CHILD AND A MOTHER'S STRUGGLE

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The sound of a baby crying could be heard from the delivery room. Doni was relieved. He had been anxiously waiting for his wife to give birth for almost an hour. Usually husbands accompany their wives to give birth, but Doni was different, he was afraid of seeing blood. So he chose to wait outside the room.

Without anyone to accompany him, Sinta struggled alone in the delivery room. Sinta and Doni were a married couple who had no relatives in Jakarta. Sinta was an orphan, her parents died in an earthquake in the city of Yogyakarta several years ago. When the incident happened, she migrated to Jakarta. While Doni came from Bandung. They met while working at the same chocolate factory in Jakarta.

Doni worked as a security guard and Sinta worked in the marketing department. The more often they met, the seeds of love grew between them. It didn't take long for them to decide to get married and live together. After a year of marriage, they were blessed with a tiny baby.

"Congratulations, your daughter has been born, she is being cleaned now," said the doctor to Doni

"Yes, doctor. Thank you," replied Doni, impatient to see his wife and child

A few minutes later the door was opened, Sinta and her baby were moved to the treatment room. Doni followed his wife with a feeling of happiness and emotion. Their baby was taken to the special baby room after being breastfed by her mother.

"Honey, what do you want to name our daughter?" asked Doni while holding his wife's hand tightly

"Alicia Anatasha, what do you think?" replied Sinta smiling

"Agreed, we'll call her Tasha," replied Doni happily

After two days in the hospital, they returned to their simple rented house by taxi. They were very happy to welcome a new family member, even though it was only in a simple house, for them, home was the ultimate heaven after the arrival of the desired child.

Before going home, the doctor gave them both a message. The doctor told them to come back in a week, to check the health of the mother and child. A week passed and they went to the hospital for a health check. After being examined, it turned out that there was a very surprising condition for the husband and wife.

"Excuse me, with a broken heart I want to inform you about your daughter's condition," said the doctor trying to calm her down

"What's wrong with our daughter, doctor?" Doni asked
"There is an abnormality in your daughter's retina, and she will most likely go blind," explained the doctor

"What?" Doni and Sinta were shocked at the same time. Without realizing it, clear drops dripped from Sinta and Doni's eyes

"Can't it be treated?" Sinta asked in a heavy tone

"No, unless someone is willing to donate their retina to your child. I'll give you a prescription for vitamins for your daughter," said the doctor while handing her a piece of paper.

"Thank you, doctor. Excuse me," replied Sinta while wiping away her tears. Then she pulled Doni's hand, who had been looking silent and listless. With unsteady steps they walked down the crowded hospital hallway.

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Since leaving the hospital, exactly one month ago, Doni's attitude has changed one hundred and eighty degrees. Doni, who used to be cheerful and full of affection, has now become Doni who is quiet and easily angered. Especially when she heard Natasha crying.

"Why are you packing your clothes?" asked Sinta confused

"I want to leave this house, I don't want to have a blind child," answered Doni in a rough tone of voice. Doni started to get up

"Please, don't leave us... we need you" shouted Sinta calling Doni while crying after Doni

However, her steps stopped hearing Natasha crying inside the house. Sinta turned back into the house, carrying Natasha, then went outside to look for her husband. But it was too late, Doni was no longer visible, he had already taken a taxi. With unsteady steps Sinta returned home feeling disappointed. She could only cry while hugging and kissing her daughter's forehead.

"Oh God, what other trials are this, I can't take it, oh God. I just want to die" Sinta's heart was in turmoil. Sinta was shocked to hear Natsha crying again

"If I die, who will take care of this child?... No, I have to be strong for the sake of my daughter's survival." She murmured while hugging Natasha tightly who was starting to sleep

The next day, the owner of the rented house met Sinta. "Sinta, you haven't paid the rent for the house for two months. When are you going to pay?"

"Give me time, I don't have any money, my husband is gone" said Sinta in a pleading tone

"I'll give you time until tomorrow! If you haven't paid, get out of here" said the woman who owned the rented house firmly

Sinta seemed silent and confused. Finally she decided to leave even though she didn't know where to go. In the middle of the bustling city of Jakarta, in the midst of her confusion, Sinta met her former work friend, Anna. After hearing Sinta's story, Anna invited Sinta to go to the shophouse where Anna sold shoes and clothes. Sinta was asked to help her. In addition, Anna also helped find a rented house for Sinta that was close to the shophouse. Anna was indeed a good friend to Sinta.

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Nine years have passed, Natasha has now grown into a smart and cheerful child. Now Natsha has started going to school. Because of her physical limitations, Natsha has to study at a special school for blind children and of course the school fees are not small. To meet Natasha's living and learning needs, Sinta looks for other side jobs. After returning from the Shoe and Clothes Shop, Sinta sells fried rice in front of the shop.

"I love you, mother, I want to always make you happy," said Natasha while tidying up her school uniform

"I love you too, my child. I promise to give you the best," replied Sinta while smiling and hugging her beloved daughter

With a process that was not easy, three years of studying, Natasha has finally been able to read, write and count. Even reading the Quran is fluent. Natasha is indeed a smart child. Just like her mother.

That morning Natasha was busy listening to the radio. She accidentally heard a math competition being held on a radio channel. She was enthusiastic and wrote down all the information.

In the afternoon after her mother came home from work, Natasha immediately told her mother. Sinta always supported her little girl's wishes as long as they were good things.

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The long-awaited day had arrived, with enthusiasm, Natasha entered the competition room. During the event, all the audience and the judges were amazed by her quick calculation intelligence. They were amazed that even with her physical limitations, Natasha was able to do something that normal people could not necessarily do. If God wills anything can happen.

After the competition was over, a few hours later, the announcement of the winner of the competition was announced.

"The winner of this year's math competition is .... Alicia Natasha" The host's voice was heard loudly.

Without realizing it, the tears of joy of the child and mother broke out. Thanks to Sinta's patience in educating her child, thanks to Natasha's persistence, as well as the prayers and hopes that were always said, her only daughter.

Natasha accompanied by her mother went up on stage to receive the prize. And the prize was extraordinary, free school fees up to college level. Loud applause congratulated them, even many of the audience and judges cried watching the moment.

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Thank you for reading my story.