Naughty December (english version)

1. Against New Things

Jakarta, Indonesia

Six years later. . .

     At exactly ten thirty minutes Western Indonesian time, the school bell for Pertiwi Kindergarten rang. The school gate was immediately opened and security guards began to exercise vigilance and encourage students to follow school regulations. Namely by turning right then left before crossing the road to meet the parents by singing. However, it is different from the little girl who chooses to remain silent waiting for her friends to cross. The hand of the 5 year old little girl ends on the figure of a beautiful 26 year old woman, with hair dyed reddish brown and has beautiful round eyes that promise to pick her up.

     "Mom!" shouted a little girl named Shaila Marcella to her mother across the street.

     "Hi honey, wait for Mommy there!" Yoanna kept her daughter. She didn't want Shaila to get hit by a car like a few months ago because of Yoanna's negligence.

     Shaila's smile is unusual. Shaila was delighted to find Yoanna keeping her promise to regularly take her off and pick her up. Shaila jumped up and down because Yoanna would not only hug her but also the little leopard doll that Yoanna brought.

     "Great, Mommy brought Leon here?" Shaila's enthusiasm was very valuable to Yoanna.

     "Yes, of course." Yoanna touched the tip of her daughter's sharp nose with her index finger. "Mommy promised to bring Leon to pick up my beautiful daughter."

     Shaila giggled as Yoanna kissed her neck and tickled her waist. They discussed today's lunch menu and watched a television program after Shaila studied. Time has taken up Yoanna and Shaila's togetherness because of Yoanna's piling up work, especially after Yoanna paid for Shaila's treatment for one month in the hospital, of course it drained all of Yoanna's savings, house, and car. But thanks to her hard work, Yoanna can still own a car even though it's only used goods. Yoanna doesn't mind walking in the hot weather.

     In the car Yoanna joined in singing songs that had been popularized by the Shaila school. They cheered on each other because it's been one Sunday since Shaila started returning to school. They were together more often. Spending time when Yoanna is at home and times like this.

     "Mommy?" Shaila suddenly stopped singing.

     Yoanna looked around and then returned to the road. "Yes honey, what's wrong?"

     "Soon there will be a farewell at my school. Mommy will come, right?" Shaila hugged her leopard doll carefully.

     "Um ..." Yoanna teased her daughter on purpose. "Of course Miss Superman Shaila! Superman's mother will definitely come!"

     Starting Shaila again laughed, amused, seeing Yoanna sway and change the high notes in her voice, imitating a boy.

     "Mommy?" groaned Shaila, fiddling with the puppet eyes in Leon's hand.

     "Yes honey."

     "Why haven't I met Dad?"

     Deg. Yoanna flinched at Shaila's question.

     "Like my other friends? When on vacation, my friends surely have stories about Mama and Papa, mother and father. We can be like that too, Mom?"

     Yoanna put on a happy face even though she actually wanted to slap her own face, Yoanna also wanted to scream about how all the paths that had just been made for her could have gone so easily.

     "Oh yeah, they often buy new toys too. Later I will also get a present from you Mom?" The joy on Shaila's face was still there, among the expressions that held hope for Yoanna.

     Yoanna nodded immediately. "Certainly honey, I will definitely buy lots of toys... Really for you."

     Suddenly Shaila clapped. The little girl showed the beauty of her rows of milk teeth. It was very painful for Yoanna because at Shaila's very young age, she had to feel what Yoanna was wrong. The destiny that is formed is not suitable for other children in general. Shaila must take part in the time that locked Yoanna in life strife since she became pregnant. Yoanna felt like tearing apart the past, memories and fatal mistakes because Yoanna obeyed rotten orders in her brain until there was a night of history with a man. The man who closely resembled the look on Shaila's face, with beautiful eyes and lips, was always on Yoanna's mind. About the name 'Jee' in Yoanna's life.

     Within minutes, Yoanna began converting her car to the new compound where she lived. Yoanna has sold her luxury home to care for Shaila because she was in a coma for several months due to an accident that nearly killed Shaila.

     In this humble new housing estate, Yoanna parked the car, followed by Shaila's loud screams welcoming Talitha Gunawan. Yoanna's best friend since high school. Talitha ran towards Yoanna and Shaila.

