Marrying the Father of My Foster Son
Makassar Rutan

Prison is a real place of learning, where the body cannot get its freedom. Sarman, Mia and Lita have spent two months in detention. For some people being in this creepy place presents their own fears, without exception Mia and Lita.

They now live in separate detention rooms. Almost every night Lita could not sleep while in a narrow detention room and had to be inhabited sixteen people.

Behind the thick walls of the prison, Lita felt hopeless. Now the regret that continues to occupy his mind. Had he not been fooled by the words of Sarman and Mia, perhaps freedom would have remained his. At this time Lita was teetering to receive a reply for her actions. Kidnapping and mistreatment of minors is not a simple accusation.

Sometimes Lita is often haunted by nightmares while asleep. The shadow of Aurora's six-year-old face innocently called out her name. If you get such a nightmare, Lita immediately woke up. Of course it surprised the other inhabitants of the cell.

“Sleep again, it's still night, don't wake up suddenly like this and disturb the others,” whispered Rosi, one of his cellmates who was exposed to a case of abuse. Rosi was convicted of hitting the head of her husband who was caught cheating on him with a helmet until his husband suffered a brain injury.

“Sorry, Rosi, but I can't sleep,” whispered Lita. During his imprisonment he used a little more formal language so as not to be considered doubtful by the other prisoners. Want to live in Jakarta, just use the word "lo and me".

“Indeed if it is still new, later you are also used to.”

Rosi flips her back to Lita who is still awake. The right hand rests under the head, while the left hand holds the forehead. Lita felt like a bird locked in an iron cage, unable to fly as freely as she used to, and this was excruciating.

Night continues until morning ....

“Wake ... wake up already noon, let's get ready for musala!” The rutan officer on guard woke up the occupants. It's morning. It feels like Lita just closed her eyes for a while, it turns out that now the day has changed. Slowly I heard the voice of Azan Subuh from the musala.

“Lita, let's get us up to musala.” Rosi wakes up her cellmate. The woman is always half whispering when talking because she does not want to disturb other residents.

Lita complies with Rosi's invitation. The girl woke up from her sleep, then followed her cellmate to walk towards the musala behind the rutan.

After performing congregational prayers, continued with sports. Fitness gymnastics in the rutan field every morning gives a little freshness to the body that feels tired. After light exercise, they return to the cells to clean themselves.

The atmosphere inside the rutan felt cramped and silent. Feelings of anxiety and guilt filled the hearts of female prisoners, including Lita. However, as time went on, Lita began to try to blend in with the other prisoners. He realized that they all had their own stories and struggles. Now there is Rosi who helps encourage him.

'Lo must sincerely accept all of this, Ta. I'm glad you don't know anything about Mr. Ghani and his men. Try if at that time they dark eyes, your fate is the same as Mama and Papa, ' Inner Lita speaks for itself.

That day, the atmosphere in the holding room changed slightly differently. Lita and several other female prisoners were told that they would follow a coaching and skills-enhancing program. One of the scheduled activities is cake making.

“All must participate, do not miss important events like this so that you stay sane.”

The head of the cell named Tiwi, who is more often called Mak Towok, who is large, began to give instructions. No one knows how Mak Towok could be chosen to be the chief prisoner. Perhaps because of his large body with his heavy voice, he was chosen because everyone wanted a sense of security.

“The talk is in the hall, so you guys can start coming to the hall now.” Mak Towok shouted making some female prisoners immediately rush away.

“You two do not slow down the movement, the event starts at nine, if it is still here later the officer will definitely come. Rosi hurry up you invite Lita to gather in the hall!”

“Iya, Mak, be patient for a while, Lita still wears body lotion.”

“Ah you guys, who else will glance? It's been there fast!” expelling Mak Towok made Lita and Rosi laugh a little.

“There is no chef on TV, can be allergic to red hives all later their bodies if they come here.” Mak Towok replied with a loud voice.

Within the rather spacious, but slightly gloomy hall space, several long tables were neatly placed. The women gathered around the table, waiting for the officers to give instructions. The anxious and worried faces slowly turned into enthusiastic faces as the assistant chefs entered the hall room. The fragrant aroma of the cake began to smell in the air.

Lita walked over hesitantly looking for an empty chair. "This is the first time I've learned to make a cake. I never thought I would learn to cook here. Let alone learning to cook, go to jail or not." He muttered with a bitter smile, laughing at the stupidity that took away his freedom.

Rosi looked around, smiling, the woman heard Lita's words. "Yes, we all have unexpected stories here. But at the very least, by learning and seeing firsthand as we are now, we can have a new skill once we get out of here."

Another female prisoner chimed in, "That's fine. Who knows, someday I could open a catering business or a cake shop." They smiled at each other and sent strength to each other.

The atmosphere in the room slowly turned warm and familiar. Little laughter rang out among the female prisoners who were busy stirring the dough and mixing the ingredients of the cake.

The invited guest chef has started transmitting his knowledge. "Okay, Sisters, Mothers, let's continue the next step. Make sure your dough is kneaded well and carefully when putting the cake in the oven."

Lita and the other prisoners worked hard, mixing the ingredients thoroughly. The longer, they are getting used to and excited about the process of making the cake.

Rosi smiled happily as her hand touched the dough. "Lita, it looks like your dough is too hard, try adding a little more butter.” Rosi holds the dough in Lita's hand.

"I can't tell the difference, look at your dough.” Lita pinches a little dough in Rosi's hand.

“Wah your dough is very soft, Rosi. I can't imagine if this dough is ripe, it will probably be the hardest bread and can't be eaten, even to throw to the hunchback can die times, yes.” Lita chuckled, amused by her own stupidity.

“Nih give butter a bite. Your business is hard or no, don't worry. His name is also learn.” Rosi thrusting butter sachet.

While the cakes were baked in the oven, the atmosphere was getting warmer. The women prisoners share their life stories with each other, supporting and encouraging each other. They are like brothers, together seeking strength in difficult circumstances.

Time passed, and finally, the cakes were finished baking. His fragrant aroma spread throughout the room. Prison officials handed out the cakes to female prisoners. They enjoy their own homemade cakes. What an expensive togetherness.

In that simple atmosphere, Lita felt happiness emanating from the faces of the female prisoners. They felt that there was a bit of freedom in this rare moment, even if it was only for a moment. All the cell dwellers felt the same way that even in prison, they still had the opportunity to learn, grow together, and achieve something positive.

Lita who had a gloomy face from the morning also felt that familiar atmosphere, with a smile on her face she expressed her gratitude.

"Thank you, everybody. You guys are nice and make the days here so boring."

Mak Towok said Lita. "We support each other here. We can all get out of here to be better people."

Although living in the rutans is not easy, Lita and the other female prisoners realize that they have the strength to face it with their heads held high and hope for a better future.

...***...