Best Defense

New Place

"Yes, Zul?" I spoke while pinning the phone between my ear and shoulder. Then grab my watch from inside the bag and put it on.

Zul's voice sounded cheerful from the other end of the phone. "Car's outside. Everything is ready. I'll wait for you at the apartment, okay?" he said without linger.

I held my phone and talked to her. "OK, see you." I disconnected the phone, then put the phone in the bag.

I was just about to step outside when the door of the room opened, and the person I least wanted to meet right now was standing there. His jaw was hardened, his face was flushed red, his hands clenched tightly on each side of his body while his chest rose up and down rapidly. He looked at me sharply, as if saying he wanted to skin me this very second.

And I know the reason why he looks so angry.

"What are you doing?" There was no softness in his voice. His tone was filled with anger. "You can't separate me from my son, Franda" he said as he walked toward me.

I lowered my head, took a breath, not wanting to be provoked by anything he was about to say. "I don't separate you from anyone but myself." I said coldly.

"Oh, so you're gonna leave Lily with me? My God, Franda...What's wrong with you until you don't want it?"

I round my eyes, not believing his words that cornered me. "Are you crazy? Who wants to leave him?" I replied while shaking my head.

"You!" the spray was right in front of my face, making me flinch and close my eyes. Calm down, Franda. I lowered my head and looked at my stomach that was hurting from my sudden movement of my legs back. "Just because of a little problem you ignored your son. Can you think rationally? Don't act like a teenager, you can't keep running whenever there's a problem. I've been patient enough with you all this time, Franda. Don't make me be rude to you."

I gulped while feeling a piercing pain in my heart upon hearing his words. I just found out that's what he's been thinking about me all along. Just that extent. I always run from trouble. Well, at least he said it honestly.

I bit my lips to hold my cry from coming out when I heard his next words. "You know what?" said cold. "I'm sick of you, Franda. I'll never care what you do again, please live your life the way you want. I freed you. But don't ever dream of touching my son." With one quick move, he turned around and galloped away from me.

I jumped as the door closed hard, staggered me and almost fell, lucky my hand still had a chance to touch the wall behind me.

I tried to catch my breath while refraining from crying. "Calm down, Franda. Everything will be fine." I muttered, bracing myself. No one would have done it if it wasn't me. After all, there is nothing I can trust other than myself. Everyone is turning against me. Including family.

After calming down for a while, I slowly stepped out of the treatment room, and found my mother and Mia standing at the door. They looked at me with anxious and pity. I smiled a little. Desire to embrace them.

"Sweetie." said my mother in a quivering voice, her tears welled up, not enough to wet her cheeks.

I put my foot closer to him. "I'm leaving, mom." I turned to look at Mia. "Take care of mom." Without saying anything else, I walked away from them.

In front of the hospital lobby, my eyes caught a car as Zul said and immediately burst into it. "Hi" I said to a girl sitting in the driver's seat. Trying to sound friendly.

He looked up and smiled at me. "Hi, are you ready?" tanyakanya.

I nodded my head. "When you're ready."

I look ahead. Look at the girl driving the car. I guess he was still in his early twenties, his face was sweet and carefree, and I appreciated his polite demeanor. It looked like he knew that I didn't want to talk right now. I decided to talk to him.

"May I know your name?"

"Veronica." Unexpected. I hope he answers a little kindly, but the reply is short.

I nodded, feeling a bit awkward. I brushed aside my intention to ask further, as it seemed that he was not interested in chatting, and I again threw a glance out.

After twenty minutes, we arrived at the underground parking area of the apartment building that would be my home, either temporarily or forever. I don't know. Veronica led me to my unit on the ninth floor, and Zul's carefree face immediately greeted us as soon as the door opened.

"French! Oh, my God, did you just come back from the funeral? You look horribly!" he muttered as he watched me with the look in his eyes, then he hugged me.

I returned his embrace and smiled as he broke away from me. "Thank you for your help, Zul." I said seriously.

He flicked his trembling hand into the air. "Ah, that's nothing." she replied as she pulled me towards the living room.

I looked around my new house. I have to admit, Zul is really deft and understands what I want. The design is simple but still comfortable. A set of wheat colored sofa sleeper paired with a round glass table is visible in the living room. Three full-color abstract paintings were attached to each side of the white-painted wall, looking in contrast.

Zul accompanied me to see the whole room in the apartment, and overall I loved it. Until we arrive at the master bedroom that will be my room. I groaned in my heart as my memories floated in my room with Sean.

The picture just flashed across every room in my head. Nothing yet I miss him. I don't know if I'll be able to do it or not, but this is what I have to do. I have to believe in myself, fuck those who take me for granted. When they can't appreciate my existence, then there's no reason for me to survive.

My life will forever be mine. No matter how much they love me or how much I love them, I still have the right to decide my own path. I have the ability to take care of myself and my children. No one can control or control me.

I can imagine how hard our lives will be. I mean, me and my kids, but I'm not going to give up. If I could leave Nino after almost nine years I married her and I still survive until now, it shouldn't be too difficult to part with Sean.

Some people might think the decision I made was too much, but it was only because they didn't feel the pain of living as Franda, and I didn't expect anyone to feel that. Really am.

"How, Frans? Do you like it?" I gasped at the sound of Zul talking to me.

I turned my head to him and smiled at him, a smile that stated that I really liked my new home. "It's amazing, Zul. I didn't expect you to get it in two days." I hugged her. "One more time, thank you, Zul." I whispered in a quivering voice.

He rubbed my back slowly, a heavy breath sounded from his mouth. I know he feels my sadness. "Patience, say." she let go of my embrace, looking at me with sympathy. "I'll always be there if you need help. Don't hesitate to tell me, okay?"

I nodded my head. "Yes, thank you." I hugged him once more.

"Hey, what if we get acquainted with the other residents of the house? Come on, I'll introduce you to them."