I'm the Newspaper Seller
6. Bastian's Life

Bastian opened a door that was completely unlocked by the homeowner. The silent atmosphere managed to greet the figure of Bastian who opened the door of the house.

The nuances of the house are not neatly arranged into the scenery that Bastian saw first. The plastic chair seemed to be arranged around the old table. The old cabinets that did not even use the door anymore seemed to complement the atmosphere of the living room.

If we look up then we can see the ceiling of the house that shows the wood that is the foundation of the roof of the house made of zinc that is almost rusty. All looks red indicates how long this zinc-zinc against the scorching heat of the sun and rain.

Bastian stepped his foot through the room making the sound of the board being stepped on squeaked softly.

If only the figure of a thief managed to enter this house then maybe he will choose to go home without the need to tear apart the contents of the house. Seen as if making people have managed to guess if there is no treasure in this house or a valuable item that can be stolen.

This is Bastianm's house He has to live in this house along with his Mama's figure.

"Ma!"

The figure of the woman who was lying on her old mattress turned her head so that her face was pale with my eyes as if welcoming the arrival of Bastian.

Minara is the name of the woman. The woman who gave birth to and raised Bastian alone. She is a 40-year-old widow.

Minara is a woman who Bastian says is difficult to feel health. For several years now, my mother has been far from healthy. His disease is always coughing and high fever that never subsided even Bastian confused why his mother never healed when he always diligently gave cough medicine to his mother.

What about his father figure? The father of Bastian has left rather to marry again along with the girl of his choice and chooses to leave Bastian and his wife in this old house.

There are many reasons why his father left Bastian. Including economic factors and Mama who had been sickly made his father now turned his heart.

What else could it be his father's choice. Prohibiting is not possible, Bastian is only a child who can only make money for his mother by selling newspapers on the roadside. With little results Bastian had to support his sickly mother.

Bastian stepped closer to the figure of his mother who tried to get up from his bed while occasionally coughing touching the chest that was painful when he coughed.

"You're home, son?"

That hoarse voice sounded. He coughed again to make Bastian feel sorry for his mother. Why did her mother never heal?

Bastian was so very sad to see the figure of his mother who had to lie sick like this.

"Bastian's home, Ma. Bastian bring rice and 2 packs of noodles."

Mirna smiled as she stroked the cheek of her son whom she loved so much. Right now it's only Bastian he's got because everything has gone a long way leaving him.

There was a sense of regret felt by Mirna. She used to be with Zainal, her ex-husband was a couple who loved each other.

Many men are crazy about Mirna but she always refused and said she wanted to focus on college. His parents were proud not to play with his daughter because he had a daughter who was more concerned with education than having to prioritize love for the opposite sex.

However, their pride was lost when his daughter had fallen in love with a man who was an employee at his parents' trading business.

Somehow an unexpected love came suddenly between Mirna and Zainal. The two of them were in a relationship until finally Zainal had more serious intentions to and finally Mirna agreed.

He dared to invite Zainal to come home and introduce him to his parents. Both of her parents were absolutely enraged when Mirna introduced Zainal.

Both of his parents understand very well how the condition of Zainal, who is only a poor man who wanders looking for work and finally gets a job at Mirna's parents' trade store.

Mirna's parents disagreed and insulted Zainal right in front of Mirna until Zainal was fired until Mirna broke her heart. He frowned every day and no longer paid any importance to his education.

His parents tried to seduce his daughter to understand her situation and said that the caste differences between the rich and poor could not be put together and the next day his parents received news if Mirna and Zainal escape, go nowhere.

Far away Zainal and Mirna journey finally migrated to Jakarta, where Zainal was born until because of love Mirna willingly lived in the house of Zainal's parents who were far from the word worthy.

For him to live with the figure of the man he loves is the happiest thing for him, no matter how the condition of the rival.

As if swallowed by the earth now Mirna never gave news to both parents until finally Bastian was born.

Living below the poverty line makes Mirna finally feel tired and intend to go home however, feeling a sense of shame higher than her will.

What would he say to his parents if he came home?

Where'd that face go? People's rumors must have spread. His departure must have become a byword in the community around his home. Shame and shame until finally he decided to stay in this old house.

The sense of regret was increasingly burning when she got information from neighbors if her husband was carrying away a girl who was in another area.

Whether where her husband went to the heartache and physical pain all blend into one.

Intention to end his life, however, he remembered the figure of his son, Bastian who desperately needed him. If he had not thought of his son, he would have been tormented in hell for the sins he had committed.

There was no witness at the wedding of a fairly simple marriage contract that only witnessed by Zainal's parents without being accompanied by witnesses from the bride's family.

Can marriage be said to be legal? Of course not then what about Bastian is he also an illegitimate child?