The Murder of the Beloved
Chapter 3

Happy reading...

After they filled each plate, Della invited Dinda to sit as far as possible so that it was no longer possible to set her sights on the bride.

"Come, we'll eat Din. Without eating our bodies will not be strong. And if it's not strong how can we possibly fight what we want to fight?"

Della's words were enough to encourage Dinda to devour the contents of her plate. Of course he must have the strength to fight Bram! Because now he can no longer look at people he hates so he can eat with a good feeling.

Della occasionally glances. "Sir, Din?"

"Metal, Aunt."

"It's delicious. After this, want some ice cream?" Della offered, all of you comfort me. She knows that Dinda loves ice cream.

"You, Auntie!"

Shortly afterwards a middle-aged, thin, tall man came closer with a plate filled with food in his hand. "From everywhere, he's hiding here, Ma" he said with a laugh. Then he looked at Dinda. "Hi Dinda's! Both apparently. Can Om come here?"

Dinda smiled and nodded. "By, Om. Time no. It's empty here."

The man was Bustaman, the husband of Della, a surgeon. He is friendly-faced though not handsome. Look at her soft eyes. "Have the food gone, Din? I missed dong."

"It's okay, Pa. We're gonna have some ice cream" Della stood up. "Wait for Din. I'll get you guys later. Want what? Chocolate, vanilla, mocha, or ...?"

"Just get mixed up, Auntie."

"Well, are you full of food still plus ice cream? Aren't you afraid of being a bully, Din?" joke Bustaman.

Dinda laughs. "Ice-cream makes a gembrot, Om? That would-be gembrot, both brides!"

Bustaman laughs. "Duh, could you be Dinda!"

"Rubber, Om. They're gonna be balls."

Bustaman laughs more amusedly. He quickly drank so as not to choke. Dinda laughed too. He likes the Bus. Ah, if only he could have a stepfather like this man. And how nice it would be to have a mother like Aunt Della. But they both belonged to his cousins. Why does good always belong to others?

"I'm not talking anymore, Om. Later Om can't eat, keep laughing."

"Ah, don't be. Frankly speaking, Din. Who said you. Listen while eating. If you're quiet."

Dinda laughs. He glanced to his side, watching Bustaman's hand. Just like his body, the fingers were long and

leaner. It must be ideal to "reparate" the patient's body. Just look at how agile the hand is up and down scooping and lifting food.

"Eh, what the hell are you looking at? I became anxious, lest there be any aliens on my plate," said Bustaman.

Now Dinda laughs, "I admire Om's fingers" he said bluntly.

"Oh yeah? What's with my finger?" Bustaman raises all five fingers.

"Well, thank you for that compliment." Bustaman hid his gel smile. Dinda speaks with confidence like a mature person with understanding. This child is indeed talented as an observer, he thought Della ordered.

"Was it necessary to be a surgeon to take into account the shape of his hand, Om?" ask Dinda seriously.

"Ah no. Why Din?"

"Jemari Om looks nimble and deft. Ideal for dissecting because the job is hunting with time. How it works must be influenced by the shape as well. Just as rich fat people can't run fast, right?"

Busty could not hold back his laughter anymore. "But there are also Om colleagues whose bodies are large and their hands are also large. He's smart."

"If his hands are big, of course, he needs a large space to stir. So the patient's body should be opened wider, huh Om?"

"Yes, Om. But not sure."

"Lho, why not sure?"

"Still thinking. Whether you can or not."

"Yes, the time is still long, Din. Just relax."

Della returned with two ice creams. One of them was given to Dinda.

"So I see you guys are so engrossed. What the hell is being talked about?" ask Della.

"Dinda's smart humor, Ma. I'm choking, huh."

Della laughs. He was happy to see Dinda's bright face. Although he knew, the brightness was only temporary.

Justright. After Bustaman left, Dinda's face returned moody. The ice cream is over. He refused another offer of food. "It's full, Auntie. I'm powerful enough now to put up a fight."

Initially Della was surprised, what resistance Dinda wanted to do. But then he remembered his own words just now. Woe, did he himself advise Dinda against her mother?

"You're serious Din?" tanyanya's worried.

"Yes dong, Auntie."

"Will I give you some advice, Din?"

"By, Aunt."

"Look Dinda. Give them a chance to prove themselves. Do not immediately call for war. I mean, you don't have to pretend to be sweet. But do not be tough and hostile. Just passively. Look and watch silently. No need to get close, but not avoid."

"What if you can't stand it, Auntie?"

"Then you dodge. But there is no need with emotions, later that you lose yourself. They themselves are okay. The emotional person is the one who loses."

Dinda. "Maybe I should just avoid it, Auntie. If I don't see, I don't feel emotion. Like that one. The thought feels negative constantly."

"So well too. Try to hold back Dinda. Think of it as a self-adulting exercise."

"I can't imagine going home with him, Auntie. Every day I see him and be close to him. I'm not sure if I can keep avoiding him."

Actually, Della wanted to say, "Maybe your prejudice against Bram is too bad, Din!" But he was afraid that Dinda's instincts were right. Dinda must feel herself trusted because she is alone. Can't this now be said to be crazy, many sound bad stories about fathers who have the heart to rape their own children? Especially with stepchildren.

Indeed, instinct is a gift that can be used as a martial weapon. Without having human instinct to be innocent and easily fooled, also easily preyed upon by others. Of course, instinct may be excessive. But it's still better to overdo it than nothing. So he held back his words, "Then take good care of yourself Dinda! But remember, don't do extreme things. If your mother can't help, there's still me. You're not alone Dinda!"

"Yes, Aunt. Thanks though. I know, only Auntie understands."

"So you promise to always come to me when there's a problem? Don't act alone."

"Yes. I promised Auntie." Dinda answered lightly.

Della is unsure. The promise was said by Dinda easily. Really serious is he?

****____****

Waiting for a shake like his thumbs..

Thanks though.