I Want to Go Home

1. Cheating with his best friend

I'm Johan Son of Chaniago, just call Johan. Because that's my calling since childhood. I'm sure by reading my name, you already know where I'm from. Yes, I am from Alahan Panjang, West Sumatra. The original Minang.

My father's name is Samsul Bahri and my mother, Ida. They fell in love and dated since High School, until finally stopped dating to advance to the marriage level. I am their favorite child, because I am an only child. We live in Padang City, not too far from Alahan Panjang.

My parents are good at cooking, not only am I saying, almost everyone who stops by says so. My parents used to own a padang rice stall, Ampera Nan Lamak. Now then? No longer, because they are dead. The bus accident while going to Jakarta, saw Mr. Syahril, my father's brother who was admitted to the hospital.

Mr. Shahril is the only brother and sister for my father, which is why if anything happens, I must immediately respond.

Since then, I have been taken care of by Mr. Shahril. He said he felt guilty for me and my parents. Mr. Shahril's wife, Ms. Ningsih actually objected. Because their economy is mediocre. Mr. Syahril only worked as an Elementary School teacher, and Ms. Ningsih was only a housewife.

They had three children, two boys and one girl. His second son, Typhoon is the same age as me. It's just, different weight. He's a full-on kid, while I'm not.

During my stay with Mr. Shahril and Ms. Ningsih, my life was simpler than before. But, I never demanded, which is why Mr. Shahril called me "good boy".

" Don't we change to take care of Johan?" there was the sound of Ningsih bu mixed with the sound of the TV being lit. I peeked out of the slightly open door.

"Who do you mean?"

" The Minang people are Matrilineal, so he's closer to his mother's family,"

"Speak what are you? Family yes family, no terms near here, close to there!" Mr. Syahril slightly snapped at Ms. Ningsih. I feel sad and a burden on this family.

"Not so, you know what our economic situation is like, supporting three children is lacking." Ms. Ningsih continued her conversation.

"Here you go, he'll hear. Making the hearts of orphans sad is a sin, the windfall is already there! Her parents died because they wanted to see me, right? After all, their time still there also often helps our finances," snapped Mr. Syahril, really defend me.

Ever since I heard that discussion, I kept thinking. Although actually Ms. Ningsih did not show a bad attitude to me, her face was still friendly. Ms. Ningsih is not Minang.

A few months after the incident, Mr. Syahril went to the hospital again. Apparently, my father's sister is suffering from kidney stones. We were all so sad, especially Miss Ningsih. All savings are used for medical expenses.

For weeks treated, Mr. Syahril never healed, even his condition is getting weaker. Until finally, my second father followed my father and mother to the House of God. We are sad, all families come to mourn.

There is my grandmother, the mother of my father and also the mother of Mr. Shahril. Grandma lives in my village, Alahan Panjang. So, we rarely met. Grandma lives alone, does not want to live with her children, is afraid of being troublesome she said.

If my father says, my grandmother doesn't want to be away from Grandpa. My grandfather died before I was born, and his tomb is in our village.

Grandma is very sad, her two children have now gone with her father, my grandfather.

"be pai kaduonyo, tingga ambo. (both are gone, now only me)" That's what my grandmother said after the funeral of her second child.

Forty days after Mr. Shahril's death, Grandma said she would return to Alahan Panjang. I became even sadder, because while here grandma is a place to share stories for me. Grandma always advises to seriously study, so that someday I can be a successful person, thank you grandma.

"Ningsih, the plan is not to go back to Alahan Panjang." Grandma said goodbye to Miss Ningsih. I wanted to stop, but Grandma must be sad.

"Why not wait a hundred days, Mom? Ningsih is lonely, no friends tell stories." Bu Ningsih looked down with a sad face.

"Amak ndak can linger Ning, there will be children who take care and accompany." Grandmother said.

"Yes mak, let's buy a bus ticket to go home" said Bu Ningsih.

"As a woman and a housewife, I understand for sure after this economic conditions will be difficult, even so the circumstances, do not let your child drop out of school. Education is important,"

"Yes, insha Allah."

"If there's anything, let me know in the village. There is much rice, there is also crops." Saying grandma. The conversation continues.

"Mak, instead of ning discriminate. Johan's problem," Bu Ningsih spoke softly, perhaps so as not to be heard by me.

"Yes ning, I understand. Let Johan come with me, let there be friends in the village."

Hearing Grandma's words, my feelings got mixed up. I am happy and sad at the same time. Glad I'm not a burden anymore. Sadly, will I not be a burden to Grandma?

"I'm sorry mom, ning also cares about Johan, afraid here he lacks. His parents used to be people."

"Yes ning, I understand. Take care of the school move, let's join the school in his father's village." Grandma said she believed in Ms. Ningsih, if she didn't mind.

Right, a few days after that my school transfer letter came out. Tickets have also been purchased, two years I've been here. Perhaps, the realm of minang is my real place. How many times I go, I go back there.

My grandmother and I arrived on the day of departure,

"Johan, take care of grandma. If there's anything to tell mom," Ms. Ningsih cried hugging me.

"Yes bu ning, thank you for taking care of Johan all this time." I said at that time.

"Later if there is time we meet again yes, it's up to Johan to come here or mother to the village." That's what Ningsih said to let me go and Grandma went to the cold nagari, Alahan Panjang.