An Act of Miracle ( dedicated to a best friend )

End of semester usually was the hardest time for May. She had to make sure that she had money to pay all the school fees and other academic expenses for her children. Her only salvation was the government fund she expected to earn once in every three months as her salary was only enough for her family to live the days.

It was an end of semester in 2013. Pay day was still long ahead. May knew she had to pay all her children school expenses that she had  missed, otherwise, school wouldn't let them sit for the final exams. Should she fail to pay that time, her children would be embarrassed in their classes because they could not get their exam cards, for everybody knew that those who did not get the cards would be kids whose parents had financial problems with the school. May had always tried her best not to let that happen, letting herself do anything possible to have the money for them. That particular time, she knew she could do nothing. She only had one hundred thousand rupiah bill left in her purse. She was worried how she would survive the days ahead. It was impossible for her to get more loan from the credit union. That morning, she just prayed, that her children would not bear the consequences of her helplessness, she tried to believe in miracles.

May received a casual phone call that day, from her high school friend, telling her that she really needed to see her that afternoon. May knew recently that her friend, Lily, and her husband were thinking about enrolling their child to the school where May worked. In spite of  all her trouble that day, May was happy to meet her friend, whom she thought would come to meet her for some schooling information.

That afternoon May met her friend,Lily, who came with her husband. May and Lily had a casual talk, but then  she was a bit  worried that  her friend would convey something bad, maybe about her ex-husband, or something else, as Lily started to speak slowly, " I have been expecting to meet you to convey something", May's heart pounded " What is it Ly?", she asked."My husband and I have been thinking about you,  I hope you would not be offended." Lily  withdrew something from her bag, wrapped in a used newspaper, in the size of an envelope. "We know how hard it must be for you, bringing up your children on your own, especially these days, how you should provide money for their study. It is just a little from us, we think you must need it," tears were in her eyes as she said this. May was stunned, at their thoughtfulness, kindest act of miracle of her and her husband. May could no longer cry, for tears had gone long in the years of her struggles. She hugged her, and smiled at her saying "Thank you Ly."

One Painful Night

"Mom...how could you let me suffer like this?," sobbed the poor little girl. "I can't bear this pain, Mom, really it is so bad," she sobbed further.She went on crying all night.

"Honey,....I don't want the doctors at the hospital take terrible, rude  and irresponsible actions to you dear, they are all intern new doctors. Let us see if tomorrow it is any worse, I will take you to a more reliable doctor, please be patient dear, I know you are in pain. Let me rub your back, and massage your feet so you can relax and sleep. It is almost morning, dear. We need to rest", mother tried her best to sooth her poor child.

It seemed to be the most painful and longest night for both of them, The pain, the ailment, and poverty were the culprits. Though trying to assure the girl about some solution she would do the next day, in her head, she thought hard how to get the money to take her suffering little girl to the hospital, she was broke, only had little to survive the days, and of course, no insurance. Both of them fell asleep that dawn, one in pain, the mother in tears.