The Lovely Village

The sunlight brightens up my days. I looked at the skyscrapers. Quite boring! I was thinking about moving from here to a village. I wanted to change my life for a while. Even though I had everything in my hometown, wealth dan glamourous life sometimes made me bored. So, I decided to live in a village with my driver and his wife. She was my servant actually.

“Do you really want to do this, Sweetheart?”, asked Mum.

“Yes, I do.”, I said firmly.

“Luna, everything that you need, just call me and mention it. Will you be okay?”

“Okay, Dad. Thank you.”

“Alright, off you go!”, said Dad.

It took four hours to reach to my countryseat in this village. I arrived there at night. It was a cold night. We did not need an air-contirioner here. I nearly could not sleep but I had to. I wore double blankets on that night.

In the morning, I went to my new school for the first time. My driver and his wife did not accompany me at all. I walked alone through a rocky path. There was no road here, only a rocky path. It was a country road. I enjoyed the fresh air and saw a wide rice field. The farmers were working at the rice field.

I read the school board. It was written “Nglawak Junior High School”. Yes, because this village named Nglawak so did its school. It was a weird name I thought. I was lost in a room until I met my teacher. She recognized me that I was new here. She guided me into my class and made me introduce my self.

“Hello Guys, my name is Luna Permatasari. You can call me Luna. Nice to meet you all.”

“Hi, Luna!”, said all of the students.

I was on the second grade of Junior High School. This school had only one class for each grade. People in this village rarely put their children to school. Some of them cannot pay the charge. How pity they are!

I sat beside a girl named Nisa. When the breaktime, the students came around me and asked me many questions. I answered it one by one. Then we went to the food vendors. They sold tempura, siomay, cilok, and batagor. I did not buy anything but they did. There was no canteen or cafetaria at this school.

After school, the girls asked me to gather with them at the field. They said that we would play traditional games such as dakon, bekel, egrang, gobak sodor, etc.

“Alright, but I will change my school uniform first.”, I said.

The girls agreed. Actually they wanted to wait for me when I changed my clothe. But I told them not to do that because it would take long enough time. After I ate my lunch, I asked Mr. Dadang, my driver, about where the field was. He explained completely but when I was looking for the field, I was lost. I was walking slowly and thinking hard.

“Hi, Luna! What are you doing here?”, suddenly a boy came up with his bike.

“Hi! You are my classmate, aren’t you? I am trying to find the field but I think I am lost.”

“Yes, I am. Let me introduce my self, my name is Suparno, but you can call me Vano. Well, I will help you to find it.”

“Thanks, Vano.”

“Okay, just get ride on my bike. We will get there faster than walking.”

I got ride on his bike. While he was riding, he showed me a beautiful view of this village. I could see the trees, hear the humming birds, and inhale the fresh air. It was awesome. I never felt like this before. One thing that made me giggle was people in this village were looking for louses on the other people’s head. They did it at noon in front of their house. A few minutes later, we arrived at the field.

“Luna, I thought you were lost.”, said Nisa.

“Yes, but alhamdulilah I met Vano. He took me here.”

“Do you mean Suparno? Wow, you are lucky. He is the son of head-village here.”

Then I played together with them. I was so glad. Not only girls in this field, but there were boys who were playing gasing.

At night, there was a movie outdoor on Vano’s yard, we called it layar tancap. Vano invited me there. At midnight, he took me home.

“Thank you for taking me home, Van.”

“You’re welcome. It is too dangerous for a pretty girl like you walking alone at night.”

I laughed and blushed.

“Lu, will you go out with me after school? I am going to show you something beautiful.”

“Yeah, why not?”, I smiled at him.

“Okay, I will pick you up tomorrow. We will go to school together. Good night, Luna!”

“Good night, Vano!”

œË›š

The next day, after school, Vano took me to the waterfall. I touched the water. It was so cold. He swam and he watered me.

“Are you happy?”, asked Vano.

“Definetely yes. You make me impressed with this awesome scenery.”

“Good. Because when you are happy, so am I.”

Vano invited me to his home. He said he wanted to change his wet clothe. I waited for him inside his home. His home was the largest among other people’s in this village, but he did not have modern stuff Iike I did in my home. A few minutes later, Vano called my name from the outside.

“LUNA!”, he shouted.

I went outside. Vano had changed his clothe and he was sitting on a horse’s back. Wow, I did not know he could ride a horse.

“Come on! Let’s ride a horse with me.”, offered him.

I moved closer to the horse. “Vano, I never ride a horse before so I’m a bit scared.”

“Don’t worry! Trust me, I will never let you fall. Here, take my hand.”

