TRAPPED IN A MARRIAGE
INTO TOWN

What does it mean to be present when you can't be where you lean

POV Mother

Life is nothing new, life is hard. Since her husband died a few years ago, asthma that she suffered since childhood often relapses. And the shock of the sudden departure of the husband adds to a collection of diseases, heart disease. I can't work hard anymore. Cape's a bit of a congested disease and his heart's about to pop. Not that it does not want to take risks, but it will add to the burden of having to see a doctor which means it takes money for the cost of examination and buy drugs.

To avoid that, as much as possible the mother avoids activities that allow the disease to recur. And from then on, the burden of making a living was on the shoulders of Ninu his eldest son, not pity. Almost every night the mother cries in prayer how she sees Ninu's tired face after work, and how Ninu's affection for her and Ima. Take over the role of the head of the household responsible for the survival of his family. Ninu was a good, strong, and never complained. I know he's tired but he never showed it.

When Ninu asked for permission to go to the city, it was like someone was slicing off my mother's heart. So poignant. It was inconceivable how Ninu lived there without him being able to see it directly. Although there was not much you could do to ease Ninu's burden, but you could still wipe it, she said, comforting her with words and giving a tranquilizing smile when Ninu was tired or sad. And it makes my heart calm. But if Ninu was far away from her, mother would not know what happened to her and how she could comfort Ninu. Mother's heart is restless.

I know, Ninu is unlike any other child in this village. He has a strong desire to change. Ninu had goals that he wanted to achieve. That was why Ninu wanted odd jobs from morning to evening, so that he and his family could live better. However, how much money could Ninu have collected by such menial work let alone in a small village like this where they lived. It is not worth the energy spent with the money earned. If Ninu wanted to go for a better job, I could understand. Only his heart could not be removed.

⚘

POVs Ima

Ninu tea will go, murmured Ima in his heart.

The only brother she cares about so much is going to leave her and mom. Despite her departure to work for a better life, how could Ima live without her sister. Ninu was the place to lean. There was no one I admired besides her sister. He is strong and loving. Often Ninu sacrificed desires just to be able to meet the needs of his mother and himself. Ima loved him very much. That was why he never denied even what Ninu said.

In fact Ima wanted to help Ninu work but it was always forbidden. “You must be a real school, so that it could be the pride of mother and teteh” that Ninu often said to him when he expressed his desire to join work for money.

Ima knew her brother's wishes and ideals. Therefore, he would try to support what Ninu did. He will show that he is reliable. He's grown up, can look after mom and take care of the house. She will not continue to be a burden on her brother. His sister had to go to work with a calm heart. That is the determination of Ima. Although sad to be separated, Ima is proud of what her brother did. And Ima promised not to disappoint her sister.

⚘

“Bu... Ninu depart ya” Ninu kiss his mother's hand with teary eyes, “Ninu promise, Ninu will work well in the city. Ninu will send money for mother and Ima fees here”

Mom cried, grabbed her firstborn and hugged her tightly. “I forgive mom son, it is a sin to let you go far to support us here” mother's voice stammered.

The three of them hugged tightly as if reluctant to part.

“Ima, take care of mom and take good care of yourself. Teteh relying on you” Ninu's voice was still in tears.

Ima just nodded, she was unable to speak. His throat was filled with sadness, his face was already wet with tears.

“You're fine there, son. If you can often tell us here” pinta mom, “Jaga yourself well. If not, do not force yourself. Home” continued mother.

“Iya ma'am, Ninu will remember mother”'s words

“Mother pray that safety and luck will always be with you, son. I will always pray for you” my cries are unstoppable.

“Teteh be careful there” isak Ima.

⚘

Now Ninu was sitting leaning on the seat in the bus with his eyes fixed out the window. He took a long breath. His eyes refused to close even though he was tired. A new place he'll be heading to soon. A life she had never felt before would soon be her fight. I don't know what will happen in the future, Ninu doesn't know. Actually his heart was not that brave, but a forced state. His hope to live better, to be happy for his mother and sister encouraged him to venture out of his comfort zone, try to wrestle and conquer the rigors of life in the city. His one belief, what he did was not a mistake. He was struggling to achieve his dream.

