The Promise of Happiness [ON HOLD]

Chapter 1

"Life will bring you pain all by itself. Your responsibility is to create joy." -Milton Erickson

The first time they meet, they were just a child who knows nothing other than playing. They both shy with each other, insisted on staying on behind their parent.

Mrs. Milhya, Saras's mother, looking at the boy's father with an apologized gaze, she is wondering why her usual bubbly daughter suddenly becomes a shy maiden in front of this boy.

While the other, Mr. Hendra, Tio's father, only laughs saying he doesn't mind, he then turns to his son who still shying hiding behind him, "Son, this is our new neighbors.." gesturing to the family in front of them.

Mrs. Milhya took the initiative, crouching in front of little Tio and warmly smile, "Hello... Tio is it?" The child doesn't reply, only nodding slowly, Mrs. Milhya doesn't really mind, she continues, "I am Milhya Lauvin and the man beside me here is my husband, Jaya Andika, while this little girl is..." while saying this, she pushes her daughter softly forward making her squeak while the little boy only curiously looking at her, "...Saras Sedyaningsih, my daughter."

She then pats her daughter's head, though she was amused seeing her daughter who apparently has become a frozen statue with her cheek flushed red.

Thankfully after a few seconds, she bravely greets the little boy with a timid "hello", and offering her chubby hand to the little boy for a handshake. At first, the little boy seems unsure about what to do before he looks at his father, seeing his encouraging nod makes the little boy grab the offering hand while releasing a soft "hello".

Little Saras was happy with his reply and unconsciously showing him her bright toothy smile with missing two teeth at the front, at the same time little Tio was taken back by her bright smile but because he doesn't want to offend her, he is showing his brightest smile too, although, in reality, it's more like an awkward smile instead. The children become more embarrassed after hearing their parents laugh but their hands still holding each other.

*****

"Saras, can you buy me some fish after school?" asked Mrs. Milhya while she whipping some plates.

The girl who wore a high-school uniform silently looking up to her mother, still chewing her food before she swallows it, "Okay mom, where's the money though?".

Mrs. Milhya approaches her husband, Mr. Jaya, and then nudge him, "You can ask your father for that."

It seems Mr. Jaya already used to be teased by his wife since he only shakes his head and gives Saras some money, though Saras can see the amusement glimmering in his eyes. Saras can only pretend to blind to her parent's intimate behavior but after realizing her father gave her too much money, she was about to protest, "The rest is for your pocket money," her father answered calmly, still looking lovingly at her mother. Helplessly, Saras said her thanks before she excused herself to go to school.

When she arrived in her class, her friend, Vera Kusika, already approaching her with excitement face. "Saras! Did you hear the news???" ask her, gripping both Saras's hands. Seeing her bewildered's face, Vera explains further, "Our class will get a transfer student! Moreover, it's a boy!!".

"..Okay? So what..?"

"Oh Come on, Saras! Aren't you at least excited for a little bit? There'll be a new boy and I heard this boy is really handsome!" she then whispers, squinting her eyes while giving their classmate a judging glance, "...You do know, there's no handsome male in our class, right?".

"Hey, that's not nice!" protest Morris Hariyanto, one of her classmates, giving Vera one of his classic puppy eyes, "Don't you think I'm handsome? At least a little bit?" he emphasized it by blinking his eyes and pouting his lips.