"Grandma, Grandma," Alzena called.

The house was empty. Alzena got off her motorbike, checked inside, but found no sign of Salmi.

Alzena frowned; she wanted to show Salmi something today.

She sat on the porch, staring blankly ahead. The space was vast, but Alzena's heart felt small and constricted.

She called Ida. After a while, she hung up and started her motorbike.

Vroom…

Ida was chatting with her neighbor, Santi. "When is she coming?" Ida asked Santi.

"If possible, this afternoon, so it won't get too late," Santi replied.

Alzena's motorbike brakes screeched.

The sound was ear-piercing. "Is that Anka, Ibu?" Santi asked, having never seen Alzena before.

"Yes."

"Was Grandma here earlier, Bu?" Alzena asked.

"No, what do you need with your grandmother? Usually, you just ask for money," Ida said, understanding Alzena's nature.

"Mom! I can earn my own money now, and I have something important to ask Grandma," Alzena said.

"Oh, I thought you had a task for me today," Ida said, handing Alzena a piece of paper.

"What's this, Mom?" Alzena asked.

"Just look at it later. I'm leaving now," Ida said, departing with Santi for the fields.

"Where is she going? Probably to a get-together," she muttered.

She opened the paper; it listed several tasks for Alzena to complete.

Ida left a final message: "I'm going to Juragan Nasir's field. If you're looking for Grandma, she's there too; you already have plans to meet."

"What?!" Alzena was startled. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" she said, annoyed, pouting like a child.

Later that afternoon, Alzena did her chores, showered, and went to the field.

"Al, come here," Hia called, waving.

"Okay." Alzena approached Hia and noticed a change in her; she was more helpful to her parents.

"Have you seen my mother and grandmother?" Alzena asked.

"Yes, they just started harvesting vegetables. If you want to see them, I'll take you," Hia replied, leading Alzena to Ida and Salmi.

Alzena was amazed; many tomatoes grew on the vines, some almost falling from their weight.

"Alzena, she needs you," Ida told Salmi.

Alzena, seeing Salmi from afar, approached quickly.

"What do you need, Grandma?" Salmi asked.

"Grandma, my boss asked me to write a new story, like a textbook. I want to ask you where you keep my old textbooks," Alzena explained.

"Oh, I see. I'll show you later, but help me finish this work first," Salmi requested.

"Okay, Grandma," Alzena said, immediately helping to pick tomatoes; they were large and plump, a vibrant red.

After harvesting tomatoes throughout the field, Alzena, Ida, and Salmi said goodbye to go home.

As promised, Salmi took Alzena home and gave her a box.

Alzena said goodbye to Salmi. At home, she immediately read the book and wrote down the information.

After spending some time with her tablet, she finally finished a few pages.

"Mom, Mom," Badrun called, looking for Ida.

"Mom's at the shop, Dad. What's up?" Alzena asked.

"I just want to say that I'm leaving again. Give my regards to your mother," Badrun said.

"Dad's leaving now?"

"Yes, he said the other employees are off, only a few are still working. Okay, I'm off. Assalamualaikum," Badrun said.

"Waalaikumussalam."

Badrun shouldered his bag, started his motorbike, and slowly disappeared from Alzena's sight.

Bored, Alzena called Keisya, but she was unavailable. Alzena threw her phone onto the bed.

Alzena sat brooding alone. "Instead of daydreaming, I should read a book," she said, picking up some books.

Suddenly, someone knocked. "Who is it?" Alzena shouted.

Knock…

"Keisya?! Come in," Alzena said.

Keisya followed Alzena; she sat on a rug.

"Why did you call me here?" Keisya asked.

"I'm bored at home. How about we go for a walk?"

"Where to?"

"To the village hall," Alzena replied.

"Okay."

Alzena and Keisya walked to the village hall, enjoying the scenery.

The wind blew strongly, complemented by the lush green vegetation.

"It’s so beautiful here. It would be even more beautiful if there were more people," Keisya said.

"Yes," Alzena replied.

"But they're gone, I don't know where," Keisya added.

Keisya's words brought Alzena back to the past.

A gentle breeze blew Alzena's past into her current thoughts; the calm atmosphere reminded her of junior high school, Hia and Dila's pranks making Alzena smile. She didn't know what she felt, but she was happy.

Seeing Alzena smiling to herself, Keisya tried to bring her back.

"Hey, are you okay?" Keisya asked, waving her hand in front of Alzena's face.

"You're right. I miss them," Alzena said, her gaze vacant, but she could imagine it all.

"Let's not dwell on the past; let's think about our future," Keisya said, offering her support.

Alzena started to tell stories; Keisya laughed heartily at Alzena's naiveté.

Keisya also shared stories from her childhood to the present. "I think it's better to have many experiences than much wealth," Keisya concluded.

"Why is that?"

"Because wealth can't buy experience," Keisya replied.

"That's true. You're wise," Alzena complimented.

"Thank you."

The call to prayer echoed from the mosque; they hurried home—their houses weren't far from the village hall.

"Where have you been?" Ida asked, slightly raising her voice.

"To the village hall with Keisya, Mom," Alzena replied.

"You're like a little child, wandering around. Go pray quickly," Ida said.

Alzena performed ablution and prayed.

After prayer, they enjoyed dinner, but something felt missing.

Ida looked around. "Where's your father? He's forgotten his way home at this hour," Ida said.

"Dad went to work, Mom," Alzena replied.

"Why didn't he ask for permission?" she asked, annoyed.

"He did ask Alzena for permission when you went to the shop; he asked me to give his regards," Alzena explained.

"Oh, I see."

They continued their dinner; although quiet, their conversation filled the silence.

 

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