I was sitting in front of Vano at the horse’s back. He put his hand around my waist and held the horse’s rope. Everyone watched us. It seemed they were amazed.

“Why do people stare at us, anyway?”

“Because you are pretty, Luna.”

“Oh, come on, don’t be joking. Why?”

“Alright. Because I am the richest guy and the only guy who has five horses at home. They don’t. Yeah, because of my beloved father.”

After we had moved around this village by riding the horse, we stopped at a river. Vano gave his horse a chance to drink. He was sitting next to me at the riverside. I was so tired.

“If you’re tired, you may put your head on my shoulder.”, he said.

“How do you know what I feel?”, I said and then I put my head on his shoulder.

He hold my hand and said, “Because we’re created from one heart, Luna.”

š›Ëœ

When my neighbour held a wedding party in their home, it was so noisy. They played dangdut music all day long. Unfortunately, the diesel machine was put near my home. I cannot sleep well. It was their tradition when someone was married. But I respected them by not complaining. Then I thought about Vano. He was the most handsome guy in Nglawak village. I think he was very kind too. But there was just one thing which I did not like from him, sometimes he was conceited. I knew that he was the son of head-village so perhaps it made him like that. He often showed his wealth to people.

I had been at Nglawak village nearly one year. So, I would be at third grade of junior high school. I spent my days to enjoy this life with my friends, especially Vano. We played and studied together. Everything had changed when people in this village had known their head-village did corruption. People reported this case to the police. The police imprisoned Vano’s father and gave him imprisonment for two years.

All of the students in the class felt lazy to talk with Vano. He used to sit on the most front desk but now on the corner in this class. No one wanted to sit beside him. I pitied him. So I left Nisa and sat beside Vano.

“Vano, are you okay? You look so pale. Have you eaten your breakfast?”

I did not get any responses. It was already seven o’clock but the teacher did not come yet. Then I stood in front of the class. My friends were looking at me. I knew they wondered about what I was doing.

“Guys, listen to me, I know that Vano’s father was a corruptor and he has been in prison. I think it is fair and the problem has done. You don’t have to under estimate Vano. It wasn’t his fault. I beg to you all, please be nice to him.”, I explained.

After school, I was walking together with Vano. He became a very quiet person. Suddenly, there was a man who mocked him.

“Hi, Idiot! Your dad will have been in jail for two years I think that is not enough! He needs to be given a capital punishment. Haha.”, then the man ran away.

Vano did not say anything. He bowed his head. I felt compassion to him. I put my arm around his shoulder and slapped it carefully.

“Don’t hear that man. He’s crazy. You still have your mom and me. We love you and I will always be in your side, Vano.”

I wished he would say thanks to me but in fact he did not say anything as usual. It was okay. I understood the situation.

œË›š

Someday we got a bad news. Someone killed Vano at night when Vano was going out from home. His dead body was found at the path. When I got information about Vano’s death, I was really shocked. He was my closest friend in this village but today he was gone. Vano’s mother could not stop crying.

In the prison, when Vano’s father got information about it, he was not ready for it. He got frustrated and did not have a desire to live anymore. He decided to end his life by crashing his head to the wall. So, he was dead too.

Vano’s mother could not accept this situation. She lost her only son and her beloved husband. She still could not stop crying. Day by day, she was absent-minded. This village became a nightmare for me. After I did my final test, I wanted to be out from Nglawak Junior High School. I was going to continue my third grade at my old-school.

There were too many sweet memories between Vano and I in the village. I could not handle it. So I went back to my hometown. I realized that living in the village was not as good as I imagined and living in the city not as bad as I thought.

THE END

The Surrogate Mother

Rizal lost his lovely wife two years ago. She passed away because of an illness. Since then, Rizal lived with his only son, Albern, and a servant named Mbok Pinem. Albern grew up and now he was seven. Rizal was a bussiness man at his office. Accidentally, he ran into Wita there. Wita was an investor at one of Rizal’s trades. They had known each other since they were in Elementary School. At that time, Rizal was in  the sixth grade and Wita was in the first grade. Rizal had ever saved Wita from an abductor. But they were separate since Rizal started his Senior High School.

One day, Rizal introduced Wita to Albern. Firstly, Albern did not like her. In fact, Albern hated every woman which was intimated with his father. While Rizal was sitting closely next to Wita, Albern always disturbed and try to separate them.

“Dad, would you please make me some milk?”

“You can ask Mbok Pinem to do that, Albern.”, Rizal said.

“No, Dad. I want you to make it.”, Albern begged him.

