Hi everyone, Who says cool kids can’t have stories full of struggle? This short story tells the story of Sahlan, a high school teenager who is not only active and has many friends, but is also willing to work hard to help his beloved mother.

With a touch of emotion and sacrifice, this story will invite us to dive into the true meaning of family love. Come on, read Sahlan’s touching and inspiring story!

 

Sahlan’s Story of Unspoken Love

The Perfect Image

Sahlan has always been the center of attention. From the moment he walks into a room, his presence immediately draws attention. Tall, with a stern face and a charming smile, he is the type of guy that many people admire. Whether he is joking around in class, leading his friends in an after-school basketball game, or effortlessly charming the teachers, Sahlan seems to take life at its ease. His friends admire his confidence, his ability to stay calm under pressure, and his way of turning awkward situations into something fun.

To them, Sahlan is the epitome of “cool,” cool, sociable, and very sociable. His Instagram feed is a testament to his seemingly perfect life: photos from school events, stories of late-night drives, and photos with his close friends. His laughter, captured in those frozen moments, feels eternal, as if nothing can bring him down. Sahlan lives for these moments, drawing energy from his social circle, always yearning for the next adventure, the next joke, the next round of applause.

But behind the sunny facade, there was another side to Sahlan’s life that few people knew. At home, things were different, quieter and more somber. Sahlan’s mother, Rosa, was a single parent who worked multiple jobs to support them. She was always busy at the grocery store, spending hours stocking shelves, or working late at the local cafe. The fatigue was visible in her eyes, the dark circles under her eyes deepening every day, but she never complained. Her smile, however tired, was always there for Sahlan, no matter how tired he was.

Since childhood, Sahlan had learned to balance his two worlds: his public life of excitement and popularity, and his private life of quiet dinners and the sight of his mother slumped on the couch after a long day at work. He never told his friends about the hardships at home. In their eyes, he was the one who had everything under control. Sahlan liked it that way. He didn’t want them to see the cracks beneath the surface.

One Friday afternoon, Sahlan and his friends were planning their weekend. They were going to a big party, one that the whole school would be attending. Sahlan was excited; it was his night to really shine. But as he packed his bags and prepared to leave school, his phone rang. It was a text from his mother.

“Can you pick up some groceries tonight? I have to work late again.”

Sahlan’s excitement faded. It wasn’t the first time his mother had asked for his help, but the timing was especially painful. He quickly texted her back, masking his disappointment: “Sure, I’ll do it.”

On his way to the grocery store, he stopped by the basketball court where his friends were warming up. The sight of them laughing, passing the ball around, and having a carefree time made him hesitate. For a moment, he considered dropping the errand and joining his friends. But he couldn’t forget his mother, who was exhausted from working late, and he knew he couldn’t let her down.

As Sahlan walked the aisles of the grocery store, guilt washed over him. He hated this reality. While his friends had parents who were always home, who didn’t have to work late nights or weekends, Sahlan had a mother who was always working, always struggling. And it wasn’t just her job. Sahlan noticed the little things like her worn-out shoes, the old coat she kept mending instead of buying a new one. Rosa sacrificed more than Sahlan would ever admit.

He paid for his groceries, making sure to use the little cash his mother had left him. As he walked home with his shopping bags, his phone vibrated with messages from his friends, asking where he was. A wave of envy swept over him. They were on the basketball court, playing their hearts out, living the carefree life Sahlan showed the world. But he was carrying shopping bags, on his way to the dimly lit apartment where his mother would soon pass out from exhaustion.

When he got home, Rosa was already there, her face pale and tired. She looked at the bags and smiled weakly. “Thank you, son. I’m sorry you had to do this.”

Sahlan shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “It’s nothing, Mom.”

But it was nothing. The weight of the groceries in his arms felt heavier than it should have, a symbol of everything his mother had carried all by herself. As they sat down for dinner that night, Sahlan saw his mother’s eyes droop, her hands shaking slightly from exhaustion. He suddenly felt ashamed of the life he was living—the life of someone who had everything, while his mother struggled every day just to keep their little world together.

That night, Sahlan lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind replayed the events of the day—the laughter of his friends, the bright lights of the basketball court, and the dim, quiet apartment she called home. He felt a deep sadness, not for himself, but for his mother. She had given up so much, silently enduring for him. And here he was, living in two worlds—one of carefree joy, and the other of quiet sacrifice.

