THE WOUNDED EARTH

BROKEN CHILDREN HOME

***

RONALD POV

I was born into a dysfunctional family, and my mom and dad got married because of their parents' matchmaking.

But even so papa is a person who is very responsible for his family.

When I was born, it was my father who always paid attention and gave his affection.

Inversely with my mom.

He was busy with his world.

At some point, papa's efforts plummeted drastically.

He was fooled by his business partner who was none other than his own best friend.

And most sadly, Mama was clearly cheating on her best friend.

"Ronald, where's mama...?"ask papa one afternoon which was the day of the affair.

"In the same room om.pa...?"answered me who is 5 years old innocently and still plays the car toy in hand.

"What...?"I screamed loudly, which surprised me.

Papa ran straight to my mother's room.

And you can imagine what happened next.

A rowdy voice and a shout sounded from inside the room.I was silent to notice what was happening between papa, mama and her affair man.

"Don't run away you baj*ngan...!"yelled Papa in the doorway with his mom in the back.

"You,... lady ******.."

"Get out of here." cried papa with a face full of anger.

Mama without feeling guilty just shut up without saying a word to apologize to papa.

He who was also half-naked, entered the room.

And a few moments later came out well dressed and carrying a large suitcase.

"Mama.." I screamed.

Although she rarely paid attention to me, my father taught me to love her as a mother.

But my mother passed by without caring for my call.

"Ronald, here dear.."call papa while extending both hands sobbing.

Papa who had been looking strong in my eyes instantly shattered like a collapsed wall.

I ran into his embrace.

For a long time we hugged each other to share the sadness between a father and son.

"Have you eaten...?"tanya papa breaks the silence.

I'm shaking.

"Now wash your face, follow papa ya..."

"We go out and eat."he said by trying to smile.

I also nodded in agreement.

This was the beginning of my hatred for my mother, precisely the woman who had hurt my father.

That afternoon we went for a walk in the park.

Papa bought me my favorite siomay.

We sat on a long bench available to relax there.

Yet a sight not wearing occurred.

A couple had a big fight in public.

His wife who was carrying a toddler caught the husband sitting casually with another woman.

Angrily handed her toddler who joined the crying to her husband then passed away.

"Already, don't mind.." said papa trying to distract me.

A moment later from a distance, I saw my mother walking with a man.

I'm sure they weren't aware of where we were here because we were deliberately looking for a seat in a corner of the park.

"We'd better go.."papa asked with a long sigh.

Without me realizing it instilled a deep hatred for the figure named woman.

Makes my attitude stiff and cold every time I face them.

***

20 Years have passed....

As a broken home child, I also try to be independent.

Papa's house sells and we stay at Oma's while I finish my education.

Papa busied himself by planting in the garden.

While I, after graduating from college working in a retail company served as a supervisor but because of my good work performance, I got a promotion from the head office to rise as head of branch.

With an athletic body and a pretty handsome face for me it's easy to be in a relationship with any girl, no one has been able to shake my heart all this time.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt..."

"If you may know where the office is..."

Polite, simple appearance, sweet face without makeup polish unlike city girls in general, that's my judgment for you.

"Let's come with me.."take me.

You nodded with a smile.

"Sweet.."I sat in a sense of uncertainty.

"Please sit.." I said.

We sit face to face, usually with my haughty look at the new child but now even I feel completely wrong when looking at you.

I read at a glance the cover letter you brought.

"Tomorrow can start work..."

"Really sir...?"

"Thank you sir, then I'll go home..."

"You tell me your mother must be happy.."you quickly get so excited.

I was silent to see your reaction.

Apparently you have a mother who means a lot.

"And here I have only a very valuable papa in my life."in me while opening a small wallet stored my photo with papa .

I always look for opportunities to rebuke you, but with my rigid and cold attitude it is very difficult to get close to you.

I always watch you from a distance.

Until I knew your heart was broken by another man who was better at playing words than I was this cold as snow.

But my heart can't hold back, I'm always watching you.

I will always love you and take care of you my way even though you will never realize it.

Like what happened tonight.

Exactly at 10:30 p.m., after finishing a little report I checked all the employees.

Because it's coming home soon.

"Mil, which is what .." I asked because I didn't see you from earlier.

"Well, don't know how..."

"His word is magrib prayer but until now has not returned as well." brightly Mila your coworker.

I also passed to the office to check the cctv, just wanted to make sure because my heart felt there was an oddity with your departure.

Especially just this afternoon there was no wearing incident, there was a rat carcass in your locker.

From the cctv finally revealed the culprit is Amel, the admin section of the office.

Unfortunately Amel has gone home so the plan is tomorrow morning I will give a hard reprimand on him.

"Where are you, Yat.."in me.

Looking from the cctv, you came out of the musholla and went to the toilet but since the toilet door didn't open, I can make sure there's someone in the toilet until you finally go away.

Just get there the cctv recording display.

I thought for a moment, though,...

"What's possible.."I thought.

I step foot fast, my goal is the back shed.

"Gus, please arrange for the children to go home as usual.."I ordered Agus the senior employee there when I passed by.

"Ok bang's.."

I ran to the warehouse toilet.

"Czech.. chequek.."locked.

"Yati, Yati..you're inside...?"call me.

"Bang,bang Ronald.please bang, I'm stuck here.."sayup I heard your voice from inside.

"This door was deliberately locked by someone.

"Yat, get away from the door..."

Bruck...

Bruk ..

Breakdown...

The end of the door can open after I try to break down forcibly.

You look yourself in a limp state.

Your eyes are swollen, I'm sure because many tears come out.

I hold your shoulders in my arms, hoping to bring you back to calm.

"You know Yat,...?"

"My heart aches to see you hurt, my anger lights up instantly even if it's illegible from my face ..."

Once you've calmed down, I'll take you home.

And I rushed back to the office that was deserted, tonight I will also find out who dared to harm you.

After a long struggle on the laptop screen that displays cctv recording...

"Finally.."my murmur.