The Skewers House
Orphanage

Early in 2000, the air was warm, the afternoon was quite hot. A 15-year-old girl was sweeping in the yard of an orphanage. The old and seedy apartment building, the tile part looks hollow from the outside. Walls with paint and cement peeled and cracked in some parts.

However, such a worn-out place remained the most comfortable place for the three boys who lived there. They have nothing and no one. Their baby lives in the orphanage. He is the oldest Retno and plays an older sister, as well as two boys aged around nine years old who are called Prambudi and Mas Adi.

Prambudi, a boy who looks so handsome with clean skin even though it is not taken care of. He's a little mischievous and wayward, also so spoiled on Retno's mother. The other boy was named Adi. His skin is a little darker, his way of speaking is like an adult, and he prefers to be called Mas Adi. Although Prambudi and Adi are age-old, Adi feels he is a reliable older brother.

"Mbak Retno just rest. Let me do it," Mas Adi told Retno.

"Alright," Retno sighed, then handed the broom in her hand to Mas Adi. Retno smiled and did not forget to wipe Mas Adi's hair with a little rough.

"Sir Retno, I'm lapaarr," Prambudi came, clutching his belly. His face was full of sweat, maybe the boy had just run around the streets.

"Yes, soon Ma'am masakin ya. Where are you from?," Retno approached Prambudi, sounding the boy's breath ngosan.

"Lat's playing mbak ball. In front of the SD terminal" answered Prambudi.

"I also want to go to school in the Elementary School like they did" Prambudi said, his eyes glazed. It was obvious sadness from his expression.

"We went to school in package A. That's enough too. The important thing is we can callistung Budi," Seloroh Mas Adi while sweeping.

"School in Pack A with Mbah Mbah, not delicious Mas. I want to kayak another child, break time can play ball, use sragam. Why can't we be like that?" Prambudi protested, he seemed annoyed.

Retno rubbed sweat on Prambudi's forehead. His face is sad, Ma'am Retno also felt the same sadness as Prambudi. However, as he was more mature he realized that such a desire would not be realized. The three of them were unexpected children. I don't know my parents and family. How could they possibly get the same facilities as the kids out there? Who are in the warm embrace of the family.

"We need to be good at being grateful. Grateful our lives will be more enjoyable. And it could be with the life we live now someday we can be a successful person," said Mbak Retno kalem. Her voice is so soothing.

"Indeed Prambudi mind would be what if it had been gedhe later?," Ma'am Retno smiled looking at the boy's face. His eyes look a little blue.

"I want to be an office worker. Pake a tie, bring a bag, have a beautiful wife like Ma'am Retno," answered Prambudi innocently. Retno chuckled at hearing that.

"If I wanted to be a cop, Ms. Retno. Helping and protecting people," Mas Adi also replied. His face looked so serious.

"Don't dream high, later if you fall sick. Wong kere like you at the end of the end is also a burden on the community," A voice arrived just nimbrung in the middle of the chat.

An old woman walked up from inside the building, probably almost sixty years old. He's the owner of the parlor, his name is Bu Ginah. Her body was stocky, her hair was gray, wearing excess jewelry that contrasted with the place she was currently staying.

Bu Ginah used to be a gentle and loving figure. But as time went on, as the orphanage donors stopped sending donations, the woman changed in nature. The war turned rough, angry angry indistinct, often even playing hands.

"Retno, later after maghrib you go to my room. There's something I want to talk about!," said Ms. Ginah. His gaze that used to feel motherly now turned violent and cruel. Retno immediately nodded, looking down in fear.

"I want to come" Mas Adi said boldly. He felt the need to listen to what the caretaker would talk about with Retno.

"Little children do not need to interfere!," Bu Ginah glared. Mas Adi was horrified actually, but the principle as long as he was right did not need to be afraid.

"Mbak Retno is our sister. We are a family, if there is something to talk about we should talk about together," Again Mas Adi dared to argue, his words like adults.

Plaakkkk

A loud slap struck Mas Adi's cheek in a crushing manner. Mas Adi who did not expect Bu Ginah to slap him, fell slammed into the ground. His cheeks felt a throbbing pain. He wanted to cry, but he refused to look weak in front of Prambudi who was trembling in fear.

"Son's son!," Umpat Bu Ginah walked away leaving the three poor boys.

* * *

When Maghrib arrived, Mas Adi shivered on his bed. Her body was hot, her swollen cheeks were in excruciating pain. Prambudi waited for him while crying. While Retno went to face Bu Ginah, the caretaker of the house.

"Why nanges? The one who hurts me is you who nanges," Mas Adi smilingly looked at Prambudi.

"I'm afraid Mas. I'm afraid Retno's mom is taken away people, adopted people. How are we, Mas? No one took care of it anymore" Prambudi was still crying.

"Relax, I'm sure Retno won't leave us. But it does feel like I need to know what they are talking about right now," Mas Adi tried to get up from his sleep.

"Don't Mas. Just let me," Prambudi prevented Mas Adi from waking up. Then Prambudi got up from his seat. He rubbed the snot on his nose. From the dimly lit lights, Mas Adi could see the expression of Prambudi who was trying to brave himself.

"Are you sure?," Mas Adi asked, his head felt so dizzy, perhaps the effect of his body temperature getting higher.

Prambudi remained silent, he immediately walked out of the room. Mas Adi did not ask again, nor did he try to prevent Prambudi. His body was getting limp, his body heat was getting higher, his cheeks were also throbbing pain. And finally the nine-year-old boy who behaved like an adult fell asleep, falling asleep unable to endure the pain.

Falling asleep for a while and when he woke up, Mas Adi found himself in the arms of a police officer. The orphanage where he lived was engulfed by the red whiz. His weak body was unable to do anything. He can only surrender. He does not know where Ms Retno is, and how Prambudi is. That night, the Orphanage named Rumah Tangguh Sejahtera (RTS) was charred unscathed.

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