For the first time in a long time, Sahlan realized that he had taken his mother for granted. The parties, the popularity, the endless laughter with his friends, none of it would have been possible without Rosa. Rosa had united their lives in silence, allowing him to live his life without any burden in this world. A heavy guilt formed in his chest.

As the night went on, Sahlan made a promise to himself. He would be better. He would be more present, more aware of his mother’s struggles. No longer hiding behind the guise of his perfect image. It was time to acknowledge the sacrifices that made his life possible—the silent, unwavering love of a mother who had given everything for him.

In the darkness of his room, Sahlan felt something shift inside him. The perfect image he had created for the world suddenly seemed unimportant. What mattered now was not how others saw him, but how he could show his mother that his sacrifices had not gone unnoticed.

And for the first time in a long time, Sahlan realized that being “hip” wasn’t about being popular or liked. It was about being there for the people who mattered most.

 

Holding onto Fragile Hope

Days passed since Sahlan realized how heavy the burden his mother was carrying. Although feelings of guilt still haunted him, he tried to hide his anxiety behind a cheerful smile at school. Sahlan was still the cool kid known to many friends, full of jokes and laughter in every corner of the school corridor, but now there was a difference in his perspective on life.

That morning, as usual, Sahlan went to school with a neat uniform and a faint smile on his face. His steps were steady, but his thoughts wandered, thinking about his mother who had not had enough rest. Rosa had just come home from her night shift at the store and had not had time to sleep when Sahlan said goodbye. “Take care of yourself, son,” his mother said, her voice soft but tired. Those words echoed in Sahlan’s mind throughout the journey.

At school, his friends, Jefri and Dika, were already waiting in the canteen. They immediately called out to him when they saw Sahlan approaching. “Bro, where have you been? Yesterday when we went to the field, you just disappeared,” Dika quipped with a small laugh.

Sahlan smiled faintly. “Sorry, I still have business at home.” He answered in a light tone. He knew they wouldn’t understand, his friends never really knew what was happening behind the walls of Sahlan’s house.

“Well, yesterday was really fun, Lan. But you know, there are still many moments for us to hang out again,” said Jefri while patting his back.

Sahlan smiled wider this time, but behind it, his heart felt heavy. The days of playing and joking with his friends no longer felt completely free. There was a responsibility that continued to loom behind him, the responsibility for his mother who looked increasingly tired by the day.

After school, Sahlan decided not to go home straight away. He walked to a quiet park, where he usually was alone when his mind felt too full. Sitting on a wooden bench, he watched the little children playing, laughing carefree, and once again, his feelings were mixed between joy and sadness.

Suddenly his phone vibrated, breaking his reverie. It was from his mother.

“Sahlan, can you come home early today? There’s something I want to talk to you about,” his mother’s voice sounded soft yet firm, making Sahlan’s stomach churn uncomfortably.

“Yes, Mom. Sahlan will be home soon.”

The journey home felt longer than usual. Sahlan felt his heart beating fast, as if a bad feeling was hanging over his mind. When he arrived home, he found his mother sitting at the dining table, her face looking more tired than usual. In front of her, was a piece of paper that looked worn and shabby.

“Sahlan, sit here,” Rosa said in a heavy voice. Sahlan obeyed, sitting in front of his mother without saying anything. The atmosphere in the dining room felt silent, only the sound of their breathing could be heard.

“You know, son, I’ve worked hard for the two of us for a long time. I want you to continue going to school, to be able to achieve your dreams, but…” his voice stopped, he tried to hold back something in his throat.

Sahlan felt his chest getting tighter. He knew, this must be about their finances. Rosa always hid how bad the real situation was, but this time it seemed she couldn’t hide it anymore.

“I’ve tried everything. Even though I applied for another loan, but… it’s not enough, son. I might have to work longer, maybe even find a second job. But honestly, I’m not sure I can continue like this,” Rosa lowered her head, tears starting to wet her cheeks.

Sahlan was silent, not knowing what to say. Seeing his mother cry made his chest ache. He wanted to be angry at the world, at this unfair situation. Sahlan, who was always laughing at school, always full of jokes, now felt helpless in front of the harsh reality of life.

