Behind the Grey Cloud

01 The Fight

"Already bang. We better get divorced. You won't make me happy. I'm sick of living like this. Every day I'm tormented bang."

"But Mom, be patient for a moment. If we part ways, how will Mayang, ma'am?"

"Let Mayang stay with you bang. And I'm going to the city to find my happiness."

"But Ma'am..."

"Already bang. My decision is round. I'll go tonight."

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Yes, I'm Mayang. I am 9 years old now. My life is the same as the lives of children my age. I have a good and patient Dad, and a loving and caring mother.

But that's just my feeling. Because in reality, my life is a mess.

My dad's a jobless laborer. He works whatever there is. Sometimes it becomes a building porters sometimes also become market workers. My father's income is just a pasan.

My mother was a normal housewife. Every morning I would cook breakfast for me, sweep, wash my clothes, and even play with me.

At first, all of this was fine. Until one day, aunt Saripah came.

aunty Saripah is my mother's sister.

He lives next door. She became the second wife of Mr. Jupri, a vegetable artist in her village.

"Sir, bang Ipul every day give you spending money how much are you?"

"It's Sar. Enough to eat us."

"What is enough? Eating with tofu side dish tempe continues to be quite enough. The vegetables were also the leaves behind the house, right?

Ma'am, mbok yes firmly it's the same bang Ipul.ask for enough shopping money. Don't you want to be given just this way."

The words of this aunt Saripah I hear very often. I was a kid then. I can only be a listener.

Not only once twice did I hear Bi Sari say so. Every time we come home, this is something that is discussed.

Since that incident, my mother has been silent.

mom is no longer what she used to be. I heard that they often fight.

And again I can only be a listener at my young age.

***

"Where's mom going?

Why do you live alone Mayang? Who will cook for Mayang? Who will accompany Mayang to play Ma'am?"

"Darling, I can't stay here. Mom will go looking for peace of mind. Mayang is here just the same Dad. take care of yourself well Yes dear" said mother before leaving while kissing my forehead.

"Mom, wouldn't you feel sorry for your daughter if it wasn't for me, please stay here for Mayang Bu. He needs you so much, I beg you"

"No bang. My decision is already unanimous.excuse me"

"mother......"

I can only watch my mother leave.

I can't prevent it. I can't make him stay. And father, he could only hold back his cries from breaking before me. I know, his heart was so broken because the woman he loved left. Go with the unhappy reasons with him

"I'm sorry, son. Sorry."

dad hugged me tight. As if I was afraid that I would leave her like a mother.

In his arms I felt Dad's body shake a little. I know she's crying. I hugged him tightly.

'Dad, I'll stay with dad. I'll take care of dad. I will keep my father's promise in my heart.

***

This morning it was so heavy. After last night, we were silent. We are busy with our own thoughts. I didn't expect, but I didn't really exist. Mom really left.

"Dad, from today Mayang will cook for dad. Mayang will always be there for dad. Mayang dear father."

"Thank you, Son. Forgive me dad"

I can only reply to my father with a smile. These lips are no longer able to say the word. Because this heart is still very sick.

I never cooked. But every mother cooks, I always look at her and pay attention to her.

This morning, I picked the cassava leaves behind the house. Coincidentally one of the banana trees has a ripe fruit. I took it too. I'll make fried food for dad's snacks.

It turns out there are still 2 pieces of tempe board that have not been fried yesterday. All kitchen ingredients are still complete. I'm sure I can cook all this.

"Darling, I went to RT sir's house first huh. Yesterday Mr. RT asked his father to help him trim the mango tree next to his house. If you can't cook, don't cook, son. We'll just buy some vegetables in front."

Suddenly the father went into the kitchen with a machete to trim the mango tree belonging to the RT sir.

"Yes dad. Careful. Mayang can cook it. Every day Mayang always see mom cooking. So Mayang knows what spices to use."

"Yes already. Dad left yes. Assalamualaikum.."

"Wa'alaikumsalam father."

***

After my father left, I immediately returned to my job.

The leaves that I picked up I washed and then boiled them.

While waiting for the leaves that I boiled, I peeled the seasoning and fried the tempe.

After that, the banana I had brought from the garden I peeled and I fried.

'hmmmm, I hope you like my cooking'

Not long ago, Dad came.

"Assalamualaikum Mayang, this is me bringing you fried chicken side dishes. There I was told to have breakfast. But I refused because I wanted to have breakfast with you. Let's have breakfast together."

"wa'alaikumsalam, yes father. This Mayang cuisine is also cooked. There are fried bananas for dad too. "

"Thank God, thank you, son. Again forgive me"

"Dad, stop. Don't keep apologizing. Mayang Iaaang same father".I also hugged my father tightly.

***

After breakfast, I wash the dishes and clean the table.

It just happened to be Sunday, so I had school off.

"Darling, I'm going to go after you. You're fine at home."

Suddenly he showed up and changed his work clothes.

Yeah, dad's work shirt is a gift t-shirt from a building store with a training pants suit.

"Yeah dad. Be careful, huh."

***

I was sitting alone in the living room. Finished washing the dishes, I continued sweeping and then washing clothes.

This house is so quiet without a mother. I still can't stop thinking, why can you leave me and dad. My mother no longer loves us.

But I can't be sad. I have to keep the spirit to continue my life with my father. I don't want to make you sad. Plus, I'll be facing the End of School Examination. I have to study hard so I can graduate with the highest grades. Because if I can get into the top 3, I can get a scholarship at State School.

***

This morning, as usual I picked vegetables in the backyard. Today I'm going to cook my dad's favorite stir-fry and tempeh. Now in the backyard not only ketela leaves and banana trees are there. But my father and I grew kale vegetables, spinach, mustard and eggplant.

There is also papaya fruit. In addition to the ripe fruit can be eaten, the young can also be used as a vegetable.

We're very happy. We were afraid to separate. Afraid of a repeat of the incident where mom left us and didn't come back.

But me and Dad never talked about mom. All the questions and puzzles of mother's departure are only in the heart.

I only have one brother, Bi Saripah. Both of my parents died long before my mother and father were married.

Ms. Saripah who knew about my mother's departure also never talked about it to us.

He only comes to visit occasionally.

Once upon a time came delivering divorce papers from mom and dad. Said bi Saripah, mother asked him to take care of her divorce papers.

________________________

Next week, I'm going to face the Final Semester Exam I have to study harder to get the best grades. I should be able to make you proud.

Being able to enter the State school in my village is my dream and my friends. In the village in our village like this, the State school is the flagship school. Where this school is a National Standard School (SSN). In this school, outstanding students can also get scholarships. And if it can maintain its achievements, then to continue High School will be facilitated through the path of achievement.

I really hope to continue school without having to charge my father. I can't bear it if you have to work harder for me.