Di tengah hujan yang turun perlahan, Ayu berdiri di atas jukung, perahu kayu kecil yang mengarungi Sungai Martapura di Lok Baintan.

In the midst of the gently falling rain, Ayu stood on a jukung, a small wooden boat navigating the Sungai Martapura in Lok Baintan.

Di sekelilingnya, pasar terapung hidup dengan suara tawar-menawar pedagang dan tawa riang pengunjung.

Around her, the floating market bustled with the sounds of the vendors bargaining and the cheerful laughter of visitors.

Hawa sejuk hujan bercampur aroma rempah, menyelimutinya dengan nuansa yang begitu berbeda dari hiruk pikuk Jakarta yang biasa ia arungi.

The cool rain mixed with the aroma of spices, enveloping her with a nuance so different from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta that she usually navigates.

Ayu baru pindah ke Jakarta untuk bekerja.

Ayu had recently moved to Jakarta for work.

Namun, kali ini ia kembali ke kampung halaman untuk merayakan Tahun Baru Imlek bersama keluarga.

However, this time she returned to her hometown to celebrate Chinese New Year with her family.

Tempat ini, pasar terapung yang selalu diceritakan neneknya, Citra, kini benar-benar ada di depan mata.

This place, the floating market that her grandmother, Citra, always talked about, was now right in front of her eyes.

Namun, meski sudah kembali, Ayu masih merasa asing dan rindu akan kota yang kini ia sebut rumah.

Yet, even though she had returned, Ayu still felt a stranger and longed for the city she now called home.

Budi, sepupunya yang selalu ceria, menyambutnya sejak pagi dengan pelukan hangat.

Budi, her ever-cheerful cousin, had greeted her since morning with a warm hug.

Keceriaan Budi seakan menular, membuat Ayu tersenyum meski hatinya masih meragu.

Budi's cheerfulness seemed contagious, making Ayu smile even though her heart was still uncertain.

"Ayo, kak!

"Come on, sis!

Kita beli buah naga sama cucur buat om Citra," ajak Budi sambil menunjuk deretan perahu yang sarat dengan buah dan jajanan.

Let's get dragon fruit and cucur for Uncle Citra," invited Budi, pointing to a row of boats laden with fruit and snacks.

"Ayu," suara lembut namun tegas membuat Ayu menoleh.

"Ayu," a soft yet firm voice made Ayu turn around.

Nenek Citra dengan wajah berseri menghampiri, meski usianya sudah renta, energi hidupnya masih terpancar.

Grandma Citra, with a radiant face, approached.

Bersama Budi dan Citra, Ayu menjelajahi pasar, mencoba mengenali setiap sudut yang dipenuhi warna dan aroma.

Despite her advanced age, her life energy still shone.

Namun, gempita pasar mengingatkannya pada rumitnya menyeimbangkan dua dunia: tradisi lama dan kehidupan barunya di kota.

Together with Budi and Citra, Ayu explored the market, trying to recognize every corner filled with colors and aromas.

Saat malam Imlek tiba, keluarga Ayu berkumpul di rumah nenek.

However, the vibrancy of the market reminded her of the complexity of balancing two worlds: old traditions and her new life in the city.

Rumah panggung sederhana menampilkan kehangatan dan kenangan.

When the night of the Chinese New Year arrived, Ayu's family gathered at grandma's house.

Malam itu, ritual keluarga dimulai.

The simple stilt house radiated warmth and memories.

Ayu diminta turut serta dalam upacara yang belum pernah ia lakukan sebelumnya, membakar kertas doa untuk leluhur.

That night, the family rituals began.

Pada awalnya, Ayu ragu.

Ayu was asked to participate in a ceremony she had never done before, burning prayer papers for the ancestors.

Takut salah langkah dan hanya membuat kecewa.

Initially, Ayu hesitated.

Tapi melihat tatapan penuh kasih dari Citra, ia tahu inilah saatnya.

Afraid of making a wrong move and only causing disappointment.

Bukan hanya untuk memahami, tapi juga menghormati.

But seeing the warm gaze from Citra, she knew this was the moment.

Dengan bimbingan sang nenek, ia melipat kertas doa dan menyerahkannya perlahan ke dalam api.

Not just to understand but also to honor.

Setelah upacara, Citra bercerita tentang asal-usul keluarga mereka, kisah yang selama ini Ayu lupakan.

With her grandmother’s guidance, she folded the prayer paper and slowly surrendered it into the fire.

Tentang nenek moyang yang berlayar jauh dan menetap di tanah Kalimantan.

After the ceremony, Citra told stories about the origins of their family, tales that Ayu had forgotten.

Cerita-cerita ini seperti jembatan yang menyambungkan Ayu dengan akar yang selama ini tersembunyi.

About ancestors who sailed far and settled on the land of Kalimantan.

Dalam tawa dan cerita malam itu, Ayu menemukan rasa nyaman, seakan di sampingnya ada satu keluarga yang tak pernah pergi.

These stories were like a bridge connecting Ayu with roots that had been hidden all this time.

Hujan, yang turun sejak pagi, kini berhenti.

In the laughter and stories of that night, Ayu found comfort as if beside her was a family that had never left.

Ayu menatap bintang-bintang yang perlahan muncul di balik awan.

The rain, which had been falling since morning, now stopped.

Senyum Citra dan Budi membuatnya tahu bahwa ia tak lagi sendiri, terombang-ambing antara dua dunia.

Ayu gazed at the stars slowly emerging behind the clouds.

Kini ia mengerti bahwa dirinya adalah penghubung;

Citra's and Budi's smiles assured her that she was no longer alone, adrift between two worlds.

mengayomi akar tradisi sambil menapaki masa depan.

Now she understood that she was a connector; embracing the roots of tradition while stepping into the future.

Di malam itu, di pasar terapung yang memikat dan penuh kisah, Ayu menemukan jati dirinya—sebuah keseimbangan antara masa lalu dan masa depan.

On that night, in the captivating floating market full of stories, Ayu discovered her identity—a balance between the past and the future.

Dan untuk pertama kalinya, Ayu merasakan bahwa ia benar-benar pulang.

And for the first time, Ayu felt that she had truly come home.