°•~Happy Reading~•°

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The rain poured down relentlessly over the small town of Semayang, a quiet coastal village in Indonesia. The streets, lined with modest houses and warungs, buzzed with activity despite the weather. Maya stood behind her small food stall in one corner of the bustling market, stirring a pot of steaming Soto ayam. Her hands moved mechanically, but her mind was far away, embroiled in thoughts that weighed heavy on her heart.

Her younger brother, Rio, had skipped school again. It was the third time this week, and Maya could sense the growing frustration in their elderly father's voice every time they spoke. Rio, sixteen and brimming with energy, refused to see the importance of school. He wanted to help Maya run the stall, believing it was a quicker way to earn money than memorizing formulas and writing essays.

As the day stretched on, customers came and went. Maya plastered a smile on her face, but the worry remained. She couldn't help but feel responsible. Ever since their mother passed away, Maya had taken on the caretaker role. At twenty-four, she juggled the weight of their family's finances and the dreams their mother once had for Rio—a college education, a stable career, a future away from the struggles they faced daily.

"Mbak, are you okay?"

Maya snapped out of her thoughts to see Sari, her friend, and a neighboring vendor, offering a concerned smile. Sari sold fruit next to Maya's stall and had seen the dark circles forming under her friend's eyes.

"I'm fine," Maya lied, wiping her hands on a damp cloth. "Just tired."

Sari gave her a knowing look but didn't push. "Take care of yourself, okay? You're no use to Rio if you're burnt out."

Later that evening, Maya found Rio sitting on the porch, headphones on, nodding along to a beat. She approached him, her hands trembling slightly from exhaustion and frustration.

"Rio, we need to talk," she began, trying to keep her voice calm.

He pulled off his headphones, his expression guarded. "What is it, Mbak?"

Maya hesitated. "You can't keep skipping school. It's not just about education—it's about your future. Don't you want something better for yourself?"

Rio scoffed. "Better? Like struggling to sell Soto every day?"

The words stung, but Maya held her ground. "I do this so you won't have to. Don't let my sacrifice go to waste, Rio."

There was a long silence, broken only by the sound of rain hitting the tin roof. Rio looked away, guilt flickering in his eyes.

"I just... I don't know if I'm good enough," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Maya sat beside him, her hand resting on his shoulder. "You don't have to be perfect, Rio. You just have to try. That's all I ask."

The rain eased into a drizzle, and in that quiet moment, Maya hoped Rio understood. Life was hard, but together, they could weather the storm.

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°•~THE END~•°