See, it was just Albern’s alibi. Then Rizal left Wita and went to the kitchen. Albern sat beside Wita. Wita tried to make friendly conversation with Albern. But Albern replied her sharply. So, Wita handed a candy out from her Prada bag.

“Here a candy bar for you, Dear.”, Wita gave it to him.

After it, Albern talked to Wita calmly. He was delighted to eat the candy.

As time went by, Rizal frequently went to somewhere and spent the time together with Wita. Albern could not be mad because they always brought a few souvenirs for him.

“Wow, how cool this toy is. Thanks, Dad!”, Albern exclaimed.

“Aunt Wita chose it, she knew what you liked. Just say thank to her.”, Rizal said.

“Thank you, Aunt Wita.”

“You’re welcome, Albern. I’m glad you like it.”, Wita answered.

YYY

Rizal asked Wita to take Albern to school at Fashion Charity Show. Lately, Rizal was very busy at his office. He had been in his office since dawn. So, Wita had been at Rizal’s house since dawn. She woke Albern up, bathed him, made up his hair, and then took him to school. She waited for Albern as long as the show.

Albern got a lot of compliments for his performance that day. His hair looked cooler because Wita made it up. Deep inside in his heart, Albern said thank to Wita. He was shy to say it directly. When the show had finished, Albern was excited and running around with his friends. Suddenly, his head struck the corner of a table because his height as tall as the table. He cried and held his bruised forehead. Wita swiftly came to him then hugged and carried him to outside of the building. There was an ice-cream seller there. So Wita bought him a vanilla ice cream. She knew that Albern loved vanilla flavour from Rizal. Albern stopped crying and ate it. Wita still carried him until they got in the car. She set a seatbelt to him.

“Does it still hurt, Honey?”, Wita asked.

“Yes, it does.”, said Albern honestly.

Wita kissed Albern’s forehead softly.

“Now it doesn’t, does it?”

Albern did not answer it but he felt better and kept on eating his ice-cream. When they arrived at Rizal’s home, Wita took off Albern’s uniform then she asked him to wash his hands and ate Mbok Pinem’s food. Albern washed his hands only but did not want to eat. He told Wita that he was full. Wita tried to cook something in the kitchen. After she had finished, she fed him a little. Albern loved her food so he ate by himself.

The relationship between Rizal and Wita was wide apart but she understood this situation. Now she took care of Albern and did stuff such as taking Albern to school, she helped him do his homework and they drew together etc. Those things made Albern feel comfortable and happy with her. Someday when Albern went out from his class, he ran rapidly to Wita.

“Aunt Wita, look, I got A⁺ on my exam!”, he exclaimed.

“That’s great, Sweetheart! Rizal must be proud of you.”, then she carried him in her hug.

“It’s because of you, Aunt. Thanks a lot!”, Albern kissed Wita’s cheek.

“You’re welcome, Albern Dear! Let’s go home!”

YYY

“Wita, I won’t be busy and will spend most of the time at home with Albern. You don’t need to look after him anylonger. Now, I need to take a rest. Is it okay if I do not accompany you to home?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll be fine, Rizal.”

Wita drove his car to her home. She thought that her relationship with Rizal would be back to normal. They could spend anything together because he would not be busy the following day. But the fact was completely different. Rizal never visited her home or asked her to go for a date. Actually, he had a new woman which might be his wife. She was so sexy but not as beautiful as Wita to be honest. Rizal was crazy about that woman. Then he intoduced her to Albern.

“Albern, this is Aunt Selena, she might be your new mom.”

“Never in million years, Dad. I don’t like that woman. I only want Aunt Wita to be my mother. I loved Aunt Wita.”, Albern shouted and went to his room.

Even Rizal’s friend at his office had warned him about Selena.

“Hey, Dude, she’s very arrogant you know. She spends her money only for buying make up and useless stuff. And the worst thing is she loves shopping everyday. If you married her, you would run out of money.”

YYY

In the morning, Albern did not want to be woken up by Mbok Pinem. He covered his body up with blanket. Mbok Pinem told Rizal about it then Rizal went to Albern’s room. He was surprised because Albern got a slight fever.

“I don’t want to go school, Dad.”, Albern stated.

“I know, you’re sick, Son. Let’s see a doctor.”, Rizal advised.

“No, I don’t want to go there either.”

“So, what do you want? I promise I will buy it you in order for you to get better.”

“I just want to see Aunt Wita. Let’s visit her place, Dad. I miss her.”

Rizal thought for a while. He imagined the romantic events which he had done with Wita. He admitted that he never said his feeling or declared his love. He felt guilty because he had hurt Wita’s feeling. He knew that they both loved each other.

