First time to be apart

By Umi Kulsum

When I just heard about the plan to remove all houses in Cakung Sawah, I felt so sad. One by one my friends left me.

I remember the time we played hide and seek, pretended as a family with ‘big sisters’ together with Eneng and Intan when we took bath together.

At that afternoon, we took bath together. I changed my clothes and got ready to visit Intan’s rented house. My family had not got a new rented house as yet.

I visited Intan’s new house together with Eneng. Her rented house is near to small deli while Eneng’s rented house close to Sulton market. Leaving their houses, my mom asked me to buy some salt and chilies. Then, I helped my grandma to tidy up her things to move out from her house. My little sisters – Lina, Lini and Gio – also helped grandma.

We walked in line along the paddy field to go to grandma’s rented house which is also Intan’s rented house. Once we arrived, we put all her belongings in the corner of the room. Then, we went home.

I felt when I was about to reach our home. I cried as it was quite painful. Mom helped me to get some medicine. After that I went to bed and tried to control the pain.

Translated by Anita Linggar