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This story tells the story of a young man named Adi who was caught in the middle of the May 1998 riots in Jakarta. Adi was a student at Trisakti University who participated in a demonstration demanding reform and the resignation of President Soeharto. On May 12, 1998, Adi and his friends planned to join the massive demonstration in front of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia/The People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia building. However, they were blocked by security forces who fired tear gas and live bullets at the crowd. Adi saw four of his friends shot dead before his eyes. He ran for his life with several other students.
Adi and his friends hid in an empty house on the side of the road. They heard news that the riots had spread to other parts of Jakarta. Adi was worried about his family who lived in Glodok, one of Jakarta's ethnic Chinese trading centers. He knew that the ethnic Chinese were being targeted by mobs who blamed them for the economic crisis. Adi himself is of Chinese descent and was born and raised in Indonesia. He feels part of the Indonesian nation and does not want to be seen as different because of his origins.
Adi decided to try to return home. He borrowed a motorcycle from a resident who sympathized with his plight. He hoped to find his family safe and unaffected by the riots. However, Adi's journey was not easy. He had to dodge the rampaging mob, burning, damaging, and looting shops and houses owned by ethnic Chinese. He also had to trick the security forces who were chasing the protesters. Adi was involved in several scuffles and shootouts. He was wounded in several parts of his body, but he persevered.
Finally, Adi arrived in Glodok. He was shocked to see the condition of the area. Fires were raging everywhere. Black smoke billowed in the sky. The sounds of screaming, crying and explosions echoed. Adi searched for his house among the scattered debris. He found his house already burnt down. He shouted the names of his father, mother, and sister. But there was no answer. He went inside the remains of his house. He found unrecognizable bodies. He was sure it was his family. He was devastated. He cried bitterly.
Adi didn't know what to do. He felt he had no purpose in life anymore. He felt there was no place for him in this country. He felt there was no hope for this nation. He felt that there was no more sunrise in Jakarta. There was only the setting sun.
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••°°THE END°°••
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LIFE IN ONE PAGE
Conto[Warning English is not my first language] This is a collection of flash fiction stories that "The Weekend Write In" organizes for each week. This story tells about daily life in an Indonesian country. First Chapter: Friday, 20 October 2023. Last Ch...
