THERE'S ALWAYS A LEANING PLACE
Eroding Hatred

"Assalamualaikum, Mah," Rio said accompanied by a nod of respect.

"You-you? What are you here for? You want to mock us?" Danu's wife looked shocked and angry.

"Our main arrival for the friendshipim, Auntie," said Farhan.

"Who are you? You must be this traitor's friend. You helped him bring us down. Go, guys!" Mrs Danu is getting angry.

Rio looked teary. His heart is sick again.

Farhan patted Rio's shoulder to strengthen. He changed his position to the side of Rio.

"Tante, can we talk? Can we talk while we sit? If Auntie doesn't let us in, let us talk to Auntie on the porch, Farhan said.

"What do you do to talk to traitors? You want to insult me who's poor now?" Mrs Danu's tone is still high.

Rio. He looks very hit.

"Auntie, please give us a chance to talk carefully. Can we sit there?" Farhan repeated his request.

Madam Danu snorted in annoyance. By force, he sat on the terrace chair.

"Thank you, Auntie" said Farhan.

Farhan gestured for Via and Rio to follow Madam Danu's footsteps.

"Well, Rio apologized for never visiting Mamah and papah. Rio didn't know ..." the sentence spoken with Rio's hoarse voice was cut off.

"No need to beat around the bush! Your time is not much," said Mrs Danu still ketus.

Rio took a deep breath. Her chest feels tight.

"Look, Mah. Rio came here to ask for blessings from Mamah and papah. God willing next week Rio will propose a girl."

Madam Danu looked shocked. However, a moment later he put on an ordinary expression.

"Hemmm, is there really a girl who wants to be with a kere youth like you?" jegek Madam Danu.

Via seemed to hold back an indignation. Actually, he had been upset since the beginning of dealing with Madam Danu. Farhan rubbed Via's hand and then clasped his wife's palm.

"Alhamdulillah, Rio is currently working in Mas Farhan's company. Precisely in his branch office, which was not far from the parlour, " Rio explained.

"Oh, so is this really the henchman of Wirawan's lineage? The man who robbed my husband's company?" said Mrs Danu while staring at Farhan cynically.

Via certainly inflamed. His anger almost exploded. Farhan immediately squeezed out Via's palm gently.

While Rio looked agitated. On the one hand he still wanted to talk to his adoptive mama, on the other he felt bad about Via and Farhan.

The unpleasant atmosphere was slightly liquid as a man walked out of the house.

"There was a guest. Why don't you ask me to come in, brother? It's not good like this. His name does not appreciate guests. Come on, everybody, let's go in!"

Madam Danu looked at the person with a puzzled look. While Via, Farhan, and Rio were hesitant because Madam Danu was still unmoved.

"I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm David. I'm Kak Danu's sister-in-law. Comein! We'll talk inside, "take the guy again.

Farhan invites Via and Rio to follow Mr. David's invitation. Madam Danu finally followed.

They are welcome to sit, while Mr. David goes inside. Soon, he came out again.

"Who are you? I think I just saw. Except, this Rio. You're Danu's son, right?" Mr. David broke the rigidity.

"Yes, Om. This is Via, Aurelia's former schoolmate and next to her Mas Farhan, her husband," Rio replied politely.

David looked at Farhan. It was like remembering something.

While Madam Danu stared intently at Via. He also seemed to be remembering who Via was.

"Your-kka-your son is Wirawan, right? How dare you show your face before me!" madam Danu snapped with a trembling voice.

Everyone was shocked by Madam Danu's reaction. They had not expected the woman to be so angry after realizing who Via was.

"Sister, relax! You don't have to be so angry. I don't like your arrogant attitude!" snapped Mr. David.

Madam Danu looked restraining furious. However, it seemed that he did not dare to refute his sister-in-law.

"Really, Om. We met at the event Mr. Andika, CEO of Sari Bumi. We talked about the potential for cooperation at that time. I guess Om forgot. O yes, just call me Farhan without a master, like that time," Farhan replied politely.

"Oh, yeah. Farhan's son is humble. I salute the young successful entrepreneurs but remain humble" said Mr. David.

Madam Danu looked agitated. He squeezed his fingers, showing that he was holding back anger. He could not be rude to Farhan or Via after knowing Farhan's position in the eyes of his sister-in-law.

"O yes, may I know what you're coming for?" ask Mr. David.

