The Untouched Heart

Chapter 172 - Answers to Our Problems

I was at the height of my age. My family, friends, and those who love me and my husband are in our home, in this garden to celebrate my birthday. But at the same time, he came with a knife drawn around my neck. After what he's been doing all this time, I believe he'll hurt me if I go against his orders. Yeah, God. Is today the day of my death?

“A little bit my wife scratched, you will die in my hands.” Hendra stared at Vivaldo sharply. He did not take his eyes off the man holding my body.

“Mama!!” shout Hadi. Zach immediately held him back from getting close. My brother looked at me worriedly, just like his wife. Maybe because of hearing her brother's voice, Dira who was in Claudia's arms joined in crying calling my name.

“All this would not have happened, had you not troubled me, dear,” said Vivaldo as he slowly took me back with him. “I did all this for the sake of being with you. I must be richer than that man so that you will come back to me. But as always, you are pretending to sell expensive.”

“Our relationship is long over. Ever since you kissed that woman in your rented room, I've not been yours anymore. Whatever you do, I will never come back to you. You have destroyed me. Do you think I've gone crazy to live with you after everything you've planned with Dicky and Nora?” I shouldn't have provoked him, but I can't take it anymore. Let it be if he wants to kill me. Maybe that's the best way.

“You think I'm afraid of hurting you, huh? When I can't get you back. Neither did the man. I came to give you one last chance. Come back to me, then everyone will be fine. Reject me, this will be your last birthday,” threatened him by slightly pressing the blade to my neck. People are screaming in fear.

“Male assholes!” peekik Qiana's. “Let him go! Can't you be manly just once in your life? Zahara doesn't love you anymore. He doesn't want to be with you. Why do you keep forcing him? Do you have no self-esteem anymore?”

“Ara is mine. He will be mine, not the other. Backward!” hardik Vivaldo as Hendra advanced one step as his attention was distracted by Qiana. “Do not try to get close. I won't say it again.”

“Kill me. I don't want to live anymore either. I'm tired of your game. I'm also tired of being the one to blame after sleeping with you. You can freely go spread slander for the actions you plan yourself. But I took your sins? Had enough. Just kill me. We end all this.” With my right hand, I held her hand that was holding a knife.

“Honey, don't do that!” yelling Hendra panic. I smiled at him. Dear husband. A very nice man I once wasted. His sincerity, his love, his concern, his kindness, even his sacrifice for me I will never be able to repay.

I'm tired of all this. Why did he have to come again? Why would he bother my life again? Is not enough of all the suffering I have suffered because of his actions? Until when will he make plans for another plan to ruin my life? Prison doesn't change that. He just got more and more evil.

Death is the answer. He'll stop when I die. Anyway I won't be alone. There was my little baby who would accompany me waiting until papa and his two brothers caught up with us one day. A baby that has to leave before he can see the world.

“Ara, release my hand!” vivaldo shouted in panic. He who wants me dead, why is he the one who panics now? Is that as small as his courage?

“Ara! No, Nak!” I heard the sound of Papa and Mama in the middle of the screeching fear of people in the garden.

“Zahara, stop!” please friends.

I closed my eyes as my right hand tried my hardest to move Vivaldo's hand to slice my neck. The dog food caught my attention. Then followed by a cry of pain Vivaldo. Then everything went so fast.

The man's grip on my left hand loosened. Hendra clasped his right hand tightly until the knife fell to the floor. Abdi lowered his head to take the sharp object. Friends hugged me and took me away from the resigned Vivaldo who was hit hard by my husband.

The originally tense atmosphere turned full of laughter. People even encouraged Ara who was still at home biting Vivaldo's ankle with her little snout. I was relieved to see that everything was in control.

“Thank God. You are not hurt.” Qiana checked my neck. “Are you crazy?!” Suddenly he raised his voice. I jumped up surprised. “What would I be if you died earlier?”

“Don't do that, Zahara. What happened wasn't your fault. That guy is wrong. You still have us, so don't think about what people are saying about you out there. They don't know who you are.” Lindsey was still hugging my body with Qiana.

“I'm sorry.” That's all I can say.

Hendra, Zach, and all of our male workers took Vivaldo into the house, while the meal resumed. All the guests sat back and enjoyed their meal. My family hugged and checked my condition before returning to their seats.

Ara who had become a hero, became the center of everyone's attention. He wiggled his tail as he received a swipe at the head from the people who approached him. My friends even gave him so much grilled meat. Claudia who had protested only eating meat in small portions also donated meat.

Hadi and Dira did not want to be far away from me, so I sat between the two of them. Everyone ate casually and conversed intimately with each other. The atmosphere of the garden was silent for a moment when a police car entered our yard. All eyes looked towards the front yard. Then they left too.

I looked towards the side door. Hendra, Zach, and the male servants haven't returned yet, are they doing anything in the house? I could breathe a sigh of relief when my husband came out and approached me. His face is serious. He must have been disappointed with what I did.

“You all right?” He lifted Dira from the chair beside me then he sat down and took our daughter. “You're not hurt?”

“I'm fine and I'm not hurt.” I smiled at him. He looked at me for a moment. I felt guilty knowing what he was thinking. “I'm sorry.”

“We'll talk about this later. The atmosphere is back to how it was, I don't want to ruin it. Tonight is yours.” He kissed my cheek.

My birthday celebration seems to be planned from far away. Because everyone brought gifts for me. Some gave me bouquets of flowers, boxes and bags with ribbons, even envelopes that I was sure were shopping or eating vouchers. Friends did not bring any gifts because the clothes, shoes, and bags I had chosen at the boutique had been paid for. They are very good at keeping secrets.

“So, what's the next plan?” papa asked as we gathered together in the living room after the guests came home. “Will they put Vivaldo in jail for what he did?”

“Of course, Pa,” replied Zach. “She will definitely be sued for attempted murder. Too many eyewitnesses to be confused. Coupled with the huge corruption case that ensnared him, I'm sure he'll be in jail longer than ever.”

Qiana looked agitated. “Can he not be sentenced to life? What if when he's free he tries to hurt Zahara again?”