MY SON IS AN ORPHAN

I am still shocked with Ravi’s best wish, my lovely son who is still in elementary school. He is nine years old, but he seems growing older than his age. I am ashamed and feeling so empathy. I am imagining how handsome and adorable he is. “Oh… I’m just like mirroring myself” I said.

Two weeks ago, he asked me whether my boss was very bad because I always spent my time to go to work and work all the time. Even on holiday I should go to work out of town or attend so many seminar and meeting abroad with my boss. Of course, I do not have time for my lovely Ravi.

Luckily, my wife is my great housewife. I am very proud to have her in my life. Even though, my wife is a well-known journalist in one of the famous mass media, still she is focusing herself to her family, me and Ravi. If she is really obsessed with her career, she could become a very professional journalist.

“I could not play with mommy all the time dad!” said Ravi “because mommy can not act to be a warrior, she can not play chess and swim at all, see.. mommy is afraid of water” Ravi added.

But then, I always have to finish my duty.

At 10.15 pm, while my wife is opening the door for me, she is wishpering that Ravi is still waiting. Astaghfirullah! I just remember that this morning I promised him that I would like to play chess after home.

“Hi… dad! are you tired?” he seems so sad.

“I’m sorry my dear, I had my crucial meeting today” I give him reason and I hope that he would not be angry. I see that on the table, chess board is already being prepared neatly. I also see a piggy bank of Ravi is opened widely.

“It’s okay dad, so we can still continue to play, right?. I have prepared it. Oh ya… could you lend me some money?” asks Ravi then he counts his. I wonder why he asks me for some money in this late night.

“Of course, you may, but for what honey? and why did you crash your piggy bank?” ask me. I take my wallet to take out some money that Ravi wants to borrow. I feel guilty.

“Ten thousands rupiah, can I?”. I give 10 thousands to him but I’m still asking why and what for.

“Actually, Mommy said that you’re very busy but it does not mean that you do not love me. So, I asked her if your time is so priceless, your salary would be bigger too. You may get a lot of salary from your boss because you use your holiday to work also. If I can count your salary per hour, it will be hundred thousands, then for half hour it means you will get fifty thousands, right dad?” Ravi asks for my agreement and I nod down and say yes. “Oh ya, this is my fifty thousands” he added.

I only have forty thousands, so I borrow you ten thousands, because I just want to buy your time to play with me for half hour. Can I? Don’t worry dad, I will return your ten thousands tomorrow if my money is enough, ok dad!. So, let’s play!”.

I do not know what I should do at that time when my dear son gives me money on my palm only to have my half hour. “Oh my Godness, my son is an orphan”.

Taken from: Chici Sukardjo “Bolehkah aku memanggilmu AYAH?” (Gema Insani press, Jakarta 2004)

NAPS Newsletter, Original Title: Ternyata, Anakku Anak Yatim