Chapter 1: A New Resident at Grandma Sumni's House

The sun had not yet fully risen when Inka arrived at Grandma Sumni's house. The little girl clutched her backpack tightly, which contained a few clothes and some of her beloved belongings. She paused for a moment in front of the simple wooden house, taking a deep breath and looking around. Since she was a child, Inka had never really known this house. She had only visited occasionally with her parents, but those memories were long gone.

Grandma Sumni opened the door with a gentle smile, welcoming the granddaughter who would now live with her. Although her face showed happiness, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. She knew the burden that this little girl had to bear.

"Inka, dear. Come in, you must be tired," said Grandma Sumni while gently stroking Inka's head with affection. Inka nodded slowly, then stepped into the house. The creaking sound of the wooden floor beneath her feet seemed to welcome her arrival.

Inside the house, Inka met her step-grandfather, Pak Bagyo, who was sitting in his favorite rocking chair in the corner of the room. The man looked at Inka with an expression that was hard to interpret. Although not her biological grandfather, Pak Bagyo had always been kind to Inka whenever they met.

"Hi, Inka. How was your trip?" asked Pak Bagyo with a deep but friendly voice.

"Good, Grandpa," Inka replied briefly, still feeling awkward with her new situation. She knew her life was about to change drastically.

That night, after a simple dinner, Inka sat in her new room, a small room with wooden walls adorned with some old family photos. On a small table in the corner of the room, there was an oil lamp providing a soft light, just enough to illuminate the room. Inka opened her backpack and took out her beloved teddy bear, the only thing that could make her feel comfortable in this unfamiliar place.

Grandma Sumni entered the room, carrying a thick blanket for Inka. "Here, dear. So the night will be warmer," said Grandma Sumni as she covered Inka with the blanket.

"Grandma, why did Mama and Papa have to go?" Inka asked softly but with curiosity. Grandma Sumni paused for a moment, searching for the right words to answer the difficult question.

"They had to go because there were things they couldn't resolve together. But they love you very much, Inka. They want the best for you, that's why they decided you should stay here, with Grandma and Grandpa," answered Grandma Sumni with a soft but firm voice.

Inka could only nod. She was still too young to fully understand what had happened, but she knew she had to be strong. With a hug from her grandmother, Inka felt a bit more calm and safe. That night, she fell asleep hugging her teddy bear, hoping her dreams would give her some solace.

Days passed, and Inka began to get used to her new life. Grandma Sumni taught her many things, from cooking to taking care of the small garden behind the house. Every morning, they would water the plants and pick fresh vegetables for lunch. Pak Bagyo, although often busy with his work as a carpenter, always made time to talk and play with Inka.

One afternoon, while Inka was sitting under a large tree in the yard, she overheard Grandma Sumni and Pak Bagyo talking inside the house. They were discussing Inka's parents. Inka heard her parents' names mentioned with a worried tone.

"We have to tell her, Bagyo. Someday she will find out on her own. It's better if we explain it to her than if she hears it from someone else," said Grandma Sumni.

Pak Bagyo sighed deeply. "I know, Sumni. But I'm not sure this is the right time. Let her enjoy her childhood as much as possible."

Inka felt confused. What had really happened to her parents? Why couldn't they be with her? These questions kept bothering her, but she didn't dare to ask them again.

Even so, the days at Grandma Sumni's house taught Inka many things about resilience and unconditional love. Under the care of her grandmother and grandfather, Inka grew into a strong and independent child. Despite all the sadness she felt, she found happiness in simple things, like playing in the garden, listening to her grandmother's bedtime stories, and helping her grandfather with woodworking.

In a small, quiet village, under a vast blue sky, Inka's story began to unfold, awaiting new chapters that would bring answers to her questions and hopes for a better future.