Canticles

137. Incompletely

Then Arini started the story.

" Zada is hard to adapt. Maybe because it is still the same trauma of torture that his stepfather did. Previously I had talked about this with family and We intend to leave Zada to one of the families who do not have children. My husband and children asked Zada to stay with us. And when first brought into this family Zada looks uncomfortable. She was always terrified to see My Husband and son named Andra. If you're with Aira, she can get close right away" Arini said with a smile.

" It must have taken a long time to get used to the mother's child and husband" Ramon said.

" Right Mr. Ramon. Every time he got close to Andra and his Papa, Zada's body shivered violently. We've brought in a psychologist to deal with Zada. Thankfully, Zada's condition improved. She began to laugh with my husband and son without fear of being hurt. Even Zada has become the youngest child in this house because We all love him." said Arini with a smile.

Arini's words made Rex and Ramon smile happily. Moreover, Arini also showed photos of evidence of the family's togetherness with Zada.

" It's our time again to take a walk to Jogja during the school holidays. This one when we were inside the inn. Well this time Zada stood by the window while staring at the astonished scenery outside the window.", Arini said with a trembling voice.

Ramon and Rex stare at the sheets of photographs of Zada as a teenager with a heart. Although the scratches on Zada's face and hands are still clearly visible, but both of Zada's eyes sparkle happily, a sign that the girl is comfortable with the environment and everyone around her. Unfortunately in the photo Zada's face is not clearly visible because Zada always hid his face behind his long hair.

" Is Zada a school...?" ask Ramon.

" yes. Initially Zada participated in the A and B package chase program to catch up After getting SD and Junior High School, Zada we registered a school in a private High School in this city.

" Can Zada live a normal life like a teenager her age, ma'am...?" ask Ramon.

" Can Mr. Ramon. Zada can take lessons and interact with his friends. Although the value of Zada is relatively low, but Me and Husband always encourage Zada. We say everyone has different abilities. Maybe Zada is low in academic grades, but who knows Zada has other abilities that can be useful to help many people later. And Zada was happy to hear that. Many times she said thank you to Me and My Husband. We were confused at the time, but we tried to think positively." said Arini with teary eyes.

" After graduating High School what is Zada's activity...?" ask Ramon.

" Zada attended one of the private campuses. At first she refused for fear of burdening Me and Husband. But Aira and Andra's compulsion made Zada obey our wishes. Moreover, Aira tells the importance of education for their future. But then I regretted that decision. Because of the decision We have raised Zada to keep Zada away from Us forever," Arini said, shedding tears.

Rex and Ramon stared at each other for a moment. They realize that Arini's story will come to the cause of Zada's death. They tried to wait patiently for Arini to finish venting his emotions.

" That morning Zada decided to go to college. Usually he wants to be escorted, but that morning Zada refused and said if he had made a deal with someone. Previously Aira was the one who routinely drove Zada to college and went to work," said Arini while rubbing her wet eyes.

" What happened to Ms. Arini...?" ask Rex impatiently.

" That afternoon a phone call from an unknown number came to my phone. Not knowing the number, I just ignored it. But the foreign number sent a message and a photo of Zada in bonded condition. That's what makes me panic. I went straight to my boss and asked for help to track down Zada's whereabouts" Arini said.

" What's the message, ma'am...?" ask Rex curiously.

" So on...?" ask Rex and Ramon impatiently.

" When the police managed to reach the place, Zada was already dead covered in blood. Zada died before we came, sir. And sadly Zada was also harassed before he died." said Arini in tears.

Rex and Ramon are shocked to hear Arini's words. The two could only stare at each other in silence without saying anything.

While waiting for Arini's cry to subside, Rex tries to observe Zada's photos during his life. Rex frowned as he looked at all the unseen photos of Zada. The position of Zada when photographed mostly displays Zada from the side and back. If there is from the front view usually Zada will look down or cover his face with the object he is holding. I don't know why Zada seems to be deliberately hiding his face from camera shots.

Rex secretly took two photos of Zada and put them in his jacket pocket. It may seem disrespectful, but Rex feels that Arini's story is incomplete and he intends to investigate later.

" Where is Zada buried Ma'am...?" ask Ramon.

" In Mr. Ramon's public funeral. Does Mr. Ramon want to go there too...?" ask Arini.

" I'm sorry if you seem pushy. I just feel responsible for Zada. However, it was I and my family who reported the violence Zada received to the Police." Ramon said.

" I understand Mr. Ramon. Instead I want to apologize for keeping Zada away from you and your family. At that time, I only obeyed the advice of psychologists who said that Zada's trauma could be cured if it was kept away from everything that triggered his trauma, including the environment and the people who were in it...," arini said it wasn't nice.

" Oh yeah. Not that Zada should be shown everything so that he can be stronger to face his life later Mom...?" ask Ramon.

" It can be done when Zada has healed and normal Mr. Ramon. He can be reunited with everyone from his past and come to the environment where the trauma occurred without having to fear hysterics again." said Arini to make Ramon nod.

Ramon recalls having trouble getting information about Zada after Tako and his wife were arrested. Everything just seems to disappear. Ramon only knows that Zada lives in the family home of one of the policemen there.

Ramon did that because he wanted to make sure Zada lived well out there. When one of Arini's colleagues said that if Zada lived happily with Arini and his family, Ramon was retreating regularly. She believes Arini can look after Zada much better than her given the profession of Arini and her husband who is also a police officer.

Arini then takes Ramon and Rex on a pilgrimage to Zada's tomb. The gripping atmosphere around the tomb of Zada makes the feathers of Rex bristled, even though it was daytime and sunny weather.

Ramon and Rex send a heartfelt prayer to Zada. And I don't know why at that time Ramon shed tears as if feeling very sad. Though if remembered he had only met Zada a few times. Talks between them only happened twice while at the Rusminah house and at the police station.

While Rex looked at the headstone bearing the name Zada with raging feelings. Rex promises to find out who is behind Zada's death.

seriated