RUNAWAY TO BREATHE
By : Fitta Astriyani
Early morning, my hair is still so mess like a bird nest. I force myself to wake up from my strange dream. Then I bent down and grab something under my bed. Now I’m holding a green old picture album. I open that album and find somebody from my childhood. I see that boy whom I know as Gilang, a thin and short, dark-haired young child. He wore a T-shirt with blue stripes and his favourite black cap. And a girl who standing next to him was me. I wore a pink shirt and white skirt. I was still 10 years old and Gilang was 8 years old. Gilang was smiling so wide beside me. I never forget his warm smile. “Where are you now Gilang? Why should you runaway? Why?” a million questions race through my mind.
“Lara! It’s time for breakfast. I made you chicken porridge. Come on let’s eat it! It is still warm!” my mother is calling me for breakfast.
“Laraa!” I hear my mother yelling out my name again but I am too busy to answer. I jump into my bed. I examine Gilang’s picture once again . His face showed a dozen of happiness. So, what really happening when I left Jakarta one year ago? I drop my body to my pillow. My eyes are walking over the room. Then I begin to cry. In this bright morning I burst into tears.
Gilang’s house is not far from my house. In our childhood we used to play bicycle on our park near by. I always called him “skull kid” because his body was so thin. And I guessed he was never gonna be grown up bigger. He also used to playing football like the other boys in his age. The only thing that makes Gilang different from other kids is that Gilang was born without hearing sound and can’t talk normally. He is deaf and dumb. As his friends, I never care with Gilang minus as the deaf person. We both can communicate well. Gilang always could make me laugh. Once he described that he afraid of cat. With his hand he explained that cat’s eyes were like a ghost and cat’s teeth were like a vampire.At that moment we just laughed. We passed our childhood cheerfully.
Everything changed when I started studying in junior high school. We never got in touch again. I was getting busy with my school test. I didn’t have time to chat with Gilang again.
The last time I met Gilang was when I was going to leave Jakarta for continue my high school in Bogor. I met Gilang and his family in their house. Gilang looked surprise. I saw his cheek turning red when we met on eyes. In a glance, nothing changed with Gilang. But when I totally watched him from head to toe. Gilang grown that tall and no longer thin anymore. He also looked more handsome!
I was sitting next to Gilang’s sister, Luna. Then I saw Gilang smiling politely and greeting me.
“Hi! Larra Puspita!! ”
I was speechless. I guess my face was like an idiot . Oh God! Gilang could spell my name smoothly! I never knew that Gilang had many progresses. Then I remembered what my mother ever told me that Gilang was studying at one school for dumb and deaf people in South Jakarta . In that school Gilang must learn a lot of sign language and how to spell words. “So do you like your school?” I asked Gilang. Gilang shook his head. “Why?” I was so curious why he didn’t like his school. Then Gilang talked much about his new school although I had to trying so hard to understand what he was saying.
But now what I really worry about Gilang really happens to him. Gilang has been run away from his house for almost two weeks . Gilang’s father is sure that Gilang is running away to Bandung.
Today in the bright Sunday morning I go with my father to Bandung. We go there not for shop in boutique or hunt foods place like what I usually do with my friends . My only aim here is just looking for Gilang.
Before Gilang left the house he fought with his father. He asked why he should be born as deaf person and why he’s not born normal like his sister,Luna. Gilang questioned his family about his destiny. I’m not sure what Gilang’s father answered about that question. One for sure he runs away because he knows he is different. My head is getting more dizzy.
”Dad! Are you sure Gilang has runaway to Bandung? How can he get there?” I’m staring at my father strangely. “Honey, a lot of story you missed when you were in Bogor,”
“Really?” I frown. “So what is it Dad? No body told me what’s going on!
“Ok Lara! Hear this! Honestly Gilang had ever runaway from his school many times. He said that he didn’t like school. And when he stayed at home he became temperamental. When he was angry he could thrown and hit anything . So terrible! He was angry with his family. He became uncontrolled.”
I’m still astonished with what my father is saying. That doesn’t sound like Gilang I knew. Oh my, I can image that Gilang parents was very sad with these things.
