A Letter to My Mom

Chapter 2: Working in a state of illness

CHAPTER 2

"Billi! Wake up! Mama wants to go to work" said Ayudia.

Milian climbed down from the hard wooden bed without a mattress. Her pale face did not make Ayudia feel pity. Just asking the situation of his eldest daughter was not.

"Can Mili rest today, Ma?”

“Rest you said? Mama should stay home, so! Who wants to feed us? Who do you think all the food and other necessities in this house are produced by? Mama! If mom doesn't go to work, you and your sisters won't be able to eat full.”

Ayudia cackled to hear Milian want to rest. Tackling the matter of the food that the girl had been eating all this time. Milian could never eat his fill, though his mother continued to go to work.

If he heard his mother was angry, Milian could only apologize. Their house, located at the end of the village, keeps them away from neighbors. The house is far from the other house.

“Wash all clothes, mumpung sunny day. Remember that! Make porridge for Desi. He is still sick and should not eat anything hard,” Ayudia messages before leaving for work.

“Good, Ma.”

Milian looking for long batik cloth. He tied his stomach to endure the pain. In fact, it makes it difficult to move. 

The girl took it back. “Hah …. I definitely can. I'm a strong boy, Pa. Papa take it easy in heaven, because Milian will take good care of the sisters.”

Typhoon goes to school with Bayu. Of course, they left after being bathed and dressed by her brother. Sometimes, Milian was so sad to see them carrying school bags and leaving in a red and white uniform.

Bayu is only in the first grade of elementary school, while Taufan has entered the fourth grade. Milian was supposed to graduate elementary school this year, if he continued to attend school. Unfortunately, he stopped in the second grade of elementary school.

“Dek …. Eat, yuk!”

Milian brought a bowl of porridge to Desi. The three-year-old girl refused. He gently persuaded Desi amid the tormenting pain.

“Adek should eat. Later do not recover the pain,” persuaded Milian.

“You snack! Dedek mau jajan. Dedek does not want to eat porridge. Not good, Brother,” whining Desi.

“Mama don't deposit money with sister. Dedek eat first, yeah. Later in the afternoon if mama comes home, new jajan.”

Desi agreed. He was fed by his brother. The little girl was not as troublesome as her two younger brothers. 

Desi has been suffering from sun allergy since birth. If exposed to the sun, his face and body would be flushed. The severe burning sensation made him cry in pain. Desi's skin should not be exposed to the sun at all, therefore the curtains of his room never open.

Imagine how difficult it is to keep a three-year-old girl who is actively playing, but should not get out of the house. However, Milian was charged with doing so. As he was washing clothes, Desi came out of the house secretly.

“Ah! It hurts! Sister …. Hicks …. Pain!”

Milian left his job and ran out. “Adek!” screech the girl. He rushed his sister to the doctor at a small clinic at the far end of the village.

“Mili! What happened to Desi?” ask RT sir who happened to cross paths with Milian.

“Desi relapsed again, Mr. RT.”

“Ya,” Milian replied briefly.

Desi's body was covered in a thick blanket, cradled on Milian's ailing back. Mr. RT took over holding Desi and taking her to the clinic. In their village, the clinic was the only one they could visit while sick. For free health facilities such as public hospitals and health centers, it is too far away.

They have to take public transport if they want to go there. Luckily the owner of the clinic was a good person. He paid medical bills for the Milian family.

Milian sometimes felt embarrassed, because only he came there without bringing any money at all. Doctor Saraswati, is tall, beautiful, and has a husband who works with her. They could not have children because Dr. Saras had severe menorrhagia, so he had to have a hysterectomy.

“Why not be taken to the hospital alone?” ask Saras to RT sir.

“At the moment, it is very difficult to get free treatment, Doctor Mom. The process was complicated and I could do nothing. That's the hospital provision. Meanwhile, Mom, know what the condition of the Desi family,” replied RT sir.

Doctor Saras could only sigh. He knows, the process of applying for free health insurance is increasingly complicated because of irresponsible individuals. They ate medicine money that should have been the right of poor people like Ayudia.   

“I can only apply burn ointment, although this is not actually a burn.”

Milian sat up trembling. In addition to fear of being scolded by his mother, also because he was not healthy. Saraswati glanced at him while applying the medicine on Desi's body. Finished applying the medicine, he approached the girl.

Pk ….

He touched Milian's forehead. His eyes widened when he found out that the girl had a fever. The RT guy who didn't know was quite surprised.

“Your temperature is very high, dear,” Saras said.

“I'm fine, Doctor. You don't have to worry,” said Milian with a faint smile. He was too embarrassed until the doctor treated him. Two free patients coming together, it must have been detrimental to Saras' doctor, Milian thought.

“No. You're not okay. Quickly lay! Let mom check you,” Saras orders.

“No need, Doctor. I have to take my sister home soon before mom gets home from work,” Milian refused.

Although the doctor continued to insist, but Milian insisted on refusing the treatment of doctor Saras. He took his sister and returned home delivered by RT sir. On the way, Milian almost fell.

“Let the father who carried your sister,” said mr. RT.

“It's okay, Sir. Let Mili. After all, soon to be home too,” said Milian with a gasping breath.

His head felt spinning from the sun. But he is trying to stay strong. Arriving at home, he immediately brought Desi in, and closed the door.

“Hah ...” The forty-year-old man heaved a heavy sigh.

‘That little girl, but her attitude is very mature. He always tries to solve his own problems. In fact, he refused to accept treatment out of embarrassment to the doctor.’

Mr. RT turned around. He can't do anything there. Despite offering help many times, Milian always refused, saying they were fine. 

The big problem came when his mother came home from work. He was very angry to hear Desi coming out of the house. Especially when he heard the little girl moaning in pain, Ayudia also vented her anger at Milian.

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