"AAAAH!"
A sudden scream echoed inside the house, startling everyone.
Nana, who was closest to the source, hurried toward Sancaka's room.
"Big brother, what's wrong? Why did you suddenly scream?" she asked. She saw him sitting upright on his bed.
"I just had a nightmare," Sancaka said, scratching his head. His eyes still looked sleepy as he glanced at his sister.
"A nightmare? What did you dream about that scared you so much?" Nana asked again.
"I dreamed about…" Sancaka paused. He recalled the horrifying vision—the burning village, his family lying lifeless. It all felt too real. "I dreamed I got rammed by a buffalo," he said, forcing a laugh.
"How could you dream about getting rammed by a buffalo?" Nana replied, puzzled.
Sancaka didn't answer. He simply smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.
Before getting up, he thought again about the nightmare. It had felt incredibly real—so real that it almost seemed like it had actually happened.
After drifting in thought for a while, Sancaka finally stood up and went to wash himself.
Once he was done, he joined his mother and sister at the dining table for breakfast. That morning's meal was roasted sweet potatoes and grilled corn.
As he looked at the other side of the table, he noticed his father wasn't there.
"Mom, why isn't Father having breakfast with us?" Sancaka asked.
"Your father already ate at dawn," his mother replied.
"But we were still asleep at dawn," Sancaka said. "Why did he eat so early?"
"He said he had an urgent task to take care of this morning, so he ate first," she explained. Then she noticed that neither of her children had finished their corn. "Come on, finish your breakfast so you won't be late for school."
"Relax, Mom. I'm never late for school," Sancaka said. "Gatot hasn't even arrived yet."
Just then, the person he mentioned appeared.
"Sancaka, I'm here!" Gatot called from outside.
Even while chewing, Sancaka immediately recognized his voice.
"Sancaka, hurry up! We'll be late for school!" Gatot shouted.
"See? Your friend is already here," his mother said. "Now hurry and finish your food."
"Yes, Mom," Sancaka replied.
He quickly finished the rest of his breakfast, then said goodbye before heading out.