After taking ojeg from his village to the highway, then Ninu continued the journey by taking city transportation to the terminal and took a bus to the city. Agis said he would pick up Ninu at the terminal in the city. The trip takes about five hours and it is quite tiring. But not for Ninu, this was his first experience going to the big city, and his eyes continued to stare at the scenery he was passing through. All feelings filled his heart.

Arriving at the terminal, Ninu dropped down to look for his friend. But not visible.

“Neng... ojeg neng. let's go between. Where are neng?” ask a man in a green jacket.

Ninu only shook his head. His eyes are still searching.

“Haiii…. This hereii..!” shouted someone waving his hand.

Ninu looked at it and instantly his smile was engraved. That's Agis. Soon he approached.

“You're not mabok Nin?” ask Agis.

“What factors?” ninu asked with a smile still etched on his lips.

“Turn trip, cook mabok duren” replied Agis chuckled.

“Ga, I'm aja”

“Wah you are strong yes, but this is the first time you ride a long-distance bus right?”

“Thank God. Come!” get Agis to lead his friend out of the terminal. “I brought a motorbike, so we took a motorbike to my house yes.not far, at most 15 minutes from here” explained Agis while walking ahead of Ninu. Ninu only nodded as his eyes continued to pay attention to the atmosphere in the terminal.

⚘

“Come Nin enter” take Agis as soon as they arrive in front of his house.

“Thank you” replied Ninu.

“Bu.. This there guest” exciting Agis. Before long, Sharif's mother Agis emerged from the kitchen.

“Eh.. This is Ninu yes his son the late Mang Ayi” saya bu Syarif.

“Iya bu” Ninu said then regretted it.

“Come sit Nin, surely you cape kan abis travel far” order bu Syarif.

“Iya bu, thank you”

“Gis, get some tea water for Ninu, but he must be thirsty and soybean. Isn't it Nin?” said Mrs Sharif again.

“Ga anything kok bu. Ninu has water supply, so do not haus” replied Ninu.

“That's okay, I made ice syrup. It's delicious cold. Let's drink” said Agis who emerged from the kitchen while carrying a glass of syrup given ice cubes and handed it to Ninu.

“You stay here first before you can rent a room, although simple consider it your own home, yes Nin” said bu Agis while rubbing Ninu's back. “We are one village so do not hesitate to” he continued.

“Iya ma'am, thank you. Sorry so troublesome” replied Ninu happy.

“Notice what, no one bothered” reply bu Syarif smile.

⚘

“Nin tomorrow I'll take you to the store. Don't forget the cover letter brought” exclamation Agis.

“Emang tomorrow you don't work Gis?” ask Ninu.

“Tok me day shift, so can take you first in the morning, replied Agis.

“I wear what clothes Gis tomorrow?” ask Ninu. He felt he did not have a decent shirt to wear to apply for a job tomorrow.

“You have the same span shirt?” tanya Agis frowned her forehead.

“Ga ada”

“Long pants? But not jean?”

No no also”

“Waah... so what do you carry in that bag?” ask Agis.

“Ordinary clothes I have. I will never work formal Gis, so yes my clothes are normal aj” replied Ninu slowly. He realized how he would go to work later.

“Yes already, I love you, later you can wear my clothes” replied Agis smilingly looking at Ninu's confused face.

⚘

“It turns out you are sweet yes Nin wear the shirt” said Agis noticed Ninu who was ready with the clothes he borrowed. Knee-length white bone and blue span color shirt. Ninu only blushed hearing it.

“We leave now?” tanyanya was impatient.

“Iya come. Don't forget the cover letter, it's not funny if we go back again because we missed it” said Agis.

⚘⚘⚘⚘

New Ninu will enter the real struggle.the struggle between the strength of desire and the tightness of temptation that hit.