“Lara, you don’t need to worry about Gilang. We know Gilang is deaf but trust me Gilang is smart and clever boy!” I goggled my eyes “ What do you mean Dad?” .
“Last month Gilang had also ever run away to Bandung. After coming back from his runaway he told us the reason why he had runaway to Bandung because he wanted get a job. Although he lost in Bandung, he always asked Police to give him direction. That’s why I called him clever,”
“I just worry about his safety Dad. What happen if people at the street hurt him or stranger will attack him Dad, ”
“Lara, I know you love him like your own brother. But honey don’t underestimate his minus. Somebody can be stronger in that situation,” I’m just silent thinking what my father said was right. Not couple of minutes my hand phone is ringing I hear my mother’s voice on the phone.
“ Hello Mom what’s news?”. Oh God, I hope I hear good news.
“So Mom has Gilang already been found?”
“Yes Gilang has already been found,”
“Oh thanks God! Mom, did he really runaway to Bandung?” My mother pause.
“No Lara he didn’t runaway to Bandung. Gilang ran away to Bogor, ”
I guess I lose my conscious for a second. Why did he have to runaway there?
“Lara ,Gilang ran away to Bogor because of you. He really wanted to meet you.”
“What? Oh God what truly happened?”
“He said he just wanna meet you only to say happy birthday. But too bad he didn’t find your address. He was lost. Lara. Lara, are you still there?”
I’m still in my big confusion. “Yes, I still hear you Mom,”
“Ok,we are waiting for you here! Bye honey!”. My mother ends the phone .
“Gosh! I don’t believe if Gilang had run away to Bogor only to see me! Did he know that he made everyone frustrated? At least he remembered my birthday . But No! Gilang has already lost his mind,” I said angrily.
Out of my car I see the sun has gone and the sky is looking gloomy. Now I can breathe easily. I listen to the radio Simply Red song, “Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe and to love you. All I need is the air that breathe yes to love you….” Gilang face seemingly appear on the sky. Gilang had run away just because he wanted to proved to the world that he, as a deaf person can do anything like other people. He can travel to many places, try new things and find the best thing in his life. He just wanna breathe the fresh air out there. Yes! He has the same right just like us. He has!
By : Fitta Astriyani
Early morning, my hair is still so mess like a bird nest. I force myself to wake up from my strange dream. Then I bent down and grab something under my bed. Now I’m holding a green old picture album. I open that album and find somebody from my childhood. I see that boy whom I know as Gilang, a thin and short, dark-haired young child. He wore a T-shirt with blue stripes and his favourite black cap. And a girl who standing next to him was me. I wore a pink shirt and white skirt. I was still 10 years old and Gilang was 8 years old. Gilang was smiling so wide beside me. I never forget his warm smile. “Where are you now Gilang? Why should you runaway? Why?” a million questions race through my mind.
“Lara! It’s time for breakfast. I made you chicken porridge. Come on let’s eat it! It is still warm!” my mother is calling me for breakfast.
“Laraa!” I hear my mother yelling out my name again but I am too busy to answer. I jump into my bed. I examine Gilang’s picture once again . His face showed a dozen of happiness. So, what really happening when I left Jakarta one year ago? I drop my body to my pillow. My eyes are walking over the room. Then I begin to cry. In this bright morning I burst into tears.
Gilang’s house is not far from my house. In our childhood we used to play bicycle on our park near by. I always called him “skull kid” because his body was so thin. And I guessed he was never gonna be grown up bigger. He also used to playing football like the other boys in his age. The only thing that makes Gilang different from other kids is that Gilang was born without hearing sound and can’t talk normally. He is deaf and dumb. As his friends, I never care with Gilang minus as the deaf person. We both can communicate well. Gilang always could make me laugh. Once he described that he afraid of cat. With his hand he explained that cat’s eyes were like a ghost and cat’s teeth were like a vampire.At that moment we just laughed. We passed our childhood cheerfully.
Everything changed when I started studying in junior high school. We never got in touch again. I was getting busy with my school test. I didn’t have time to chat with Gilang again.
The last time I met Gilang was when I was going to leave Jakarta for continue my high school in Bogor. I met Gilang and his family in their house. Gilang looked surprise. I saw his cheek turning red when we met on eyes. In a glance, nothing changed with Gilang. But when I totally watched him from head to toe. Gilang grown that tall and no longer thin anymore. He also looked more handsome!
