Today the sun is shining hotly burning my body. The sweat was splattered to the point where my clothes, which had a lot of ventilation, became wet.
I put down the sack containing the junk that I had been carrying, then I arranged some cardboard boxes to be used as sitting mats. I sat leaning under a shady tree next to a mountain of garbage.
This place is a source of livelihood for me, and my other scavenger friends. In this place the garbage from the city of various sub-districts is collected here.
Every day, when the garbage collection truck comes, my heart cheers because I always get a lot of junk and things that can still be used.
For odor problems? Don't ask again. Of course it smells really bad. Because various kinds of garbage mixed pile here. Starting from food waste, fish waste, chicken feathers, animal carcasses, paper, cloth, glass, wood, everything is here.
Not infrequently we have to sort through the rotten waste with our bare hands in search of items that can still be sold or used. Eleven twelve's body odor with the trash around us.
But because we are used to it, these smells no longer bother us scavengers. We are one with this garbage.
"Desi.. you should just go home son. Check with the midwife. See how swollen your leg is. I think you're going to give birth to Des." suggested Mrs. Ratna, my mulung friend when she saw me stroking my bulging stomach.
I'm not sure how old I'm currently pregnant. Because I don't have any money to do an examination to the midwife.
But, what Mrs. Ratna said doesn't seem true. The feeling I'm not going to give birth yet, because my stomach hasn't contracted at all.
"No Ma'am, I think it's been a long time since Desi was born, she's not sick yet. Desi wants to rest for a while ma'am." I answered Mrs. Ratna who was still busy with her mulch activities.
"Okay, it's up to you. You feel it, it's really hard to tell your parents," Mrs. Ratna said while walking away from me into the middle of a pile of garbage where other scavengers were struggling there.
I stroked my belly again, the gentle breeze made me very comfortable under this tree so that my eyes slowly closed tightly and tightly until I was lulled into a dream. It feels so comfortable.
I don't know how long I've been asleep. The pain that wrapped around my stomach, woke me up.
My stomach hurts so bad like something is moving inside. My waist too, hot and sore. I feel like I'm going to die. Much sweat pouring down his forehead and all over his body.
Suddenly from my genitals came out a lot of fluid. Even though I wasn't peeing. What's this?The pain is getting worse. I looked around me and it was very quiet. Where was Miss Ratna? Has she come home?
"Madam Ratna... Madam...!" I called when I finally saw her scrambling for the junk that had just been unloaded from the garbage truck at the other end.
It seemed that Mrs. Ratna didn't hear my scream because she was quite far away, which was about a hundred meters from me. Plus the roar of a truck engine that adds to the noise. It was the third truck that came.
Actually I want to join them to earn money there. But because of my circumstances which did not allow it, I was forced to miss this third truck. But actually there are still two more trucks that will come today.
So I still have a chance to make money there. In a day, usually five trucks come alternately to deliver garbage at this place. Hopefully I'll get a lot of junk from both trucks later. I need a lot of money to welcome the birth of my child.
My stomach feels sicker. I've had enough. I tried to get up, then ...
Byurrr...
Liquid like pee came out again to make the long skirt I was wearing soaked. I confused myself, do not know what exactly is going on. Suddenly I felt like I was going to poop.
Immediately I opened my underwear that was wet, then squatted down. I'm crazy with all my might. It's very hard to get out.
I tried to push again until many times, then suddenly
"Blubbbb..."
A lump of meat came out sliding from my genitals. And that's a baby. It turned out that I was giving birth, not wanting to defecate. Seconds later, a lump of flesh, following out, the rope merged into my son's stomach. The pain I had felt just disappeared.
A sense of relief now spread throughout my body. This is what giving birth feels like. My heart is sad considering there is no one who accompanies me at this time here. The lecherous man who is the father of my child, disappeared somewhere, relinquishing his responsibilities.
"Oaaakk... oakkk..oakk.."
My baby is crying loudly. Her body shook. Maybe she's cold. After cutting her navel with a glass, I immediately cleaned her with the cloth I got from the scavenger hunt earlier. I got a piece of slinging that was torn apart this morning when the first truck came.
There are also several pieces of shirts and pants that can still be worn even though there are a few tears. That's fine with me.
The important thing is still able to cover my body. I wrapped my baby in a shabby sling. It seemed she was comfortable, no longer crying, even though there were still bloodstains all over her body, because there was no water here that could be used to clean them.
I replaced my soaking wet skirt with trousers. I rolled up the wet, fishy-smelling skirt and then put it in a plastic bag to take home later. That lump of meat, I don't know what it is. I've planted it under that tree. I held my baby and fed her. Her face is so peaceful and beautiful. I will name her Kanaya.
Hopefully later he will not have bad luck like his mother. Hopefully later he can become my pride, pulling us out of this crowded mire of life.
"Tinnn..tin..tinn..."
The sound of the fourth garbage truck horn finally came. At the other end, the other scavengers were already getting ready with their own equipment.
This time I dont want to miss it anymore. I had to struggle to earn money, so I could buy bread.
I haven't put anything in my stomach all day. Tonight, I have to eat a lot. My baby has stopped sucking milk. Now she's fast asleep in my lap. I immediately put him under the tree that had the cardboard floor that I sat on earlier. While she's sleeping, it seems fine if I stay a while. My body is so tired, and limp. If I could choose, I want to rest, sleep beside my beautiful daughter.
However, the money will not come alone if I do not look for it. Money will not come alone if I sleep with my daughter. With a limp, I walked after the truck earlier. Hopefully in the truck a lot of luck.