Gita Dusk Geetruida
Scholarship Offer

After Mr. Isao and his friend left, the neat-looking Madame Monic approached Aya.

"Arrabella, here. Your job is to let Sumi and Yati settle down, there's something I want to talk about." Monic said while pulling up a chair in the dining room.

"Yes, madam."

"Sit down." Monic pulled the chair next to her.

With a fretful thought Aya sat on the chair that had been provided.

"Hm, you've relaxed, I just want to talk to you," said Monic who seemed to read the look of tension on Aya's face.

"You were in an old place, school, right?"

While looking down, Aya nodded.

"Arrabella, if spoken to, look at your opponent" suggested Monic.

"I heard that your father belongs to the people in Magelang, surely he is very concerned about the education of his children."

Aya still did not understand the direction of Madame Monic's conversation.

"You speak Dutch?"

"I-yes, madam."

"You understand the ethics of communication, the ethics of dress, the ethics of eating and how good the body is, right?"

"I-iya, our papi brought a special teacher home to teach us these things, madam. Including how to be someone with a good personality."

"good. So look Arrabella ... I got accurate info, the Japanese government is looking for 25 young people from the Dutch East Indies to be taught to be translators, later if it is finished it will be pulled back here, then, directly working at the central representative office. His education was not long, only 1 year. Are you interested?"

Hearing that, Aya's eyes sparkled brightly.

"So if there are foreign guests of state, you who have been trained that serve the guest of honor and accompany the government to translate the language. In addition, you also play a role in preparing correspondence related to outsiders. You can speak Dutch and Indonesian as well, then you will be able to speak Japanese, wah ... your father, the Dutch military officials certainly often bring guests to the house of course you are not awkward dealing with foreigners. Your potential to be a person of great success, Arrabella."

"Ehm, I can also speak a little English, ma'am. Just a little less conversation."

"Wow great .. You are beautiful, smart and your appearance is also attractive. Young people like you meet their criteria. You want to accept the offer?"

"Eng ... What should his education be in Japan, ma'am?"

"Of course, because of these scholarships they are holding. That is, if you while living there you become more proficient and easily understand their culture and habits. Many people want to go abroad, and you go there for free. It will be an unforgettable experience for life, Arrabella."

"But .. I don't want to be separated from my parents, ma'am."

"Oh, this is a good chance Arrabella, not everyone can pass the selection. After all, in addition to the scholarship your family who live here will also be given special facilities, it is likely that your parents are no longer in the internment camp but can return to Magelang, "the lure of Monic again.

"Well, madam, I'm ready" Aya replied without thinking.

"Well, then prepare yourself, bring your clothes and all your belongings. I'll take you to the representative who will select. Oh yes, about your family .. later I myself will deliver this good news to them, do not worry," promised Monic again.

"Good, madam."

"Yes, get ready. Dress a little and wear your best clothes."

Aya also rushed to the back room, packing her things. Duh, what dream last night to get a scholarship offer? inner Aya. Aya had thought she would forever be a servant in the house who might be able to fate 'tragic' like mbak Sumi and mbaknYati, it turns out, it turns out that Monic's mistress was very kind and considerate.

***

Aya was suddenly ambushed by discomfort as they arrived. Many of the men, mostly Japanese in army uniforms, sat in groups drinking and joking around with some women. Strange, a place like this is a place for scholarship selection?

"Hi also mami Irene, I came carrying a superior seed."

Monic approached Irene, the two conversed for a moment. Then Irene gave an envelope to Monic.

"Well, Arrabella .. You I live first, yes. Now Irene's mom will take care of all your needs. Good luck with Arrabella" said Monic.

***

"Arrabella, you're so beautiful. How old are you?" ask mami Irene kindly.

"14 years, mistress."

"Well, young, yeah. Call me Irene's mom, Arrabella."

"Ba-good, Mi."

"Ok, because Monic brought you here I know you must be a qualified woman and I say, you are eligible to receive that scholarship, you are accepted. Before leaving for Japan you must be trained and vaccinated first yes, to maintain health and avoid transmission of disease."

"Good, mi." Although there was a little doubt, Aya who had been instigated, just accepted everything that Irene's mother said.

Irene served a variety of snacks and drinks while waiting for health workers.

Not long after a woman came to Irene's mother's room.

"What's your name?" ask the woman.

"Arrabella, mistress."

The woman wrote something in a book and a small paper.

"Well, put your pants down a little."

Aya grimaced as a small sharp object pierced through the upper skin of her pantaat.

"Keep this card well. Next month you have to be injected again so pay attention to the date not to miss that date," the woman told Aya.

"Thank you." Aya nodded and put the small card in her bag.

"Well, you're safe now. Eat Arrabella first, later in the day they'll pick you up and take you to the training ground" Irene said.

Aya ate voraciously, Aya had not eaten such a delicious and special food for a long time, especially because of a happy mood. Imagine, he got a scholarship then trained and then went to Japan, besides the family he left behind will get facilities from the government and will be released from the internment camp that makes him proud.

I am proud, because a Dutch noni who was eliminated seemed to have a glorious future. Aya will not only be a hero of the family but also have a hand in advancing her nation. 'Thank you, God, ' murmured Aya.

"Arrabella, that's what will take you to where the training has arrived" Irene said.

Aya tidied herself up for a while because she had fallen asleep.

Irene escorted him to the car and waved her hand. "Have a good time Arrabella is beautiful" Irene said as she closed the car door.

Brucks.

The car door closed and started moving slowly.

Aya saw the people were also in the car, 'Lho, how come there are Mr Isao and guests staying overnight?' his inner. The unpleasant feeling returned, Aya made sure it seemed like something was not right.

No matter how long the car stopped and the man who stayed overnight at Mr. Isao's house came out, "Sorry Isao, I can't get you there."

"Ok, no problem" Isao said.