Page 133 - B. Ing_Antologi Cerpen Xl-6

"Please, take good care of yourself, mijn zoon.

Don’t let yourself get hurt again," she whispered softly.

Since he was a child, he had only lived with his
mother. She was the daughter of a Dutch merchant.

Around the age of 20, she was arranged to marry the son

of a Dutch East Indies official. Their marriage was meant
to strengthen ties between Dutch traders and local

businessmen.

At first, his parents' relationship seemed
harmonious. But one day, his father was arrested by the

authorities and exiled to a remote island. The only things
he left behind were a house and a small amount of

savings. His mother's grief over losing her husband still

lingered to this day. He knew he was the only one she
had left.

*Schatje = a Dutch term of endearment

Moeder = Mother

Mijn zoon = My son

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