Sendu Sweetener

PS 55 - Ten Years Later

Ten years later.

Time passed so quickly and I really did not expect that I could get remission and be free. My initial sentence of fifteen years to ten years, I did not really understand how I could get a little leniency but as I know, this is purely from the police.

"Boss, today boss is free?" Ask prisoner 1212, his name is Rika.

I smiled at him and nodded my head. Everything in this cell is gathering and crowding near me. They've been like friends and family to me because we've been together for the last ten years. Some are free, but some are still there.

"Yes, I want to thank you guys for being so kind to me. May you also be released and return to your families. Amen." I said sincerely.

All my friends hugged me. I smiled and patted them trying to calm them down. "Boss, if we get out, we'll find the boss. Will be a submissive man, boss. Aye right?" Said Rica.

I smiled as I wiped the tears that were already at the end of my eyes. "Stop calling me boss. I'm not your boss. Just call Ara. Anyone can meet me. Promise me that you will continue to do good? Despite our past misfortune, we must be better human beings for the future." I said.

"Ready, Boss!" Everyone was crying again.

A warden came, it showed that I had to leave right now. I got up and told everyone.

The crying should cover us all. I began to go out, in the other cells, the prisoners were crying for my departure, I could only wish them all the best. Not everyone likes me, but the number of people who like me is bigger. I can't force anyone to like me.

I wiped my tears a few times, even the hijab I was wearing seemed to have gotten wet because I occasionally used it to wipe my tears.

"Congratulations on your freedom." Said the warden who drove me with a smile.

I smiled, "Thank you, Mom." My answer.

"Yahoo!" Excite someone.

I looked around and saw that my family had gathered, I immediately approached my family. The crying started to envelop us. There was Grandpa Labib, Grandma Aisyah, Grandpa Surya, Grandma Rina, my parents, Bi Shanti, and Bang Haidar.

"Thank you, thank God." Everyone is grateful to Allah SWT. I hugged them one by one.

Amongst all, I turned to the right and to the left, there was one person I was most looking forward to coming. However, I did not see the man anywhere. Yes, the man I was looking for was Ghifari. And his mother, Aunt Farha.

"Search for what, son?" Ask mom.

I smiled and just shook my head. "Not looking for anything, Ma." I said.

***

Week pass.

"Ra, come with Brother Yuk!" Take Bang Haidar.

"Where, Bang?" My toot.

"To Mall. You're not bored what's a week at home?"

I smiled, "Aren't women really good at home, Bang?"

"Yes, but it must be Bosen. Udah, you change your clothes, brother wait below. This time I can't refuse."

I nodded my head in accordance. It is not good to keep refusing. I changed clothes and followed Bang Haidar into the car after saying goodbye to our parents. After that, we go straight to where.

I walked down the street with my eyes. It turns out that this city has changed a lot, more buildings, more crowded, more vehicles are also getting stuck everywhere.

"You miss Ghifari, Ra?" Ask Bang Haidar.

I immediately turned to look towards Bang Haidar. I certainly can't answer, "Why did you ask me that?" My toot.

"He's grieving, Ra. Not long ago his mother died. Now he's alone in his house." Bang Haidar.

"T-ante Farha?"

Bang Haidar nodded his head.

I was shocked to death, "Innalillahi wa innailaihi raajiun. Sick or what, Bang?"

"The old man is sick. Kasian huh? You're not going to his house, Ra?" Ask Bang Haidar.

I just keep quiet, can I do it? I'm too ashamed of Ghifari. It feels like just to meet me I am powerless.

"Eh, don't be. He said he wanted to treat his son Bu Lurah. If you see her, she'll even get rid of her marriage." Bang Haidar said while chuckling.

Deg.

So, Ghifari wants to propose to another woman?

Why my chest is tight, my eyes are hot.

I could only smile, covering my sadness. I would have prepared a little place in my heart if this really happened, but why does it still hurt. Something feels tight in there.

I just keep quiet. Until we finally got to the mall, "Kok you shut up, Ra?" Ask Bang Haidar.

"It's okay, Bang." My answer.

"Ra, do you want to go to the movies or eat first? Uh, or want to buy some clothes?" Ask Bang Haidar.

"I'm coming with Brother." I said.

Bang Haidar chuckled just like that, no matter what. Then, "Are you a laper?"

"Not yet, Bang."

"Oh, yaudah, just watch it. Wanna see what?"

"Take it up, brother."

"OKAY. You wait here, right?"

I nodded my head. Then Bang Haidar directly bought 2 tickets to what film. I was a little uncomfortable seeing people watching me and Bang Haidar. Maybe they thought we were a couple, or ... They recognize me? I could only lower my head and open my phone despite what I saw there.

"Ra, you go to Dalem first don't you? I'm going to the toilet first, Theater 3. You still remember how to run the stool, right?"

"Yes, Bang, still."

Bang Haidar rubbed my head I immediately turned to the right and to the left, "Bang, later people can misunderstand."

"Yes, my own brother."

I shook my head slowly. Then Bang Haidar left and I went straight into the cinema, the door was opened and we were welcome to enter.

After looking for a bench, I sat there. My thoughts are now on Ghifari and Aunt Farha. It must have been so hard being Ghifari. His only family left him.

"Sorry, Ra. Long time." Said Bang Haidar who was directly sitting beside me.

Then the film was played, the title of the film was Cinta Dawn. A quarter of an hour has passed.

"Oh, just a second, Ra. You have to go to the toilet." Bang Haidar.

"Oh God, Bang. Sick brother? Are we going home?"

"Sttt, no, no papa. Yes wait. Don't go anywhere. Don't be noisy."

I nodded my head. Then, Bang Haidar came out. I can only shake my head. Then I continued watching.

Shortly after, Bang Haidar came and sat down beside me. I looked up and saw Bang Haidar chuckling, I could only shake my head.

Fifteen minutes passed, Bang Haidar left again, "Abang stay a while ya."

This time I just answered in a muttering manner.

Soon enough, Bang Haidar came back again and sat down beside me. Without even looking I knew it was Bang Haidar because the color of his clothes was the same. Who else, if not Bang Haidar?

This time Bang Haidar did not say anything, I was also reluctant to ask for fear of disturbing people. However, it's not why I can smell another perfume, but I think it's just my gut feeling.

Bang Haidar thrust popcorn at me, I smiled even though I did not turn my head because the film was so exciting, "Thank you, Brother."

It was my first time watching a movie again, so there was a feeling of pleasure in there. Before the movie started I was thinking about Ghifari, but after the movie started it was like it was taking my world.

"The movie was great, Bang." I said. Then I looked at the people who had come out. I didn't get out of my seat because maybe Bang Haidar wants us out after everyone's out.

After everyone came out, I got up but I saw Bang Haidar still sitting in his place, "Abang, come on?" I said that immediately took Bang Haidar's hand.

However, I noticed there were different watches there.

The deg!

I looked directly at the face of the man sitting beside me, "Astaghfirullah al-azim." It was me who immediately released my hand from the man's hand.