Mom's Not a Prostitute

Escape and Men in the Rain

This man must have been an extension of God's hand to help me. Hopefully!

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Sengkang-Watampone, year 2000

I feel enough to dissolve in this suffering. I almost stopped praying, stopped believing in God if this day had not come.

After serving two men tonight, it was not usual for Daeng Hasan to give Tiara to me, releasing the two of us from his tutelage. He even allowed me when I wanted to go to the stall to buy mineral water. Then he came back busy with the cards in hand, his gambling. His laughter was still heard after I was a few meters away from the demon headquarters. It seemed like he was winning a lot, no wonder his laughter was so crisp. He even forgot to watch me, assuming I wasn't going anywhere. Wrong big. This is a moment I've been waiting for so long. When I can escape the supervision of Daeng Hasan and Tiara in my arms.

I pressed a hold on Tiara's sleeping body, speeding up the pace. My goal is no longer a shop. Anywhere. I just want to go as far as possible, leaving the cursed place in the area of Pammana—one of the sub-districts of Wajo Regency.

Half-running steps led me to arrive at the area used by car drivers to wait for passengers. But at night this late they are no longer there. There is no other choice but to keep going. Take a step back I don't want to. I will keep going, my freedom is in sight. Hopefully soon there will be a passenger car passing by before Daeng Hasan realizes this escape and mobilizes his troops to find me.

I don't know how far I've walked. I was getting tired and my breath was running. I muffled fear, through the deep night. Silent. Every now and then only the howls of the guard dog tore the face of the night. Like it was about to pounce on me. The atmosphere felt increasingly gripping. None of the vehicles passed. I felt a speck of two sky water falling on my face. Followed by a few more. Until it really rains. As if I didn't want to miss out on completing my suffering. Luckily, a few meters in front of the mosque. I ran for cover under his porch roof. Tiara woke up, but I managed to put her back to sleep after removing the sweater to cover her body. This kid's cold.

Maybe I'd better sleep here. The night wind and rain like this are not good for Tiara's health. I don't want him to be sick. Tomorrow morning there will be many passenger cars to Watampone that will pass in front of this mosque. Maybe I can ask the locals for help too. But ... Daeng Hasan and his entourage will definitely reach this place before morning. No. gabe. I have to keep moving after the rain has stopped.

A man in a black jacket rushes to the terrace of the mosque, after appearing to rush off and park his motorcycle. We both need this roof so it doesn't get wet. I jerked. This man is Daeng Hasan's man. The man took off his helmet and smiled when he saw me. He took his distance, pulled over on the right corner. I quietly observed his face as he was busy wiping his half-wet jeans with the small towel he had just pulled out of the backpack. I've never seen this guy before. This makes me relieved. He is not Daeng Hasan's man. After seeing Tiara fall asleep on my lap, he approached and offered me a sheath. I accepted and thanked him. Although the thought of the possibility of him being Daeng Hasan's man is still entrenched in the head. I bandaged Tiara's tiny body with the scabbard, praying; may this man be a good man. After I received the scabbard, he again took some distance.

Thanks to the yellowish glow of incandescent lamps installed on the ceiling of the terrace of the mosque, rainwater pouring from the zinc roof is clearly visible. Looks increasingly heavy. I need to stay here longer. I'm starting to fret. Surely Daeng Hasan had realized this escape, and asked some people for help to look for me. They must be walking down the street. And if they stay here, in just a matter of minutes they'll appear in front of me.

The rain stopped faster than I thought. A relief.

"Where are you going?" ask the man suddenly. After he finished putting back his helmet and backpack attached to his back. While waiting for the rain to stop, there was no conversation between us. Except when giving the holster. Sometimes he just glanced at me with a questionable look.

"Watampone what part?"

"Rompe."

"So long?" hernia.

I nodded slowly.

"Happeningly. I'm going to Bajoe. Bajoe-Rompe is close together, right? Usually this clock does not let the car pass. Come with me," he bargained, smiling politely.

I'm thinking hard. What if it turns out that he is really Daeng Hasan's man? While sitting on his motorbike, he would turn around and take me to Daeng Hasan.

"Hows it? Mauki coming?" he asked again, forcing me to end my prejudice against him. This man must have been an extension of God's hand to help me. Hopefully!

In order to have enough space for me and Tiara in the back, he kept his backpack in the front. Before leaving, he helped me repair the sheath on Tiara's body, making sure the boy was safe from the night wind throughout the trip. He also lent me a sweater which was of course great for me. But powerful enough to dispel cold air that is still mixed with water spots after rain.

So the rest of the night on this escape I passed on a motorbike that was now traveling at moderate speed, with the man God presented in the rain. Through a sentence that was not too clear because it was carried by the wind, he introduced himself briefly, as if understanding the concerns that were still in my mind. Name's Dahlan. He came from Atapange Village, about 28 kilometers from the center of Sengkang City. He works in Bajoe, in a grocery store owned by Pak Bahar. The store is the largest and most complete in Bajoe. Visitors are always crowded. Every month he has three days off. And tonight he's back after enjoying the holiday. He said, the ambonya still has a family relationship with Mr. Bahar. After knowing her name, origin and purpose, I felt calmer.

I'm sure God never sleeps. Perhaps it is time for Him to make me truly sure of His presence. With his help. Although this is not true independence. I understand, having escaped, doesn't mean it's all over. Difficult days await. At times Daeng Hasan could come to me. Forcing me to go with him or take Tiara. And again, I had to prepare a chest that was tough enough to accommodate the scorn of the people for the fate of my household. Also must immediately have income to support Tiara. Given all that, the night became even more concentrated. It's colder.

***

[Connected]