The Murder of the Beloved
Chapter 73

Bram was waiting for Maya at the dinner table while reading the newspaper. On the table was served a plate of toast, boiled eggs, spices, and two cups of milk coffee whose smoke was still billowing.

"Well, that's fast, sir" praised Maya.

"I'm used to it, May. But I'm not the fast one. You took the bath long."

"Ah, time? It's mediocre."

"Come on. We starting?"

"Are you hungry?" Maya smiles.

"not yet. But why are we sitting here if we don't start eating soon?"

Maya stirred up the contents of her cup. Instant coffee with pure milk. He remembered the story of Dinda. The last drink Lilis drank before she died was a drink like this. Exactly alike. Both were made by Bram. He took off his spoon.

"Why?" ask Bram.

"I think I forgot to turn off the faucet from the shower. I'll see first, okay?" Maya moves to stand up.

"Don't! Let me just go. You wait here in case there's a fly?" Bram stepped away with a nimble gesture.

As soon as Bram disappears from the sight of his eyes, Maya's hand is stretched out toward Bram's cup.

Shortly after Bram returned. "All the taps are dead, May." he reported.

"Oh, sori Mas. Just make you tired."

"It's okay. Count the replacement for the morning run I didn't do today."

"Tomorrow can be again. Are you sorry?"

"Of course not. Why would I regret something like that?" Bram stirred his drink. Maya did the same. When Bram drank a sip, he drank a little. Then Bram devoured the eggs, following the bread, then sipped another drink until it ran out.

"You ate fast, ma'am. What's so good to eat?" Maya just skinned the eggs.

"I'm used to it, May. Precisely if it linger even lost the good. Ouch!" Suddenly Bram screamed in pain. Both of his hands clenched and pressed against the hull. His body position is bent. The next moment he fell to the floor. His body's getting stooped. Both legs bend with the knees below the chin. His pair of hands hugged his legs while pressing him into his stomach. With such a body position he rolled around and groaned. His face was pale and showed tremendous pain.

Maya wildest. For a moment he just stood there in confusion. Only then did he come to a shock. He knelt beside Bram but did not dare to touch him. Then Bram puked, then groaned and complained. Maya grabs Bram's head timidly. "Mas... ke.. ke.. ke... napa?"

Bram turns to Maya. His eyeballs are upside down. The cold sweat is like a river. Skin's cold. He opened his mouth but there were no words. All that sounds is a groan.

"I'm calling the doctor, huh? Yes wait. Hold." Maya jumps up and runs to the phone plane. But the first person he contacted was Bagas.

"But Gas.the police have to be informed."

"Yes. Of course Om. Will you help? I want to get Auntie right away. Sounds like she's hysterical right. He's alone in there."

"of course. Go awayl. I'll be there later."

The news shocked Johan's family and the Bustaman family on Sunday morning. Johan with Dinda, and Bustaman with Della depart from their homes. They arrived following. The gate has been opened by Bagas making it easier for vehicles to enter immediately.

Aunt Maya has a pale face and puffy eyes. Dinda hugged him immediately. It felt how Maya's body trembled. But Maya doesn't talk much. He just pointed with his hands in the middle of the room. His condition looked weak and shocked. No one is complaining about questions.

Bram is dead. His body was laid out on the carpet. The position of his body is straight, his legs are longitudinal, and his hands are placed on the chest. Bustaman concluded his death had occurred about an hour earlier. Bagas confirmed that. "When I came. om Bram's body was still warm. His breath was still there but it was slow. His pulse was not felt. His body was not like this, Mom. He was curled, both legs bent and his hands hugged his legs It seemed like he was enduring a terrible pain. We did not have the heart to see his body like that, so we tidied up first before a stiff hunt. Then we took him here. So heavy. But it could be. Poor to let him lie near the vomit."

"Is the rest of the vomit still there?" ask Bustaman.

"Still, um. We know it needs to be checked if he's indeed poisoned."

"That's for sure. It's just that it still needs to be studied, what poison is the cause."

Johan joined after calling the police. "I reported it to Mr. Arman of Komdak. He has had all the complaints about Bram in the past, including the disappearance of Frida. He'll be with his team soon."

The three men stared briefly at Maya who was sitting on the sofa flanked by Dinda and Della. Both embrace Maya from left and right. Maya is still shaken.

"When I arrived, Aunt was waiting outside" Bagas explained. "The attitude is tense is incredible. He was shaking violently. He was afraid of Bram and also felt guilty. She should have done something to help him but she lost her mind by her fear. Shouldn't he be the one who's been through it like that?"

"What do you mean?" Bustaman doesn't understand.

"Aunty's already exchanged cups of them both. What Bram drank came from the cup that was originally in front of him. Ever since hearing Dinda's story, she had a habit of swapping out the plates, bowls, or glasses they used. At first he lied that he wanted to check the water tap above. Bram left and Aunt took advantage of the opportunity."

"Then Bram drank it unsuspecting?"

"Rubber. He drank it up. But there may be a few drops of the rest. All the food and drinks are still intact on the table."

"Oh, Miss Maya is really lucky" Johan said in amazement. "Maybe he's got instincts like Dinda's."

"It's true, Om. But Aunt thinks she killed Om Bram. The police may think so. No witnesses saw it." Bagas said gloomily.

Johan looked at Bustaman. They felt the truth in Bagas' words. "Don't worry, Gas. You will support Maya fully" Johan promised.

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