Revenge By Law's
ARTICLE 90

The prisoner's car had stopped right in front of the Maharaja's yard. It is so named because it is located on the Maharaja road. However, many say it is precisely the road there called the Maharaja because it follows the name of a prison known as a place where many rich and important people in this country ‘ accommodated’ after getting a verdict in court.

As a convict who gained fame from the beginning was introduced to the public during a press conference, it looks like Abi got ‘pengargaan’ to run his sentence. Fortunately for Abi, because the lapas was one of the goals.

Abi got down from the big brown car while stretching his body. The journey from Sukadamai rutan to this field is quite far, let alone having to stop by a few rutans first. It was only natural that he felt pain all over his body. Likewise with six other inmates who came down along with Abi. They are inmates from other rutan whose legal process has been initiated or completed a trial in the state court.

The inmates followed the officer who led them into the prison. They were examined one by one and completed several documents before being given a basket containing some toiletries and sleeping equipment. The other officers took them to their designated rooms.

Abi got the last room on the second floor. In this Maharaja room each room is filled only by two people. The room is not too narrow even though there is a two-story bed. Though he had heard in most rooms capacity was reserved maximum for 5 people and was often filled by thirty to fifty people.

A man dressed as a prisoner was already waiting for him inside. His body looks big even though he is in a lying position. His face was rosy, either because of his sturdy jaw, the scar on his cheek or his thick mustache. In his hand was clutched a book called Pramoedya Ananta Toer's Step Trail which opened in the middle, showing how far the reading had gone. His hand flicked the prisoner's number attached to his breast. 0608. A number that feels familiar to Abi.

“There are new residents,” said the officer who escorted Abi to the man in the room.

“Hmm.” That was the only response he gave.

“Don't forget what you promised yesterday, yes.” The officer smiled as he swiped the fingertips of his thumb and forefinger before leaving.

“Basic rat,” said the man without turning his eyes to the book he was holding.

 Abi pecked for a moment then without permission to go straight to the top bed. There was no reprimand and stale bases between them.

The dwellings between them lasted until three days together. There was no interest in getting to know each other between them. They are busy with their own business. Until one night, an officer delivered a tray containing several sheets of fresh bread and chili sauce. Abi got curious and glanced over from his bed. Yes, in this case each inmate can order food at any time, as long as it has enough money to tempt the officer.

“Salted bread and chili sauce. A surprising and fun combination. It tastes like a sandwich. You must like him. Want?”

The first sentence of man 0608 to Abi was said in a friendly manner. He lifted two loaves of bread covered in chili sauce and pointed them at Abi.

“I like it if among the bread there are eggs, meat, chives, cucumbers, lettuce, salt, pepper and cheese. Ah, I call it a sandwich,” replied the cynical Abi. He lay back on his back to the man 0608.

Actually the combination of fresh bread and chili sauce is not a stranger to Abi. It was her mother's favorite meal, especially when she was stressed. Yes, not chocolate but patched bread. But, despite being offered hundreds of times, he only needed one bite to decide if it was food that was not worthy of his oral cavity.

“I think you like it too,” oceh man 0608 while eating his food.

                  *

The inmates gathered in the square and were busy with different activities. Some play football, some train their muscles by lifting weights, some form the group ‘discussi’ and some just sit to enjoy the sun. Now is the time for the inmates to bask and move their bodies after several hours of confinement in each cell. Including VIP inmates who are too comfortable in their luxurious rooms.

Suddenly there was a commotion near the weight lifting place. There usually gathers gangs led by a terrorism case inmate named Aldo. The man 0608 who was busy reading his book was shocked when he saw his roommate being a month and months one of the inmates who was also Aldo's men.

Without a second thought, 0608 man ran towards the commotion and directly punched Aldo's men while pulling Abi's body back to avoid another blow. His eyes were exploring as if looking for who else wanted to make trouble. Even Aldo did not dare to look him in the eye.

Man 0608 helps Abi stand up. He rubbed it into a chair on the sidelines. After talking to the officers, he took Abi to their room. Arriving in the room, an officer came while carrying a P3K box and a basin filled with hot water and a washcloth.

“It looks like you are quite respected in this place,” Abi said as the 0608 man washed the wounds on his face.

“Of course. I am the longest prisoner here. Twenty-five years!” said 0608 man as if proud of it.

“Because what?”

The 0608 man did not immediately reply, as if he was choosing the right words for the answer. “I am a soldier who tried to be loyal to my president in the previous regime.. When he was successfully overthrown, I must be ready to be considered a criminal and imprisoned to eliminate the influence of the old president.”

“Your loyalty deserves a thumbs up,” praise Abi who feels not being praised.

“Then you yourself, why don't you reply when you get hit? I heard you were pretty good at fighting.”

Abi brushed off the hand of the 0608 man who was preparing to apply the medicine to her. He looked at the man sharply, as if he had no fear at all.

“My mother used to have a very impulsive husband. Every problem is solved by violence. Not wanting her child to grow up like her husband, my mother taught me not to retaliate against violence

“Your mother is a good person. But, this world is hard. If we don't fight, we'll be constantly bullied.”

“My book never forbids to reply. But, to him violence was the last and dumbest path a man could take. My mother told me to think first. Look at this from every point of view. It could have been my opponent who was wrong, but did not rule out the possibility that I was wrong. If I find an excuse to let it go, I will let it go and think of a wiser idea to make it stop being my opponent. But, if I don't find that reason, I will reply without needing to rely on physical strength.”

The 0608 man nodded as if agreeing. However, he soon regained his senses and tried to return to debate Abi's remarks. “There is no time to think. Best defense is to attack.”

“Then, I will grow up to be like a man who was hated by my mother's husband first,” Abi said which made man 0608 jerked.

“Is your mother that hateful to your father?”

“Not, he is not my father,” said Abi who made the man 0608 back jerked.

“But you said he was your mother's husband.”

“Yes, still not my dad. A father is always present for his son unless he is dead. My mother's husband never met me and he's still alive. So, he doesn't meet the minimum requirements to be considered my father.”

The 0608-like man had run out of words to say. He did not expect to hear such a thing from Abi's mouth.

“Alright, I'll be honest with you,” said man 0608 to Abi. “Actually, I am -”

“Yes, I know,” cut Abi which makes men 0608 confused. “You are Andika Alexander, the man who was once my mother's husband.