The Substitute

Evidence of crime

Ozan was pacing in front of the operating room. It has been a few hours Rudi underwent surgery to remove some of the bullets lodged in his body. Ozan's clothes are full of Rudi's blood. He then sat in a long chair in front of the operating room.

A few long breaths. You can see the anxiety on his face. While in another treatment room, there is Ramon who is getting treatment because there are many tear wounds on his body.

In the corner of the other long chair was Ameera who was sitting with a blank look. Rangga crouched in front of Ameera. Trying to strengthen it. Ameera held her hand tightly, but Ameera did not budge in the least. He was still silent with his blank look. There were a million questions on his mind.

"Cry, Ameera," said Rangga, who was still staring at Ameera's face, knowing that Ameera was trying to hold back from crying.

"My tears will not come out, Rangga." said Ameera in a weak voice.

"Why?"

"Dad said, I can't show my weakness in front of others, I can't cry."

"You need us somewhere else? So you can cry?" ask Rangga.

Ameera shook her head softly, "I want to wait for you here."

Rangga moved from his crouching position, then sat in a chair beside Ameera. He grabbed Ameera by the shoulder and rested Ameera's head on her shoulder.

He stroked Ameera's hair. Rangga began to tell funny things about him and Ameera's father, who used to argue for trivial things in front of Ameera.

"You know, Ameera... Your father was a strong man. I was so impressed with him. He also takes care of you with his life. You are his most precious treasure."

Hearing Rangga's story, Ameera began to cry, just a sobbing for the sake of a sobbing that sounded until a hiccup.

Ozan glanced at Ameera and Rangga. Somehow there is a sense of dislike to see his future wife get the attention of other men. But he immediately threw away his unpleasant feelings.

The man realized, Ameera needed Rangga more, because only he was able to strengthen Ameera.

The operating room door was open. A doctor came out of the room. Ozan immediately approached the doctor. While Ameera was still sitting, as her legs felt limp, she was still leaning on Rangga's shoulder, hiding her face in the recess of Rangga's neck. Ameera did not want to hear bad news that would be conveyed by doctors.

"How's doctor"? asked Ozan worriedly.

"Can we talk in the room? Come with me, " replied the doctor.

"Rangga, leave Ameera for a moment" Ozan said.

Rangga nodded slowly. Doctor and Ozan entered a room not far from Rangga and Ameera were.

Rangga tightened his embrace, trying to strengthen Ameera. Pecking the top of Ameera's head fondly.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine" Rangga said.

After talking to the doctor, Ozan came out of the room with a sad face. He walked in gontai steps. Not wanting Ameera to see his anxiety, Ozan tries to be as normal as possible.

Rangga was able to see there was another on Ozan's face after coming out of the doctor's room. He slowly releases his arms from Ameera and approaches Ozan.

"How's it?" rangga whisper.

"We talk there, I don't want Ameera to hear. " Ozan pointed to a chair a little far away from Ameera.

Ameera sees Rangga and Ozan choosing to talk in a chair a little far from her can already guess, something is wrong with her father. But he was silent, who could not hear the bad news about his father.

"Ameera's father is critical, will soon be transferred to the ICU room" Ozan said, holding back his tears. Even his voice sounded so soft.

Rangga sighed violently. There was a stifled look of emotion on his face.

"The doctor said there was little chance of survival. Some of his vital organs were damaged by bullets." Ozan added which made Rangga unable to hold back his tears.

"Ameera..." Rangga muttered Ameera's name slowly.

I will never forgive him. He's already made Ameera lose her mother, now her father. I am so ashamed to admit it as my parents. Wait Hendri! Enjoy your satisfaction first, see what I will do to you later. You don't know what I have to destroy you, "in an emotional Rangga.

"Please take care of Ameera.

"No, you asked me to take care of him, too. You forgot he's my future wife?" sahut Ozan's.

"Yes I've left first. I'll be back." Rangga patted Ozan on the shoulder and left without saying goodbye to Ameera.

Rangga took the phone out of his pants pocket. Then call someone.

"Hallo." there was a voice of a man across the street.

