Prison of Love
Believed

#37

Until nightfall, after Isya prayer, Abah called me to the family room.

This is the highlight of the event.

This is what Abah and Mom asked me to come home for.

Before leaving the room, I took a deep breath and then I exhaled slowly.

For me, this is like a ritual to summon the courage and strength of heart to come with me.

I need a brave Naya.

I need Naya who acts well.

After making sure my heart and mentality were ready, I stepped out of the room.

“Try you explain what this message means.”

Abah pushed the phone towards me. His facial expression was cold, almost expressionless.

Calmly, I grabbed the phone.

And yes, my guess is right. Someone sent Abah a message anonymously.

...Good Night, Mr. ...

...I'm sorry, I just wanted to tell you about Naya's embarrassing behavior all along....

...He once stayed at a Kosan boy named Andy....

...She also once asked me to accompany her to buy a pregnancy test....

...If you don't believe me, please find Andy Nugroho. All the students knew him....

Surprisingly I smiled and tried to keep calm handing the phone back to Abah.

I secretly hid my cold, trembling hands in my pocket.

The slightest detail will definitely be noticed by Abah and I should not be found out.

Buying a pregnancy test, she says?

Oh, my God, I didn't even think about it.

“Is this true, Naya?” ask Mom while looking me in the eyes.

“This is a lie, Mom. I never even thought I'd include something like this in my novel. Especially really happening in my life.”

“This is also a message sent by the same number,” Abah again handed her phone, asking me to re-read the message on the screen.

...Naya had also stayed at another man's house....

...I had once reminded her to stay away from the man but was ignored....

My mind immediately gave rise to a name. The shinta.

Yeah, he's the only one who forbids me from being in contact with Hengky or Andy. Only Shinta also keeps Abah's number.

Oh my... My guess has been right all along. This person is Shinta.

“Naya?!”

I stammered. I quickly tried to control myself and smiled again, looking into Abah and Mom's eyes,

“Change... Mothers... Naya doesn't force Abah and Mom to believe in Naya. Because if at its base there is doubt in the heart of Abah and Mother then the best explanation will not make Abah or Ibu believe the same Naya.

But one thing Abah and I should know, isn't this not the first time I've been slandered like this?”

Mother cleared her throat slowly, she sighed and then leaned her body on the back of the chair,

“You want to know, Naya? Abah to not sleep last night, Mother was the same. Which parent is not in shock reading a message like this. Your brother even cried when he first read the message.”

Abah bowed, he took a deep breath, “It tried not to believe, Naya. But he has proof.”

“What? What proof?”

“You're honest, Naya. I already know everything..”.

It's insanity. I didn't even realize there was evidence.

No. I need to calm down.

“What should Naya confess, Mom? Naya didn't do anything wrong.”

“You dare to swear on the Quran’an?”

“Ya!”

Wake, Naya!”

Abah suddenly stood up and looked for the car keys. While Mom was still sitting limp in her chair. His eyes are empty.

My hands and feet are getting cold. I swallowed, spit,

No. This can't happen.

What should I say if the examination results come out later?

How'this? Oh my God.. How is this?

Accidentally, my eyes looked at Mother who was still sitting limp. Her pale face grew even more pale as her eyes collided with mine.

Several times Mother sighed while covering her face with both hands.

For God's sake, until I die I won't forgive the man who made Abah and my mother like this.

No matter how bad I do, that person has no right to treat Abah and Mom like this.

Deliberately stirring their feelings and emotions until Mother who is usually only angry is seen to bear the burden of a very extraordinary mind.

While Abah looks dazed looking for car keys.

No, Abah was not confused, he just tried his hardest to hold back the tears that were about to fall. He tried to busy himself to divert the feeling of sadness that controlled himself.

I bite my lips hard.

No, I can't cry.

I must be strong!

“Come, Mom! Where's Mom's hijab? We're on the road now!”

Abah who had been pacing back and forth looking for a car key then realized that Mother did not move one bit from her seat earlier.

“After the examination, whatever the result will be, does Abah think the news about Naya will not spread quickly?”

Mother looked into Abah's eyes, her eyes looking teary.

Abah's back is squeezing. He put his hand in his pocket, hiding his trembling hand. Weakly, he walked back inside and sat back down on the chair.

I saw Abah and Mother crying silently as if slicing my own wrists.

It hurts to see them like this.

Abah's back was even shaken because it held back her crying voice so as not to be heard by me.

My defense broke. I couldn't hold back the tears that urged me to come out.

While running I hugged Mom, crying on her lap.

“Already know, the news very quickly spread like fire eating dry leaves. Although the results of the examination will later mention that Naya is still holy, but it will be very easy for others to twist the facts. They will very well say, ‘See, Naya Khairunnisa son of Ustadz Tabrani Omar test virginity at the Hospital!’, If that happens, what we will say will not be of use to her again, what we will say will not be, any explanation will not make them believe.”

Abah was silent not to reply to Mother's words. He just nodded slowly while still bowing his head.

Mother grabbed my face, holding back the cry she stroked my hair,

“Mother believes in Naya. I believe it, son. In the past when you were still in Pondok Pesantren, during the holidays you played to your friend's house, there was also a message that came in that told you his word play to the house of Men.

You want to know, son? Mom came directly to the location that the person mentioned. Mother proved to herself that you just sit on the porch with your friends, no man aside from her Dad your friend who occasionally comes out.

From then on, I promise I will not care anymore about this kind of slander.

I'm sorry, Son... I didn't trust you earlier.”.

My crying is getting louder. I'm getting my arms tight. All this time I didn't know Mom was always defending me. I didn't know that Mom loved me so much.

I'm used to being taught so hard by Abah and Mom that I barely realize that's how they express their affection.

Not everyone is good at expressing their affection through words or warm hugs.

What have I done?

I made Abah and Mom cry like this.

I-I've betrayed their trust.

Oh, my God, Naya...

Oh my God. Look at the results of your stupidity!

Abah suddenly stood up and squatted beside me, he kissed my forehead and whispered softly,

“Excuse Abah, Son..”

My tears are getting out.