Chapter 4 : A New Trial

Days passed after Grandma Sumni left. Inka tried to continue her life, even though the feeling of loss still shadowed her every step. She kept helping Grandpa Bagyo in the garden and pursued her hobby of drawing. At school, Inka tried to focus on her lessons, although her heart often felt heavy.

However, a new problem arose, making Inka's life even more difficult. At school, her friends began to distance themselves and whisper as she walked by. Initially, Inka thought it was just a coincidence, but over time, she realized something was wrong.

One morning, when Inka entered the classroom, she saw several of her friends gathered and laughing. As she approached, they suddenly stopped talking and looked at her strangely.

"Hey, look who's here. The girl who was abandoned by her grandma," one of the children, Lila, said mockingly.

Inka felt a pang in her chest. She tried to ignore the comment and walked to her seat. However, the teasing continued throughout the day.

"Poor thing, having such a broken family," another child, Rendi, added.

Inka tried not to listen, but the words pierced her heart. For weeks, the teasing and whispering intensified. Every time she passed by, her friends would laugh or whisper. Some children even began to avoid her, as if afraid of catching the same misfortune.

"The girl whose grandma left her must have something wrong with her," one child whispered.

"Her parents divorced, her grandma left, so sad," another child added.

Inka felt very isolated. She didn't know what to do or whom to talk to. Every day at school became torture. She felt like a stranger among her own friends.

One day, during recess, Inka sat alone in a corner of the school garden. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought about all the teasing she had endured. She felt utterly alone. Suddenly, Rian appeared beside her.

"Inka, what's wrong? You look so sad," Rian asked gently.

Inka tried to hide her tears. "It's nothing, Rian. I'm just a little tired."

Rian sat down beside her. "You can tell me, Inka. I'm here to listen."

Inka felt a slight relief hearing Rian's words. She decided to tell him everything. How her friends teased her because of her broken family, how she felt abandoned by her grandma, and how hard it was to get through the days at school.

"Rian, I don't know what to do. Everyone is avoiding me. They tease me because my parents are divorced and my grandma left," Inka finally cried.

Rian listened attentively. "Inka, you are strong. Their teasing doesn't define who you are. They just don't understand what you're going through. You have an incredible talent for drawing, and you have a big heart. Don't let them break your spirit."

Rian's words gave Inka a bit of strength. Although she knew it would be difficult, she decided not to give in to her friends' teasing. She would keep drawing and show that she was more than just an abandoned child.

In the following days, Inka began to fight against the fear and shame she felt. She kept drawing, expressing her feelings through art. Her work became more recognized at school, and some teachers began to praise her talent. Slowly, some of the friends who had teased her started to see Inka differently.

One day, the school held an art exhibition, and Inka's works were selected to be displayed. Everyone was impressed by her beautiful, emotion-filled drawings. Rian, who continued to support her, invited his friends to see Inka's work.

"Look at these drawings. They are amazing, just like Inka. She's more than what we thought," Rian said to his friends.

After the exhibition, some friends who had teased her began to approach Inka. They apologized and admitted they were wrong. Inka felt somewhat relieved, although the pain from their teasing remained.

"Inka, we're sorry. We didn't know what you were going through," Lila said sincerely.

Inka accepted their apologies, even though she knew the journey to healing her wounds was still long. She learned that not everyone understood the struggles she faced, but she could find strength within herself and support from those who truly cared about her.

At home, Inka told everything to Grandpa Bagyo. Her grandfather hugged her tightly and said, "Inka, you are a strong and talented granddaughter. Never let others' words break you. You have a bright future, and we will always be here for you."

Her grandfather's words gave Inka new strength. Even though there were many trials to face, she knew she was not alone. She had a family who loved her and friends who supported her. With renewed spirit, Inka kept fighting, drawing, and finding beauty in every day she lived.

The future might be full of challenges, but Inka believed she could face it with the courage and love in her heart. With the help of her family and friends, she would keep moving forward, reaching for her dreams, and finding true happiness in her life.