The Child Ignored

eps.6

Since the departure of the grandfather, nothing has changed from Riko, Riko still has to live the day and forget the sadness of losing. It was so deep in his heart that he did not want to lose the grandfather who had been transformed into a protective figure who also taught many things.

His mediocre life demanded him not to grieve for too long. Riko hard work and really sad 7-year-old child has to think about the burden of life.

Nek Halimah started getting sickly a few weeks after her husband's departure. Yes Riko had to fight alone for her life, as well as for her grandmother. Riko doesn't want to lose her grandmother. For him he had no one else. A person who has given birth to it in the world does not want it, nor does the owner of the seed just leave it.

Riko is not as happy as before. He used to run full of excitement with all the exhausting routines. Shepherding the goats into the valley and herding them back home, all done carelessly without burden, and thoroughly enjoying her role as a goat herder.

The wage earned from herding goats is only enough for the cost of living with the grandmother. Even for days, there was never a new dress for Riko. Some pitying neighbors who give used clothes that are still good, sometimes also give a little money. Nek Halimah only used some of the money to buy new clothes for Riko, not new clothes that are really new, Grandma Halimah bought new clothes at the thrift store, that means the new clothes he bought half-dressed, and Riko never had a problem with that, and some of the rest of the money was stored in a jar, he said, intend that the money can be used for Riko's school fees in the future.

***

The day passed so quickly, Riko was now a teenager. He's 10 years old now. Every time he went home from school his face was always gloomy. How not, at school he was always underestimated and ostracized by his friends. It was not poverty that made his friends abuse him. Just because of one thing, yes because all of her male friends are already circumcised, and only Riko herself is uncircumcised, which is why her face is so moody when she comes home from school.

Never once did Riko tell the problem to the grandmother, for fear of making the burden of the grandmother's mind. Riko didn't want to see the sadness on Grandma's face.

But it is different from Grandma Halimah who felt an aura of sadness in Riko since two months ago, precisely after the age of 10 years.

He noticed the look on Riko's face that often seemed sad. I would love Grandma Halimah to ask about the sadness of the grandchild, but she always ponder. Because every face to face with Riko's grandmother always shows a smile and a cheerful laugh.

One day, Riko came home lethargic. He ignored the lunch that had been served on the table. He immediately put himself to bed without taking off his uniform and shoes.

By late afternoon the grandmother tried to wake her grandson, because it was time to bring the goats to graze.

'grandfatherbiscuts..Riko kangen same grandfather huhuhu.kek, Riko's friends are all circumcised, Riko always just ridiculed because only Riko himself has not been circumcised huhuhu'

Riko deliriously in her sleep. Nek Halimah who witnessed it could only cry. Pursued his intention to wake the grandson, and hurried away to herd the goat in place of the grandson.

As the sun tilted to the west, Riko blinked and woke up from her nap. Seeing the afternoon and seeing the wall clock that had shown at 15:26 made him panic instantly. He fell asleep so fast that he spent time herding goats.

He was looking for his grandmother, but he could not find her. Finally Riko decided to go to Budi's grandfather's house intending to clean the cage and also find food for his goats.

Not panic, but he was sure that the grandmother who replaced him herding goats, considering the absence of the grandmother at home.

With half a run Riko went to the valley where he used to herd goats. Riko worried that her grandmother would be exhausted and her shortness of breath would recur.

Halfway through the journey he had seen his grandmother flirting with goats to return to the stable. Riko who saw it immediately looked for small twigs to help herd the goats back to the cage.

The night after eating together with grandma, Riko was about to go to the room to pick up a textbook, intending to do PR.

"le, sit down, grandma wants to talk"

Riko complied and returned to the seat.

"Riko, you're a big boy now. Grandma want to ask you something?"

Riko nodded "would you ask me what?"

"grandmother often sees Riko sad and daydreaming when being alone, what do you think le?"

Riko silently looked down not answering, a few seconds later raised his face to look at the grandmother and said "Riko is fine"

"Riko, be honest with grandma" she said with an intimidating look.

"Riko wants to be circumcised" he said, bowing

Nek Halimah seemed to smile "so you are brave and want to be circumcised? all right, next week you'll be circumcised"

Hearing the grandmother's reply Riko looked up at her grandmother who developed a smile while nodding. His heart was now overjoyed, for he would soon be circumcised.