     "Hey Superman aunty nephew," Talitha carried Shaila's body. "Ugh ... You're getting heavier now, right?"

     "Of course Auntie, I never eat late because I want to grow up fast. So I can be like a great photographer's mother or Superman's strong uncle." Shaila's innocence made Yoanna and Talitha smile, they felt funny about Shaila's behavior.

     "Oh, so you can say 'Superman Shaila' later?" Thalita was tickled by Shaila's laughter.

     "Yes, come on! Not comfortable with neighbors who see it, because they like to seek gossip." Yoanna cut Shaila and Talitha's conversation while taking off her sunglasses and Yoanna walked towards the door of the house.

     Because the house that is currently occupied is still relatively new, Yoanna has not equipped her house yet and Yoanna is still using the living room chair of the former owner of the house. Then Yoanna immediately went to the kitchen to make drinks as well as prepare lunch for Shaila and Talitha.

     "I have a new job," Talitha suddenly patted Yoanna on the shoulder. "And that's more useful than where you are working now!"

     Yoanna gives a crooked smile. "What's the job? Poultry photography? You think I went to an arts and photography high school just to photograph chicks? Ck, bad luck is always watching my life, I guess."

     "Carelessly! Yesterday I didn't know that you were only asked to take pictures of chicks. This is tantalizing, Yo." the lure of Talitha while draining the contents of the jar on the dining table.

     Yoanna shrugged her shoulders indicating that she wasn't convinced of Talitha's offer.

     "I am serious about this, this company is still quite new, but they have already hooked up the top European models." Talitha clearly began to be eager to attract Yoanna to become a part of the company.

     "Not only film production but they also teach Yo's photography skills. Isn't that cool?" Talitha choked with nearly laughter.

     "Oh, so you think I'm still an amateur huh? Okay, okay. I got it now, you bastard!" Yoanna threw a carrot wedge on Talitha's face.

     "Yes or not Yo? We're friends, so we should help each other. You don't want to give Shaila good facilities? Lots of toys, high school and if possible she is better than you Yo." Talitha began to clarify her intention to provide news about a job opening for Yoanna.

     Yoanna seemed to stop cutting vegetables. Both hands pressed against the side of the table and looked up at the thought of what Talitha had just said.

     "You're not alone, there's me. I accepted their offer to be their adult magazine model." whispered Talitha so that no one could hear.

     "What?" Yoanna suddenly looked up. "Isn't that wrong? Is it true that you came to my house? Not a devil?"

     "Uh s**t, really. It's me Talitha, your best friend since high school, but you can think of me as a sexy devil." Talitha hit Yoanna's arm.

    "Crazy. No, I don't want to be that disgusting photographer anymore. This is my first bitter experience in Germany." Yoanna seemed oblivious to the words.

     Yoanna's statement certainly shocked Talitha. They stare at each other. "Have you been a photographer for adult magazines? Are you serious, Yo?" Talitha's eyes investigated.

     Yoanna raised her eye. “Hm… Yes, I've been to the world of adult magazine photographers. But only a month later Li."

     "Then why did you stop? Because you were pregnant? Or because--"

     "Seriously! Always curious." Yoanna answered with a gentle slap on Talitha's cheek.

     Then Talitha didn't just believe Yoanna's statement if the payment was too small, so Yoanna decided to return to Indonesia. But then Yoanna didn't lose any other ideas because Yoanna made the right excuses because of her pregnancy. Yes, at least that's enough to silence another question from Talitha.

[...]

     Yoanna's routine returned to normal and she had already arranged several shooting schedules and it was approved by her superiors. Because Yoanna has consistent working hours, that's enough to pay for the time she lost from taking care of Shaila at the hospital. Of course, Yoanna is very grateful because the company she works for doesn't kick her until Yoanna is desperate. That's why Yoanna is still there even though the basic salary can't meet Shaila's needs and medicines, which must be redeemed every month. Medicine to relieve the pain Shaila had when her head started to ache as a result of the hard impact during the accident. Doctors diagnosed that Shaila had a severe concussion.

