CUTS
Ye...

The leaders of the country changed but the condition of this country still has not changed. The replacement president after the previous president had given permission for military operations against separatist members at midnight. He also imposed martial law for six months in Aceh. A total of 30,000 soldiers and 12,000 police were sent by the Indonesian Government.

No more foreigners were involved in NGOs as all aid agencies were ordered to cease operations and leave the Aceh region.

The front pages of newspapers are always filled with news of shootings, arson until the discovery of an unknown corpse. Abu no longer buys newspapers in the shophouse because he is worried if Cut sees them.

Abu and Umi encouraged themselves by continuing to smile or talk to the princess even things that had never been discussed. The presence of Mae itself is quite instrumental in evoking the atmosphere in the shophouse.

Pak Cek Amir and his family finally found out about Cut's condition when Mr. Cek Amir accidentally visited Abu's shophouse and there was only Mae. Mr. Cek Amir was very surprised to learn the condition of his nephew. Mak Cek siti who came with her husband to tears while hugging Cut.

“I'm sorry, Brother. I didn't know that Brother was having problems like this. We are too late in grief to forget to think of relatives.” Say Mak Cek Siti.

“Syuttt. Cut can't hear you crying. We must be happy in front of him so that his feelings are not depressed anymore.” whispered Umi.

“Alhamdulillah quickly realized and immediately got treatment. If only no one had advised us to take him to the hospital maybe his condition is now more severe.”

“One more time, I'm sorry Bang. I didn't know that my brother was being difficult. I only think about myself.” Said Mr. Cek Amir full of regrets.

“Already. We understand how you feel. We forget the past, now what we have to face is the future. The kids still need us. If we are weak what about them.” Answer Abu.

“What's the extent of its development, Bang?”

“Alhamdulillah he can sleep even because of the influence of drugs. Better than crying every night. I started eating a little. When therapy is also willing to pay attention to the interlocutor even though it does not answer as usual. Thank God, there are so many changes that we feel now.”

Cut skips day after day with therapy and medication. Abu and Umi always faithfully accompanied Cut while undergoing therapy. Every afternoon, Abu and Umi take Cut, Mae and Rendra to a city park not far from the market area. They spend time just to talk about things lightly while enjoying a snack.

“Abu, Mae in the shop only yes?” mae pinta.

Abu knows why Mae wouldn't go to the city park. Rendra who is very active in moving makes Mae unable to sit quietly.

“If Bang Mae does not come later Dek Rendra no one to guard. Abu Sama Umi is old. We can no longer catch up to Rendra.” joked Abu.

With slow steps he followed behind while holding Rendra who kept tugging at his ears. Little Rendra spent her days in Mae's care since Cut became ill.

Like father and son, Rendra always follows Mae everywhere. In fact, Mae had to leave secretly if she wanted to escape from Rendra.

“Dek Rendra, will sit still for a while huh? Brother wants to relax while eating fried food.” Just like Mae said. Rendra sat quietly for a while then he chose to go with the ball.

“A lot of soldiers yes, Abu. Is it okay we brought Cut here?” ask Umi.

The city park is an empty land with a vast expanse of green grass. The land is located in the middle of office areas and other important buildings. The city park is the endowment of the Baiturrahman Mosque. However, the right of use is held by Kodam. It is located right in front of the Pangdam house to the west.

The grass and cleanliness of this garden is quite awake because the right to use is held by the TNI. So, they always clean this park. Moreover, every activity, they always hold it here.

“Mae, Which rendra?” abu asked as soon as he realized the grandson was no longer seen in front of him.

Mae who was enjoying fried bananas immediately rushed to find Rendra. And now is a good time for Mae to take out her nurse whom she has long held back because of Cut's illness.

“Rendraaaa..

“Rendraaaaa..

Mae who continued to search unconsciously entered the area of the soldiers who were marching. And...

Rendra was playing ball in front of the soldiers who were listening to the briefing. Mae realizes that she is misplaced, she clumsily walks slowly to retrieve Rendra.

“Sorry Mr. Army, Adek I went not to say anything. Rendra, let's go!”

“Wait!” Mae who had been holding Rendra was suddenly shocked when told to stop.

A soldier giving the briefing approached Mae. “So you called this boy name Rendra, right?”

“True Sir. My name is Rendra.” The soldier looked at Mae's face as if he knew her. He also looked at little Rendra intently.

“Yes god, may this be true.”

“Are you guys from Sagoe Village?”

“Bapak knows where our village is from? You ever work there huh?”

“Where are Ash, Umi and Cut?” instead of answering, Rendra asked Abu's family. With a confused feeling, Mae pointed towards the seated Abu family.

“Come, we're there!”

Rendra followed Mae with happiness emanating on her face. Followed by some of his men, Rendra came to the family with enthusiasm.

“Abu..”.

“Assalamualaikum..”

Abu and Umi were surprised to see a figure they had not seen for a long time. Rendra shakes hands with Abu and Umi. When he wanted to shake hands with Cut, Rendra had to swallow disappointment. Cut looked at Rendra blankly as if unfamiliar. Rendra frowned in surprise with a million questions on her mind.

Abu pulls Rendra's hand away from Cut. “Nak, the Cut now is no longer the Cut you used to meet. He was sick, his soul was disturbed. He suffered from severe depression until he had to do therapy and various treatments. Abu doesn't know if he still remembers you or not because our belongings in the village are already burned. Our homes in the village have been burned down. And what we brought time here is only what you gave while in North Regency.”

“Abu live where?”

“In the front shophouse of the fish market, not far from here.”

“Then I will go to Abu's place. I say goodbye now because there is still a task.” Rendra returned to Abu's hand and left with a myriad of questions and concerns.

Ash returned to his place. “May this be the answer to our prayers, Umi.” as if to understand the intent of the husband's words. Umi nodded slowly while looking at the princess.

***

LIKES...COMEN...LIKES..COMEN...

like a lot of donks...