Inka began to feel comfortable in her new home, a place where she found love and warmth from her grandmother and grandfather. Although it was initially difficult to accept her parents' separation, she gradually learned to live with the reality. Every evening, she would help Grandma Sumni prepare dinner, while in the mornings, she worked in the garden with Grandpa Bagyo. Their life, though simple, felt meaningful.
However, as time went by, tension began to rise in the household. One afternoon, while Inka was drawing in the living room, she heard loud voices coming from the kitchen. Grandma Sumni and Grandpa Bagyo's voices were louder than usual, filled with discontent.
"I've told you, Bagyo! Our income is not enough to cover all our needs!" Grandma Sumni's voice was filled with emotion.
"Sumni, we can find other ways. Don't rush into a decision that could harm us all," Grandpa Bagyo replied, his tone calm yet firm.
Inka felt a tremor in her heart. She stopped drawing and walked closer to listen better. She didn't want to confront them, but curiosity and worry tugged at her.
"I can't keep living like this. We have to do something! Maybe we should migrate," Grandma Sumni said, her voice rising.
Migrate? What does that mean? Inka felt confused. She had heard the term before, but never associated it with her own life.
Grandpa Bagyo looked shocked. "Where would you migrate? You want to leave this house? And Inka?"
"To Jakarta! I could work as a masseuse there. Many people need services like that. I could send money back for us and for Inka," Grandma Sumni said with fervor.
Inka's heart began to race. Jakarta? That's far away. And her grandmother wanted to go? The fear of losing someone she loved flooded over her. She was not ready to be left alone again.
"Sumni, you can't do that. Inka still needs you here. She has just started to adapt," Grandpa Bagyo tried to convince her, but Grandma Sumni's tone indicated that her decision was already made.
"I don't see any other choice, Bagyo. We can't continue like this. We need to act quickly before it's too late," she said, tension visible on her face.
Inka couldn't hold back any longer. She stepped forward, clutching her grandmother's hand. "Nek, do you really want to go? I… I don't want to be left alone," her voice trembled, reflecting her fear.
Grandma Sumni paused for a moment but then sighed. "Inka, this is for all our good. I will be back as soon as I can. You have to trust me."
"But… what if I feel lonely? I don't know how to live without you," Inka said, tears beginning to well in her eyes.
"Sweetheart, we all have to make sacrifices. This will be difficult, but we will endure. I promise I will send money for you and Bagyo. You won't struggle," Grandma Sumni replied, trying to soothe Inka's heart.
Yet those words were not enough to erase the fear that enveloped Inka. She knew how hard it would be to live without her grandmother, who had always been there for her. When her grandmother left the house, their lives would change forever.
The following days were filled with anxiety. Grandma Sumni prepared for her departure. She began selling some items from the house, packing clothes, and preparing money for the journey. Inka felt powerless, only able to watch her grandmother do all this, as her heart grew heavier.
"Why go far away? Why not find work here?" Inka asked one evening.
"In Jakarta, there are many opportunities. Here, work is becoming more difficult. I don't want us to live in poverty, Inka," Grandma Sumni replied seriously.
Inka felt the walls of their home closing in. She wanted to scream, to say that she didn't want to be left. But she knew her grandmother felt pressured, and she didn't want to add to that burden.
Finally, the day of departure arrived. Grandma Sumni stood at the front door, a large bag in hand, with a mixed expression on her face. Inka felt as though the world around her had stopped spinning. She ran to hug her grandmother, hoping that moment could change the decision that had already been made.
"Nek, please don't go. I need you here," she said while crying.
Grandma Sumni held Inka tightly. "Inka, I love you. I will come back as soon as possible. Give your grandfather strength and support. He will need you."
Inka's tears flowed heavily. She felt a sense of loss. As her grandmother walked away, Inka felt as though a part of her was gone. She watched her grandmother walk away, glancing back once before disappearing from view.
After her grandmother's departure, the house felt empty. The sounds of laughter and stories that used to fill their home were replaced by a painful silence. Inka tried to be strong, but every corner of the house reminded her of her grandmother. Grandpa Bagyo struggled to cheer her up, but Inka could see how heavy the burden he carried was.
The nights grew quieter, and Inka often woke up feeling anxious. She missed her grandmother, longed for all the moments they had spent together. She felt as though everything she had received and learned so far was at risk of disappearing.
Every time she looked towards the door, hope stirred in her heart. She wished her grandmother would return soon, bringing good news and improvement. But the days went by, and that hope began to fade.
Weeks later, Inka received a shocking piece of news. She got a letter from her grandmother. With trepidation, she opened it and began to read.
"Inka, my dear, I have found a better job in Jakarta. However, I must tell you that I cannot come home soon. The situation here is quite difficult, and I need to work harder. I love you and always think of you."
Inka felt her heart constrict. She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come. She had gotten used to sadness, but this letter seemed to reopen a wound that hadn't healed. She felt abandoned once more.
After reading the letter, Inka felt lost and powerless. She ran to the garden and cried, feeling as though there was no one she could rely on. But when she saw her grandfather sitting on the bench, tired after working in the garden, she knew she couldn't give up.
After days of reflection, Inka decided to talk to Grandpa Bagyo about her feelings. That night, as they sat on the terrace, she took a deep breath and began to share.
"Kakek, I feel very lonely without nenek. I feel abandoned," Inka said, her voice trembling.
Grandpa Bagyo looked at her gently. "Inka, your grandmother loves you. She left to find a way for us to live better. She wants what's best for you."
"But, Grandpa, why does everything have to happen like this?" Inka asked, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"We can't always control what happens in this life, my dear. What we can do is try and be grateful for what we have. You have a talent; you've shown that. Keep fighting, and remember, I will always be here for you."
His words gave her renewed strength. Though her life was far from perfect, she was not alone. She had a grandfather who always supported her. With this new determination, Inka tried harder with her drawing and in helping her grandfather.
Days passed, and Inka became more known in the market. She began attracting the attention of some regular customers who ordered her drawings. The more money she made, the more determined Inka felt to paint. She realized that through art, she could express all her feelings—both sadness, joy, and hope.
One day, while she was drawing by the riverbank, she met a young man named Rian. Rian was a photographer who often came to the market for inspiration. He saw Inka drawing and approached her.
"Your drawings are beautiful! You have an amazing talent," Rian said sincerely.
Inka felt happy with the compliment. "Thank you. I'm just trying to depict what I see around me."
Rian offered to help promote her drawings online. With Rian's assistance, Inka began selling her works on social media. She gained a lot of attention, and in a short time, her drawings were selling like hotcakes.
With her increasing income, Inka felt more confident. She set aside money for her grandfather's medical expenses and also sent a little to her grandmother. She hoped her grandmother could feel her love despite the distance.
Finally, after several months, things started to improve. Grandpa Bagyo's health began to recover, and he returned to working in the garden with enthusiasm. Inka felt proud to see her grandfather smile again. They supported each other.