Ode To Latitude
According Mama?

“Mama” Mia's voice echoed in the family room belonging to Danu Atmaja and Arimbi Sukoco. They're watching Mia and Regata's video calls. Mia shouted in excitement while Regata was busy wiping away tears. The longing is clearly reflected through the eyes of Regata.

“Why ma, kok nanggis?” ask Mia worried. Her mother's pretty face looked wet adorned with both of her swollen eyelids.

“Ma-ma kangen dear” whispered Regata stammering, unable to withstand his sobs.

“Where the lambanya dear” ask Regata to switch the conversation.

“Hope 3 ma, get money Rp. 1,000,000, medals, same certificate” Mia said excitedly while showing medals and certificates.

Regata clapping hands gave Mia spirit while holding back her cries.

“Mia mama wants to talk to Oma” Regata said after giving up longing to see her daughter's cheerful face.

Mia runs into Arimbi's lap who has since watched Regata and Mia interact.

“Ma” Regata's lips vibrate as Arimbi's face appears on the screen. Arimbi tried his hardest not to cry to see Regata's face. Arimbi was powerless to see Regata still sobbing unable to say a word. The mere cry of the princess of her puppets had represented what Regata wanted to say. Arimbi turns the video call into a regular call so that Regata is more free to express what he wants to say, Danu who is sitting next to him immediately holds Mia away from Arimbi's presence.

“Ma, Rangain Mia. He's the only one Regata has now” Regata said.

“Sabar darling, mama again business persuade papa you. You know for yourself the nature of papa kayak. Ata, Mia is safe here” said Arimbi.

“Keep me how ma, why papa take Mia without my consent ma” Regata whine at Arimbi.

“You have good papa intentions, Mia will get quality education here”

“Ma, I'm her mother. Her birth mother, I know best what Mia is. I can love Mia a decent education Ma, we don't lack anything here”

“Please Ma, please Ata. From a small Ata never asked for anything. This time please Ata, Mama please turn back Mia. Mia flesh blood Ata ma, Ata could not live without Mia” Regata's crying firmer.

“If you want Mia back, pick her up here”

Tut! Phone connection is turned off.

“Pa, what papa did!” hardik Arimbi tried to seize his phone that had been transferred into the hands of Danu.

Mia looked at her grandparents in turn. He looks confused. Arimbi and Danu, who had ignored Mia's presence, are now misbehaved.

“Mama why?” mia asked her grandfather.

“Let's pick you up here" said Danu, her tone softened.

“Grandfather, I want with a story” Mia sitting on the sofa.

Danu and Arimbi looked at each other, then sat down flanking Mia.

“I want to hear stories about my birth” said Mia staring at them in turn.

Danu's breath sounded heavy, while Arimbi tried to recall the memory.

“When you were born, grandfather didn't exist. Just the same mother your grandmother” Danu pointed at Arimbi with the tip of her lips.

“Working grandfather in Jakarta. You were born in Jogja, in the village of your grandmother” Mia mangosteen. All three silent. Mia looked doubtful, she was fondling the next question.

“What's up?” tanya Danu looked at Mia's worried face.

“Daddy is also in Jogja?” ask Mia

“Mother didn't tell me?” respond Danu quickly.

Mia nodded weakly. Now it was Arimbi's turn to sigh.

“If your mother comes here, you just ask. But the question must be Oma same Opa” said Danu taught Mia. Danu ignored Arimbi's disapproving glance.

“Pa, mom does not agree with how papa ngajarin Mia. Let Regata clear to Mia, we do not need to meddle too far” said Arimbi berated Danu.

“You and your daughter are the same. Like to hide things, what ends? Papa has to sort everything out. Mia's eight years old, when to cover up? If Regata does not want to tell me so papa who told all” reply Danu.

Arimbi did not dwell, she ended the debate with her husband. Arimbi closed his eyes letting Danu who was pensive beside him.

“Grandpa what mad mama?”  asked Mia after the race announcement. They escorted Mr. Hayon to the airport after making sure the race prize money was sent to the school account.

“Why be angry?” ask Danu

“If you go home later, these items put here aja ya” said Mia pointed to the badminton equipment wrapped neatly in a bag.

“You don't feel at home living with your grandparents?” ask Danu.

“Betah” said Mia pleased

“Then?” ask Danu astonished.

Mia tells me about her and her mother who made Danu growled. Danu has no sympathy for the man Regata recognizes as his grandson's biological father, but Danu isn't that stupid comparing Mia's and Lintang's lives. Regata is so selfish as to force Mia to do what she doesn't like, all because of the Lintang Wiryateja man Regata is defending before her. On the other hand Danu felt Regata was emotionally immature while giving birth to her granddaughter. Mentally not ready to accept the burden of being a single parent, Regata finally hard on Mia with the hope that her granddaughter does not suffer the same fate as her parents, but if Regata is dishonest about Mia's birth then all her efforts will be in vain Danu thought.

Danu can't close his eyes. The ceiling of the room that was dim due to the reflection of the sleeping lights became an interesting sight that night. He was struggling with his thoughts as a father, and a grandfather.

“Not sleeping?” arimbi asked as he looked towards Danu who was busy staring at the ceiling.

“If Ata comes, what will papa do?” ask Arimbi.

“According to mama?” Danu asked back.

“Ata will be expelled” replied Arimbi.

Danu closed her eyes, then slept her back to Arimbi.

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