Dreams of Devi

The Child of the Poor

"You rest first, Nduk," said the father who is still busy plucking the grass that grows around the groundnut plants.

I who was not far enough to feel thirsty this time. Not to mention the sweat that seems to rain, making the body feel sticky. I got up from my seat, welcoming the offer of the Father, it seems like I need a short break.

"Don't you rest?" my many.

"Yes, later, Nduk."

Meanwhile, Rehan, my younger brother who is still playing kite. He ran south and north in turn. Didn't he notice his father and brother complaining of heat?

The sun is actually not high enough, but the heat is so stinging body. I walked towards the small hut that was on the front side of the field. The 2×2-meter-high thatched roof that I currently occupy is more than enough just as a shelter from heat or rain. As I recall this hut was made about three years ago when Mom was alive. If only Mother was still here, surely sweet and fried tea was never absent to accompany the activity in the fields. Ah, I hate to associate everything that finally reminds me of Mom.

"Why, Re?" I asked Rehan who was sitting next to me. He then took some drinking water and gulped it down quite a bit.

"Capek, Ma'am," he complained after wiping the droplets of drinking water that still flowed in his mouth to his neck.

I just answered with the word 'oh'. The reality is not at all comparable to his passionate desire when asking you to buy a kite. A few days ago his friends were busy playing kites on the field, while Rehan was just watching from the edge. I would accompany him there every afternoon.

Several times Rehan told me that he wanted to have a blue kite. Rehan is still in fifth grade, I think it's only natural that he wants to be like his friend. It turned out that after returning from the field Rehan also expressed his wish to the Father. Unfortunately at that time you could not fulfill that simple request, you promised to buy it when there was money. Fortunately Rehan can understand the condition of the Father. He then set aside an allowance to have the game and this morning his little wish was achieved.

"God, you must be more tired." My finger pointed at the Father, hoping Rehan would have sympathy.

"Mr never wants me to help you, ma'am."

"The father is hesitant if you want to ask for help, we seem to have the awareness to help. Don't wait for orders. As long as you are loose, let's help you, Father," I said, lecturing Rehan.

"Yes, Mother. Rehan will help you finish this."

I can't believe Rehan immediately put his kite in the hut and quickly approached the Father. I could not listen to the conversation of my two great men because of their slow voice. But from his movements, it is seen that you do not allow Rehan to help. Father and Rehan, two people who both have a tendency to be quiet. Both are sparing in talking, no wonder if the house is always in a quiet condition even though family members are complete.

"The grass can be a lot of gini, yes, sir," said I who just joined with Mr and Rehan.

"Yes, Nduk, no papa. God willing to keep the harvest as long as we try to take care of it."

"It's a long harvest, sir?" ask Rehan.

"About two months. Hopefully not disturbed by rats, yes, Le, so that you can get a lot of results."

"Aamiin, Rehan's gonna get a new bag, yeah, sir."

I just smiled when I saw my dad nod. It was sad when Rehan or I asked you for something. Rarely do you immediately agree and buy, the Father always entertains us with his promise. Yes, how else, you only rely on the field as a place to make money.

"The same chili that you planted first can be harvested, Nduk. Try picking, later offered to the Bu Minah stall, who knows can be exchanged for oil or sugar," said the father told me to go to a plot of land specifically for vegetable crops.

"Yes, this is Devi staying, yes. I want to harvest vegetables first."

Something I like the most when in the field is to be able to see the all-green color plus the bonus view of Mount Lawu which at any time shows its charm. I never get tired of being in this place. Unfortunately, you rarely allow me to come to this place.

"Rehan helped pick up chili peppers with eggplant, yes, Ma'am."

Without waiting for my approval, Rehan immediately picked the already ripe chili fruit. There are actually only about eight chili trees. However, this time the chili is fruiting very much as well as good quality. Ah, if it's like this I'm the spirit. I immediately plucked the ready-to-harvest spinach and put it on a piece of teak leaf.

In addition, you also plant gambas and bitter melon. There are also water kale plants that grow wild because of soil conditions that contain a lot of water. The sound of Rehan's voice singing was unclear. It seems he is also happy with the results of the father's plants are encouraging. Hopefully, everything will be done later.

"Have you tied each one up, Nduk?"

"It's all, sir. Will it be taken directly to the Bu Minah stall?"

"Yes, don't come here again, at home. Ask Bu Minah first, she wants to buy or not. You take Rehan, yes, Nduk. If he wants a snack, no papa."

"Can, Sir?" rehan asked enthusiastically, his ears were sensitive to something like this.

***

The condition of the Bu Minah stall is quite crowded. All customers want to be served first. Rehan and I just stood behind the mothers. Some of the fresh vegetables were deliberately still placed in the bicycle basket. In addition to weight, I am also embarrassed if it will be the center of attention of buyers.

"What do you want to buy, Nduk?" asked Bu Minah so the stall was in a fairly quiet condition.

"Sold by my father nawarin vegetables, Mom."

"What's wrong with him?"

After knowing the type of vegetables I brought, Minah seemed interested in buying them. I do not understand the current market price, maybe the purchase price is very cheap, almost half the price in ordinary traders.

"No price added, ma'am?"

"No way, Nduk. If you want to sell at another merchant please. The vegetables are yellow in color."

I gasped a little when Bu Minah put down my vegetables violently. Women aged around 50 years old is indeed a little tempramental, especially if serving children.

"Yes, ma'am, I don't pay that price" I said, giving up instead of going home with no money.

I just remembered that you asked me to buy cooking oil, sugar, and coffee. The plan is I want to buy oil alone, it seems that the money is not enough if you buy everything immediately.

"Mom, the vegetable money is asked for cooking oil that is half a liter," said I who was not cared about by Ms. Mira. He still enjoys his food.

"Bak, really, really long, yeah. From earlier it has not been served," for Rehan who wants to be upset.

"Patience, Re, Miss Minah again bothered," I said comforting Rehan.

"He had a relaxed feeling."

I signaled Rehan to be quiet. Speech is true, only I was afraid if Bu Minah was getting angry because of hearing it.

"Lho, there's a midwife. What are you buying?"

I felt the difference in treatment when Bu Ratri, the village midwife, stopped by at Bu Minah's stall. Bu Minah looked very friendly, several times she offered a seat to Bu Ratri. Rehan who happened to be sitting in one of his chairs was even asked to leave.

"Bak, it's good to be rich, huh?" whispered Rehan.

"Why?"

"So many people."

"Don't be hard, Re. It's good to be motivated, so we can succeed next."

Thank you for reading this novel.