“Mom, why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Sahlan’s voice trembled. He felt guilty, because all this time he had only focused on himself, on having fun with his friends, while his mother struggled alone.

“I don’t want you to worry. I want you to still be able to enjoy your youth, Sahlan. But now, I have no other choice but to tell you,” answered Rosa in a low voice.

Sahlan felt tears welling up in his eyes, but he tried to hold them back. He had to be strong, at least in front of his mother. “Mom, from now on, let Sahlan help. Whatever Sahlan can do, Sahlan will do. We can get through this together.”

Rosa smiled, even though tears were still streaming down her cheeks. “Thank you, son. I’m so proud of you.”

That night, Sahlan couldn’t sleep. His head was full of thoughts about what he should do. He knew there was no instant solution, but one thing was for sure, he couldn’t let his mother struggle alone anymore. Sahlan started thinking about ways to help their finances. Maybe he could find a part-time job, or sell some of his less important stuff. Anything, as long as it could lighten his mother’s burden.

The next morning, Sahlan went to school with a new purpose in his heart. Behind the smiles and laughter he showed his friends, there was a determination that was starting to grow. He wasn’t just a cool kid who lived to have fun. He was now a kid who fought, not only for himself, but for his mother who had sacrificed everything.

At school, when his friends asked him to hang out at a cafe after going home, Sahlan refused. “Sorry, guys. I can’t today. I have family matters.”

Jefri and Dika looked confused, but they didn’t ask any further. Sahlan knew that this was the first small step. He couldn’t live in two different worlds anymore. Now, he must start balancing both between the exciting world of friends and his world full of struggles at home.

The days ahead will not be easy, but Sahlan is ready. Now, he is not only the sociable and active Sahlan, but also the Sahlan who will hold onto hope that may be fragile, but he still holds it tightly, for his mother, for their family.

 

Light in the Darkness

That night, Sahlan lay awake in front of his computer screen, his fingers quickly typing something in the search field. He was looking for a part-time job that he could do after school. He had been searching for almost an hour, but he had not found anything suitable. Among the job vacancies as a cafe waiter, shop assistant, and courier, none of them seemed to fit with his busy school schedule.

Sahlan was silent for a moment, his eyes staring blankly at the monitor. He knew very well that he could not burden his mother any longer. However, on the other hand, Sahlan felt trapped. The time to study, socialize with his friends, and help his mother all clashed. His heart was full of dilemma, but he had no other choice.

His mother, Rosa, had done so much for them. Rosa never complained once, even though her body was getting weaker from fatigue. Sahlan knew that he had to start acting. He had to be part of the solution.

The next morning, Sahlan went to school as usual. His usually cheerful face now looked a little tired. His steps were heavy, but he tried to keep smiling. When he arrived at class, Jefri immediately approached him.

“Lan, let’s play futsal this afternoon. It’s been a long time since you joined,” Jefri invited, smiling broadly.

Sahlan sighed. He really wanted to join his friends, enjoying carefree moments like before. But now, he could no longer act that relaxed. “Sorry, Jeff. I can’t. There’s another family matter,” Sahlan replied, trying not to make the atmosphere awkward.

Jefri frowned, but didn’t ask further. Sahlan felt guilty. He knew that his friends were starting to feel that there was something strange about him. But, Sahlan also knew that he couldn’t let his free-spirited past prevent him from taking on greater responsibilities.

After school, Sahlan headed straight to a small cafe at the end of the street, a place he had just seen in a part-time job advertisement. He hoped that he could be accepted to work there even if only for a few hours a day. He wanted to help his mother pay off the bills that were piling up on their dining table.

After arriving at the cafe, Sahlan met the manager, a man in his mid-40s with a friendly face. The man introduced himself as Mr. Anton.

“Do you want to apply for a job here?” Mr. Anton asked with a smile. Sahlan nodded confidently. He explained that he needed a job that he could do after school.

Mr. Anton stared at Sahlan for a moment before finally saying, “Okay, I need someone to help in the kitchen and also occasionally be a waiter. You can start tomorrow after school. But remember, hard work and discipline are the most important things here.”

Hearing that, Sahlan felt relieved. Although this job might not be much, at least this was the beginning of his efforts to lighten his mother’s burden. After saying thank you, he immediately went home feeling a little lighter.

