The Murder of the Beloved
Chapter 69

Happy Reading

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Dinda speechless. He frowns, annoyed by speech that feels there is a truth but after all means to doubt his actions. Johan patted her shoulder to encourage her heart. "Don't be upset, Dind. Your goal is good."

"Yes. Your goal is good, Dinda," Mr. Arman hurriedly continued. "If I were in your place, I would do the same. Unfortunately I'm an officer who has to act following the rules."

Dinda was slightly comforted by the speech.

"Although there is no evidence, but believe me. Both of your reports have been recorded and the case is being investigated. If the perpetrator is caught can be asked if anyone told and who is the person. Any new developments related to this case will continue to be observed." Mr. Arman's promise is comforting.

After the officers left, they cleaned up the scattered items. "It's a good thing these books aren't torn up, yeah. Scratchy and grubby are a little nothin."

"Yes, just think about the positives, Dinda. What matters is that you survived. That's what's important."

"Do you think he really wants to kill me?"

"Eitherway. As the police said, don't be too quick to conclude. It will even cause stress. Maybe the goal is to scare. So don't let the goal work."

"He didn't make it, Dad."

"I'm glad you've recovered, Dind."

"Your own father?"

"Yes. Same withyou. Was it a shock, wasn't it?"

When they were busy, the phone rang.

"Perhaps it's Bagas" said Dinda as she jumped. Apparently his guess was not wrong. Soon he was engaged in a very interesting conversation.

"You know what, Dind? Before I could talk, Auntie knew first. But of course it's incomplete. It turns out that Om Bram already knew from your neighbor that I was going to investigate your house. That's the bitch, too."

Dinda resisted her desire to tell her about her own experiences that day. He asked, "Lantas how did your aunt react? Is she in shock?"

"It's not. Maybe because I was told by Bram first. He was shocked too, and your experience was like that. Of course Bram's story is different. He said you were a sick boy. From the beginning you hated her for thinking she took your mother's love."

"Bad!" exclaim Dinda exasperated.

"Yes. He's smart to quibble."

"What's important, Aunt Maya already knows. Of course we can't force him to believe. Are you telling him to be careful?"

"of course. He's saying thank you. You've opened his eyes wider. Oh yeah, he'd love to meet you, Dind. Will you meet him?"

"You" said Dinda without thinking. He really wanted to see Aunt Maya. What kind of woman did Bram manage to seduce?

"When? If it can be soon."

"Since today I've been living in my father's house. So Aunt Maya can come there in the afternoon. I lost my morning at school. My dad's home address is already on you, right?"

Dinda gets a chance to tell a story. "Then it just so happened that you called right now because I'm here with dad. We're fixing messy stuff."

"Well, you're lucky to have such instincts, Dinda." Bagas' voice sounded amazed.

"Nothing is lost or destroyed. What matters is that you survived. Do you need any help? I can go there right now."

Dinda wanted to say, "Please come" but she was ashamed of her father who could guess her feelings. They really don't need help. "No need, mas. Thank you very much."

"alright. I'll call Johan's number later. Likewise, if Auntie has a safe time to visit I'll call first."

"Don't get caught by Bram, ma'am."

"I'm, uh, we'll be careful."

Dinda hung up. "Auntie Maya is coming to visit, Dad."

"Hopefully she doesn't fared like Frida." Johan hopes.

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Aunt Maya comes with Bagas I. The Johan family welcomed them with joy. They looked at Maya with admiration. How lucky Bram to have such a beautiful wife. Wonderful, thought Dinda for the umpteenth time, what exactly is the attraction of men like Bram for those captivated women?

The atmosphere of the introduction takes place uniquely. They are gathered together by the encouragement of the same cause, namely the threat of death. One side has experienced while the other side has just been overshadowed. The joy was mixed with the sad feeling.

Irene accompanied but she did not participate in any of Bram's self-talk. He was wise because he realized he was not stuck and did not understand much. So she was more able to listen and functioned as a hostess who was busy preparing drinks and small meals.

Aunt Maya asks the question fairly, both to Dinda and to Johan. Little things that are unthinkable and therefore and never asked by Bagas asked by him. He listened with a sympathetic and attentive attitude to Dinda's story, especially in the part that concerns Dinda's instincts and assumptions about Bram.

Dinda likes Aunt Maya's attitude. For him it was a full and selfless trust. There are no questions that doubt or demand clarity. It was very different from Aunt Della, Bustaman om even his own father. Aunt Maya just knew him. Is that why because Aunt Maya is directly involved with Bram, while others are not? Better believe that you want to survive. Ready umbrellas before the rain is a wise action in times of cloudy weather.

"So before the tragedy, Bram used to bring drinks to your mother?" ask Aunt Maya.

"Yes. According to Bi Imah almost every morning. But often it was just lately, ahead of the disaster. The new time of marriage is not. Therefore the mother looks very happy, often smiles alone and hums. To the point that I thought mom was pregnant. Apparently not. It must be because I love being given great attention by om Bram."

"She also likes to bring me drinks, Dinda. Something was made for me. Sweet tea, milk coffee, milk chocolate, alternating..."

"Be careful, Auntie! Don't drink!" dinda jumped from her seat. The surrounding people were shocked by his movements. Irene quickly approached and hugged Dinda and invited her to sit back. "Take it easy, Dind" he whispered.

Aunt Maya nodded slowly then smiled soothingly. "I understand your concern, Dinda. Thank you for your attention. Your warning I'll take home."

"But how could Aunt live quietly beside him?" Dinda couldn't bear to ask.

"Yes. Was difficult. But I'll try. And don't forget one thing Dinda. He knew I knew about his past. So I'm sure for now he won't dare to talk bad about you and I'm trusting. Let him fall asleep first Leh the trust I gave. He certainly needed some time to wait for me to forget your story until I was no longer careful. In fact, he's been getting more attentive lately. Very kind and attentive."

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to be continued 😂