Our Love Among Corona

My Estoni Family

Waking up without an alarm, with nothing to pursue, is happiness. Especially when opening the room curtain, the snow cover has filled our backyard.

I thank you, happy that the opportunity has brought me back to this land. The land I missed. Though the heart is between doubt and conviction. Both are strong in the face of the memories here.

Home is where your heart is, people say. I agree, because I feel my heart is one with this country. Although he did not dream or want to visit it, but who knows, it turns out that the first experience to set foot in this land has planted the roots of love.

"Tere Hommikust Vashla!" I turned my face to the door of my room.

"Tere Hommikust Nunnu" I told Manu. He's Alin's son who always stole our hearts. The cutest one, that's why we call it Nunnu in Estonian which means cute.

Tere Hommikust means good morning. We often say good morning, afternoon, evening or evening in Eesti. So whatever the news and other light greetings. This is because I am also training myself using Eesti Language.

"Where's your sleep?" tanyakanya.

"It's beautiful and beautiful" I replied.

"What about you?" askaku.

"Not too bad. Mom asked me to call you. The time for breakfast".

"Oh thank you. I will be there soon". I smiled at him.

Manu left my room and immediately went downstairs followed by his beloved cat. Mischa, the cat's name. It has gray hair and is female. Become a favorite of everyone as part of this family.

I touched the window and thanked him again. The morning was different than before. It is time to start a new life in Estonia. Duhai Baltic Land, be kind to me. Let the magic come at my every step. Help my heart forgive what has passed and cannot be changed. Open my heart to new possibilities. Thank you, I whispered once more.

It's a weekend, and there's one culture I've been waiting for in this house that's Saturday Pancake. Hanno, Alin's husband is an expert in cooking pancakes. I fell in love with the pancakes even when I first tried them. Usually Hanno will make a lot of pancakes. We can eat as much. On the table was filled with jam. Strawberry, Blueberry, Apples, including butter and Sugar. Manu will usually sprinkle sugar on top of the pancakes.

Another one I like from Estonian families, they usually make jam from the fruit they grow themselves. Apples, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, all grown around the house. Harvested in summer, made jam and enjoyed during winter.

They also make fermented natural juices to enjoy during winter. I have fallen so deeply in love with their habit of producing this food they eat. If I have my own house, my own land, I want to do the same. Planting and eating food from your own garden.

I also dream if I have a husband later, my husband is good at cooking pancakes. Because since trying Hanno pancakes for the first time two years ago, I immediately fell in love with the pancakes he made.

Alin was lucky. Hanno is not only an expert in cooking, but can also do other homework. Such as making tables, chairs, beds and other home appliances until their cabinets are made by themselves. Hanno is like Alin, loving me as part of their family. Think of me as his sister.

"Hanno, your pancakes are the best. I miss him in Indonesia. Finally, now it's really on my plate. Thank you for cooking this" I said gratefully.

"My pleasure. Eat as much as you want" he replied.

"Yes my dear, we are happy to have you back in our house" Alin chimed in.

"Add your favorite jam, strawberry from our garden" Alin shifted the jam bottle closer to my plate.

"Calm down, I'm eating all the jam on this table" I replied with a laugh.

"Oh your favorite juice don't forget". Alin opened the refrigerator and poured the Berry juice produced by Hanno himself. They usually stock the juice in empty glass bottles that continue to be used repeatedly. They also call it syrup.

"Uncle. Oh I really miss this" my eyes sparkled happily.

Manu smiled since he saw my behavior. He who used to scream behind his mother every time his mother called me, said kangen. Maybe he was happy, I came back here. Even though he was ashamed to say it.

"Ema, I'll play at Jhonny's house". Manu tells his mother when the pancakes on his plate are up. Ema is the name for mother in Estonian.

"OKs. Make sure to wear gloves and a hat" Alin said.

Manu left the dining table. Put on a jacket and hat, then get out of the house.

I'm so grateful to have an Estonian family who love me so well here. Go away from your own country and still have the warmth of family. I imagined how hard it would be to have no one and only a few co-workers. Maybe the atmosphere is much different of course with their presence in my life.

The Estoniaku family lives in the village of Vaana Viti, a beautiful village in Estonia bordering the sea. In some places around the village can still be found forts or neglected walls of former war in the Soviet Union. There are also old buildings that are in the ground, but were probably once inhabited by soviet soldiers.

This village is indeed a suburb and far from the city. If I take the bus it usually takes 45 minutes or 1 hour to get to Tallinn City. The distance of the house to the bus terminal is about 500 meters, a good distance to walk between the cold air and sometimes gripping the body. Passing through a little forest filled by the houses of residents are quite rare. This characterizes Estonia, their homes in the village are rarely crowded with each other.

They are also closed societies that do not often relate to each other except for important matters. Children's affairs usually connect them because they let their children play together.

Alin told me that he would go to the office with me every day. We work in the same office. He's my supervisor at work and my brother at home.

I got this job from him because there was a new project that his company would develop for Asian countries and he hired me to do it. Of course it is an honor for me to be entrusted to lead one of the projects in their company.

"Take your time and enjoy the weekend. Don't worry about the work first," of course, Alin's advice I followed well.

"Tell me, how did you feel when you came back here?" Hanno was begging me to tell a story.

"Of course I'm happy. All the memories that have been here have helped me grow and after returning to Indonesia, I still miss Estonia. It's so happy to be back here".

"Are you still in contact with K?" Ah Alin's question was really sudden. This name I never want to mention in my life again.

My brain processes old memories. About the love of the past I once had. How could I forget, the person I once loved and then tear my heart apart for two years.

I spent long nights crying when we broke up. Among all the memories I had during my stay in Estonia, the memory of him really wanted to be completely forgotten.