Canticles

14. So the Suspect

Three days before the end of the holiday, Ramon invited the group to tour the hill Gronggong. Ramon also invited them to stay for their vacation.

Happiness is clearly visible on their faces to make Rusminah happy. Moreover, the relationship between Ramon and Lanni with Tini has now melted. They transformed into a real brother and sister and that made Rusminah moved.

" May you always be like this even if I am gone later." murmured Rusminah while rubbing the wet end of her eyes.

" Aamiin..," said Rex shirih right in the grandmother's ear to make Rusminah turn her head.

Rusminah smiled and gently stroked Rex's head. Rex kissed Rusminah's cheek while hugging her from behind.

" What did you hear Grandma's prayer just now, Rex...?" tanya Rusminah, Rex.

" Oh, unfortunately, Om Ramzi is not here, Grandma" Rex said with a wry smile.

" Maybe it's not time yet, son. Grandma is sure that one day our family will be back intact and happy as before, "said Rusminah while gazing at the distance.

Rex smiled and hugged Rusminah tighter while tightening the knitting clothes worn by the grandmother. Rex also enjoy the night view presented in plain sight.

The nighttime atmosphere in the place was very pampering to the eyes. In addition to the cool air, visitors can also enjoy a variety of culinary and live music.

From where he stood Rex could watch the members of the entourage gathering. His parents were having a warm conversation with Gama's parents, Tini and David. They seem to laugh happily. Septia was observing Lilian and Gama's debates while chewing snacks. Apparently Lilian was angry because Gama cheated while playing chess earlier. But Gama would not admit his mistake. Rex just shook his head while smiling at him.

Rex turned his head towards the grandmother who seemed to cover her mouth as she yawned.

" If Grandma is sleepy, Grandma can go to camp first. Yuk, I'm anterin..," said Rex while clutching the grandmother's shoulder.

" May be Rex. Grandma is really tired and sleepy now. Maybe because it's getting older or the air is cold yes.", said Rusminah timidly.

" Gapapa Grandma. Now Grandma rest just let me be alone with the others later..," said Rex who is called Rusminah.

Suddenly Septia approached Rusminah and Rex.

" Grandma's going to sleep in the room, huh Mas...?" ask Septia.

" yes. Are you also sleepy ?. That way you can sleep with Grandma all nemenin Grandma in the room. How's...?" ask Rex.

" Yes Mas. Ntar please tell Mother if I go to the room first yes..," said Septia while rubbing her eyes.

" Let's...!" sahut Rex while holding his thumb to make Rusminah and Septia laugh.

After making sure Rusminah and Septia rest, Rex rejoined his family.

" That's Rex...!" gama said to make everyone look.

" Who, are you alone ?. Isn't Grandma and Septia the same as you...?" ask Lilian.

" Yes, Grandma is the same Septia is sleepy Brother. That's why I'm anterin to the room so I can rest..," said Rex while sitting next to Gama.

" Thank you, I took Septia to my room" said Tini.

" Everyone Bi. Septia is also my sister, so it is my duty to take care of her." said Rex proud to make Tini and David smile.

Rex turned to look at Ramon who was talking seriously with someone on his phone. Ramon's face looked tense as if the content of his conversation was very emotional. A few minutes later, Ramon's talks ended. He seemed to take a deep breath and rubbed his face.

" Who is telephon Well ?. It's like you're all over...?" ask Lanni carefully.

" Mrs Arini, the police officer who escorted the case, Zada Bu." said Ramon, twitching his forehead.

" Oh yeah. Why is Dad sprain ?. Is there something...?" ask Lanni worriedly.

" Now the Karsih is also arrested Mas...?" tanya Tini was curious.

" Yes Tin. His status increased from witness to suspect. Therefore Karsih was detained at the police station while waiting for his case to be tried in court later..," said Ramon.

" Kasian is also the Karsih..," said Tini lirih but quite surprised everyone.

" Kok kasian sih Bi. Zada's mother was evil, she did not defend Zada when she knew her husband was persecuting Zada.", Lilian said with a look of dislike.

" That's not what Aunt meant. Karsih had been married before. But her husband ran away because he was smitten with another, more beautiful woman. When Karsih did not lift Zada so the children of all citizens were happy. But people were shocked when Karsih decided to marry again. More surprising because Karsih is married to Tako, the weathered and perverted bachelor," said Tini.

" Don't call that part ma'am, it's not good to hear it." David said, reminding his wife.

" Yes Well, sorry to slip..," said Tini while grinning.

" So from the beginning Karsih knew that her husband had a bad nature...?" ask Mira.

" Yes Ma'am. Maybe because of love or because Tako who is good at seducing, eventually they get married too. Since marrying Tako, Karsih has become a lackey of Zada. She was more focused on her husband. Though residents know that Tako married Karsih because Karsih is rich. The proof is that residents never squirm Tako sell Karsih jewelry only for gambling and drunk. When residents reported their findings, Karsih was angry. Finally, the residents no longer care about him..," said Tini.

" Including the same Zada..," interrupted Lanni.

" It's Right Mba. I'm sure Karsih knows what her husband did to Zada. But out of love, he pretended he didn't know. Karsih will no longer bear the status of widow as before," said Tini.

" Exactly !. Ms. Arini said that too. Police suspect Karsih is worried that Tako is smitten by Zada's now teenage beauty. So Karsih let Zada go and didn't come home for days. Karsih unknowingly envies Zada's beauty and assumes the girl is his rival. Hence Karsih tried to expel Zada through Tako." Ramon said.

" It's bad, really," said Lilian, upset.

" Keep Zada where now Well...?" ask Lanni.

" For a while Zada lived with Arini's family. They are police families too, God willing Zada is safe with them. Ms. Arini promised to send Zada to school and remove the severe trauma Zada had suffered from the persecution. And in the future Dad will go back and forth to Cirebon because Ms. Arini listed Dad's name as one of the witnesses who incriminated Tako." said Ramon.

" Good Well. We have to get Tako to rot in jail" said Lanni, who is taken by Ramon.

" God willing Zada can live a normal life again rich teenagers his age. Can go back to school and realize his pending ideals" Ramon said.

" Aamiin..," said everyone.

The topic of conversation about Zada was still continuing until late at night. When the clock was twelve o'clock at night they decided to go into the room to rest.

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Now Lilian, Rex and Gama have returned to school. For a moment they forget about Zada and focus on their respective education.

Ramon returned several times to his homeland in Cirebon because he had to attend the Zada persecution trial with Tako and Karsih as suspects.

In the final trial Ramon and Lanni can smile with relief as the judge sentenced Tako to ten years in prison and three years for Karsih. Tako was found guilty of the persecution and attempted murder of Zada. While Karsih was considered negligent to guard Zada and let the crime that Tako did.

Even though the punishment was fairly low, it was enough to make Tako and Karsih deterred. They also had no face to return to Karsih's house because social sanctions from the residents had been waiting for them.

When Karsih was about to be put in the prisoner's car, Zada approached and hugged him tightly.

" I'm sorry I'm Zada" said Karsih in tears.

" Yes Ma'am. Zada is sorry, Mother. Zada will never forget Mom's affection for Zada. Although briefly but Zada is happy to be nurtured with Mother..," said Zada lirih.

Hearing Zada's words made Karsih sad and continued to cry until he arrived at the women's special detention house.

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