The Woman Behind The Scenes

Chapter 5 - Half Sleeve Dara

The weather in Bandung is often not friendly with Dara. He almost finished his little laundry. At that age, Kio was very happy to try new things and leave a stain on his uniform. Dara became more frequent washing by hand so that the uniform of the boy returned to white. The cold water, which is almost the same as the water in the refrigerator, began to numb the palms. Her back started to tingle a little with her baby.

With a quick step, Dara headed for a sunbathing spot in the backyard and hung the school uniform that had returned white. He went back inside the house, and stroked his daughter's head as she ate a loaf of cheese slices and peanut butter.

The baby who had fallen asleep, was laid on a neat mattress, and was clean. Dara grabbed a bottle of moisturizing lotion on her desk. The skin becomes very dry when the air is so cold. He can draw on his skin which leaves a white streak if scratched, because it is very dry.

As usual, he rubbed a few marks all over his left half-arm. Some come from scratch wounds that eventually heal on their own over time. A few more, stitching marks on the flesh and skin of his hands, and leaving a very clear mark.

In recent years, he has always worn a shirt with long sleeves covering his wrists. There, he has 3 incisions right on the wrist line, and 6 others all over the arm, in a morat-marit direction. Looking from the keloid on the wound, one could already tell, the injuries were quite serious when dealt with, and definitely deep.

Dara always remembered again, and again in those days. Where, he only has two choices in his life, namely being moons in his apartment or ending his life by slashing his wrist to bleed out.

After her impromptu marriage, she moved with her ex-husband to the Philippines. Dara was indeed lucky, he was offered a job with a salary that is much more than in his own country. Undeniably, recruiters will be interested in the style of English speech that is so fluent.

August 2015 was the toughest time in his health. That month, she was pregnant with her first child, a few weeks. Dara did not expect, his body was finally entrusted to be the starting place of a new life.

For one week, Dara was allowed to go home early by her boss, an Indian director. That afternoon, he felt so overwhelmed with his stomach that it kept forcing him to spit out all the leftovers and whatever was inside.

Waiting in the elevator of his apartment, felt so long, even though only on the 9th floor. Dara looked at her watch, it was four in the afternoon. Her husband should be home. They work in one office, and sit side by side. It's just that, with different positions, the two can't always be on the same work schedule.

Dara was tricked into going into her apartment. He could clearly hear the sound of some men laughing boisterously. At the front door of the apartment, scattered some men's shoes and a pair of women's shoes.

Not a new sight for Dara. She used to see her husband invite some friends to relax in his apartment unit. Her husband became an alcoholic who got worse, after they moved to this country. A non-discriminatory state, which should be put to good use by people with good causes. But her husband is not that person.

Dara went into her apartment. Six men and a woman were sitting in a circle, with a bottle of Whiskey in the middle. The one-liter bottle had almost touched its lower threshold.

Dara became sensitive to her kiss like a police dog, lately. He could smell the strong smell of alcohol. The only woman sitting in the circle did not appear to be pouting. It looks good, and it's still fresh. It is Nancy, a mistress of Filipino nationality, who is dating Leo, a married Dara co-worker. Nancy is seen leaning on Leo's already red cheeked shoulder due to drunkenness.

“Hai. Already home?” her husband greeted her when he saw the pregnant woman behind him. Dara greeted him and headed to his room. This was the thing she hated the most, which was seeing her husband again spending time for ‘minum’ as if she agreed to it. This was something she had long discussed with her husband, but it seemed that the man still wanted to enjoy his youth. He was not young anymore and had a few gray hairs on his head.

Kriet ...

The door of the room suddenly opened. Dara was tidying up her clothes which she had just replaced with a pair of cotton pajamas that were much more comfortable.

Her husband came to the closet, and picked up a jacket. He knew what the man would do after this. However, Dara tried to find a topic and asked as if she did not know.

“Where to go, Bi?” he asked with a face holding back the nausea that attacked him incessantly. ‘Bi’ is an abbreviation of the beloved name he gave to the man.

“Kear” replied the man was short and did not even look at his wife.

“I'm hungry. Maybe we can eat at fast food across?” Dara was holding back her hunger. He wanted to feel so hungry that he could eat voraciously and ignore his nausea.

“I leave you money. Just go by yourself. I have to go with my friends,” cute replied her husband who was combing her hair. His mouth smelled of alcohol sharply, and his eyes were half-shiny.

Dara clenched her hand holding back in annoyance. This isn't the first time. As long as she was married these few months, she was always in the order of umpteenth for her husband.

“I'm dizzy. I can't walk myself out. Afraid of falling on the road,” Dara half-holds his regret, and tries to calm down.

The man turned around and clenched his waist. He looked at Dara with his face very drunk, and approached the pregnant woman.

Now, he raised his index finger and put his fingertip right on Dara's forehead and slightly pressed it.

“You're a big boy, not a kid. Like this do not make my friendship barrier with my friends!” he snapped a little.