That night, at home, Sahlan tried to muster up the courage to tell his mother. “Mom, Sahlan has gotten a part-time job at a cafe near the school. Starting tomorrow, Sahlan will work after school,” he said, hoping that his mother would not be angry.

Rosa was silent, her eyes full of worry. She knew how important education was for her child’s future, but seeing the determination in Sahlan’s eyes, she couldn’t stop him.

“Won’t this interfere with your studies, son?” Rosa asked softly. There was deep worry in her voice.

Sahlan smiled thinly. “No, ma’am. Sahlan will manage his time well. Sahlan doesn’t want to see you working alone again.”

Rosa took a deep breath, then smiled, even though tears were welling up in the corners of her eyes. “Thank you, son. I’m proud of you.”

The following days became harder for Sahlan. Every time he finished school, he went straight to the cafe and worked until night. His tasks varied, sometimes washing dishes, sometimes serving customers. Every time fatigue gnawed at his body, Sahlan remembered his main goal: to lighten his mother’s burden.

At school, Sahlan began to feel tired often. He had difficulty focusing in class, and fell asleep several times during class. His friends began to suspect something, but Sahlan always tried to hide it with reasons that sounded reasonable.

One day, Dika, one of his close friends, approached Sahlan during his lunch break. “And, let’s be honest. What’s wrong with you lately? I knew you had a problem, but you never told me.”

Sahlan was silent for a moment. On one hand, he wanted to tell his friends everything. But on the other hand, he felt embarrassed to admit that his family was having financial difficulties. Sahlan just shook his head. “It’s nothing, Di. I’m just busy.”

Dika sighed. “We’re best friends, Lan. You don’t have to face everything alone.”

Dika’s words slapped Sahlan. All this time, he had always thought that this burden was only his own. But maybe, if he talked to his friends, he could find support that he never expected.

In the end, that night Sahlan decided to open up. In a quiet cafe, he sat with Dika, Jefri, and several other close friends. With a trembling voice, Sahlan told about his family’s condition, about how his mother struggled alone, and about his job at the cafe.

“I don’t want to burden you guys, but I just want you to know that right now I have to focus more on my family,” Sahlan said honestly.

His friends fell silent, listening intently. They did not judge, nor did they laugh at Sahlan. Instead, they gave him genuine support. “We understand, Lan,” said Jefri. “We will help as much as we can.”

A sense of relief flooded Sahlan’s heart. He no longer felt alone in this struggle. The support of his friends gave him new strength to continue to persevere. Although the struggle was still long, Sahlan now knew that he did not have to bear it all alone.

That night, as he returned home from the cafe, Sahlan felt a glimmer of light amidst the darkness. He knew that the future was still full of challenges, but he also knew that as long as he had the spirit and support of those closest to him, he could get through it all.

With a lighter heart, Sahlan whispered to himself, “I can do it, for Mom, for us.”

 

Tears Behind a Smile

Day after day passed, and Sahlan’s routine became increasingly busy. Every morning he went to school with a tired face, but still tried to smile at his friends. After returning home, he went straight to the cafe to work. Not infrequently, he arrived home late at night, when his mother, Rosa, was already asleep in her room. However, Sahlan felt a little relieved because he was able to lighten the family’s financial burden, even though it was small.

At school, Sahlan’s achievements began to decline. Lessons that used to be easy for him to understand now seemed like a burden. Teachers began to ask questions, and several times called him to talk. Sahlan could only answer with the excuse that he was facing family problems.

However, behind all that, there was one thing that kept Sahlan going: his mother’s smile every time he managed to give her money from her hard work. Although Rosa always politely refused, Sahlan knew that the money was very helpful for buying daily necessities and paying several bills.

One night, after work, Sahlan came home very tired. His hands felt sore after washing dishes and serving customers at the cafe all day. When he got home, he saw the lights in the living room were still on. There, his mother sat alone, her face looking tired and full of worry.

“You haven’t slept yet?” Sahlan asked as he put his work bag on the floor. He approached his mother with a feeling of guilt. He knew that Rosa often stayed up late waiting for him to come home.

Rosa turned her head with a forced smile. “I just wanted to make sure you came home safely. You’re too tired, son. I’m worried.”

Sahlan sat next to his mother, then held Rosa’s wrinkled hand. “I’m sorry, Mom. I can’t see you struggling alone. I know this is hard, but I have to help you.”

