Cata's difficult time
989 Words
Cata was born into the family of Eko Prasetyo, a middle–class household. Her story was no less heartbreaking than Kay’s. She had never felt justice from either of her parents or even from her own siblings.
Days passed, and morning came. Cata quickly got ready and prepared her lunch for work. Once she finished preparing everything, she went to the dining table to have breakfast.
“Don’t finish the chicken and rice. Your younger brother and your older siblings haven’t eaten yet. And give the drumstick to your little brother. You can eat the other parts,” her mother said—even though Cata hadn’t taken anything from the table yet.
“Come on, mom… I haven’t even taken anything yet. And there’s only this little chicken?”
“If I have to leave some for them, that means I don’t get any at all,” Cata said weakly, feeling that familiar sting from her mother’s unfairness toward her.
“There are plenty of other side dishes. And besides, you get free meals from your office every day—usually with chicken too.”
“But Mom, Bellina also gets food from her office. And hers is probably better.”
“That’s because Bellina buys her own food, Cata.”
“Okay then… I’m in a hurry anyway. I’ll just eat at the office. I don’t want to be late.”
Not wanting to argue over food, Cata left the table with a bit of sadness and went to leave for work.
When she searched for her shoes, she grew confused. They weren’t where she always left them.
“Bellina, have you seen my shoes?” Cata asked her older sister, who was getting ready to leave with her husband.
Belina only shook her head without saying a word. Irritated, Cata glared at her before leaving and rushing inside.
“Mom, have you seen my white shoes? I’m really in a hurry!”
“Oh, Tio borrowed them. He said he needs white shoes today, and his are dirty. He forgot to wash them.”
“Why didn’t you tell me, Mom? I also need them today! Where’s Tio?”
Cata hurried to Tio’s room and found him already wearing her shoes.
“Tio! I’m wearing those today. Sorry, but you can’t take them.”
Instead of answering, Tio looked toward their mother, seeking support to keep the shoes.
Seeing this made Cata furious.
“Hey! Those are my shoes! Take them off!”
“Oh my good, why are you being like that to your little brother? Just give in a little, poor him,” their mother said.
“Mom! I need white shoes today too!”
“Then borrow Bellina’s shoes.”
“You’re not borrowing mine,” Bellina replied from outside the room.
Tio simply stood by the mirror, still getting ready.
“Daddd! You see this, right? Why aren’t you saying anything? Those are my shoes! Can’t you defend me a little?”
With a sigh, her father finally stood up.
“Tio, give them back to your sister. You both have white shoes. Why do you have to take hers? I bought you each a pair so you wouldn’t fight.”
“That pair is mine, Ayah. You never bought it,” Tio replied.
Cata didn’t respond. She grabbed her bag and left the house.
She felt deeply hurt by how her family treated her. Even though Beliina earned much more than her, it didn’t mean they could treat her this way. And just because she wasn’t accepted into college like her siblings didn’t mean her parents could look down on her. No one chooses to be born “less smart,” or chooses the life they receive.
Ringggg.
At the perfect moment, William—Cata’s boyfriend—called her.
“Baby, are you on your way?” he asked gently.
“I think I’m not going to work today.”
“What? Why, love?”
“I don’t have shoes.”
“Oh my God… you can wear mine. Just go. I’ll meet you at the bus stop, okay?”
“Then what about you if I wear your shoes?”
“I can wear the black ones. Just go, okay? Wait for me at the stop.”
Cata hung up without saying anything. William wasn’t surprised; he knew she must’ve had a rough morning. He always knew.
Sometimes, when someone isn’t born into a happy family, God gives them someone else—someone who brings happiness from a different place.
Cata felt truly grateful to have William, someone gentle, patient, and exactly what she needed.
When she reached the bus stop, she couldn’t hold it in anymore. She burst into tears in William’s arms.
“Can you take me away, please?” she sobbed desperately.
“Hey… it’s okay. I’m here now, love. You always have me. You’re never alone,” he said softly, stroking her hair.
“Promise me you won’t ever leave.”
Hearing this made William freeze. He didn’t answer.
“You’re not going to leave me, right? If you leave… what will I do? I’d rather die than be left by you. Don’t you feel sorry for me?”
Her words hit William hard, pushing tears into his eyes.
“If one day I’m gone… you have to be strong, okay? It means I want what’s best for you.”
Cata was shocked. She lifted her head from his shoulder and stared straight into his eyes.
“You’re not actually going to leave, right? Why are you saying things like that? I don’t like it.”
“The bus is coming. Let’s go before we’re late,” William said, cutting her off.
“Answer me. You’re not serious, right?”
“No, of course I’m not. Come on.”
But his earlier words lingered in Cata’s mind. She felt that William was hiding something from her.
- Writer
