Between You and My Parents

Chapter 1 Introduction

Dinda was born in the city of Praya Central Lombok district. I am the first of 4 (four) brothers, one boy (Roy) and three girls (Ani and Safia). I live with a simple family in the middle of the rice fields there are only three houses and we are financed to live with the crops and cattle.

I went to school at the MTs one of the dipraya boarding schools. I am a child who can't think too hard because since I was a child I was mentally deficient.

My mother was an IRT, and my father was a farmer and cattle rancher. Since childhood I was cared for by a grandmother who is now deceased. My mom always spent time in the kitchen after finishing having to accompany my dad after breakfast.

My unhappiness started when I was four (4) years old. Since my mother had no time for me and only my grandmother, aunt and om took care of me, because my mother, father, aunt and om one roof at the time they were still bachelors. So I was just my first grandchild before my brother was born, Roy. And only my mother's first daughter-in-law in my father's family.

That's why I'm loved. I'm pitied. But after Roy was born I entered the age of 4 years. Aunty and om (brothers 5 and 2 of my father) began to arbitrarily towards me.

I have tanned skin, pliable eyelashes, a little sharp, curly hair, and a thin body. Roy was only 5 months old. Of the three houses in the middle of the rice field there are three friends whose age is above me. But I never played around with him because he wasn't too familiar. I often play alone and talk to myself under the coconut tree in front of my house.

It was getting hotter the day I sat under the coconut tree talking to the tree.

"The boy is like a madman". Said the one who just got home from teaching. Ooh yes om I was a religious teacher in a boarding school (Nw).

Om get in the house.

"Your favorite grandson, from school to school, is he still sitting talking under the coconut tree"?. Said the man who looked at me through the window sipping his drink.

"Just let's just say, his name is also an ordinary little boy messing around". Said the grandmother who slammed her son's words while peeling onions.

"What is the habit ? Just watch him carefully!". Speak om Ridwan with a high tone of voice. Until grandma got up from her seat looking at me from the window.

I have a doll whose eyes can blink on their own. The doll's been my friend ever since I was bought by Grandma.

At that time my grandmother was surprised to see me play like a person who is not sane. Then they planned to take me to RSJ, after having an affair with both my parents and the other family.

By morning I was taken by my grandmother and om Ridwan to RSJ, and of course after checking I was mentally deficient. And also the lack of affection of a mother makes me will be a toddler girl who is less sane.

"What doc? my granddaughter is mentally ill?". My grandmother said in shock.

"Did my grandson get well Doc?". Grandma asked looking at the doctor's eyes with teary eyes.

"It is very likely that he will be difficult to recover, although he will recover if he faces problems that this child cannot overcome will return like this". Said the doctor.

"Oh allah. How is this ?. Ask grandma facing om Ridwan.

"Thank you doc". Say it by shaking the doctor's hand. Then I went to take me home from RSJ.

After arriving at the home of the grandmother, he said the doctor to both of my parents. My mother was surprised, my father just rubbed his forehead. Then Grandma locked me in my room and kissed the door from the outside.

I heard my mother crying and my grandfather talking to Ridwan and my father.

"We're just looking for a shaman". Grandpa said to dad.

" is it possible to do well?". Say to grandpa with teary eyes.

"We try first what's wrong, she's my granddaughter. I don't want my granddaughter to be like that". Grandpa said in a high voice.

"Yes already. Let's try it first". Saying grandma. Mom can only cry. And then they left me in that room to do their own thing in that big house.

I feel like I'm in prison in my own house. When it was time to eat I was delivered food by mother or not grandmother who entered like that until grandfather found someone who can treat me.

One year I was imprisoned in my own home. And finally grandfather found someone (shaman) who can treat me.

"Prepare 5 betel leaves, a piece of white cloth, thread, and cocoon house". The shaman in front of my grandfather and father.

"Good". Say father and stand looking for what the support wants.

After all was collected, whether what was given all the conditions that already existed was held by the shaman. Then all the conditions were made into a single fold of white cloth sewn and made into a talisman necklace.

Then my room opened. I saw me shed tears of fear. I could not speak for fear of seeing a man standing in a closet with long hair up to the ground, a flat face with no nose or eyes.

"I'm scared. Where are your fathers? He's taking me". I shouted while pointing at the closet in front of me and hugging the doll that did not want me to take off my hands.

"Dinda my son. You why? Here son!". Father said, taking my hand and carrying me out of the room to the shaman's altar.

Sitting in front of my shaman's altar was like a fright, I didn't want to see that shaman. But the shaman just smiled.

"put this necklace on your son". Say shaman while giving the necklace to my father.

"Yes mba". Say father and put the necklace on me.

"And after this your daughter will fall asleep she will be more comfortable now. You can't take the necklace off because it'll come off on its own once your daughter's fully healed". Say shaman with a smile to grandfather.

"Will my grandson not experience this again repeatedly?". Ask your grandfather to make sure.

"God willing with the permission of your daughter's god will be better than ever. The demons that were bothering him would no longer dare to touch him". Shamans are sure of God's miracles.

"Alhamdulillah, may amiiin". Father and grandfather said together.

"alright. I said hajj sir". Say shaman to grandfather and shake hands with each other

While I have fallen asleep in the arms of the father who was standing to take the shaman out of the living room.

After that incident. I was never again confined to my own room and from there I was now healthy and the necklace was completely gone without anyone knowing where it fell. No one brought up my mental health because I looked better. Everyone became so calm seeing my condition improve.

"Grandmother loves you baby, you have to be a strong girl for the sake of your parents."

Grandma hugged me tightly.

"When grandma leaves you, she hopes you can live her life in the future, because of the hard upbringing in our family". I fell asleep in my grandmother's lap.