Rosa took a deep breath. Tears welled up in her eyes, even though she tried to hold them back. “I’m proud of you, Sahlan. But you also have to remember, your education is the most important thing. I can survive, I just want to see you succeed, get a better life than I do.”

That sentence hit Sahlan’s heart. He knew what his mother wanted, but he also knew that they didn’t have much choice. His mind was torn between his responsibilities to his family and his mother’s desire to see him succeed.

“Mom,” Sahlan said softly, “I promise, I won’t give up on school. But now I have to help you. We can’t keep going like this.”

Rosa just nodded slowly, her eyes getting more teary. They were both silent, only the ticking of the wall clock could be heard in the room. In the midst of the silence, Rosa finally spoke, her voice barely audible.

“I know, son. But I don’t want you to be too burdened. I’m sorry… if all this time I made you feel like you had to bear everything.”

Sahlan felt his chest tighten. He knew that his mother had always tried her best not to show the difficulties they were facing, but he also knew how heavy the burden Rosa was carrying. The tears he had been holding back finally fell.

“Mom, don’t apologize. I should be the one apologizing for not being able to help much,” Sahlan said in a trembling voice.

That night, the two of them talked at length about many things. About the future, about hopes, and about dreams that sometimes felt too far away. Although the conversation was full of emotion, there was a strange sense of peace between them. It was as if all the burdens they had felt so far were divided into two.

The next day, Sahlan went back to his busy days. But this time, there was a little difference. He felt stronger, more able to face every challenge. Even though the work at the cafe was getting more demanding and the lessons at school were getting harder, Sahlan kept fighting.

At school, his friends, Jefri and Dika, started to be more sensitive to Sahlan’s condition. They often helped him study during breaks, sometimes even inviting him to have lunch together in the canteen even though Sahlan rarely had extra money to buy food.

“Lan, do you really not want me to treat you?” asked Jefri one day. “I know that you need it so don’t be embarrassed.”

Sahlan smiled thinly. “Thanks, Jeff. But I’m really fine. I don’t want to bother you guys.”

Dika, who was sitting next to Sahlan, looked at him seriously. “You know what, Lan? We’re friends, and friends don’t bother. We help because we care.”

A warm feeling enveloped Sahlan’s heart. He was grateful to have friends who were always there for him, even in difficult times. However, Sahlan still tried not to rely too much on them. He knew that, in the end, this struggle was his responsibility.

However, behind all these struggles, Sahlan felt something deeper. Every drop of sweat he shed, every night he spent exhausted, all felt nothing compared to the love and dedication he felt for his mother. For him, Rosa was the reason behind all his sacrifices.

Sahlan remembered one night, when he came home earlier than usual. At that time, he saw his mother praying in her room, tears flowing profusely. Rosa asked for strength and health to be able to continue to survive for Sahlan. The sight broke Sahlan’s heart, but also gave him infinite strength.

He promised himself, no matter how hard the road he had to take, he would continue to fight. For his mother, for his family, and for a better future.

A few months later, changes began to appear. Although the struggle was not over, Sahlan managed to balance school and work. His grades at school started to improve, although not as good as before, but at least he was no longer behind. At the cafe, Sahlan began to be trusted by Mr. Anton to do more important tasks, and his salary also increased slightly.

However, most importantly, the relationship between Sahlan and his mother grew stronger. They often spent time together at night, talking about the future and their dreams. Rosa always reminded Sahlan to stay healthy, while Sahlan always tried to convince his mother that everything would be okay.

Although tired, Sahlan felt happy. He knew that his struggle was not over, but he also knew that he was not alone. Behind his mother’s smile, Sahlan found an unshakable strength. And behind every challenge, he always saw a light of hope that guided him towards a better future.

With a heart full of faith, Sahlan kept going. Although sometimes there were tears, he knew that every drop was proof of the struggle and love he gave to the person he loved most in this world, his mother.

 

So, how are you all, are there any of you who can conclude the short story above? Sahlan’s story really opens our eyes to the true meaning of love and sacrifice. From the figure of a teenager who looks full of laughter and friendship, there is an extraordinary struggle for his mother. For those of you who may rarely show affection to your parents, this story can be a sweet reminder that behind the daily hustle and bustle, family is always a priority. Don’t forget to share Sahlan’s story with your friends, who knows they might be inspired too!