" ONE FAMILY,A THOUSAND SCARS ''

Her name is MIA. An eight-year-old girl who lives in the arms of her loving family. Although their life is simple, not a single day goes by without laughter filling the house. MIA is the youngest child and the only girl in the family. She has five older brothers who love her very much. Her eldest brother, MIKKO, is a calm and caring person, good at cooking, and always makes sure MIA's stomach is full. Then MAKKI and MARCHO the fraternal twins who always bring noise into the house. Then MAKKA and the youngest boy, MAST, who is only two years older than MIA. Their mother, SARIFAH, is a gentle woman with a big heart. On the other hand, her father is a quiet but loving man. Their life is not luxurious, but it is enough, and in that abundance, they find happiness. At school, MIA is known as someone who does not give up easily. It is not because she is completely evil. In her heart is hidden sincere kindness. But MIA does not know how to remain silent when treated unfairly. Her enemy, ZIA was a classmate who was never satisfied with MIA's intelligence and beauty. One day, ZIA put her plan into action. She poured red liquid on MIA's chair, then pretended to be shocked and shouted in front of everyone. "Disgusting!" ZIA shouted, laughing mockingly. MIA stood up. Her eyes did not blink at ZIA. Calmly, she picked up her cloth and threw it aside. "Old tactic," MIA said coldly. "Coward." Before ZIA could reply, Mia had walked away from the dining table with her head held high. But MIA's heart was still burning. When ZIA was alone in the restroom, MIA stepped in. Her eyes were round, her voice firm. "Apologize." ZIA snorted. "Why would I apologize?" "If you dare to do anything else to me," MIA whispered softly, "you will know the consequences." Without warning, MIA took out a small pair of scissors from her pocket and, with a few precise cuts, ZIA's long, straight hair that she was proud of fell to the floor.The discipline teacher's room felt cramped that evening. MIA sat upright in her chair. Beside her, ZIA was sobbing as she held the uneven ends of her hair. The parents of both students were also present, their faces tense. "MIA, you need to apologize," the discipline teacher said in an authoritative voice. MIA was silent for a moment. Then she said calmly, "I didn't start it first." MIA's mother and father bowed their heads politely, apologizing on behalf of their daughter to ZIA's family. On the way home, MIA turned to her mother. "MIA, I'm sorry, Mom. I caused trouble." SARIFAH stroked her youngest daughter's hair gently. "Don't do it again, MIA." "MIA promises," MIA replied slowly. "MIA will control her emotions well." That evening was as usual. MIA was sitting on the living room floor, drawing something on a worn paper, when SARIFAH approached her with slow steps. In her mother's hand was a small white box tied with a pink ribbon. "MIA," SARIFAH called softly. MIA looked up. "Huh, Mom?" "This is for MIA." MIA frowned, confused. "It's not even MIA's birthday, Mom." SARIFAH chuckled and sat down next to her daughter. "It's not. Mom gave it to me because I love MIA. Can I have it?" MIA smiled broadly and grabbed the box. When she opened it, inside was a delicate silver necklace — with a small, sparkling heart-shaped pendant. "How beautiful..." MIA whispered, her eyes shining. "Wear it always," SARIFAH said as she helped tie the necklace around MIA's neck. Her fingers paused for a moment on the small pendant. "Don't take it off." "MIA, promise," MIA said seriously, holding the pendant with both hands. What MIA didn't know that no one else knew except SARIFAH herself was that inside that small heart locket was a very delicate camera. It recorded everything. Every laugh. Every tear. Every precious moment of MIA's life. SARIFAH looked at her youngest child with a smile whose meaning was difficult to understand at that time. As if she knew... one day, the recording would be more precious than anything else. MIA had fallen in love with music since she was a child. Not just love, she loved it with all her soul. Every time she heard the sound of a guitar, her heart beat faster. "Mom, MIA wants a guitar," she asked one night, her eyes shining with hope. SARIFAH smiled wistfully. They didn't have much money saved. But that night, she knocked on her husband's door. "Honey," she called softly. "Yes?" "Remember the money we saved for the two of us?" SARIFAH asked. "Can we use it to buy a guitar for MIA? I think... I'll regret it if I don't do it now." Her husband was silent for a moment.Then she said, “Why ask me? You just decide.” SARIFAH smiled broadly, a smile that came from the heart. She hugged her husband tightly. MIA never knew about the conversation. But when she received her new guitar the next day, tears almost fell from her eyes. School holidays took MIA’s family to a resort by the beach. The sea breeze greeted their faces. The waves rolled slowly. MIA ran towards the water with a loud laugh, chased by MAST and MIKKA who were screaming behind her. That night, they had a barbecue by the beach. The aroma of grilled meat mixed with the salty smell of the sea, a memory that would never be forgotten. MIA sat on the sand, strumming her new guitar slowly. Her family formed a circle around her, listening in silence. When the song ended, MIA raised her face and said seriously, “Later, MIA will be a great musician. And MIA will bring a trophy for Mom.” SARIFAH laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. “I believe you,” she whispered. They took pictures and recorded videos that night ... not because anything special happened, but because they knew... moments like this are worth remembering forever. Not everyone welcomed MIA with open arms. JUTHEP, MIA's paternal grandfather, was a famous and arrogant businessman. He had never liked SARIFAH from the very beginning. To him, the simple woman was not worthy of his son. But his love for his grandsons never wavered. On MIA's birthday, everyone gave her big and beautiful gifts. But from JUTHEP, only a small envelope containing some money. MIA accepted it with a smile. "Thank you, Grandpa. MIA will keep it well," she said sincerely. JUTHEP turned away without any reaction. However, MIA's grandmother took MIA's hand in hers. Her eyes were full of love that could not be expressed in words. MIA understood. Not all love comes out loud. Some are hidden, but still real. MIA is spoiled and that cannot be denied. One evening, MIKKO was getting ready to go out because he had important business. MIA stood in front of the door, arms crossed. “MIA doesn’t like eating out. Come back soon, brother.” MIKKO smiled. His hand gently stroked his younger brother’s head. “I’ll be back soon,” he promised. The days passed with MIA depending on her older brothers. If she was hungry, MIKKO would cook. If she was bored, MAST would accompany her. If she was disturbed, MAKKI, MARCHO and MIKKA would take care of her. One day at school, ZIA tried to slap MIA again. But before that hand could land, a bigger and stronger hand grabbed her in the air. “Don’t bother my younger brother again,” MAKKI said in a low but threatening voice. “If you dare… try.” ZIA trembled. She didn’t dare speak. MIA got the exciting news that she had been selected to participate in a music competition. Dad was busy with work. MIKKO had an important test. MIA urged her mother many times to take her there. “Mom, send MIA, okay? Pleaseee…” SARIFAH’s car broke down that day. With a heavy heart, she started their old motorcycle. “Get in, MIA. Mom, send me.” The competition went smoothly. MIA played with all her heart, her fingers dancing on the guitar strings. A thunderous applause greeted her performance. Once finished, they prepared to go home. SARIFAH asked MIA to wait in the garage. “Wait a minute, honey. Mom went to get the motorcycle.” MIA nodded, still smiling broadly because of her happiness. Then The sound of the horn. The sound of the brakes. An inappropriate sound. MIA turned around. A car hit her mother. “MOM!” MIA ran. His knees crashed onto the hard tar, but he didn't feel anything, just seeing his mother lying there, red blood soaking SARIFAH's white shirt. "Mom... Mom, wake up... Mom..." Her cries split the night sky.