Questa è Enida

The IKEA counters were not overly busy last Saturday afternoon and when I got to the cashier it was hard not to notice a family hanging around taking their sweet time licking ice-creams. Grandpa and Grandma were helping the grandson. Dad was a bit occupied with the shopping bags.

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In just a few seconds, Mother came into the scene with Girl – in a rush. An angry rush. She must have done something wrong that got Mother so upset. In fact, from the way she was poking on Girl on the shoulder and prodding her on the head, Mother was not just upset. She was furious!

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Girl, who looked about Kitreena’s age but many many sizes larger was crying embarassedly quietly. You know, that silent ‘hiccupy’ kind of crying when you can’t look anywhere else but down. That kind of crying you do when you can’t lift your face, your head and your spirit up. That was the saddest cry I had ever seen and would probably be the saddest cry I could ever recall. My heart wept.

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Grandma looked concerned, but in a split second seemed to ‘join’ Mother in madness. She then escalated the flaming anger and blurted it out in a voice so demeaning when she said to the grandaughter, “Sudah lah GEMOK!” My eyes were as wide open as my mouth. And then when Grandma saw me looking and noticing what was going on, she gave a huge friendly smile. No trace of guilt on her lips.

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For what had to be the first time ever in my life not smiling back… I, the Questa è Enida, was burned in anger! I felt like grabbing that poor little big girl, taking her home and giving her what every child deserves. Respect!

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