The Untouched Heart

Chapter 141 - Demeaned in Public

“Do not accuse recklessly. I didn't do it.” He pretended to be angry, then turned his head towards his wife. “This woman has gone crazy.”

“Only Mother and Father are in this hallway. My two children are in a position in front of me, there is no way they are doing it. After all, the ones holding me are the hands of adults, not children. I stand on this side, the Father who walks on the side close to me, then the Father who does, may not Mother.” I challenged him to argue with me again.

“I'm not holding you. Have you gone mad accusing without proof?” said the man still dared to put on an innocent face. People started coming in out of curiosity.

“Wait, Sir. I know this woman.” The woman looked me in the face well. “You Zahara, ‘kan? Women who sleep in hotels with a man?” He looked at my children. “And these are your illegitimate children with another man who is not your husband?”

“What does this have to do with this man's deeds?” my question does not understand. I don't allow these malicious accusations to hurt me.

“My husband will not be rude to any woman. You deliberately accused him of seeking attention. Yes, ‘kan?” The woman looked at me from the feet to the head. “So, is this how you get men to sleep with you? And you bring your kids in action?”

I looked at him in disbelief. Even if I want to sleep with men, I still have taste. Why would I let that old and ugly man touch me? If he had a lot of money, I understand they are acting this arrogant. Judging from his clothes, shoes, and watch, he was not a wealthy man. This woman has gone too far.

“You were interested in my husband, then reprimanded by pretending to have been harassed. You wish we had a fight then he comes to you while you're alone, yes, ‘kan?” accuse the woman again. “Basic cheap women. Not all men are interested in your beautiful face.”

“Iya, this is Zahara Mahendra's wife. Who can not be satisfied with one man only,” said another woman. I saw the man who had held me smiling with satisfaction.

“What's wrong with holding your body?” A woman held my arm. I immediately brushed it off. He even laughed happily.

“Iya. You want to report us to the police?” Another woman rubbed her hands from my neck to my back. I can't believe this. I'm defending my rights and they're harassing me in numbers? What is my fault with them for treating me this low?

I held tightly to the trolley handle. Then turn it around so they get away. I don't care when I hear someone is complaining about pain. My body trembled violently withstanding the anger. How dare they hold my body.

“You all do not cry for mercy when the CCTV footage takes you to the police station. I'll remember your faces when you testify later.” I looked at the smiling man. “Particularly you. We'll see who's gonna smile later.”

“Mama! Mama!” Dira laughed happily. He thought I was playing around while turning the trolley. I kissed her forehead, then walked away from the hallway. I stared at every face I passed, a smile humbling me.

They drove me with laughter and mocking cheers behind me. It was only when my anger subsided that I felt Hadi tightly holding onto the dress skirt I was wearing. I slowed my way. He followed me at a fast pace from earlier.

“You all right, baby?” I asked while looking all over her body.

“It's okay, Ma. Why are they bad to Mama? We have to tell Papa, Ma. Let Papa and Mr. Oscar have them all apologize to Mama.” He must have remembered the incident at school.

“Iya. We'll bring it to Papa.”

We returned to the apartment after paying for all the groceries at the cashier. I helped the kids clean up and change clothes, then we had lunch together while making a video call with Hendra.

I'm trying to monopolize the conversation or direct the topic so my son doesn't mention what happened at the supermarket. I want to discuss it alone with him directly not through video calls. He's still working anyway. I don't want to be the reason for his declining work performance.

“Hadi, you watch with Dira and Ara, Papa needs to talk to Mama,” said Hendra to make me confused. Does he know anything?

“Okay, Pa.” Hadi took his sister's hand after I dropped her off her chair. I helped them to sit down and choose a channel that broadcasts special children's shows.

“Something has happened. Tell me, what's up?” asked Hendra when I was at the dinner table again. A safe distance for children not to hear our conversation.

“We talked about when you got home, huh?” door slowly.

“No. I'm fine,” I said calm him down.

“Good. Do not go to the park or anywhere else. Stay in the apartment. This is the last time I'll let you go without Liando,” he said in seriousness. I nodded obediently.

Crazy women. Cheap lady. Those words came back to my ears. My arms, my back, not even my buttocks for them to touch as they please. Even if I'm a cheap woman, it doesn't mean they have a right to my body. So mean. They don't know me, they don't know my personality, and they feel entitled to judge me.

If I had ten percent, ah, no, five percent of Hendra's courage, I would have met the supermarket manager and done what my husband did. Ask for CCTV footage and show the cocky woman what her husband did. I am indeed being widely reported in the media, but that does not mean he can take advantage of the situation.

“Papa go home!! Papa's Home!” cheers for the children as the apartment door opens. They immediately hugged him, even Ara did not want to lose by barking welcoming the arrival of her master.

Hendra approached me with eyes full of sight. I swallowed heavily. I don't want to deal with an angry Hendra. He would not hurt me and I could easily break his heart, but my charm did not always work.

He waited until the kids went to bed to talk to me. I came out of Dira's room with doubtful steps. Sounded a thud. I looked towards the direction the sound came from. Hendra sat on the sofa and he patted the surface of the sofa by his side.

“Ng, I'm going to the bathroom briefly.” I'm looking for excuses.

“Sit.” He used a tone of voice that should not be denied specifically. I swallowed heavily. After sitting by his side, Hendra just looked at me. I turned to her for a moment, then looked at the television screen. “Sayang.” Hearing her soft voice, I looked.

Hendra sat closer, then wrapped his hands around my body. He took me into his arms. I closed my eyes enjoying the touch. I let the touch replace the abuse I received earlier. I'm not a cheap, lowly woman. No one can say otherwise.

“You okay?” asked Hendra to hold his voice. “Did they hurt you? Anyone hurt?” He kissed my hair. I wasn't sure I could talk, so I just shook my head.

Of course he already knows what happened. It was easy for him to figure out every single thing as long as there was a surveillance camera. I hugged her body tightly. What else is going to happen in the future? If people recognize me, should I stay home for a while?

“I'm sorry. You have to experience all this because you married me.” Hendra moved his face away so he could look at me.

“This happened because of my mistake, Hendra. I just accept the punishment I deserve. We both know that no secret can be hidden forever.”

“If you are not the wife of a Mahendra, no one will care about your past. If you marry an ordinary man, you will have no enemies digging up your mistakes just to bring you down. The public will not care about your life either.”

“If I'm not your wife, I don't want to get married.” I let go of my embrace and moved away from her. He didn't let me go laughing.

“There are people who pretend to forget not to marry me and refuse my proposal many times. When, baby? Almost twelve years ago, his god”.

“Then some waste five years in vain by living apart. For what reason, dear? Because you think we don't love each other,” I don't want to lose. This time he didn't laugh, he kissed my lips and was still trying to catch up to the five years we lost because we couldn't make love. What a strange husband.

Will kept his word by coming to our apartment that morning to pick up Hadi. My son and his friend were very happy as they walked together towards the elevator. Hendra thanked Will and asked him to look after our son.

Not long after, Yuyun came with Liando. I looked at my husband in wonder. Dira did not protest when the woman invited him to play in front of the television with Ara. Without saying where to take me, Hendra asked me to come with him.

Mr. Oscar was in the car. He and Kafin greeted me as I entered. I returned their greetings while looking at my husband in confusion. If his lawyer comes with us, then we will deal with legal matters. But what problem?

Some time on the way, Kafin finally turned the car into the parking area of a building. I was confused to read the name of the place we were going to. What are we gonna do at the police station?