The Homecoming

Claudine Frederik

"Bye Mom, bye Dad," Ingkan said silently. Where were those words that she had wanted to say? She shook her head, half angry for not being able to come up with a reason or answer.

Aunt Wulan nudged her arm. "Let's go now. I'll freeze to death here."

After that the driver of the chartered van introduced them to a small restaurant serving local food close to the town's market. The eatery offered a wide variety of fresh water fish, chicken and pork dishes. There was not much choice in veggies, except for swamp cabbage (kangkung), string beans and bean sprouts.

"So what is it you wanted to tell me auntie?" Ingkan took a sip of her unsweetened tea and looked over at her aunt from her place. Aunt Wulan swallowed uneasily and looked on her plate. She wiped her lips with a piece of tissue.

"Ah yes, I wanted to write to you about it since some time ago. But, it was not easy. Now, that you are here, I am sure you will understand when I tell you that I have decided to enter an old people's home. There is a good one here that is very reasonable. And it is managed by friends of mine."

"Why do you want to move away aunt Wulan? Why do you prefer to stay in one room instead of having a whole house to yourself?"

"That's it, Ingkan. I can't handle this home any longer. It is too much and too large for me now. Since I have lost my agility, I find the house work becoming too heavy for me. I told you before, there should be someone who is able to clean up the house and take care of the garden. I am no longer fit to do that. You have to find yourself another caretaker for the house, Ingkan."

Ingkan sat still as she tried to digest the news. This was totally unforeseen. Yes, it certainly will be a problem since there is no one at the moment she could leave the house to with a peaceful mind. On the other hand, aunt Wulan is quite old, she deserves to enjoy her last days without having to go through the rigmarole of doing housework. She smiled at her aunt and reached for the old lady's wrinkled hand.fully understand auntie. Don't worry."will you do about the house Ingkan? Are you going to sell it?"

"Selling the place is the last thing I want to do. I can see that I will have problems finding a trustable caretaker like you, auntie. I have to make an unexpected decision soon."

That night Ingkan sleeping in her old room, dreamt of her father. They stood on both sides of a river. Her father waved and smiled at her, but said no word. Bursting from gladness, Ingkan ran with open arms towards her father. But, before she could reach him, he seemed to evaporate in thin air.

Aunt Wulan was already up when she woke up at six in the morning. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the cramped dining room. The soft glimmer of a low wattage bulb cast a warm light over the table on which two steaming mugs of coffee were ready for consumption. Ingkan told her aunt about the dream.

"Your Dad had something to say to you," aunt Wulan said convincingly.

"He did not speak at all," Ingkan protested.

"Nevertheless, he had something to say," her aunt insisted.

"I have made a decision about the house, aunt." Aunt Wulan watched her closely with expecting eyes. "And what have you decided?"

"I am not going to sell the house. I will repair the place and give it a good and friendly ulterior. I will take care of the place myself aunt Wulan."

Aunt Wulan, eyes shining, smiling broadly, said in jubilant tones: "That is what your father meant to say to you, Ingkan."