“What’s going on?”
“Your wife was rushed to the hospital. You’d better go to her,” Suji said, startling me.
My body suddenly weakened. Without waiting for further explanation, I rushed back to my motorbike, panic swirling in my mind.
“Don’t worry. Your in-laws are already with her,” Suji reassured me.
“Did you take her to the hospital?” I asked.
“After you left this morning, I heard screams from your house. Her water broke, so I took her to the hospital. Your in-laws followed shortly after,” he explained, handing me a water bottle covered with moss at the rim.
After thanking him, I revved up my motorbike and sped to the hospital. My mind raced, consumed by fear and uncertainty. Dust from the quarry filled the air.
When I arrived at the hospital, I immediately looked for my wife. Damn. Masks were still required. The fear of the virus lingered, even though the pandemic had long since passed. Maybe it was just the hospital’s way to sell more masks. I bought one anyway from the hospital’s shop.
“Your child was eager to see you, dear,” my wife said weakly. My heart sank as I saw her pale face and the tiny, red baby lying beside her. I cried tears of joy, looking at them both in turn. The baby had her mother’s sharp nose and thick hair. But whose wide ears did they resemble?
“Now, go buy some diapers. Ask for a sling from Sister Sarinah at home. I still have a few that were never used,” my mother-in-law said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I left to buy the diapers, stopped by my in-laws’ house for the sling, and picked up a change of clothes for my wife.
As I sat down to eat some rice with fish, I heard the sound of a motorbike approaching. I glanced out the window. I didn’t recognize the rider or know his purpose. I had never seen him before.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Startled, I hastily gulped down some water and reluctantly opened the door, inviting the stranger inside with a sense of unease.
“How much money have you made selling stones?” the man asked, catching me off guard.
“Not much, just enough to keep the kitchen going. Who are you?” I replied.
“I’m the owner of that land, and now I’m here to collect damages,” he said calmly.
“What do you mean?” I asked, my emotions flaring, and confusion taking over.
“I thought I was clear enough,” he replied.
“Are you some kind of extortionist?” I shot back.
He furrowed his brow.
“Ten years ago, I left this village to seek my fortune. The land on that hill belonged to my parents, and my brother Suji was supposed to take care of it.”
His words left me frozen in shock.
“I planned to use those stones to build a house and shop. I had no idea the hill would be nearly flattened by now,” he continued.
“As far as I know, it’s Suji’s land, sir. I didn’t know it belonged to you,” I replied sincerely.
“Well, now you know. And there’s one more thing I’ll tell you.”