CUTS
Halima...

“Father won't run away from here?” I asked Bang Siregar.

She smiled small, “I can't run away. A friend of mine was also in the hostage situation. Why do you want to run away?”

“I don't want to marry Khalid. My parents also disagree.”

“Do you already have another man?” I'm staring. He smiled, it seemed like he could catch the confusion from my face. How not to be confused if asked about another man. Obviously I was proposed to by someone other than Khalid. Until now, there was no news from him.

“Out of this forest you will see a fairly large swamp. You can pass through the swamp by turning far to the right side. After that you will find a small village and there are also many of their members. Do not expect to meet soldiers because the village is in a black zone mostly inhabited by rebels with their families. Chances are, you'll get married there tomorrow.”

“Father memorized this area well huh?”

“I've been in and out of the forest to meet with their officials but only this time I was in hostage. You can survive if you mention your brother's name when you meet the rebels.” I chuckle, “It turns out my brother's name could be more important than the prophet's current name huh?”

“Iya, even in the houses of citizens in the subdistrict or district, the, those who have family members who work as soldiers or police then the owner of the house can be calm and will not be checked if there is gun contact. Just by pasting a picture frame of relatives wearing official clothes, the residents of the house can already calm down because there are no soldiers who bother them anymore.” Bang Siregar.

“But, I don't guarantee you safe getting there. Because at night, there are so many wild animals roaming around. Especially if you run, the dogs that are around here will bark and they will definitely chase you.” I stared silently at Bang Siregar with a look of despair.

My intention to escape has gone. But am I gonna give up here? Am I that weak? Seems not. Even my ancestors were brave women who led armies to drive out invaders. Why did I as his successor become weak and desperate? No, I am an Acehnese girl who will not succumb to cruelty and weakness. Even if I have to bleed, I have to go home. If it is not alive then death is not a problem, the important thing is that I do not want to commit adultery with the man.

“They will keep watching all night, are you sure you can escape?” Again Bang Siregar shook my resolve. “Is there any other way for me to avoid this forced marriage?” I turned around and only answered with my head.

Khalid came to tell me to take Rendra into the tent. It seems he's watching me from far away. The thing I'm afraid of is he'll keep my tent all night. So if that happens, my hope of escape is gone.

“What are you guys talking about?” Khalid asked when I had entered the tent.

“Many, her stories while serving as a journalist.” Answer me in a sharp tone.

“Sleep, tomorrow we will go down to the lower village for ijab kabul. You and Fikri have a lot of rest because tomorrow we will walk to get there!”

I put Rendra to bed in my arms. This kid seems really special. He can adapt to any situation. He was not fussy when he could only eat boiled bananas. He even asked for one that was still raw but ripe to eat. I kissed her many times. He is my spirit, my happiness and my pleasant travel companion.

Just as I thought, Khalid had his men stand guard around the tent and my intention to escape failed already.

The next day...

“Why don't you just let her sleep. She looks adorable while sleeping.” Said Halimah who just came to bring clothes for me.

I noticed his tired-looking face and harbored sadness. “Sorry because of me, Brother Limah got angry.” He smiled and took Rendra from my sling. “Change your clothes first and eat! Let me take care of him.” I obeyed Limah and saw the clothes she gave me.

“That's the best I've got. That's also the shirt I wear to get married.” I was shocked then looked at the woman who kept wiping the cheeks of Rendra who was sleeping. “Kak Limah is married?” He nodded his head and smiled.

“Have a child? Where is Brother's husband?” Those questions came out of my mouth.

“I have no children, rather I married only to my husband's bedmate not to be the mother of his child.” I was confused but refused to ask further. Scars of sadness were clearly emanating on the woman's face. “Already, you change clothes immediately, I will also go down there with you.”

“Kak Limah will come with us?” The woman nodded her head.

After changing clothes I immediately came out of the tent. Sis Limah and I sat together to enjoy a boiled banana again. “Eat a lot so you are strong. Who knows you'll want to run.” I looked at the woman who was smiling at me with a confused feeling. “Why did Big Brother say that?”

“Didn't you say you didn't want to fornicate? So I thought you'd run away from this wedding.”

“What Brother knows the way to run?” This woman chuckled at my question. I looked at him suspiciously. One thing I just realized, he was a member of the inong balee. There's no way he's helping me get out of here.

“Kakak wants to frame me?” He looked at me with eyes that were hard to spot. “Can you keep a secret?” He even asked me back.

I nodded small, “I am Bang Khalid's wife and the clothes you wear are the same clothes when I married her.” My eyes are perfectly rounded with a gaping mouth. What news is this? This is beyond my expectations. “If you intend to run, I will help. However I do not like it if Bang Khalid remarries because I can still serve him whenever he wants.”

“How to?” My toot.

“Let's say when I arrive in the lower village.”

I looked seriously at the woman in front of me who kept smiling looking at Rendra. What is this woman planning? The environment and experience taught me not to trust people too quickly. Like the incident of Jannah who was suddenly close and often played to my house on the grounds of not having friends when there are other missions that he runs. I got carried away when Jannah got caught. And now what does this woman plan to do with me? I must be careful. Now, I'm getting scared.

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