My Mother is a Transvestite
Meeting with Old Friends
The sky was bright blue with some thin clouds plastered beautifully, creating a shadow in the city park filled with shady trees and flowers that had just bloomed. Warm sunlight shines through every corner, creating a comfortable atmosphere for everyone who walks in the park. Ima, with her light steps, walked the pedestrian path, enjoying the fresh morning air. His long black hair glittered in the sunlight, and his brown eyes seemed to stare with awe at the natural beauty around him.
Suddenly, his eyes were fixed on the figure sitting on one of the park benches, Raka. The man with short black hair was reading a book. As their eyes met, Raka smiled, showing her neat rows of white teeth.
"Hey, Ima! It was unexpected that we met here," Raka said in a carefree tone, while showing a sincere facial expression.
"Hi, Raka. Yes, I was enjoying the morning air. How are you?" ima replied, sitting next to Raka, her eyes fixed on the book that Raka was reading.
"Sama, I'm looking for inspiration from this book" Raka said as she showed me the cover. He sipped his breath, enjoying the smell of wet soil that was still left after the rain last night.
There is a pause, the two friends are immersed in their conversations, especially about each other's lives. Then, somehow, the topic of conversation turns to Ana's past, Ima's adoptive mother.
"You know, Ana used to be my best friend when we were teenagers," Raka said in a heavy tone, her face looking somewhat pale, and both her hands seemed to tremble slightly.
"Well, seriously? I've never heard my mother tell me about you" said Ima with a frown, astonished. In his heart came questions about their relationship.
A light gust of wind blew, making Ima's hair move slowly, while her eyes deepened at Raka, trying to figure out what was really going on between Raka and Ana.
Raka looked hesitant for a moment, her lips twitching in search of the right words. "There's a lot you probably don't know about your mother's past. But trust me, he always has a reason for every choice" he said seriously.
Before Ima could ask any further, the sound of the children's laughter distracted them. A little boy with curly hair ran towards a free-flying balloon in the air, but he fell down and the balloon came off. Without hesitation, Raka stood up and ran quickly after the balloon, while trying to catch it. Ima could only stare in admiration.
Moments later, Raka returns with a balloon in hand and the little boy runs up to her with a radiant face. "Thank you, brother!" say the little boy with sparkling eyes.
Raka just smiled, "Sama-sama. Your heart should always be as cheerful as this balloon, huh."
Ima smiled at Raka's kindness. Perhaps, he thought, there were many things he did not know about his mother's past, but one thing was certain, he knew very well how to judge a person by his actions. And for now, in his little heart, he felt Raka was a good person.
Ima and Raka sit side by side in a coffee shop on the edge of the park. This coffee shop offers a beautiful garden view with a small pond surrounded by colorful flowers. The gurgling water from the pool gives a soothing feel. In the distance, the children were playing kites, while some young couples were sitting by the pool, sharing laughter.
However, Ima's mood was far from peaceful. He felt restless, a combination of curiosity and worry.
"You're saying, Ana was your best friend as a teenager?" ask Ima, trying to dig up more information. His eyes stared intensely at Raka, trying to read every expression on her face.
Raka nodded slowly, her fingers playing the coffee cup before her. "Yes, we're very close. But time goes by and a lot of things change our relationship" he replied hesitantly.
Ima noticed the necklace Raka was wearing. The necklace is phoenix-shaped, made of silver with dazzling blue sapphire-shaped eyes. "Your necklace is beautiful" said Ima, trying to divert the conversation for a moment.
Raka smiled faintly, her hands instinctively touching the necklace. "thank you. It's a gift from someone who means a lot to me" he said in a melancholy tone.
"Is it from Ana?" ask Ima sharply.
Raka looked surprised for a moment, her two eyebrows met, and her face reddened. "Why do you ask that?" he tried to control his emotions.
Ima took a deep breath, "I just felt like there was something you were hiding about your relationship with my mother. I deserve to know, don't I?"
Raka looked down, staring at her coffee cup that was almost empty. "There's a lot of things you might not know better. I came here because I care, not to make you suspicious."
"With permission, grandma. Let me help you cross over" Ima said kindly. The grandmother smiled widely, showing a frown on her face that signified years of experience.
"Thank you, son," said the grandmother, feeling grateful.
While guiding the grandmother, Ima spoke briefly. "Son, sometimes in life, we have to trust our instincts. Not everything has to be expressed, but our feelings are rarely wrong" said the grandmother wisely.
After making sure the grandmother was safe, Ima returned to the coffee shop. Raka was standing, waiting for Ima. "Sorry, Ima. Maybe it's time I left. I hope one day you can understand" he said softly.
Ima looked at Raka, then remembered the words of the grandmother earlier. "I'll try to understand, Raka. But remember, my family is everything to me."
With a meaningful smile, Raka left behind Ima who was still full of question marks. However, there was a warm feeling that began to grow in his heart, the belief that everything would be fine.
The twilight sky began to redden, giving a golden touch to the trees on the streets. The city buildings looked like black shadows, contrasting against the bright skyline. Ima drove her car slowly, following the address written on her phone. Every now and then, his eyes glanced at the rearview mirror, making sure there was no familiar figure behind him.
Soon, Ima arrives at a house with a white fence and a yard full of plants. He parked his car, then knocked on the door. Before long, the door opened revealing a long-haired woman who had started to gray, with facial lines showing wisdom.
"You... Ima?" the woman asked, her eyes examining Ima from head to toe.
"Yes, Aunt Lina," Ima replied respectfully. "I want to talk about my mom and Raka."
Lina seemed to hesitate for a moment, but finally let Ima in. The living room is decorated with family photos and some paintings. From the large windows, the twilight sun gives a warm touch to every corner of the room.
They sat facing each other on the sofa. Lina took a sip of her tea, while Ima tried to organize her words. "I know this might be weird, aunt. But I really want to know my mother's relationship with Raka."
Lina put down her teacup, her face looking solemn. "Ana and I were close friends first. We met Raka when she was a teenager. He was like a brother to us."
Mimic Ima's face looked curious, she tilted her head slightly, "Then, why did Raka tell me to stay away from mother?"
Lina took a deep breath. "Because there's a big secret we've been hiding from you, baby. But maybe it's time you knew."
Before they continued the conversation, the sound of water gurgling from the pond in the backyard distracted them. There, there were several flower pots that looked withered. Lina looked sad to see it.
"Let's help aunty plant a new flower" Lina asked, trying to shift their conversation for a moment.
Deftly, the two of them began to plant flowers in the courtyard. A cool twilight wind blew their faces, making the atmosphere more relaxed.
While planting, Lina began to tell me, "When we were young, we often planted flowers together. There's one thing Ana always told me, that planting flowers is like life. We need patience to see it grow and develop."
Ima looked at the land she dug up, then said, "So, planting this is about patience and growth?"
Lina nodded, "Exactly. Just like the secret I've been hiding from you. There's a time for every truth to be revealed, baby. And maybe, the time has come."
Ima looked at Lina with hopeful eyes, waiting for every word her mother's old friend would say. However, for now, the two women choose to enjoy the moment of planting flowers, realizing that there is a time for each truth to unfold.
