Thirty years ago, a high school in Medan was uproar. A second grader student, Rindang born in the school toilet. The baby was very small due to premature birth, covered in blood, and got the handicapped without arms. Among the teachers who witnessed this scene in shock, only Mr. Iksan, Indonesian Language Teacher was brave, bringing the poor mother and child to hospital.
Though being pressed, Rindang remain keeping the secret who the father of her baby. She was afraid, no one believed her. Mr. Sabdono known as a good sport teacher and not a flirt. He was newly married and endowed a seven-month-old baby. She has expressed her concern to the teacher who actually she admired. But Mr. Sabdono convinced, his deeds would not make Rindang get pregnant. When menstrual periode of Rindang was too late, he even gave the drug, which according to him were vitamins, but actually for abortion. But the baby survived, although Rindang tried to get rid of the jumping and doing other heavy work. She remains alive despite a disability.
Her parents would not accept her and baby. Mr Sabdono who was once found, accusing her of blackmail. She just wanted some responsibilities, so she could keep her baby. Fortunately, Mr. Iksan saw her chasing Mr. Sabdono but abandoned would to accept them in his house.
But people talked rumour about them. A teenager who has a baby without a father lived with her widower teacher. They believed, Mr. Iksan did. In defense of her teacher, Rindang went to meet Headmaster, Mr. Anwar. Almost she told who the father was, but Mr. Iksan prevented. Feeling cornered, Rindang eventually committed suicide, and handed the baby to Mr. Iksan.
Mr. Iksan moved to Palembang, and married his friend's sister. They took care of that baby as their eldest doughter, and named Farida Iksan. Though flawed, Farida grow independently. He could do anything without the help of others. Even in school she always got good mark. Because her parents were not afford, he had to quit school after graduating from high school, only took a sewing course. She also could not resist when betrothed to a handsome but blind man, Mahmud. By marriage, Mahmud cornea operation in Jakarta, and got his eyes again. He saw the condition of his future wife and began to vote. With a variety of reasons, he always put off marriage. Farida was hurt her pride. She asked her parents permission to continue studying to Jakarta at a cost of sewing results. Her parents agreed.
In Jakarta, Farida stayed at the house of her mother's brother, Uncle Ismail. At first all went well. Farida was diligent, Uncle Ismail always praised her and compared with two daughters, Nani and Yanti. They're unhappy, and pointed Farida’s customers to steal Nani’s watch. Only, Dodi the youngest son of his uncle who really loved her. Farida felt she was not wanted, asked for permission to rent her own room which closer to campus. Uncle Ismail forcedly allowed. Before leaving, Dodi got an accident when both parents were absent. Farida brought him to hospital following Dodi afford. This event was made Nani and Yanti felt. However, Farida still moved.
When having vacation, Farida returned to Palembang, heard Mahmud married another woman because of impatiently waiting her to finish college. Although never loved and approved the engagement, Farida still felt a pang. Her pride was hurt. This incident affected her lecture. Some studies did not pass, one of them was subject of Mr Hans, a handsome professor who secretly admired by her. But Mr. Hans who have been married to a model then helped Farida order to repeat the test of his lessons and lessons of other lecturers. They became closer, so many friends in campus talked about them. Though the Chairman of the Senate, the Sultan, admired Farida, she did not care because not loved him. Her love was given to Mr. Hans eventhough she did not expect to have it.
After a long struggle, Farida successfully passed a law degree. She was handled was the rape of high school student, Linda Ramelan by her sport teacher, Sabdono Lesmono. The first trial decided the punishment for the rapist only three months in jail. It was very unfair, but the victim refused the appeal because of depressing. But she still had to fight. The defendant filed an appeal with the innocent reasons.
Farida kept the information about Mr. Sabdono. When she met her ex-fiance, Mahmud, she found Yuniarti, Mahmud's wife was a former pupil of Sabdono in Surabaya, as well as her sister Yunisar. But Yunisar refused to met her. Then she told of this case to Mr. Iksan. He asked her to meet Mr Anwar, headmaster of the school in Medan, where previously Pak Sabdono ever tought. Story about girls who gave birth in the toilet and refused to tell who the father of her baby and eventually committed suicide were revealed.
Before Farida went to court, Mr Iksan told a baby was born handicapped in the toilet was herself. It meant Mr Sabdono required her biological father, and Rindang, her biological mother was one of the victims. If the court managed to expose, Farida’s good name was at stake. Would Farida be successful to charge her father representing her mother from a life after death?
Author : Mira W.
Indonesian Title : Dakwaan dari Alam Baka
Publisher : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 1993
No comments:
Post a Comment