Semester Vacation

He looked down, then went back to enjoying his ice cream.

"To me, you've done a great job living your life up to this point. It hasn't been easy. If I were you, I don't think I could bear it and would choose to end my life. Facing the harsh reality whether you want it or not must still be lived. No problem, everything needs a process. Even though there's only me by your side, I hope I can make you happy just a little bit."

I think my words just now reached her heart. Her eyes looked at me teary-eyed. Seeing her as if she was about to cry, made me tear up.

"Hey... did my words hurt you? Sorry... I didn't mean to..."

"Not so mas. I'm actually touched. Thank you for accompanying me when the world is being mean to me. I don't know what to do, I'm so happy that I want to cry."

The girl wiped away the tears that fell from her eyes, and a smile slowly appeared on her face.

When we were about to leave, I reached for the house key that was in my pants pocket. It was hard to get the key because there were so many things stored there. They fell out after I managed to get the key from my pocket.

Chia helped me pick up the things that had fallen. I saw that she was holding the medicine bottle the doctor gave me this afternoon.

"What is this medicine?"

She asked. However, I grabbed the bottle quickly. I didn't want her to know about my illness. I'm sure she'll become even more worried after I explain. I didn't want that to happen. Her problems were already heavy, I didn't want to add to her burden.

"It's nothing." I replied.

"Are you sick again?" she asked again.

"No, never mind. I'm fine. That's it, I'm going in."

I rushed in so that the girl wouldn't interrogate me further.

***

December is here. The long-awaited semester vacation had finally come. I planned to return to the village, to see my mother who must have missed me. To be honest, I didn't really want to go back, because I still felt responsible for my promise with Chia. I said I would always be there when she needed me. But, this vacation I think we should part ways for a while.

"Chia, where are you going on vacation?"

"Hmmm, I'm not sure yet. I think I'll go to my grandmother's house in Bandung with my mom."

"Your father isn't coming?"

"I don't know. Maybe he'll catch up when he finds out mom and I aren't home."

"Thankfully, you're doing well there. We can still chat."

"Yes, I hope you also make it safely to your destination."

I smiled. Saying goodbye to Chia.

**

When I arrived in Bandung, my grandmother's family welcomed me happily.

"Wow, Chia really grew up to be a pretty girl. Come, eat with us. You can choose your favorite dish." Om Reza said.

I also enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere with a calm heart. I thought it was going to be a great vacation this time. Later that night, my grandmother told me to go to bed first. I quickly went into the room that had been reserved for me, and played games while listening to music. A few hours passed, and I felt thirsty. When I went to get some drinking water from the front, I saw a lot of people gathered in the living room. I peeked through the curtains, undoing my intention to get some water.

Apparently, mom was talking to grandma about getting a divorce. My heart was in turmoil. What I thought would be a fun vacation without any problems, I was faced with another reality that was hard for me to accept. When my father arrived, all of my mother's family looked at him sharply. Dad was put on trial. But what did he do? He just didn't budge.

"So what now? Do you want a divorce? Fine. I'm also not willing to share a house with a wife who plays with other men behind my back."

Father said that with confidence.

Mom countered Dad's argument with a defense.

"Who wouldn't be furious with your trashy behavior, huh? You're telling me to stop working when you yourself can't provide for the family. Do you still consider yourself the head of the family? Even Satan is laughing at your behavior!"

"At least I didn't cheat. I was faithful, I honored the vows we made. But you? So easily turning to another man when you have everything."

Mom's anger was getting the better of her. Grandmother, who heard this, felt like kicking father out of her house. She looked at father with an angry gaze.

"YOU'RE MAKING ME INNOCENT!" Mom raised the volume of her voice.

The grip of her hand grew stronger. If only this incident had been in our house and if it hadn't been seen by so many people, mom would have thrown something at dad. That's what used to happen in our house.

"Well, whatever you want. I've been into gambling since long before we got married. You said you would accept me as I am. Now you don't accept the promise you made. What a coward." he said lightly.

"WHAT? YOU SAY I'M A COWARD? LOOK WHO HASN'T PROVIDED FOR HIS FAMILY ALL THESE YEARS! I'M TRYING TO PROTECT CHIA SO SHE CAN GO TO SCHOOL. YOU KNOW THAT! ALL YOU CAN DO IS ASK FOR GAMBLING AND ALCOHOL MONEY FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT."

Mom's anger boiled over. She intended to hit dad right now. Fortunately, Auntie Hira stopped her. Auntie Hira and Auntie Reva tried to calm mom down, who was overcome with emotion.

Grandmother, as the mediator, suggested that a decision be made immediately.

"So you guys are really going to get divorced? Think about it carefully. Don't regret the decision you made."

Spontaneously, mom and dad answered in unison, "YES!"

The discussion finally ended. I, who peeked at the conversation behind the curtain, could only cry silently.

Childhood memories are vivid in my mind. I still remember the happy moments with my mother and father, full of jokes and laughter. Excursions to Dufan, visiting Taman Safari, those who accompanied me to the coloring competition at Taman Prestasi. All those memories are now gone. There is nothing left. The divorce proceedings would take about three months if there were no obstacles. So, that's how long I have to prepare my heart to live a life that is no longer colorful.

The rest of the vacation is still long, I think it's less than 2 weeks. I don't want to linger here. Even though my grandmother and mother's family treated me very well, just remembering them gathered that night, made things no longer interesting.

"Why didn't any of them keep mom and dad together?"

I planned to contact brother Lana, hoping that she had returned from her village so that I could go back and tell her everything that had happened.

My cell phone rang. The distinctive ringtone that I set specifically when I got a call from Chia rang out. I, who was helping mom with the store at the time, immediately grabbed my phone and answered her call.

Tutt... uttt...

"Hi, chia. How are you?"

"Are you home yet? I have a lot to tell you."

"Well, not yet. My mom still keeps me here to spend time with her."

"Uhmm... I see..."

Her voice sounded sad. I quickly thought of a way to make her happy again. Suddenly, someone tapped me on the shoulder. Suddenly I was shocked.

"Son, let's help mom. There's a phone call here. Whose call is it?" mom looked at me suspiciously, trying to peek at the name on my phone screen.

"Here, mom is on the phone with a girl. I'll help you when you're done." I said.

Mom's eyes light up when she hears the word "girl". Surely soon she will be thinking like other mothers, of course, about marriage so that she can get grandchildren soon.

"Duh... what's his name? Can you bring it here, introduce it to mom. I didn't expect that there would be a woman who wants to be with you. Your son has grown up."

Mom teased me while my call with Chia was still uninterrupted. My face turned red. I could hear Chia chuckling. I felt so embarrassed. Not long after, an idea popped into my head.

"Uh really, can you bring a girl here?"

"Of course you can. As long as he behaves well and you're serious about introducing him to mom."

"Can he stay over?"

"That's fine. She will sleep with mom if she wants to."

I cheered in my heart. This way, Chia could confide in me without having to hurt mom's feelings if I had to go back to Surabaya quickly.

"Chia, my mom let you stay at my house. Come tomorrow, I'll book you a train ticket and pick you up at the station."

From the other end, Chia's voice sounded cheerful again. He would leave tomorrow afternoon and would be here the day after tomorrow at dawn.[]