Home For My Soul

45|Not Guilty

“Amarilis, you are obviously sick. Your face is getting pale,” Theo insisted. “Gue get you a drink, yes. Or do you want to eat something?”

I took my eyes off the entrance and looked at the noisy young man again. “I'm fine. And yes, I need a drink. Water only.”

Relax, Amarylis, relax. Everything's gonna be fine. You perform at the beginning before the meal, so they won't bother you until you're done playing. Is correct. I'll be fine and play perfectly, then I can sit down and face what happens.

Remember with the big pay you'll receive, Amarylis. This is a golden opportunity that we rarely get. So, calm yourself, don't panic. Money, money, money, just remember it so that it can perform optimally. I need a lot of cash to finish college.

“It just so happens to be your favorite cake, so I bring you guys,” Theo said. He put a glass of water and a plate of croquettes in front of me.

“Thank you.” I drank water and ate the cake. The headaches, heartburn, and vibrations in my body were reduced. I can think clearly again.

Matt invited me to start the show, then I let out a long sigh before standing up and following him. I stood by the piano he was about to play, and waited for his cue. To reduce the load, he chose “Moonlight Sonata First, Second, Third Movement” as the opening song. Crazy choice, but I accepted the challenge with great difficulty.

I avoided a place where I knew the family was sitting together. Chika approached Theo and sat by his side. But my girlfriend ignored him and just looked at me. He still looks worried seeing my condition. And I was okay.

If it wasn't for the poison Chika was spreading, I could have been calm whenever I met the family. It turns out confessing who I really am doesn't make him stop being the bad guy. Good. I'll use my secret weapon when the time comes.

My revenge for his actions will hurt so much that he regrets ever challenging me. Yes, I am now poor and powerless. But I still have a brain that I can rely on to make him regret having messed with me.

“Give a standing ovation to Mattheo Wibisana and Amarilis Josepha for their incredible duet!” exclaim the host when we're done playing all the songs.

The garden rumbled with the sound of applause from the guests present. My heart was pounding and sweat was pouring out, but all of that paid off with appreciation from guests listening to our game.

Matt took my hand, then we simultaneously bowed to everyone who was still clapping. The host waited until they calmed down, before letting us off the stage.

“Wah, Brother! I salute! In the last part, I felt like I was angry with someone. The song is alive!” praise Matt. What she must have been talking about was when I was upset with Chika. Yes, I was angry with him.

“Continue talking later. Amaryllis needs to fill her stomach.” Theo took my hand, then took me to our table.

“Lo see our performance earlier, Theo!?” exclaim Matt happy. He sat in his chair next to me.

“Gue is not yet blind and sits in the front row, ” replied Theo senewen.

I smiled when I heard them fight. Chika's gone must be Theo who kicked her out. I didn't notice them completely from the front, as I focused on avoiding the gazes from the family that I didn't expect to attend.

Throughout the event, I refrained from getting out of my seat. I didn't want to fight with Chika, nor did I meet a woman who would just scold me without knowing the real thing.

Thankfully, I'm done coming by the moon. I don't need a toilet. Theo looked at me with an understanding look. Only he and Chika understand why I'm upset. One is concerned, while the other cannot wait for my destruction.

As soon as I arrived at the top of the show, I was very relieved. Matt's going home with their parents, so Theo's taking me home. Aunt Ruth thanked me and put something in my bag. Om Azarya just shook my hand, while Matt hugged me tightly.

“What do you need to go to the toilet?” theo asked as we entered the lobby. “Travel to your rental room is quite far and time consuming. From afternoon you haven't been to the bathroom, ‘kan?”

“Then, we go to the nearest cafe,” take Theo. I nodded in agreement.

Guests have left the garden, apparently they are still waiting in line to get out of the hotel parking lot. I groaned softly looking at the long queue of that vehicle. While sitting down, I didn't realize I needed a bathroom. After a few moments of standing, I felt tight. I pulled Theo's hand back into the lobby.

He laughed, but I ignored him. I looked around, there was no sign of the woman around us. I also ventured into the women's toilet. Theo's waiting outside. He went to the toilet a while ago.

Just turning into the corridor where the room was, a loud slap landed on my cheek. I was stunned for a moment before raising my head and meeting a look at the woman I was avoiding. No wonder I saw who was standing behind him.

“You ... how dare you laugh happily throughout the event. Don't you regret killing my daughter!?” hardik Mama, ah, I mean, Aunt Wibowo with a wind. “If your age is young, I will stop at nothing to seek justice for Katelia!”

“I didn't kill Katelia,” I said seriously.

He slapped me harder than the first one. Or the strength is the same, but it hurts more because the former has not recovered. “Not kill, you say!? Then how could he who was good at swimming even die from drowning!? Huh!? Answer!!”

“Tante!” Theo just suddenly came and stood between us. “What does Aunt do? Hardness will not solve the problem.”

I just kept quiet, didn't reply, it didn't seem like the best way out to face Aunt Wibowo. Chika will stop at nothing to take advantage of her grieving circumstances over Katelia's tragic death to provoke us.

She smiled happily behind her back, happy that I was hurt by my birth mother. Women have no heart. Even though I was mean to friends I didn't like, I never slandered them for being scolded by their closest people.

“What Aunt really doesn't know what Katelia has done in school?” aska I want to know. “He hits, insults, and spits on my flaws every day. Not when we both, but in front of all friends who—.”

“Don't bring my daughter's name. She's a good girl,” cut that woman quickly.

“I'm afraid of Katelia, how can I kill her? Just touch it I'm scared.” I didn't stop talking. “I can't swim, Aunt. Katelia, Rahma, Nisa, and Chika who were standing behind the Auntie huddled me on the ship until I fell. What else can I do if I don't hold on to something? It's not my fault that Katelia reached my hand.”

“He lied, Aunt. Katelia and we never hurt anyone,” Chika said.

“Yang Amarylis say true, Auntie. The last five of them were on board. I'm sorry I have to say this, but Katelia isn't as good as Auntie thought. Amaryllis was a victim she often hurt at school. Aunty can ask other friends, besides Chika CS. They will definitely answer honestly,” explained Theo, defending me.

He doesn't use the words me and lo, it seems like he's used to talking a little formally to people older than him and less familiar. Because he didn't use my word when chatting with either his parents or Brother Jericho.

Thank goodness he was here. So, someone helped me tell her the truth. Although it feels strange to vilify myself, I have to do it. This is one way to open Aunt Wibowo's mind so that she doesn't just believe in Chika.

“What's wrong with you, Theo? Are you using this murderous girl? Katelia was your fiancee. Why are you speaking ill of him and defending this evil woman?” ask Aunt Wibowo offended.

“If it's true I'm Katelia's fiance, why did Om and Aunt never tell her about me? Does Aunt know how surprised I am when she doesn't recognize me at all?” tugut Theo's. The question made me forget my purpose for the bathroom.

Aunt Wibowo turned nervous. He gulped heavily while putting on a forced smile. “Ah, that, I don't mean to cover who you are from her.”

“Oh, yes? Om and Aunt were excited when Papa and Mama agreed to our engagement. Then what's the reason Auntie didn't tell Kate about me?” insist Theo. “You took the initiative, why are you also delaying our relationship announcement?”