Kopiko

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Sentot welcomed the students who had just entered the room with a smile. He then held a Kopiko package and offered them the candies.

“Thank you,” said Namh Vuong who took two Kopikos from the package.

“No worries”, Sentot replied while offering Kopiko to the student sitting next to Namh, Abdullah.

“Thanks, Sentot,” said Abdullah.

Sentot nodded. Just when he was going to give Kopiko to Hiroko, a sudden shout emerged, “Hey Sentot, why do we have Kopiko every week?!”

Sentot knew whose voice that was. It was Marco’s. The Italian was the most outspoken and yet easily irritated student.

Sentot turned his head to Marco, “Sorry, what did you say?”

“I said, why do we always have Indonesian candies before we start the lesson?!”

Just when Sentot was going to reply to it, Park Jung said further, “Yeah, why? Why Kopiko?! And yes, why Indonesian candies?!”

Sentot felt something was wrong. But imperturbably he said, “Oh, I just happen to like these candies, and I love to share them with you guys. I thought you may want to have a taste from my country. That’s all.”

“We don’t like it, Sentot!” now Francisca looked angry.

“Yeah, it’s like every Tuesday is Kopiko day, or, or, Indonesian candies day!” Huang Rui continued.

Sentot raised his eyebrows, looking at every one of his students, “You guys don’t like my Indonesian candies?”

“No, we just don’t like the fact there are only Indonesian candies in our class in the past four weeks,” Marco explained.

Sentot’s face now displayed a bemused expression.

Then Fabrizio came up with his cheeky smile, “Don’t worry, Sentot, we love your Kopiko. We’re doing this just because we also want you to try these: Italian candies!”

“And Korean candies!” smiling, Park Jung held a green yellowish package in his hand.

“Ah, you should try my Vietnamese candies!” Namh said proudly.

“No, try my Mexican candies first, please!” Mauro begged to differ.

And now every one of the students offered Sentot candies from their country.

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