“Dad, when will we see Aunt Wita?”, Albern inquired him.

“Hm, yes, tonight we’ll go there. I must go to work this morning. But Albern, you should drink a medicine and eat well, okay?

“Really? Tonight? Yeay. Yes, I will Dad. Thank you.”

“Good boy. That’s my son.”, Rizal caressed Albern’s hair.

YYY

While Rizal was driving his car, Albern who was sitting next to him could not stop telling his days with Wita. Rizal loved to hear what Albern was saying.

After they arrived at Wita’s house, Albern got out off the car then ran to Wita’s house.

“Come on, Dad!”

“Wait a minute, I have to pick up our suitcase.”

Albern was not patient enough to wait his dad. He wished he could reach the bell. Finally, Rizal pushed the bell and Wita’s servant came up. Before she said something, Albern said something first.

“Where’s Aunt Wita?”, Albern asked.

“She’s in the living room, Kid.”, she replied.

Albern went inside of the house and tried to find Wita. Wita was sitting on a sofa with her magazine. Albern saw her and began to shout.

“AUNT WITA!”, Albern ran to Wita’s hug.

“Albern, My Dear!”, Wita surprisely stood up and hugged him tightly.

They both did not know if Rizal saw them behind. Rizal smiled and kept walking to them.

“With whom did you come, Albern?”, Wita wondered.

“With Daddy.”, replied Albern.

“Hello, Wita!”, said Rizal.

“Ouhh, hello, Rizal! I’m very glad that you two came here.”

“It’s been a long time, huh? Mm, actually Albern doesn’t really get over from his fever yet. He wants to see you.”, explained Rizal.

Albern was still on Wita’s hug. It seemed he was very comfortable.

“Is that true, Albern? Do you want to see me?”

“Yes, Aunt Wita. Meeting you is the best medicine for curing my sickness. I miss you so much.”, Albern kissed Wita.

“So do I, Sweetheart.”, Wita kissed him back.

Rizal and Wita sat on sofa and watched television. Albern nearly felt asleep on Wita’s hug and did not want to stop lying his head on her shoulder.

“I apologise because we came here so late. Albern was missing you so bad.”

“No need to say sorry. It’s okay. By the way, have you given him a medicine?”

“I have, but it doesn’t totally work yet.”

“Oh, I see. Well, you’re not going to go home tonight, are you? It’s better for you to sleep at my home. You both can sleep in guest’s room. What do you think?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“I want to sleep with Aunt Wita.”, cried Albern.

“How if Albern sleeps with me, Rizal? Do you mind?”, Wita asked.

“No, not at all. Go ahead.”, Rizal permitted.

“I want to sleep with Daddy too.”, cried Albern again.

Rizal and Wita were surprised. They were impossible to sleep together without marriage permission. But the smart Wita had an idea. They could sleep in the living-room. She put her pump bed from to the living room. Then they slept together in front of the television. Albern was in the middle between Rizal and Wita. But Albern faced Wita and they were in one long-pillow. He felt asleep peacefully not longer after that. Actually, neither Rizal and Wita could sleep because they were thinking about one same thing. They felt like a little family and Albern was their real son. There was a warm feeling around them. Until Albern spoke in his slept.

“Mom...., mommy Wita....”

“Ssshhhh....”, Wita calmed him by caressing his back several times.

Albern stopped speaking. Rizal heard what Albern said clearly and he started thinking to make Wita became his wife. He thought about it all night long.

YYY

Sunday morning. Albern had completely gotten over from his fever. Wita washed him in the bathroom then fed him. Rizal was still sleeping because he had not slept that night. Wita left him sleeping like a baby. Albern and Wita had fun all day. In the afternoon, Albern got tired. He slept and was carried by Wita’s on her hug after he drank his milk.

“Rizal, rizal, wake up!”, Wita woke Rizal up.

“Hooaaamm, what time is it?”, he looked at the clock. It was already one o’clock. “Oh Gosh!”

“You’d better take a shower and then eat. I cooked some food and put them on the table.”

After Rizal took a shower, he ate Wita’s food. He was surprised because the taste of the food is same with Berny’s, his late wife. It was very tasty. While he was eating, he saw Wita was caressing Albern on her hug. With no doubt, Rizal was completely sure to make Wita becoming his new wife.

In short way, finally, Rizal married with Wita and lived happily. It was the end of finding a surrogate mother. Albern got a little sister named Alta. Even though Wita had her own child, she still loved Albern as well. Rizal loved Wita with all his heart, so did Wita. Y

THE END