I'm the Newspaper Seller
18. Raise Child
A small sobbing sound was heard as Bastian stroked the gravestone board bearing his mother's name there along with the date of her birth and the date of her death.
Sprinkles of several clusters of roses sprinkled over the still-wet tomb. No one came to give Bastian his spirit. There was only the little boy and also the figure of Mr. Dewantoro who was so loyal to accompany Bastian.
Mr. Dewantoro knelt beside Bastian stroking the small shoulder trying to sow the already fragile heart so that he could be patient in accepting this bitter reality.
"Son, patience! Everything is arranged with God."
"Your mother's journey is a form of God's love for you. She doesn't want to see you have to what's the trouble of looking after and caring for your mom alone."
"She also didn't want to see your Mama that was in such pain"
"Ta-ta-but Bastia can still take care of Mama, sir. Bastian still can-"
"Yes I know," the piece.
"But I cannot violate what is already the will and provision of God. God has it all and God gives it all and God can take it all for granted."
"We can't get angry and get in his way. Everything will go according to the plan that has been arranged by God."
"However and how hard we try to hold God back but still we are just ordinary people. We can only accept and run. Don't be sad, son!"
However, Mr. Dewantoro's way of convincing and encouraging Bastian but still the tears and sadness was not able he clouded his heart the pain was deep so he could not stop his crying.
Bastian rubbed his wet cheek and then moved his head turned to look at Mr. Dewantoro who was still faithfully staring at the tomb of his mother.
"Sir Dewantoro doesn't want to go home?"
"When I go home, who do you live with?"
"Bastian still has a home, sir."
"Living alone. Who else does Bastian have to live with, sir? The only person who lives with me is gone, too."
"I also don't want to leave you alone here."
Bastian can only be silent. He again stroked the tombstone belonging to his mother. Not long after he stroked Bastian's shoulder and looked at him so very sincere.
"If you want you can stay with me."
Upon hearing that sentence, Bastian quickly rubbed his wet cheek.
"What sir?" tanyanya did not expect.
"Yes I want you to stay with me in my house. You want to, right?"
"But I'm ashamed, sir"
"Why should you be ashamed?"
"If I stay at my father's house it means I will eat and sleep there and I don't want to trouble you."
Mr. Dewantoro smiled. He gently stroked Bastian's head. He was really impressed by Bastian.
"I'd feel a lot happier if you stayed with me. I have considered you as my own son and I want you to be a part of my family. You want to be my adopted son. You want to, right?"
Bastian fell silent not knowing what to answer. Honestly, he is not good if he has to live in Mr. Dewantoro's house but if he refuses then he will live with whom?
...***...
"This is Mr. Dewantoro's house?" ask Bastian.
"Ah, no. It's not your house, but it's your home, too."
"Really, sir?" bastian didn't believe it.
"True, you never lie. Come inside!" invite him then he stepped his foot in following the steps of Mr. Dewantoro.
Bastian's admiration increased when the feel of a house that was so very magnificent was seen when he entered the house. And this made Bastian look up to look in all directions.
Just this time he saw a house like this. There are big chairs, big cupboards, too, the luxurious lights and long staircases were exactly like the houses of the rich man he saw on Koh Li's TV when he bought rice with his friends.
"Father! Papa's home yet?"
The greeting sound was heard to make Bastian who had since turned his head in all directions was now staring at the figure of the woman who welcomed the arrival of Mr. Dewantoro however, he said, the woman's steps came to a halt after she managed to see Bastian's figure.
He looked at her confused. Staring from toe to toe Bastian's hair with a gaze so disgusting as if Bastian was a figure of trash scattered inside this luxurious house.
Bastian felt a bad feeling seeing the look on this woman's face that seemed to dislike her. Now Bastian only realized that Mr. Dewantoro did not live alone in this house but he had a family.
Bastian only realized that Mr. Dewantoro might be able to accept his presence in this house but, apparently not with the woman who is still standing before him.
"Yes Papa just came home because Papa has a little busy," replied Mr. Dewantoro then he turned to look at Bastian when his daughter looked at Bastian.
"Oh yes Melinda is Bastian. Bastian's name is Melinda, the only daughter of my father."
Bastian nodded then he smiled as he stuck his fingers toward the daughter of Mr. Dewantoro.
Melinda smiled slightly and nodded as if she had no interest in shaking Bastian's hand.
Bastian looked at his salivary and then undo his intentions and chose to hide his fingers behind his body.
"Oh yeah now Bastian will also be staying here."
"What?" surprised Melinda was so very surprised by her gaze that was so distrustful of what Mr. Dewantoro had said.
"Yes and Papa have also decided that Bastian has Papa adopted as Papa's son and he will stay here with all of us."
All of? bastian's mind seemed to ask and that meant that not only this woman who lived here was there still another.
"The carpah!"
The sound of a small man's scream was heard making Bastian turn to look at the figure of a boy who was almost the same age as him running to hug Mr. Dewantoro.
Mr. Dewantoro knelt down and kissed the boy on both cheeks.
"Bastian's name is Reno, this is the grandson of his son Melinda" he explained making Reno smile and sticking out his fingers to make Bastian smile. He thought the grandson of Mr. Dewantoro would behave like his mother but, it was not.
"Hi Bastian, my name is Reno."
"Oh yes Reno, Bastian is now a child of Opah so now and forever Bastian will live here."
"really?" tanyanya did not expect then not long after he jumped happily and pulled Bastian invite him to play make Mr. Dewantoro smile.
In addition he got a new family member finally his grandson also got a new friend.