     In the shooting room. Yoanna sat on a small chair after packing up her tripod and DSLR camera. Soon Yoanna only nodded slightly but refused her colleague's invitation to enjoy dinner. Yoanna feels that her mind is too tired because this month the doctor changed the dosage and type of medicine for Shaila, of course it is more expensive than usual because it will have a negative impact if Shaila continues to take the current medicine.

     "Where do I get this kind of money? What about car and house payments? How do I have to continue to owe Talitha?" muttered Yoanna as she looked at Shaila's prescription paper.

     Yoanna's reverie stopped when her cell phone rang and Shaila's babysitter was called.

     "What's wrong Kima?" Yoanna got up and picked up the backpack containing the camera and other equipment.

     "Sorry to disturb you, but Shaila complained about a heaving again. Earlier Shaila was already taking medicine, then Shaila learned but suddenly ..."

     "Wait till I get home! If Shaila screams, take her to the hospital, I'll follow you!" Yoanna told Kima as she ran towards the parking lot.

     Yoanna didn't remember anything when she heard that happened to Shaila. Even Yoanna left filming while it was still in progress and Yoanna was sure she would lose her job. And tonight Yoanna was so panicked that she was driving down the highway. On the way, Yoanna received an SMS that Shaila had been taken to the hospital with Talitha's help. Soon, Yoanna changed her route and she headed to a big hospital in Jakarta.

     Arriving at the hospital, Yoanna looked for the nursery because according to Talitha the emergency treatment was very fast, so Shaila had already found a room. In the hallway on the third floor of the children's room, Yoanna managed to find the second classroom, where Yoanna suddenly felt weak when she found her daughter lying limp with the help of several medical devices.

     "S - Shaila." Yoanna could no longer stand up and fell to the floor. "I am sorry, dear!"

Talitha tried to calm Yoanna down. Then helping Yoanna get up and walk straight to Shaila's bed, Yoanna immediately grabbed Shaila's hand and kissed her deeply.

     "Sorry, Superman, sassy mommy." Yoanna was crying and she buried her face beside Shaila.

     There was nothing Yoanna could do if Shaila was like this. Yoanna will get ready to seek debt or even Yoanna will sell valuables such as digital cameras and expensive accessories like before. But Yoanna is now trapped because all her luxury items are gone, nothing is left, only the necklace her mother gave her when Yoanna was kicked out by her father when she found out that Yoanna was pregnant out of wedlock.

     "You calm down!" Talitha tried to calm Yoanna's heart. "Shaila is a strong girl, she will definitely go through everything."

     Yoanna lifted her head and shook her head as she continued to cry. "I don't know what else to do Li, I can't possibly ask Papa for help again. That's enough! embarrassed them." Yoanna's head sank back into Shaila's bed.

     "We will definitely find a solution together. Calm down! If panic Shaila becomes sad, remember in Shaila's eyes you are a strong and great mother."

     "You know I'm not that strong Li." Yoanna still shook her head because she thought she was just a weak woman trying to be extraordinary. "I still can't look after Shaila properly."

     Of course Talitha didn't agree. "No Yo, you are a strong, smart and talented woman. You are also a good mother."

     It was enough for Yoanna to hear that completely meaningless compliment. Yoanna looked back at her daughter's beautiful face. Want to get rid of the cold sweat on Shaila's temples.

     "The job is still valid, right Li?"

     Talitha fell silent. Yoanna got up to see if there was any hope for Talitha's answer.

     "Em ... Still, are you sure you want to accept this job?" Talitha asked doubtfully if Yoanna would accept it.

     "Yes-- you can find my boss right away, I'll arrange a meeting for you. Because the boss says he needs a diligent photographer." added Talitha, taking Yoanna's hand.

     "Is that your boss's company?" Yoanna wiped away the tears.

     "No, my boss is just an intermediary. The company is located in Europe owned by Indonesians," Talitha studied Yoanna's face. "Its location in Hamburg."

     Yoanna's face dimmed. 'Hamburg' The name of the busiest city in Germany is heard again. But once again Yoanna looked sadly at Shaila's face. Yoanna's spirit was burning because Shaila's medical expenses and facilities would be fulfilled and the pain had tarnished her faith again. And is Yoanna ready to return to Hamburg again? Meet with an embarrassing and disgusting past?