When Love Comes Again

Meniti (again) Past Traces - part 3

(Dukuh Pakis - South Surabaya)

Yudha had finished her breakfast. Her mother is still sitting in the room. The effects of young pregnancy still dominate him. The overwhelming nausea and dizziness often made Yulia's days feel uncomfortable. Yudha brought a plate of toast, a few pieces of fruit and a glass of milk for her mother to the room. It has been two weeks since the attempted murder took place. They are rescued by an elderly grandfather and his driver who happen to be passing through a deserted street where Yulia was last unconscious.

The kind-hearted grandfather immediately took Yulia to the hospital. Fortunately, nothing happened to the fetus it contained. It's just that Yulia has to bedrest during this pregnancy. He had to take a complete break from his daily activities.

"Ma, Yudha brought food for Mama." Yudha came to bring food for her mother.

"Thank you, honey. But mama's not hungry."

"Mama, sad?" ask Yudha. Yulia remained silent. She just cried, answering her son's question with tears. "Mama, remember Papa and Dicky? Ma, Yudha promise. Yudha will find Papa and Dicky for mama. So mom don't be sad anymore. Kasian adek baby. Later he will also be sad if mama is sad." Yudha stroked Yulia's cheeks, wiping away the tears that ran down her dear mother's cheeks.

"Yulia, your son is right. You must be healthy and strong. For the fetus that's in your stomach. Don't think of things that could put you and your baby in danger. Remember Yulia, there is one more life that you must guard in your stomach. You can't be selfish." The old grandfather who saved them appeared from behind the door. He sat down and helped Yudha to cut the bread she was carrying. Then Yudha fed Yulia.

"I miss my son Dicky. He's where he is now. He was so small and funny. Poor him." Again Yulis sobbed.

"Here you are, son, do not dissolve in sorrow anymore. You will have to fight for Yudha and her baby sister later. I will try to help you rediscover your husband and second child. Be patient."

"Eat a lot, Ma. Later if the baby is born, we'll find papa and Dicky. Yudha promised, yudha will find them." Yudha who was only ten years old was more like knowing the meaning of responsibility as a firstborn child, a son. She assured her mother that she would find her father and sister later.

"You're a good boy, Yudha. How happy your mom is to have such a great and filial son like you. Grandpa is proud of you." The grandfather rubbed the head of Yudha who blushed to hear the praise of the grandfather. Yulia smiled at the behavior of her eldest son. There was a little relief in his heart. At least there is Yudha and the baby she contains today who is her reinforcement now.

******

(Medan Selayang - Medan)

"Mama hasn't slept?"

"No, Honey. You haven't slept. It's already night. Tomorrow you're late for school." Yulia shifted her sitting position.

"Not yet sleepy, Ma. Yudha wants to have a chat with the baby's adek."

"Eh, you're all there. The baby's brother's already booby lo, brother?" Yudha approached her mother's oada. He sat with his mother on the bed. With a smile Yudha put her ear on her mother's stomach, then as if whispering to the baby in it.

"Don't bobok first dong, Dek. When Brother Yudha comes you are spoiled anyway" said Yudha while rubbing his mother's stomach.

"Yudha is asleep?" ask Grandpa. "Already, Sir. Just got." Yulia got up from her seat and walked up to Grandpa on the sofa.

"Yulia, I'm sorry. To date you haven't been able to find your husband and children."

"Well, that's it, sir. Don't think about it. I think it is true, Yudha said. If there's an age, one day we'll meet again." Yulis began to look resigned to his fate. He's calmer than ever.

"Hm .... Yudha is a smart boy. Although sometimes his words seem careless, but he has a point as well. I hope you'll reunite soon."

"Amijin ... Yulia would also like to thank you father, because if only at that time you did not help us. Somehow our fate. You were so kind, helped find Brother Juan and Dicky. You also want to take care of me who is pregnant like this. Throw Yudha down and take us to this safe and comfortable place." Since the search for Juan and Dicky failed Yulis came to Medan with the kind father. Yudha was happy to be with him, as if he were his own grandfather.

"That's it. Don't you think about it. You and Yudha have considered the father's own children and grandchildren. Ever since my grandson died two years ago, I feel like there's no point in living. But after meeting with Yudha, I felt that my granddaughter was coming back to life. Yudha has returned the joy of this house."

"Thank you, sir," Yulia said again.

"Yes, you need to rest too. Remember what the doctor said take care of the baby in your womb."

******

The lives of Yulia and Yudha were as normal as any other. Waiting for the moment of childbirth makes Yudha so enthusiastic to welcome her new sister. After school Yudha cried out in excitement and when Grandpa told her that her sister had been born.

"Woman, huh, Cake? Beautiful huh?" the cerocos.

"Yes your sister. She's so pretty. Percis is like your mama" Grandpa explained.

"Hore .... " Yudha ran around in the living room. He was excited because what he was waiting for finally came as well. A little sister. She was very impatient to meet her new sister. But his grandfather said that they would see him in the afternoon.

Yudha went into her room, cleaned up and did PR. Like the habits he does every day. For a moment she stopped writing and picked up the shoe box that was in her closet drawer. Inside was a tennis ball. It says the name 'Dicky'. The ball was given to his younger brother, Dicky, when Dicky was just learning to write his name on the tennis ball. He gave the ball to Yudha as a gift.

"When we meet again, Dek. Brother Yudha kangen is with you." He was sure that one day he would meet his whiny sister again. He kept the ball neatly in his closet. Then continue learning.

******