Hari itu, langit Tana Toraja tampak indah dengan awan yang berarak pelan di langit biru.

That day, the sky over Tana Toraja looked beautiful with clouds drifting slowly in the blue sky.

Aroma dupa bercampur dengan kesejukan udara gunung, dan suara musik tradisional terdengar mengalun di antara rumah-rumah Tongkonan yang berdiri megah.

The aroma of incense mixed with the cool mountain air, and the sound of traditional music echoed among the majestic Tongkonan houses.

Dewi baru saja tiba dari Jakarta.

Dewi had just arrived from Jakarta.

Ia memandang sekeliling, merasakan rasa bersalah menyelinap di hatinya.

She looked around, feeling a sense of guilt creeping into her heart.

Sudah lama ia tidak pulang.

It had been a long time since she returned home.

Neneknya telah berpulang, dan upacara pemakaman adat akan segera dimulai.

Her grandmother had passed away, and the traditional funeral ceremony was about to begin.

Dewi merasa harus ada untuk keluarganya, untuk neneknya.

Dewi felt she needed to be there for her family, for her grandmother.

Arief, sepupunya, sedang sibuk mempersiapkan segala sesuatu.

Arief, her cousin, was busy preparing everything.

Ia adalah penjaga tradisi keluarga.

He was the guardian of the family traditions.

Arief melihat Dewi yang datang menghampirinya.

Arief saw Dewi, who was approaching him.

"Dewi, ini saatnya kita jaga tradisi nenek," kata Arief dengan senyum lembut, meskipun mata lelahnya tidak bisa disembunyikan.

"Dewi, it's time for us to uphold grandmother's traditions," said Arief with a gentle smile, though his tired eyes couldn't be hidden.

Dewi mengangguk.

Dewi nodded.

"Aku ingin belajar, Arief. Aku harus tahu lebih banyak," jawabnya pelan.

"I want to learn, Arief. I need to know more," she replied softly.

Di sisi lain, Rizky, seorang pemandu lokal yang juga teman masa kecil Dewi, menyapa dengan hangat.

On the other side, Rizky, a local guide who was also Dewi's childhood friend, greeted her warmly.

"Selamat datang kembali. Mari aku bantu," ujar Rizky sambil menyentuh bahunya dengan penuh empati.

"Welcome back. Let me help you," said Rizky while gently touching her shoulder with empathy.

Ia masih mengenang masa kecil mereka, dan di hatinya, tertinggal rasa yang tak kunjung pergi.

He still remembered their childhood, and in his heart, remained a feeling that never quite went away.

Saat persiapan berjalan, Dewi semakin larut dalam kearifan lokal Tana Toraja.

As the preparations went on, Dewi became more immersed in the local wisdom of Tana Toraja.

Ia belajar tentang Rambu Solo, pemakaman adat yang penuh makna.

She learned about Rambu Solo, the traditional funeral full of meaning.

Dewi merasa terhubung kembali dengan akar budayanya.

Dewi felt reconnected with her cultural roots.

Setiap langkah dalam upacara adalah pelajaran, dan dengan bantuan Arief dan Rizky, Dewi memahami lebih dalam.

Every step in the ceremony was a lesson, and with the help of Arief and Rizky, Dewi understood more deeply.

Hari pemakaman tiba.

The day of the funeral arrived.

Desa itu ramai dengan kerabat dan sahabat yang berkumpul.

The village was bustling with relatives and friends who had gathered.

Saat itulah Dewi berdiri di hadapan semuanya.

It was then that Dewi stood before everyone.

Hatinya berdebar, namun ia tahu apa yang harus dikatakan.

Her heart pounded, but she knew what she had to say.

"Nenek selalu mengajar kita pentingnya keluarga dan tradisi.

"Grandmother always taught us the importance of family and tradition.

Meski dunia luar menarik, akar kita tetap penting.

Even though the outside world is tempting, our roots remain important.

Kita harus merayakan dan melestarikannya," kata Dewi dengan suara yang gemetar haru.

We must celebrate and preserve them," said Dewi with a voice trembling with emotion.

Semua orang terdiam, terharu dengan kata-kata Dewi.

Everyone fell silent, moved by Dewi's words.

Arief tersenyum bangga.

Arief smiled proudly.

Rizky merasa sesuatu menghangat di hatinya.

Rizky felt something warm in his heart.

Setelah upacara selesai, Dewi duduk sejenak memandang ke arah bukit-bukit hijau.

After the ceremony was over, Dewi sat for a moment, gazing at the green hills.

Bulan yang mulai muncul mengingatkannya bahwa waktunya di sini tidak boleh terhenti.

The emerging moon reminded her that her time here could not be paused.

Ia memutuskan, akan lebih sering datang, menjaga budaya bersama Arief, dan mungkin berbincang lebih lama dengan Rizky tentang masa depan.

She decided she would visit more often, preserve the culture with Arief, and perhaps talk longer with Rizky about the future.

Dewi kini mengerti satu hal: ia bisa menjadi bagian dari dunia modern dan tradisional.

Dewi now understood one thing: she could be part of both the modern and traditional worlds.

Dan dengan cara itu, ia merasa lebih utuh sebagai bagian dari keluarganya.

And in that way, she felt more complete as part of her family.

Hari itu, Tana Toraja bukan hanya tempat untuk pulang.

That day, Tana Toraja was not just a place to return to, but also a place to find herself.

Tapi juga tempat untuk menemukan dirinya sendiri. Dewi tersenyum, siap menghadapi masa depan dengan keyakinan baru, sambil terus memegang erat warisan leluhurnya.

Dewi smiled, ready to face the future with renewed confidence, while holding tightly to her ancestral heritage.