Since her first day at Grandma Sumni's house, Inka felt like a traveler in a foreign land. Every corner of the house, every sound that echoed, held stories she had yet to learn. During the day, she often helped her grandmother in the garden, collecting vegetables and tending to the plants, while at night she sat listening to Grandma Sumni's tales of the past.
One evening, after a warm dinner, Inka sat by the fireplace. Grandma Sumni was brewing herbal tea, and the calming aroma of dried leaves filled the air. Inka stared into the flickering flames, but her mind drifted far away, back to her parents. She recalled the beautiful moments when they were still together; when her mother taught her how to draw and her father took her to play in the park. Those memories felt like shadows that continually haunted her, making her heart heavy.
"Why can't Mama and Papa stay here, Grandma?" Inka asked softly, breaking the night's silence.
Grandma Sumni looked at Inka with eyes full of affection, yet a deep sadness lingered within. "Sweetheart, sometimes adults have to make difficult choices. They love you, but there are things they couldn't resolve together."
Inka nodded, but the curiosity inside her could not be quelled. "What happened, Grandma? Why can't they be together again?"
Grandma Sumni sighed, trying to find the right words. "It's complicated. Every family has its own story, and sometimes, even though we wish for it, not all stories can end happily."
Inka felt frustrated. She didn't want to hear excuses; she just wanted to know. "But I want to know. I want to understand why I can't be with them."
"Soon, Inka. One day, you will understand," said Grandma Sumni, gently stroking Inka's hair.
That night, Inka fell asleep with her mind full of questions. Her dreams were filled with familiar faces—her father smiling, her mother laughing. Yet, in every dream, a dark shadow loomed, blocking their happiness. Something felt incomplete, and that sense of loss continued to haunt her.
Days turned into weeks, and Inka tried to adjust to her new routine. She helped Grandma Sumni prepare meals, clean the house, and tend to the garden. Amidst the busyness, there were times when she caught Pak Bagyo, who usually seemed serious and engrossed in his work, glancing at her with a caring gaze. He often offered simple yet meaningful advice.
"Be like a tree, Inka. Sometimes the wind may blow hard, but we must stand tall," he said one afternoon as they worked in the garden.
Inka tried to absorb those words. She realized she needed to learn to be strong, not just for herself but for those who loved her. However, there were moments when she felt trapped between two worlds—the world she had imagined with her parents and the reality she had to face.
One day, while watering the plants, Inka saw a group of children playing in the park near her house. They laughed and ran, seemingly burdened by nothing. Inka felt a pang of jealousy, wanting to join them, but her shyness and uncertainty held her back. In the end, she could only stand at the edge, watching them from afar.
As the sun began to set, Grandma Sumni approached her. "What are you doing here, Inka? Why don't you play with them?" her grandmother asked with concern.
"I... I don't know how," Inka replied softly.
"Dear, there's nothing wrong with wanting to join in. They're just kids, like you. Go on, give it a try," Grandma Sumni encouraged with a smile.
Feeling hesitant, but spurred by her grandmother's encouragement, Inka summoned her courage. She stepped forward and approached the children. "Can I play with you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
The children paused for a moment, then one of them, a girl with curly hair, replied, "Of course! We're playing hide and seek. Come on!"
Inka felt her heart race. She joined in, and for the first time in a while, she felt a little lighter. As she ran and hid with them, all her worries about her parents seemed to fade away, replaced by laughter and play.
However, as the sun began to dip below the horizon and the sky turned a reddish orange, the memories of her parents came rushing back. She couldn't escape the painful longing. In her joy, there remained a hollow sadness that couldn't be erased.
After playing, Inka returned home with mixed feelings. She wanted to tell Grandma Sumni about her experience, but as she saw her grandmother preparing dinner, she fell silent. Her grandmother looked tired, and Inka didn't want to add to her burdens.
Days continued to pass, and Inka struggled with her emotions. She enjoyed her time with her grandmother and grandfather, but when she was alone, the feeling of loss would resurface. She often woke up at night, hearing whispered voices in her dreams, urging her to remember the happy times spent with her parents.
One night, as heavy rain poured down over the village, Inka sat by the window, watching the raindrops flow down the glass. She overheard Grandma Sumni speaking with Pak Bagyo in the living room. Their voices were muffled, but Inka could sense the tension between them.
"Bagyo, we can't keep hiding it from her. Inka deserves to know," Grandma Sumni's voice sounded firm.
"She's still too young, Sumni. We must protect her from painful truths," Pak Bagyo replied, his voice softer.
Inka felt her heart ache. She knew there was something significant being hidden from her. In the midst of her doubt and uncertainty, she resolved to uncover the truth. No matter what happened, she had to know.
The next day, Inka gathered her courage to speak with her grandmother. After finishing their work in the garden, she invited her grandmother to sit on the porch.
"Grandma, I want to know about Mama and Papa. I can't keep feeling this way. Please, tell me," Inka pleaded, her voice filled with hope.
Grandma Sumni looked at her, hesitation in her eyes. "Inka, are you ready to hear?"
"Yes, Grandma. I want to know," Inka replied firmly.
Taking a deep breath, Grandma Sumni began to tell the story she had kept hidden for so long. She explained the difficult separation, the inability of Inka's parents to maintain their relationship, and how that decision had led them down different paths.
Inka listened intently, her heart fluttering. Though there was sadness in the story, she felt closer to her parents. She realized that their love had never faded, even though the situation was far from ideal.
After hearing the story, Inka felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. She understood that even though her parents were not with her, they always loved her from afar. With newfound hope, she promised herself to continue learning and growing in her grandmother's home, while cherishing the beautiful memories of her parents in her heart.
With the blue sky above her, Inka was ready to write a new chapter in her life, one filled with hope and love.