The Substitute Woman on the First Night
Freedom Day

Happy reading!

This morning seemed different from the other mornings since I was in detention for 4 years. Yes, just today I will breathe free air and start my new life. Of course I've changed a lot, no longer vengeful and have really been willing with the happiness of Almira and Mas Denis.

Before I got out of jail, I kept up with the morning apples I used to do on Mondays. Right now, I'm no longer wearing prisoner clothes like I used to. I wore the clothes given by Delano and all the inmates were heard praising my beauty.

After the ceremony was over, Ms. Widya as the head of the prison said goodbye to release me and two other inmates who also today reached the end of their detention period. This release is like an inauguration. It was like we were graduating, graduating, and becoming ex-convicts. I smiled and remembered the past that made me have to be in this place. But here too, I realized that a woman must also have self-esteem and be financially independent by having reliable skills to sustain her life. Not by relying on the beauty of the body and the beauty of the face as I did before. All this time I've been choosing my life wrong and it will be a lesson so that I'm no longer entangled in the same mistakes.

After struggling with bad memories in the past, I began to greet one by one my friends in this holding cell. I say farewell to them with great pleasure.

"Take care of yourself out there, Lissa!" Reni hugged me tightly. He was the last person I saluted. Best friend besides Hana who makes me feel so sad about having to part with her.

"Yes, Ren. I promise I'll visit you here often. Anyway, our friendship won't break even if I get out of jail." The words inexplicably made Reni's cry even more sobbing. However, I had to strengthen it, even though I myself also felt the same sadness as it seemed.

"Ren, don't be sad! You can definitely serve the rest of your sentence. After another year you will be free. So, after you're free, we'll be back together again. There's you, me, and Hana." I unraveled his embrace. Wiping tears on both of Reni's cheeks alternately until a smile began to appear on her sad face.

After the morning ceremony, I was called specifically to Ms. Widya's room. In that room he was waiting for me with someone I didn't know.

"Sit, Lissa! Introduce this reporter who will interview you as the head of the LFC production house. As we know the handicraft items produced from the LFC production room to penetrate into foreign countries. I have also told this reporter that the production house is operating under your supervision and leadership. So, please both of you sit on the sofa in a relaxed manner to chat for a while before you step out of this room." Ms. Widya told me and of course I did not expect that all the craft items were in demand to foreign countries.

No big talk, the reporter just interviewed me about the idea of a production house and how the production house was run from inside a detention cell. I also talk more about the activities in the production house and the craft items we produce. However, when he asked me my origin, I would rather not answer him. I'm just saying that I'm just an ex-con trying to improve myself with the skills taught during my time in detention. For now, I don't want outsiders to know about my past with regard to Mas Denis and Almira. Let me be known only as an ex-con struggling in crafting and leading a production house run by female inmates to produce items of aesthetic value.

"Take care of yourself out there, Lissa! Remember that! Don't get involved in legal matters anymore! You have to get better and take advantage of the potential in you to get ahead in life."

After saying a lot of thanks to Ms. Widya, I also said goodbye, even though with the rest of the tears that were still left on my cheeks. In front of the room, there was already an officer who would escort me out of this prison through the main door. I started to walk slowly. Looking forward with confidence without even looking back. Not because I hate this place, but I have to be sure to keep moving forward in my life.

When the officer opened the main gate, he also greeted me and congratulated me on my freedom. After the gate was closed, I stared at the road in front of me as I spread my arms wide up to breathe the free air that I had not been able to enjoy for 4 years.

"I'm finally free. Thank you, Lord! Thank you for this opportunity. I promise to be a better person."

Just as I finished being grateful in my heart, suddenly a familiar voice in my ear sounded. The voice was so familiar and of course instantly reminiscent of someone I knew.

"Why is he here?" I started to turn around. Looking towards the source of the voice instantly made both of my eyes wide open. Of course I didn't expect him to come here. On the day, where I was released. What exactly did his arrival mean? At least that question immediately filled my mind.

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