5. Papa
The sound of the slow footsteps of the teacher, Miss Tati, was heard on the classroom floor. The students wrote diligently and eagerly. Sandra looked left and right, as if ready to write. However, she looked depressed. Then she looked at the blackboard.
She was still paying attention to those words, “Our Happy Family”.
Her eyes flickered and each blink brought a vivid image back to life in her head. An image from night to night that she did not like.
A man was sitting on a chair smoking a cigarette. He only wore a loincloth and a singlet. One leg up on the arm of the chair.
Also read:
> Marti & Sandra (3)
Sandra closed her eyes for the image to disappear, but another image took its place.
There was another man who also smoked. Just wearing a singlet, but long pants, socks too.
Opening her eyes was the same.
Another man who looked like the teacher with glasses, but not a very smart face, sat quietly on a chair.
"Hi Sandra!" he greeted.
Sandra turned around at that time. Now she closed her eyes wanting to erase the memory, but an image of his mother sleeping on her stomach appeared innocent.
She looked down, pretending to think. However, she remembered her mother again.
Sandra opened her eyes. Miss Tati was watching her. She looked down, pretending to think. However, she remembered her mother again.
***
Marti drove the car, wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless t-shirt. She looked annoyed for some reason. Outside the window the noisy streets of Jakarta could be seen. Sandra sat with the seat belt across her.
"Mommy, does Sandra have a daddy?" Marti's answer was very curt, as she was surprised.
"Of course you have, demon child!"
However, Sandra remained cool, her eyes glanced briefly.
"So, Sandra's papa is a demon?"
"Everyone must have a father, you idiot! You think you were born like taking a dump in the toilet? Sure, even rats have a father!”
"Where's Sandra's papa?"
Even though the car was moving fast, Marti looked at Sandra.
"Why are you only asking now you little bastard?"
Sandra now looked curt.
”What does ‘bastard’ mean?”
Also read:
> Marti & Sandra (2)
Marti pounded the steering wheel with both hands.
"Demon! Don't ask anymore stupid questions! I don't know who your father is, do you understand? There are so many men, how can I know which one is your father!”
Sandra bit her lip.
Was he the one who was kissing his mother in her bed. Nothing later was known.
Indeed she didn’t know the men who came in and out of the house. Flickering images, coming and going. Was he the one who kissed his mother's neck from behind. Was he the one who was holding her mother who was dressed up nicely. Was he the one who was kissing his mother in her bed. Nothing later was known.
They all disappeared like dust in the wind. Coming only to leave again, and never return.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)