I was sitting next to Gilang’s sister, Luna. Then I saw Gilang smiling politely and greeting me.
“Hi! Larra Puspita!! ”
I was speechless. I guess my face was like an idiot . Oh God! Gilang could spell my name smoothly! I never knew that Gilang had many progresses. Then I remembered what my mother ever told me that Gilang was studying at one school for dumb and deaf people in South Jakarta . In that school Gilang must learn a lot of sign language and how to spell words. “So do you like your school?” I asked Gilang. Gilang shook his head. “Why?” I was so curious why he didn’t like his school. Then Gilang talked much about his new school although I had to trying so hard to understand what he was saying.
But now what I really worry about Gilang really happens to him. Gilang has been run away from his house for almost two weeks . Gilang’s father is sure that Gilang is running away to Bandung.
Today in the bright Sunday morning I go with my father to Bandung. We go there not for shop in boutique or hunt foods place like what I usually do with my friends . My only aim here is just looking for Gilang.
Before Gilang left the house he fought with his father. He asked why he should be born as deaf person and why he’s not born normal like his sister,Luna. Gilang questioned his family about his destiny. I’m not sure what Gilang’s father answered about that question. One for sure he runs away because he knows he is different. My head is getting more dizzy.
”Dad! Are you sure Gilang has runaway to Bandung? How can he get there?” I’m staring at my father strangely. “Honey, a lot of story you missed when you were in Bogor,”
“Really?” I frown. “So what is it Dad? No body told me what’s going on!
“Ok Lara! Hear this! Honestly Gilang had ever runaway from his school many times. He said that he didn’t like school. And when he stayed at home he became temperamental. When he was angry he could thrown and hit anything . So terrible! He was angry with his family. He became uncontrolled.”
I’m still astonished with what my father is saying. That doesn’t sound like Gilang I knew. Oh my, I can image that Gilang parents was very sad with these things.
“Lara, you don’t need to worry about Gilang. We know Gilang is deaf but trust me Gilang is smart and clever boy!” I goggled my eyes “ What do you mean Dad?” .
“Last month Gilang had also ever run away to Bandung. After coming back from his runaway he told us the reason why he had runaway to Bandung because he wanted get a job. Although he lost in Bandung, he always asked Police to give him direction. That’s why I called him clever,”
“I just worry about his safety Dad. What happen if people at the street hurt him or stranger will attack him Dad, ”
“Lara, I know you love him like your own brother. But honey don’t underestimate his minus. Somebody can be stronger in that situation,” I’m just silent thinking what my father said was right. Not couple of minutes my hand phone is ringing I hear my mother’s voice on the phone.
“ Hello Mom what’s news?”. Oh God, I hope I hear good news.
“So Mom has Gilang already been found?”
“Yes Gilang has already been found,”
“Oh thanks God! Mom, did he really runaway to Bandung?” My mother pause.
“No Lara he didn’t runaway to Bandung. Gilang ran away to Bogor, ”
I guess I lose my conscious for a second. Why did he have to runaway there?
“Lara ,Gilang ran away to Bogor because of you. He really wanted to meet you.”
“What? Oh God what truly happened?”
“He said he just wanna meet you only to say happy birthday. But too bad he didn’t find your address. He was lost. Lara. Lara, are you still there?”
I’m still in my big confusion. “Yes, I still hear you Mom,”
“Ok,we are waiting for you here! Bye honey!”. My mother ends the phone .
“Gosh! I don’t believe if Gilang had run away to Bogor only to see me! Did he know that he made everyone frustrated? At least he remembered my birthday . But No! Gilang has already lost his mind,” I said angrily.
Out of my car I see the sun has gone and the sky is looking gloomy. Now I can breathe easily. I listen to the radio Simply Red song, “Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe and to love you. All I need is the air that breathe yes to love you….” Gilang face seemingly appear on the sky. Gilang had run away just because he wanted to proved to the world that he, as a deaf person can do anything like other people. He can travel to many places, try new things and find the best thing in his life. He just wanna breathe the fresh air out there. Yes! He has the same right just like us. He has!
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