The Murder of the Beloved
Chapter 4

After the marriage, Bram Prayoga entered the house of Lilis not only in the sense of the hariph but also in another understanding. He now occupies the house of Lilis as Dinda's husband and stepfather. The house does belong to Lilis, who is part of the legacy left by her parents, She with Della, two brothers, both get a house and a number of deposits of the same value.

Bram is the second man to enter Lilis' house. Johan, first husband and father of Dinda. But Johan had to leave the house after the divorce. He was expelled, thrown out with insults and rebuke. In Dinda's eyes, it was a humiliating insult. But for his mother, the treatment was appropriate in return for the despicable deeds that Johan had done. What's wrong with revenge? Should an cheating husband be treated as a king?

Dinda still remembers clearly because the event was only three years ago. His father kissed his cheek with tears and left with a big suitcase under the rain of his mother's slurs. Dinda escorted her father away until he entered the taxi and waved his hand even though his mother called him in. He was quite a long time outside the house, realizing that from that moment on there would be no one in the house he called "Dad". There will be no other friend in the house beside the mother and maid. There was a sense of loss that was ambushing him. When he re-entered the house his mother rebuked him, continuing her unsatisfied anger.

Now, a second man entered his house. Will the class be thrown out? Oh, how much Dinda wanted that to happen. He hoped Bram would quickly be thrown out. In his dream he imagined it. But then he realizes with a pessimistic feeling, that Bram is not the same as his biological father. They were both men, but clearly different. Will Bram leave with his head bowed if he's kicked out like his father was? Not even her mother who was driven away! He was horrified by that possibility. That cannot happen. He will defend his mother. If necessary, then desperately. But when it occurs to the mind that the person who wants to be defended will not believe it he becomes empty. How could her mother possibly trust her thoughts and her estimates? Surely his mother would turn around accusing him of being prejudiced by sheer envy. Ah yes, indeed he was envious that his mother loved him so much, that he felt he was not part of his mother's heart. Even to just pay attention to his feelings and thoughts his mother did not want. Though he was dead, his thoughts and predictions about the man were not based on envy. Both factors have no relationship. So, what can he do now? There ain't! That was in accordance with the advice Della gave him. He could not do anything because there was no evidence that the man was not good. His estimation was solely due to sheer instinct. While people only believe the evidence, which is concrete and can be held. Such a thing certainly does not have it. Man maybe? Instinct is a forecast, which is about something that will happen in the future. So where is the concrete evidence in the present.

There was only one thing he could do, which was to be vigilant! That was in accordance with Della's advice. But he was fully aware that he could only be aware of the threats against him, while hitting his mother was simply impossible. Her mother is now blinded by love. Huh, love! Is age no longer a determining factor in the maturity of people in judging love? Young and old are just as stupid.

Suddenly Dinda goosebumps in solitude in her room.she hears the newlyweds laughing in a flirtatious and spoiled joke. Ha ha ha and hi hi hi hi, like a low and high sound diet. He felt tired. Hates. Cobalt. He tried to close his ears but the voices were still heard. He really had to struggle with his emotions. By staying in the room he did not need to see, but apparently he could still hear. Why did the two not lower their voices? People can laugh slowly and do not need to make noises when they are making out. Or is there a chance?

Slowly Dinda got out of her room and closed the door slowly as well. Don't let it be heard by the two people in the opposite room that he is no longer in his room. He went to the kitchen, the back of the house. There he did not hear those voices. He sat down at the dinner table and read his novel. In that place the only sound that can be heard is a slow snoring Imah whose room is located next to the kitchen. At such times the snoring of bi Imah sounds much more melodious than the annoying sounds earlier.

After a while of studying his book he could forget the aggravation just now and was able to concentrate on his reading. Then he felt hungry and opened the fridge and found the food or drink, the easiest to digest, a box of whole milk. He continued reading while intermittently sipping milk. In between reading he still had time to thank the authors who have produced works that can divert his stress. Imagine if he could not find something that not only entertains but also relieves tension. Isn't constant tension without channeling able to make people mentally ill?

But it wasn't just Dinda who was surprised. Lilis and Bram did too.

"Who, what else, Din?" ask Lilis.

Dinda did not answer. He just pointed to the book.

Bram took Lilis. "Dinda can't sleep or be hungry. Just like us, Lis!" he said while laughing. Then he approached Dinda. "Read what book, Din? It looks good right!."

Dinda glanced and looked at Bram's distended stomach. He quickly turned away. The taste returned.

"Can't you answer, Din?" ask Lilis exasperatedly.

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