1 Leukemia Sufferer
Chapter 1
That afternoon he had a fever, but he didn't feel it. He thought he might just be tired from being out in the sun too long.
The sun was so hot that it pierced the skin. The clock shows 11:30 in the afternoon.
From a distance, the call to prayer was heard. It sounded clear and then disappeared. The sound seemed to be carried away by the breeze. When the wind starts to get strong the sound will be loud.
The chirping of birds perched on trees in several rice fields sang cheerfully.
Seeing the yellowing of rice and like dancing waving, seemed to invite him to rejoice.
That's what makes Nirmala feel at home in the rice fields until noon.
He only saw the beautiful scenery here.
Even though it feels tired, it is paid off by the beauty of His creation.
His eyes began to dim, his head was dizzy, the image he had seen before was now turning white. The scythe he was under fell to the ground.
Eyes closed, the body lay slowly to the ground on the yellow rice paddies.
"Nirmala, let's go home son. It's time for noon," said a middle-aged woman. She's Aunt Asih who took care of her since she graduated from high school (SMA)
Aunt Asih did not pay attention to Nirmala who had fallen unconscious.
When he asked a second time, there was no reply. Aunt Asih checked where Nirmala was standing which was blocked by the tall rice growing.
"Nirmala Nirmala," Aunt Asih shouted loudly because there was no answer from Nirmala.
When they arrived at the place where Nirmala was standing earlier, Aunt Asih saw Nirmala's body lying on the ground with fallen rice paddies.
Aunt Asih was shocked, she tore into Nirmala's body, but did not come to her senses.
"Nirmala, you have a high fever," Aunt Asih muttered worriedly.
Aunt Asih screamed for help. There were only a few people. Because other farmers have preceded him.
Asep whose rice fields are not far from Aunt Asih's rice fields. Hearing Aunt Asih's screams, he ran to her. He thinks a snake has bitten Nirmala, he sees Nirmala's body lying on the ground.
"Sep, please Nirmala. She fainted, help take her to the doctor!" Tell Aunt Asih to Asep who was carrying Nirmala's limp body.
"Buk Asih, why is Nirmala. Is this body hot, right, Mom?" Asked Asep who also felt the heat of Nirmala's body. While continuing to walk quickly to the highway followed by Aunt Asih.
"My mother didn't know Sep, she didn't say that she was sick. Earlier she was normal, so I thought she was healthy," answered Aunt Asih by blocking an angkot passing on the road.
"Sir, stop in front of Doctor Anwar's house," said Aunt Asih to the Angkot driver they were riding.
"Okay ma'am,"
The angkot stops right at the gate of Dr.'s house. Anwar. In the village of Nirmala stay far from the center of the crowd. The only doctor on duty there was Doctor Anwar. Location of Nirmala's house with Dr. Anwar is very far away. To get there they need an angkot.
After Dr. Anwar checked Nirmala's condition, Dr. Gives an injection to resuscitate Nirmala. Doctor Anwar only explained that Nirmala was just a normal fever. And will come down soon. He was just tired and needed rest. The doctor gave him fever-lowering medicine and blood booster. Because his blood pressure is below normal.
Not long after, Nirmala realized, Aunt Asih hugged her tightly.
"Son, doesn't Nirmala want to tell mama that you are sick right now?"
"No need Aunt Asih, the doctor said it's just a normal fever. So there's no need to worry," answered Nirmala calming Aunt Asih.
"Okay Nirmala," Aunt Asih just nodded her head.
In his heart, he is lucky to have a daughter like Nirmala, even though she is not his biological child, Nirmala is a good child. Never once did he boast of the wealth of his parents.
"Mrs. Asih, don't let Nirmala work too hard. Tell her to take care of her condition, don't let Nirmala be too late to eat," ordered Doctor Anwar
"Yes, Doctor Anwar,"
Arriving at Aunt Asih's house, Nirmala did not immediately rest. He took a broom and was about to start dusting the floor.
Aunt Asih who saw it, immediately took it from Nirmala's hands. He was surprised, it seems that his Aunt looks angry with a flat face.
"What did the doctor say to you? You need to rest. You can't be tired," said Aunt Asih with suppressed emotions.
Aunt Asih couldn't possibly scold the girl. He was just angry because he didn't want to obey his orders to stay at home for a while.
"Then what should I do Aunt Asih?" Nirmala asked weak and no energy.
"You go to your room, aunt will bring you porridge to fill your stomach. Then take the medicine," Aunt Asih took Nirmala's hand and walked towards her room.
In Nirmala's room, it's far from luxurious. It's different from his house in the city. The air-conditioned one, there is a ceiling, and a good wardrobe. This room is so simple, its simplicity is able to make Nirmala feel at home living at Aunt Asih's house.
Even though on a bed with an old mattress whose contents are fused and hard. Seeing the ceiling of the roof there was dancing in the wind. Blown away and falls.
Nirmala felt pain all over her body, especially in the skin. As time went on, the pain got worse and worse.
"Oh Allah, give me strength to continue to receive all the gifts from You, whether in the form of health, sustenance and disease,"
Aunt Asih brings Porridge in a bowl for Nirmala.
"Nirmala, let's eat first and then drink the medicine," said Aunt Asih.
Nirmala woke up from her sleep, leaning against the wall of her bed.
Aunt Asih feeds her, Nirmala refuses.
"No need, Bi, Nirmala is not a child. Nirmala can eat by herself," said Nirmala.
"Auntie already considers you Nirmala's child, so suppose your aunt is your own mother," said Aunt Asih attentively.
Nirmala smiles. And took a bribe from Aunt's hand.
After taking the medicine, Nirmala started to feel sleepy. Finally he fell asleep because of the influence of the drug.
The next day, Nirmala's fever had gone down. He changed his clothes and was going with his uncle to the rice fields to harvest the rice which had not been continued yesterday.
Nirmala was confronted by Aunt Asih, with a flat face without a cheerful smile there. Unusually, Aunt Asih's face was so cheerful and friendly. Today seems very scary.
"Nirmala, where are you going again?" Aunt Asih asked forcibly took the sickle that was in Nirmala's hand.
"Usually Auntie Asih. Help uncle to the fields again, sorry uncle and Aunt have to harvest rice without anyone's help," answered Nirmala
"Never mind Nirmala, you go back to rest there. Also take care of your condition," added Uncle Khasan who had not yet left.
"Okay Uncle, Aunt. I'll just stay at home first", Nirmala finally relented for her own health.
"Watch out, Nirmala, if you don't listen to Aunt Asih's words, Aunt will be angry with you!" Aunt Asih starts threatening Nirmala Yang who sometimes likes to be rebellious.
Both of them left Nirmala at home alone.
But he didn't stand still. All the housework that has not been completed by Aunt, she does it to completion.
