HAPPY AGAIN: When Regret Turns Into Happiness tells the story of a boy named Tono, who has a serious problem with his beloved mother. He makes a fatal mistake that eventually hurts and disappoints her deeply. What happens next…?
Let’s read the story carefully until the end!.
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Disclaimer
This story is a work of fiction. All characters, storylines, and events in this story are purely the result of the author’s imagination. The use of real country names or real locations is only intended as the setting of the story and is not meant to represent any real events, individuals, or groups. Any similarities in names or events are purely coincidental. This story contains elements of violence, which are presented solely for narrative and entertainment purposes.
HAPPY AGAIN: When Regret Turns Into Happiness
Ladakana Orphanage, Minarita District
Tono walked toward Ladakana Orphanage, located in Minarita District, where his school friend Tarnomo lived. He planned to ask for the student council administration documents, because he was the Student Council President.
He entered a building with a sign that read:
“Ladakana Orphanage – Minarita”
Tono knocked on the door.
“Assalamualaikum,” Tono said politely.
“Waalaikumsalam… yes, what can I help you with?”
The caretaker opened the door.
“Umm… excuse me, Ma’am. My name is Tono, Tarnomo’s classmate. I want to meet Tarnomo. Is he here?” Tono asked.
“Oh, he is. What do you need, Tono?” the caretaker replied.
“I want to pick up the student council documents. I’m the Student Council President,” Tono explained.
“Alright. Please wait a moment,” said the caretaker.
The caretaker then called Tarnomo.
Meeting Tarnomo
“Hey, Tono! What’s up?” Tarnomo said with a smile, stretching out his hand for a handshake.
Tono shook his hand.
“Umm… Nomo, I came to get the documents you have,” Tono said.
“Ohhh, okay. Wait a second,” Tarnomo replied.
Tarnomo walked toward his room to get the documents.
While waiting, Tono saw the orphanage children eating their favorite meal: vegetable lodeh and rendang eggs. Suddenly, Tono remembered his past memories with his family.
Without realizing it, he daydreamed for a long time…
A Few Months Earlier
12:00 PM – Tono’s House Kitchen
“Mom, what are you cooking?” Tono asked while looking at his mother’s cooking.
His mother replied,
“I’m cooking your favorite food—vegetable lodeh and rendang eggs.”
“Woooow, that sounds delicious!” Tono said excitedly.
Hearing his mother’s words made Tono feel happy because she was cooking his favorite meal.
“Of course it’s delicious. You always say it’s delicious only when it’s ready to eat,” his mother joked.
Suddenly, Tono’s younger sister frowned, while Tono and his mother burst into laughter.
“Alright then… let me help you,” Tono said.
“Here, you cut the chilies, okay? Frizka will peel the eggs,” said Frizka, Tono’s younger sister, while handing him a tray filled with chilies.
“Okay,” Tono replied with a smile.
After cooking, the food was ready to be served. Together with his family, Tono enjoyed his favorite meal made by his mother.
Waking Up From His Daydream
“Hey… Tono… Ton… hey!” Tarnomo said while tapping Tono’s shoulder to snap him out of his thoughts.
After a few seconds, Tono finally came back to reality.
“Huh? Why are you daydreaming?” Tarnomo asked.
“Oh—sorry, sorry, Nomo,” Tono said, startled.
“It’s okay. But by the way… what were you thinking about?” Tarnomo asked again.
“It’s nothing… hahaha,” Tono answered awkwardly.
“Hmm… be honest,” Tarnomo insisted.
Tono finally admitted it.
“I miss my mom… I miss her cooking vegetable lodeh and rendang eggs. She used to cook them for me almost every day.”
Tarnomo nodded.
“If you miss your mom, you should go home and apologize for your mistake. What did you even do, Ton?”
“Yeah… Nomo… well, here’s what happened…”
Explaining the Past
In the living room, Tono and his mother were arguing.
“You ungrateful child! Why didn’t you pay your school tuition?! What did you use the money for?!” his mother shouted angrily.
She scolded him harshly, and it made Tono brave enough to fight back.
“Just be quiet, Mom! I used the money to buy snacks!” Tono shouted rudely.
Seeing Tono talking back, his mother became even angrier.
“You really are an ungrateful child! A disobedient son!”
“Instead of nagging all the time, I’m leaving this house!” Tono yelled.
Tono stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
His mother, seeing her son’s behavior, cried deeply. Tears flowed down her face.
“Huff… I can’t believe you were that bad,” Tarnomo said, disappointed after hearing Tono’s story.
Tono stayed silent.
“Go home and see your mother,” Tarnomo suggested.
“I’m embarrassed, Nomo…” Tono said while looking down.
“I’ll take you there. Don’t be embarrassed,” Tarnomo said firmly.
Finally, Tarnomo decided to escort Tono back home so he could apologize to his beloved mother.
Arriving at Tono’s House
Tok tok tok…
Tarnomo knocked on the door.
A moment later, the door opened.
“Assalamualaikum, Ma’am. I’m Tarnomo, Tono’s friend,” Tarnomo introduced himself.
“Assalamualaikum, Mom…”
Now it was Tono’s turn to greet his mother. He kept his head down, ashamed of what he had done.
“Waalaikumsalam, my child… oh, come inside. It’s not good to talk outside in front of the neighbors,” his mother said happily, relieved to see her beloved son return home.
“Oh yes, Ma’am. Of course,” Tarnomo replied.
“Please sit down,” his mother said warmly.
She invited them both to sit in the living room.
“Umm… Mom, Tono wants to say something,” Tono said shyly.
“Yes, Ton. What do you want to say?” his mother asked gently with a smile.
“Mom… I’m sorry. I promise I will change. I promise I won’t disappoint you anymore. I promise I’ll be honest. I was wrong, Mom. I lied to you…” Tono said.
His Mother Forgave Him
Tono apologized while kneeling in front of his mother, crying deeply because he regretted what he had done.
Then his mother lifted him up and asked him to sit beside her.
“Yes, my child. I forgive you. I just hope you won’t do it again,” his mother said while hugging him tightly.
“Yes, Mom… thank you for forgiving me,” Tono cried.
“Alright, Tono… let’s eat. I already prepared a special meal—your favorite food. Let’s eat together,” his mother said.
She invited both Tono and Tarnomo to eat.
In the end, Tono and his mother lived together again in peace. Tono also promised he would never repeat his bad behavior.
The End
Writer: Reynaldo Edwin Pratama
Read Also: Janu Onmu: A Funny Adventure in Layang Gajah Village
Author’s Note: This story belongs to the family short story genre. A general reference about the definition of a short story can be read on Wikipedia.
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