(Family) Bound
Stories of the Past

Shaka looked at Rosi and Sister Hani sitting opposite him. He held a few pieces of paper in his hand with an unpredictable look on his face.

Today Adam and Rendra come up with evidence that Rosi and Sister Hani are actually mothers and children who changed their identities and then worked for her. What is even more surprising is the fact that they may be related to the events of fifteen years ago that even he can't remember when they happened.

"Say. Is this all true..??" Shaka asked coldly.

He threw the papers on the table in front of Rosi and Sister Hani.

"You know too." Answer sister Hani cynically.

"Why are you doing this..?? Do you really want to harm me and my family..??" Furious Shaka.

"You killed my brother." Cold Rosi.

"Who do you mean..?? I never killed anyone..!!" Shaka Seru. Sister Hani chuckles at Shaka's question.

"Of course you don't remember. There used to be so many people you hurt, but it's all done with the money and the influence of the Rahardian family." Sahut sister Hani.

"My son was just in the wrong place at the wrong time when you were drunk. I don't know what mistake my son made at that time so you could beat him to death..!!" Sister Hani.

"I admit the life I lived was really bad and I'm not a good person either. But my friends and I never crossed the line, let alone lost the lives of others. We know when to stop..!!" Shaka replied firmly.

"If it were like that my brother wouldn't have died and our family wouldn't have been destroyed." Sahut Rosi's. His eyes began to look teary.

"I really don't understand. Because I remember correctly there was not a single person I beat so badly that I lost my life." Shaka said in self-defense.

"Name Vino. She's one of the waiters at your bar. He's a good boy who doesn't like to trouble his family. Vino attended college while working part-time at the bar, so he could continue his studies and help his sister's education costs. But you just threw everything away, for whatever reason..!!" Grumpy sister Hani.

"Vino..??" Shaka Gumam.

Shaka seemed to frown, seemingly trying to remember something. Before long his eyes seemed to be round.

"I remember now. Vino was one of the barmaiders who always served me and my friends. The last time I came to the bar, I hit him. It was the first time I injured Vino, before it was all fine even we were quite familiar. After that, I never went to the club again. Because I met Kira." Shaka.

"And you live happily, while my family is falling apart because of you." Sisters Hani's hiss with a face full of anger.

"I didn't kill Vino..!!" Firm Shaka.

"We were drunk then. And suddenly a woman came in who tried to seduce me. Even though I was drunk I was still quite conscious and rejected the woman. And I was angry because it turned out that Vino actually took a picture when the woman tried to tease me. That's why I beat up Vino, to ask him why he did it. But Vino remained silent. He just said he had to do it and kept apologizing. I finally let her go. But I swear, Vino was still fine when he came out of our room." Said Shaka again.

"He came home battered and fell unconscious. By the time we took him to the hospital he was already in a coma due to severe injuries to his head. I came to the club where he worked and many witnesses said that you beat up Vino. The club owner asked us not to prolong the problem because your family will make us difficult. He gave a very large sum of money for Vino's medical expenses. But still can't get my son back up." Sahut sister Hani.

"Ten years. Ten years I must see my son unconscious..!! My son who was so gallant slowly turned into a bone-clad figure of skin. And I can only mourn him without being able to do anything." Isak sister Hani.

"Our family's gone down. My husband, who felt guilty for not being able to protect his family, chose to be a coward by ending his life. I have to sell all our possessions for Vino's medical expenses. My daughter and I, who were so young, had to bone down to meet our needs. Lucky I'm a nurse so I can take care of Vino at home to keep the costs down." Sister Hani.

"Until I finally gave up. I could no longer watch my son suffer in his long sleep. I finally proposed Euthanasia to end Vino's suffering. You know how I feel when I have to decide to end my son's life..??!! I'm ruined..!! Completely destroyed..!! You are living well and happy..!!" Sister Hani cried while hitting her chest and crying loudly. Rosi approached her mother and hugged her and cried together.

"Sir Shaka. We did change our identity because we continued to live in fear. For Vino's medical expenses, we were forced to owe some moneylenders. They kept chasing us while we could not recoup the growing debt every day. We are angry with you, but there is absolutely no bad intention to hurt you. And it just so happened that we worked at my father's place. Realizing that we had been working in the place of the person who had ruined our lives, we finally agreed to pretend that we didn't know each other. We were afraid that you would hurt us. I asked my mother to take this job. Because by living in the Rahardian family home, at least the mother will be safe from the pursuit of loan sharks who every day increasingly brutal. Even by myself, I can still find a way out to run from them." Said Rosi with a face. She continued to hug the body of her mother who was still crying bitterly.

"If indeed we intend to be evil, I would have been able to do it long ago because of the mother who took care of Kirana's mother. And I could have given the company secrets to Shaka sir's competitors. Or destroy the partnership with Scarlett Hospital. Especially during the family work Mr. Shaka continues to treat us well. Although still feeling pain, but we continue to muffle our anger." Rosi then drowned her face in her mother's hair and cried together.