"Meet me at my apartment, you bring all the data and solid evidence. I want it now. No objection. "Rangga's orders are full of emphasis.

Rangga ran small to the hospital parking lot and immediately drove his car quickly to his apartment.

****

Hasan and Zarima run down the hospital hallway to the ICU room where Rudi is being treated. When he got the news, Hasan, who was out of town, decided to return immediately even though his work was not finished.

"Ozzanines. How's he doing?" ask Zarima worriedly

"It's my fault Mah... I should have been shot. He sacrificed his life to protect me. How will I face Ameera later "said Ozan regretfully.

Zarima hugged the crying Ozan.

"Where's Ameera, son?" ask Zarima later.

"Inside... "

Hasan went into the ICU first.

Upon entering the room, he saw Ameera sitting on the chair next to the patient bed, staring into her father's face. Seemed a sad face and was hit to see his father was this weak and only survived because of the help of medical devices.

Hasan rubbed Ameera's head.

"Your father is a strong man, son. So you also have to be strong" said Hasan.

Ameera simply replied with a nod.

Ameera then walked out of the room, because only one person was allowed to enter the room.

Hasan held Rudi's hand. "Rud, again I owe you my life. How can I pay for it? Fight, Rud. You want to see our kids get married, right? The day after their wedding reception, you can't give up. I don't want to marry them without you."

A moment later, Rudi's finger moved. He signaled that he could listen to what Hasan said.

The doctor entered the room giving several injections through an infusion tube.

"How's the condition?" ask Hasan

The doctor who is actually Hasan's best friend also explained Rudi's true condition. Hasan closed his eyes for a moment. His heart ached hearing the condition of his best friend who might not be able to last much longer. Hasan whispered something to the ear of his comatose friend.

"Alright, Rud. We'll get them married in this room tomorrow morning. You must be strong, at least you are at their wedding." whispered Hasan, clutching Rudi's hand tightly.

***

Meanwhile in Rangga's apartment, a man came to see Rangga.

"This is what you asked for." said a man.

Rangga who was sitting on the sofa of his apartment living room raised his head. Rizal, his best friend, handed him some brown envelopes.

"Is this all?" rangga asked as she grabbed the envelope.

"This alone could have imprisoned your bokap decades." Rizal.

Braaakkkk

Rangga kicked the table hard.

"Gue wants to be the one to put him in jail for life! " snapped Rangga on Rizal.

Rizal clucked, "Yakin you?Don't decide something in an emotional state."

Rangga stood up and pulled Rizal's collar with emotion.

"OK... " Rizal raised his hand sign of surrender. Then take an object in his pants pocket.

"This is a recording of your conversation with his confidant, Jack. You can catch yourself later. That evidence could put you in prison for life" Rizal later said.

"Good!!".

Rangga then walked into his room, picking up a small suitcase. Then memorize Rizal who sits in the living room. He handed the small suitcase to Rizal. The adult man who was about the age of Ozan also opened the suitcase. It looks like a pile of money in it. Rizal stared flatly at the bag containing the money.

"Lu think I helped you because ngarep was paid ?" asked Rizal who was upset with Rangga.

"Gue is no longer your bribe b*go', I want you to run away from the country first until it is safe. If you get caught with Hendri, you can be killed. I will take care of this first until Hendri goes to prison." said Rangga full of emphasis.

Rizal who is actually a friend of Rangga is one of Hendri's bodyguards, he is a spy who sent Rangga to watch Hendri's movements. Through this Rizal, Rangga knows all Hendri's plans. Even today's attack Rangga found out after getting information from Rizal. So that Rangga quickly headed to the location of the attack. Through Rizal also, Rangga collected evidence of Hendri's crimes. And the good news, Hendri did not suspect that Rizal was Rangga's man.

"Thank's so good, bro! If there's anything you call me." said Rangga while patting Rizal's shoulder.

"Sip is. I go first." said Rizal.

The man left Rangga's apartment. While Rangga still read some data and photos that Rizal gave him. Rangga let out a rough breath. His thoughts were only on Ameera.

****