"Yes, Om. In addition to the friendship, I intend to ask for a blessing prayer to mamah, papah, Om as well, because I will propose to a girl," Rio replied.

"Oh, so. Of course Om restuided. You too, brother? You are his parents. Even if you never conceived her, she's still showing her time."

Madam Danu did not answer. His chest was still rumbling with burning anger.

The atmosphere is back stiff. However, just for a moment. Before long the stiffness was broken with the presence of waiters who served drinks and snacks.

"Come, drink it first! And you, brother, be an adult! When you lost to these young people?" said Mr. David.

Madam Danu snorted in annoyance. Actually, he wanted to scratch Via's face. He hated Via, who was thought to be the cause of the collapse of his family's success.

"O yes, I will also convey a message from Lia to mamah and papah" said Rio.

"Lia? When did you meet him?" asked David, surprised.

"So, before you get here. Let me play the recording with a message from Lia," Rio said as he pulled out his gawai.

"Yes, Son. Spin now! I also want to know the condition of the boy now."

Rio opened the screen lock. Then, he searched Lia's speech video recording file and played it. Mr. David noticed very well the screen that showed a picture of a girl dressed in a prison uniform.

"Assalamualaikum, Mah, Pah. How are you doing? Lia hope Mamah and Papah are good. Lia here is healthy. Mah, Pah, Lia kangen. Lia was eager to meet. Lia knows that Lia doesn't deserve to be called a filial son. Lia's actions just defame the family."

Lia's voice sounded trembling. On the screen appeared the girl shrinking her tears.

"Well, Pah, Lia's actions are driven by the desire for revenge that Papah taught to Lia. Lia wants to finish off the people who have harmed our family. Is that what Papah taught? Mom also supported him. However, Lia's efforts fail and lead to Lia's entry into this prodeo hotel."

Lia paused her words again. He seemed to be managing his emotions.

"Lia is now grateful to be a prison dweller. Wh why? Because, after Lia was here, Lia became aware of Lia's mistake. In addition, Lia also became close to the Creator who had never ignored Lia. In this room Lia learned to know God. And do you know who made Lia this way?"

The girl remained silent for a moment. After taking a deep breath, he resumed his words.

"The person who helped straighten Lia's path was Via and her husband. The person Lia had been hurting all this time, even Lia was expecting her death. They just retaliate like this. They're not vengeful, Mah, Pah. When Lia almost died by suicide, they came to wake Lia up. They show you the real resting place. Now, Lia had calmer to live out Lia's days here. Lia rests all upon God, the Owner of our lives. Lia hoped that Mamah and Papah could also find the way of truth. Eliminate the grudges that have been nurtured constantly! Scrape hatred against those whom we have been hostile to! Lia also wished that Mamah could visit Lia. Lia has only been able to see you in dreams. It's yes, Mah, Pah. Assalamualaikum."

Mrs Danu looked teary. While Mr. David rubbed his reddened face.

For a moment, the atmosphere became quiet. Each was swept away in hope.

"Sister, you heard your son's message yourself. Now it looks like your son has changed. Don't you want to change? Do you keep your hatred? In fact, to your own son you also planted hatred." David looked at his brother-in-law.

Madam Danu lowered her head. Sometimes she shrinks her tears.

Suddenly, he ran inside. Mr. David just shook his head at Mrs Danu's behavior.

"That's how my sister-in-law behaved. They're stubborn. Their grudges were so strong that they covered his conscience. He hated Lia, his own son. The cause of Lia's failure to kill people who are considered the cause of their falling into poverty, even Lia went to prison. Om himself is also ashamed of Lia's behavior. But, looking at the video earlier, Om was moved. The boy seems to have changed. Wrong education from both parents caused the child to go wrong. Om wants to meet the person who caused Lia to change. I want to thank you."

Rio smiling. He glanced at Via and Farhan.

"Om David, the one who made Lia change is here. Via and Mas Farhan who resuscitated Lia. And, Mas Farhan this is the person Lia hurt to almost lose his life," said Rio.

Mr. David was flabbergasted. He looked at Via and Farhan in turn.

***

Seriate

Looking forward to the story, yes! Thank you for following this story faithfully. Also follow the story about Madam Azka in Kak Indri Hapsari's novel, CS1! Do not forget to always leave a trail of likes and comments.

Barakallahu fiik's.