When the houses were demolished

By Cynthia

When I heard the news about houses near paddy field would be demolished, my heart was so hurt.

There were so many beautiful and sad memories we spent together in this area. There were a lot of beautiful memories spent in the Learning House. Separating from friends was really painful.

A few days before the houses were being removed by the owner, we were given compensation money. However, there were some residents who did not get it. One by one my relatives left the area.

My mother and father were busy looking for a new rented house. One day, we found a new rented house. My mother used the compensation money to pay for the rental deposit. The next day, we moved in. However, the landlord returned the money as their house could not be rented. They planned to renovate it and let their relatives to live there.

My mother went home with broken heart. It was so difficult to find rented house especially for us whose occupations are farmer and scavenger. Although we are poor, we still can afford to eat and drink. I wondered why they did not want to care our sufferings.

I only could hug a tree trunk. The trees are my best friends. So many beautiful memories I share with the trees. My childhood house also shares so many beautiful memories, which I would not forget for the rest of my life. What will be happened if the land does not have trees and houses anymore?

One by one my friends moved out. I had to say goodbye to them in the paddy field although I still wish to live here forever, until I am grown up. But fate decides differently.

I realize this sadness was not only mine. I could feel all of the Cakung Sawah residents felt the same as we had to move out. All of them were restless and busy finding new rented houses. At the end, we had to separated.

Translated by Anita Linggar