Under The Rain's
Chapter 46—Birds in a Golden Cage

Not much can be done by Reva even though Kris often leaves him out of town to work. At that time he had to walk because the pain in his lower ankle did not go away. Fortunately, in his house he has a myriad of jobs to do, such as taking care of various plants that really take up time.

Reva is also very fond of cooking and trying new recipes, even though it is only for herself. In the area where he lived there were many food producers, such as vegetables and also pure milk. Reva can even make his own cheese from fresh cow milk that he gets directly from the farmer. I don't know how many cheesecakes he made from home-made cheese his own creations.

Reva began to accept the fact that her life would indeed go that way. He was tired of rebelling, let alone running from reality. She could only be grateful for what her husband had given her, rather than continue to complain and look for what she could not possibly get. For Reva, it was important that she could still write, and Kris gave the rights to her.

That morning, as usual Reva went to the market. He needs various spices to make curry that is not much. If there is still left, Reva will give it to some new friends, both traders in the market or neighbors he knows.

One of Reva's closest neighbors is a pair of sepuhs at dusk. They sell firewood and charcoal to survive. In Yogyakarta, both products are still widely sought after, especially by traders who cook using braziers to maintain the taste of their cuisine. Mbah Karmin and Mbah Janti are Reva's first friends since she moved to Sleman nearly four years ago, and Reva regularly sends her homemade dishes to their home.

Someone pulled Reva's arm as she was about to return home using an online motorcycle taxi service. In one corner of the market that is not too crowded, Erin who actually has not returned to Bandung since two days ago has been waiting.

“Rin .. you—”

“I know Kris is no longer home. I passed in front of your house earlier. He's out, ‘kan? And I'm following you all the way here."

“Free to the city center, no work. You still here?”

“Tomorrow long weekend, Ayesha and Adji I asked to come here yesterday, all of us want a vacation. And I need to talk to you, Va.”

“And Nadia?”

“She came home alone, because her wedding is only a matter of weeks.”

“Where is Ayesha? He must have been bes—”

“I'm not here to talk about Nadia or my son. Can we sit together? Have you had breakfast?”

“But, Rin ...”

Erin immediately pulled Reva's arm which still looked bluish and helped carry her shopping bag made of woven bamboo. They headed to a simple gruel shop located under a large tree. The porridge merchant was being preoccupied by several customers, so Erin and Reva chose a table at the very end that was relatively quiet to chat.

A bowl of hot porridge that looked so appetizing had already arrived at a small table occupied only by Reva and Erin. I don't know how long they haven't eaten together like that. Too many tragedies and partings in the last years until they finally meet again.

“Leham are you better, Va?” Without further ado, Erin immediately touched on a topic that had made her unsettled for the past few days. “So I was right, ‘kan, that's the result of KDRT? What has he done to you?”

It doesn't feel very comfortable. It was too early and Reva was forced to answer questions that would have damaged her mood. How else would she tell her best friend that her husband was drunk at the time, and they had a big fight. Kris lost control of himself, and he began to become so violent that he physically injured himself. After that, the man looked very sorry.

“Rin .. it's not what you think it is. It was just a little accident,” kilah Reva assured his best friend.

“Small accident to cause so many injuries? Come on, we both know that Kris does have a tendency to be rough like that.”

“How should I go, Rin?”

“Don't keep on, lah! He was a criminal for a long time. If it wasn't for you, he should be in jail by now!”

“Hah? M—you mean?”

“Do you know what happened to El the day you moved to Bi Uma?”

With great force, Erin told the story in the full version, as complete as possible as the articles of law in the criminal case of a person. It didn't matter if it made Reva cry for a moment. When the woman finally finds out about the coma that almost made her Rafael die, and also about the years of therapy later that almost made the man lose all his motor skills.

“But you don't need to feel guilty, Va ...” Erin clasped her best friend's hands tightly, and tried to keep her strong in the midst of the pain she was feeling. “You know, Nadia said that at that time El also did not fight. He looks like he's ready. He wants to make up for all his mistakes just like you.”

“What ... d-he is fine, Rin?” Rau heard Reva's voice on the sidelines sobbing, hoping she never left the man as Kris pulled him out of the apartment.

“The conditions are much better now. He has been able to communicate with all of us, although stammered and still often forgotten. At least, he can walk even if only a few steps.”

“Jeez, Rin .. I didn't expect that. It's all my fault ...”

“Rin .. I think it's too late. I've been married, and you know Kris is just like.”

“And you are happy with that marriage, Va?”

“This is not a matter of happiness or not. But there's a commitment I have to keep, ‘kan? I promised.”

“What is more important than that commitment is your own safety!”

“But you don't understand .. if there is no Kr—”

“You keep convincing yourself of that, Va! If there is no Kris like this, if there is no Kris so ..”.

“But that is true, Rin. She loves whatever I want, she fights for me without ever turning away once. Where can you get faithful men today?”

“You know what the price of Kris' loyalty and struggle is? That is your own freedom! Yes, he is indeed loyal and royal, but you are really locked up and controlled!”

“In my opinion, it's a reasonable price, Rin.”

“That reasonable price when you are the same she is equally happy, Reva! Your marriage is torture. He's tormented as much as his own obsession, you're tormented as the attachment to return the favor. Do you think it's healthy?”

“No ideal wedding seems to be ...”

“Maybe nothing, but are you willing to exchange your human rights as a free human being, the same material that Kris loves? You're like a bird in a golden cage! You have a great place to stay, but you can't fly anywhere!”

“Where should I fly to, Rin? I don't have anyone anymore. Here Kris can keep ak—”

“Take care of you with your mukulin? Hey, Va, you're really hallucinating about life. You can no longer differ where the real comfort, where the illusion. That's because Kris always makes you think that you don't have anyone else! But he's wrong, Va! He was wrong!”

“I don't know, Rin .. a-aku—”

“You have Rafael and his whole family, you have me and Adji. In fact, Nadia also did not hesitate to nerima you at her home. So, please, stop beating Kris's bullshit! For years he manipulated you until you became blind as things were going around!”

“I can't leave him now, Rin. After all the distress we passed together ...”

“We won't leave him, anyway. He needs help, he needs mental therapy from his same crazy obsession with you. Believe me, when he has lashed his punches all over your body, it is not love anymore! For him, you are just property. Just possession!"

“You don't know Kris. You don't know what will happen if I leave. Please, Rin, this is danger.”

“See, ‘kan? You survive only because you are afraid! Why, anyway, Va? Why can't you always defend yourself? El ninggalin, you were silent. Now that Kris is making you battered, you are silent too! Gemes, deh, me!”

“Because I'm not used to it, Rin .... Ever since I was a kid, I was forced to accept whatever my parents wanted. I never felt shaken, never felt they cared about my problems. What else can I do besides accept everything with a chest? And resume life without being able to protest in the slightest.”

“Gosh, Va ...”

“I never know what it's like to have an opinion, never know what it's like to convey my own feelings. From childhood I never get special things like that .. not at all.”

Erin was stunned to hear her best friend tell her about her childhood that she never knew. Reva was very quiet, and finally Erin understood why the woman was so quiet. He was always conditioned to be silent, from the moment he was born until the day they met.

Reva the robot, Erin finally understood why her schoolmates used to make fun of her like that. The woman had been feeling numb since childhood. Erin also understood why Reva had become so fond of writing. Perhaps, only through his novels alone could he truly freely speak and express his taste. The words on his dictionary are infinite, and will never be able to curb his ideas. That day Erin learned a lot about her childhood best friend.

“Va .. I have a surprise for you.”

“What?”

“Somebody. Someone you know well.”