Shaka's heart trembled at Rosi and Sister Hani's explanation. So much suffering they have been through. And all because of the bad in the past. But Shaka remains convinced it wasn't him and his friends who caused Vino's death. Slowly Shaka walked up to Rosi and Sister Hani and sat down in front of them.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for causing your lives to suffer. But by Allah it was not I who caused Vino's death. And I'll prove it." Shaka said while tightly grasping the hand of Sister Hani who was still sobbing. Sister Hani releases her hug from Rosi.

"Forgetit, sir. We want justice for Vino. But we are also tired of living with this burden. Regardless of whether or not you are the culprit, we have forgiven you and want to live life without harboring any anger. At first it is hard to accept the reality of how you live well and happy. But when you see how you have changed and continue to try to improve, slowly the anger subsides. I'm just asking, please let us keep working. Because we need money to survive and pay off our debts." Pinta sister Hani.

"No, ma'am." Sahut Shaka with sobbing.

Sisters Hani and Rosi are stunned when they hear how Shaka calls Sister Hani.

"I have to prove that I didn't do it. Not only for your calm, but also for my calm. After knowing all this, I will not calm down before knowing the true events and giving justice to Vino. If it turns out I'm the cause. I'm ready to pay for everything. I'll turn myself in to the police." Shaka.

"No, sir. You don't have to do that. Especially if you do it because you feel guilty." Resist Rosi.

"No. I did it because I wanted to, Ros. Ever since you started working with me, I've considered you like my own sister. Just like I consider Fahri like my brother. That's why I've always taken care of you two. Think of this as a gift from your brother." Shaka said firmly.

"Thank you, son. Thank you." Thank you." Says Sister Hani hugging Rosi again.

*****

Kira slowly opened the bathroom door in her room. She was worried because Shaka had been in the bathroom for so long and did not say anything when she called and knocked on the door.

He saw Shaka who was still fully dressed soaking wet under the shower. The man sat curled up inside the bath-up and sobbed. Kira had already heard everything from Shaka and she could see how devastated the man was.

Kira took the towel and turned off the shower faucet. Slowly she sat down in front of her husband, then slowly dried up Shaka's body with the towel she was carrying. Shaka slowly raised his head and stared fixedly at the face of Kira who was smiling at him.

"Kira, what if it's true that I did it..??" Shaka asked with a choked voice. Kira was silent for a moment.

"You're a good man, Bie. You made a lot of mistakes and hurt a lot of people. But I'm sure you always know when to stop. That's why I know you're a good person." Answer Kira.

"What if it's true that time I've crossed my line. Do you want to stay with a killer like me..?? Having the husband of an inmate for murder..??" Ask Shaka again.

There was hope and submission on Shaka's face. As if he hoped Kira would still accept it but also willing if it turns out his wife decided to separate. Kira put a towel in her hand and then cupped her husband's face.

"Every human being makes mistakes, Bie. The difference is whether the person is sorry or not. Will he continue to make the same mistakes or improve himself. You've changed a lot, Bie. It's no longer Shaka Rahardian who I met first. Even when we first met I already knew you were actually a good person who somehow hid behind the vices you always showed the world. And most importantly, you love me. Always looking after me and making me happy. Why should I leave a man as good as you..??" Kira replied as she continued to stare fixedly at Shaka's face.

"I love you, Bie. We'll find the truth. If you're guilty, I'll always be with you through this. Although it hurts, but I am proud when you say you are ready to pay for your mistakes if you are proven guilty. You're the bravest man I've ever known." Said Kira again.

"You'll stick with me no matter what the outcome..??" Tanya Shaka lirih's. Kira smiled and nodded.

"Yes. I'll stick with you. We're gonna get through this together." Kira answered while stroking her husband's cheeks.

Shaka grabbed Kira's nape and gently kissed her lips, then pressed their foreheads.

"Thank you, baby. Because I always trust me. I'm sorry that I can never be perfect for you." Shaka said as he closed his eyes.

"Just like you, I'm far from perfect. But all this time you've always accepted me for who I am. Makes me realize that we're united to complement each other, Bie." Whisper Kira as she hugs Shaka, puts her chin over her husband's shoulder and gently strokes the head of the man she loves so much.

"I love you. Love you so much and will always love you." Isak Shaka while tightening his embrace.

"I love you too, Bie. Hang on for me, and for our children." Said Kira again.

Kira and Shaka flinched as they felt a kick from inside Kira's stomach. It seemed like there were two souls who also wanted to join in their parent's conversation.

"Hey, honey. Papa's children. You also want to encourage papa..??" Kira said as she stroked her distended stomach.

Shaka laughed softly and wiped off his tears. Kira's stomach was taken and kissed softly until the movement in Kira's stomach began to calm down.

"Papa's kids are good. Thank you for encouraging me to Papa. Don't be too excited to play there. Poor mama in pain. Hmmmm.." Shaka said, then gently kissed his wife's distended stomach and put his ear to Kira's stomach as if he was listening to his children answer his words.

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Hi, brothers and sisters readers..!! Finally the author updates again after being off for a week. Sorry for waiting so long because frankly the author had lost the spirit to continue two novels that are on-going and more busy updating to the short story. Hopefully after this the author remains the spirit of yaaaaa..!! Hehehehe..

Don't forget to like, comment, & vote, brother.

Please support the author to be more up his spirit.. ^_^

Thank you..!!

Hug,

Cheerieza