Dara held back the tears that had started to move from the petals. He is not a good person to make excuses. This time what he said was true. This pregnancy makes Dara difficult to move because of the dizziness he felt all day.

Dara fell silent, unable to answer her husband's words. He fell silent until the man left the room, leaving behind the smell of alcohol, and the living room was so cluttered with bottles of drinks and cigarette butts.

Not the first time ...His husband was very rude and disrespectful to her. However, Dara has always tried to be the world's toughest woman up to that point.

Dara rushed out of the room after the apartment was quiet. He opened all the windows and doors, allowed the air to be replaced and carried an unpleasant aroma that triggered his nausea.

His hands quickly cleaned the cans and bottles of old liquor that were empty. He took a broom and cleaned up all the junk snacks and cigarette butts that were strewn almost everywhere.

At a time like this, he was forced to be hard on the side of himself that was actually sick. He certainly did not want to let his fetus inhale the thick smell of alcohol.

Dara quickly mopped the entire floor, and sprayed the pine-scented room fragrance. He headed for the apartment kitchen connected to the living room. There is no food there. On the kitchen table, she saw two 50 pesso notes left by her husband. With 100 pesso he can buy rice, a delicious fried fish, and some kind of vegetable. Uh! Never mind. He was too tired to go out. He may have fallen on the trip before getting the delicious food.

Now, he has no other choice. His hungry stomach must be filled. He could have ordered food delivery, but 100 pesso was not enough for him. Dara boiled the water in her small pot, and cooked a pack of instant noodles. He stroked his stomach that was not so obvious at the age of 3 months of pregnancy.

“Nothing, yes. Tonight eating noodles first,” he tried to communicate with the baby in the womb. He deceived his worry. Obviously, the doctor who handles his check-ups always reminds you to eat healthy foods only, and reduce sugar intake and instant foods.

His hunger has become. In just a few minutes, Dara finished the bowl of noodles until not a drop was left. He drank cold water from his tall glass, and sat on the floor, leaning against the wall of his kitchen. The apartment was so quiet. It's not something strange.

Dara stroked her stomach again, then wiped her eyes wet with tears. He cried for a while without making the slightest sound.

...****************...

Brak!

It sounded like the apartment door was trying to be kicked by a fairly strong energy. Dara woke up from her sleep. His exhaustion caused him to fall asleep on the kitchen floor after the bowl of noodles he had spent.

Dara rushed to the door, and seeing from the pothole of the surveillance glass, her husband stood there staggering and cursing at the door that was not opened.

Dara opened the door. The man stood looking at her as if full of hatred then smiled for a moment, then walked in casually throwing his shoes everywhere.

“What did you eat? Any food?” the man lay on the sofa while closing his eyes.

“Mie instant. I didn't cook earlier. My head is dizzy again.” Dara answered as necessary.

The man opened his eyes and sat up straight looking at Dara who was cleaning his jacket and shoes that were thrown here and there.

“Why eat noodles? Buy can't?” he asked again, looking at his wife.

“Nothing. I was so hungry. Not going strong should go buy food alone,” honestly, Dara replied.

The man laughed sinisterly, releasing his watch.

“So what to eat. For sure if it hurts not to complain,” he looks unburdened even say so to women who are pregnant. Dara clenched her hands, until her nails hit her palms. She turned towards her husband.

“I try to eat healthy. I'm not giving you access to my own ATM card. I can't shop for groceries unless I go with you, Bi. Today you were drunk, how could I go find a healthy meal?” Dara seemed to be unable to hide her irritation anymore. He had been working tired all day, but came home with alcohol, then left to leave.

“So you mean? You think my friends aren't important? I live on money, don't I? You should have the brain to buy something to eat!” her husband this time spoke in a very snapping tone.

Dara shed her tears. In almost a year of marriage, her husband became increasingly cold and rude to her. At least not the first time, Dara's forehead was pulled by her husband's finger. It is also often uncomfortable if the road is side by side with Dara. Several times, Dara had to separate the train, because she was left behind by her husband when traveling to a place.

“Hah? Changed? Whaties? Tone talk? Wh why? What's wrong?!!” the man seemed to start getting emotional and got up from his seat.

“Just because I went with friends, and you ate instant noodles, you think you can look around for mistakes?” continued.

Dara fell silent with increasingly heavy tears. Oh no! It's happening again. Her husband often gets out of control after drinking alcohol.

“Dar! I also have a child. I never forced you to get pregnant. Easy if it keeps you up, you can go to ask your doctor to foil the pregnancy!” the man replied without thinking.

Dara remained standing, silent, stiff, and tears continued to seep until they could not be controlled. How can a husband say such a thing to his wife who has not been married for a year?

“You always have, Tom! I don't seem to be here. You always bring your kids back! You always bring Farah! Why do you have to come with me here? If you know that, you can stay there with them!” Dara expresses her frustration to her husband, Tomi ... Yes, Tomi ...

