accept it, Runa must remember... Incidents like this could happen again. The teacher, too. He must know where his mistakes lie. You were wrong to remain silent. Understand!" exclaimed Mr. Arga, who was firm in his decision.

Aruna could only stare silently at her sad parents. Aruna is not disappointed with the teacher now. She is disappointed because of her stupidity. She accidentally hurt her parents. Even the parents had to lose the baby the mother was carrying because of this problem.

*****

As Mr. Arga had promised he would come with Aruna to school that morning and went straight to the teachers' room. First, they met Miss. Arin and discussed the problem.

Mr. Arga firmly asked the school to take responsibility for what happened to Aruna. The Indonesian teacher is considered to have spread bad rumors about Aruna until the problem dragged on and it became like that. In fact, because of this problem, Aruna was often teased and bullied at school.

**

"Sorry, Principal, this is not what I want!" shouted Mr. Arga, firmly rebuking the principal who was sitting together discussing related issues.

''Sorry,'' the principal was surprised to find Mr. Arga's rejection of his proposal, ''What do you mean, Mr. Arga?''

''As I said earlier, because of the actions of one of the teachers at this school, my daughter had to endure shame, and that too for a long time... until her graduation day approached. In my opinion, this is the right moment to straighten out all the problems. This problem has been rolling like a snowball... I don't want it to be postponed any longer!" Mr. Arga exclaimed firmly at his decision.

''It means? I still don't understand Mr. Arga...'' said the Principal, clearly indirectly defending one of his subordinates, causing him to give a roundabout solution.

"Well, sir, one of the teachers at school spread the issue in front of all the students in my daughter's class who were in grade 2 at that time... Due to this, my daughter was labeled a naughty woman who had been pregnant and had an abortion. I emphasize, sir, she is a girl. Isn't that kind of gossip the cruelest gossip for an unmarried woman, let alone an underage child-like Aruna?"

(Note:

The issue of pregnant women out of wedlock is very taboo in Indonesian society, which is predominantly Muslim. Never mind, getting pregnant out of wedlock. A woman who has given up her virginity without marriage will be considered to be breaking social norms. Even in extreme situations, the woman can be expelled from the family, or even removed from the family card. Because parents or family cannot bear the shame. In some cases, the father or mother even had a heart attack or severe shock because of this.)

Mr. Arga, alone, facing several teachers, continued to argue with each other, trying to get Mr. Arga to end Aruna's problem, that's enough. But, Mr. Arga wasn't afraid, he didn't care, all he wanted was for Aruna, his daughter, to get what was rightfully hers—an apology and officially returning her good name as a good student.

''I understand about that, sir...''

''If you understand, then do it!'' Mr. Arga exclaimed, interrupting the principal, who was still rambling, ''Clear my daughter's good name! So I won't sue...''

''But, sir... your request is too difficult.''

''Which is heavier?! My child is the one who always has to be teased and looked down on. She has been embarrassed ever since the gossip spread..." said Mr. Arga, sitting up straight, looking at the principal and other teachers there firmly.

The teachers who were present at the deliberation were stunned, they were silent with their faces flushed with awkwardness and embarrassment.

''Or...'' added Mr. Arga again, after pausing his sentence for a while waiting for the reaction from the teachers, ''The teacher admitted his mistake in front of all the students at school... Sir, as a teacher, of course, you know the meaning of Consequences and Responsibilities. Answer?!'' Mr. Arga exclaimed again, emphasizing the end of his sentence.

''Yes sir, of course...'' answered the principal with his head bowed, deep in his heart, as a teacher, let alone someone who is old and has eaten a lot of the world's salt. Of course, he is aware of this.

"The evidence that my daughter did not lie is clear... The students who at that time heard what one of the teachers had said have clarified Aruna Hashifa's words, if this is true... All the students in the class at that time saw and heard all the incidents regarding the Doctor's Letter from the Midwife... Do I still need to explain more?''

"No need, sir... We will think about it... This concerns the good name of the school."

''You know that... This also concerns my daughter's good name. I don't know, since that day, where have the rumors about my daughters gone?! Is my explanation still lacking? I only demand that the teacher admit his mistakes at this school, no, in the wider public domain."

''Okay, sir... We understand. Please be patient. We will take care of it immediately..."

''I want to do it by tomorrow at the latest!'' Mr. Arga shouted again. Undeterred, he continued to pressure the teachers.

''Tomorrow sir?!'' the principal exclaimed in surprise, as did the other teachers, even though only their expressions were visible.

''Of course! How long are you going to postpone this problem?! I'm not that patient...'' said Mr Arga, replying still with his firm attitude, ''Do it, or don't do it at all!''

''Okay, okay... We understand... We will take care of it immediately.''

*****

Mr. Arga's firmness in dealing with problems bore fruit. The teachers did not move in the face of just one Arga Wiryawan. Employees of a private company, who only have the position of supervisor. They, like it or not, obey Mr. Arga's wishes.

The next day, the Indonesian language teacher, Aruna's former homeroom teacher in the second grade of junior high school, admitted everything in front of more than a thousand students at the school who lined up neatly on the field, hearing every word the Indonesian teacher said.

Mr. Arga and Aisyah, Aruna's mother, and even Gavin were also present at the event. Witness how the teacher admitted his mistake and apologized to Aruna and her family.

*****

Aruna's problem with gossip about her at school has been resolved, even though she finally graduated with miserable grades. But, it was better than repeating the third grade of junior high school. Because of this, Aruna ended up going to the same school as Gavin. They were forced to attend a private high school because Aruna's grades did not allow her to enter a public high school.