The man who was drunk was seen snorting. He approached Dara, and looked at her with a face full of anger. He grabbed a glass on the kitchen table and was thrown flying towards the television.

And prang!!!

The glass shattered into pieces on the floor, and the TV screen instantly filled with cracks.

Dara became frightened, and continued to cry in a small voice.

Tomi grabbed the back of the woman's neck, and pressed their forehead.

“I ... leave my children, and Farah, for you. Understand?” he spoke with a tone full of anger but a quiet voice.

Dara was silent not answering. Tomi retreated her head slightly and banged her forehead on Dara's forehead tightly.

The woman endured the pain, and cried. Her hair is now in Tomi's hands.

“I want to go, cake. I'm coming, cake. Whatever my. I can leave you anytime!” he gripped Dara's hair even stronger and threw her on the floor.

Dara endured the pain on her scalp. His face was soaked with tears flowing down. The anger this time he can't just let it go.

“If that is so, why did you marry me? Just to take advantage of what I have?” this time he dared to turn the spear tip on Tomi.

Tomi is getting worse. He went to the woman who was still lying on the floor, and put the soles of his feet right on his wife's face.

“Shut up, motherfucker!” he rebuked the pregnant woman while pressing the soles of her feet on her face.

Dara could feel a tremendous pain in her cheekbones being pressed against the tiles. She tries to push Tomi's leg off her cheek. The man turned out to be so strong when torturing her.

Dara screamed and cried in pain. In an apartment with a room half soundproofed, no one will hear it. As usual, he could only scream with all his might. After all, everyone must have fallen asleep, and Dara was not well acquainted with the other residents on that floor.

Tomi lifted her leg, and kicked Dara's back. He had no feelings whatsoever for doing so. He also forgot that his wife was pregnant.

Furious, he slammed whatever was on the kitchen table, cursing his wife.

Dara felt so scared. He crouched his body on the floor and protected his stomach.

“Cuih!” Tomi looked so violent and spat at his two-bodied wife.

Dara already looks like a baby in the womb, with the body covering the face and stomach.

Brak!

The door closed with a powerful slam from Tomi who stepped away.

...****************...

Dara straightened her legs that had covered her stomach. For a moment, he could not think, and felt nothing but sorrow.

She did not expect this to finally happen to her, and her drunk husband seemed to want her and the baby conceived.

Dara was stunned by the tears that kept flowing. His head started talking to himself.

Why is this happening to me? Why me? Why him?

He continued to argue with his own mind. So many voices were appearing at this moment in his head.

In his life he experienced many troubling events, but this real rejection really sliced his heart out.

Dara approached the scattered items. His hand came up to the shards of glass so sharp. He felt like he was half insane, and felt nothing.

“You can't suffer like a mama,” he said while sticking broken glasses on his arm many times, and slashing almost his entire wrist. He stopped when half of his arm was already filled with blood flowing.

Dara lay on the scattered things. With tears constantly flooding his face, and voices continuing to speak in his mind, he watched his hand with four deep incision wounds, with visible flesh. Blood flowed profusely from the wounds, and he seemed to be indifferent to what was happening. What he thinks now .. is to spend blood in his body, so that his son does not need to live and experience many things.

Tomi is not a typical husband with a romantic temperament. He also tends to be rude to Dara. This is not the first time he has committed violence. From the first day after they got married, he continued to doctrine Dara to be a wife who follows the will of the husband, and not much demand.

...****************...

“ Are you okay?” faintly heard a male voice, and fragrant medicines were so fragrant to Dara's smell.

Dara tried to open her eyes, hoping she had moved. He could see a doctor-robed man and a stethoscope around his neck. He looked at his wrapped left arm. The doctor did not force her to speak. He said they had cleaned Dara's wounds and had given her a lot of stitches to close them. Dara stunned. This doctor may have given him a lot of drugs and anesthesia, while he was pregnant.

Dara kept trying to calm down. He told the doctor that he was okay. He could feel the still new anesthetic on his bandaged arm.

The doctor left the room. The wall clock shows at 03:00 in the morning. Someone brought him here. Someone took him to this hospital. Dara looked around the room. He was surprised to see Tomi sleeping on the sofa in the corner of the room. The sound of his bed, woke the man up.

Tomi woke up from her sleep and saw a woman half-sitting on the bed. He approached the woman, and stroked her tubers.

“Why should it be like that? You hurt everywhere,” the question made Dara know, he was already a little aware of being drunk.

“Why did you bring me here?” Dara this time felt a deep hatred for the man.

Tomi clasped his wife's hand, put it on her pregnant belly, and said, “Remember that one here. Don't selfish. Sorry me. I'm drunk.”

Yep! It's that easy. Whenever he got drunk and humbled his wife, he would come easily to apologize. Hormonal changes in this pregnancy, it seems to make Dara not strong enough to withstand the sadness that he was used to, and decided to cut off half his arm.

...****************...

Dara awakens from her daydream with Jeje's voice calling her to make another sandwich. He immediately kept the lotion bottle and tidied up his sleeve again.