Under The Rain's
Chapter 58—Freedom

Life that must be lived by Kris is not easy. At that time, he had to undergo two trials simultaneously. His trial was related to violence and possession of illegal drugs. His civil trial was even more painful, because inevitably he had to prepare to let his beloved wife go. However, Kris always felt that love was so strong, even though her mental disorder often slipped between the two of them.

Accompanied by police officers, Kris who is still undergoing rehabilitation left for Bandung to attend the divorce trial process. After a few weeks, he finally reunited with Reva, under circumstances he had never imagined. There was not the slightest thought in Kris that one day he would part with the woman.

Reva did not dare to look at Kris during the trial process. He's totally hiding behind his lawyer's body, and Rafael's. However, Reva believed in one thing; if he could forgive Rafael for his actions and accept the man back, he would also be able to make peace with Kris. It's just that time seems to go too fast. The cracks on his shoulder blades were still painful. Reva still insisted on keeping her distance.

Andini was also in the room as an expert witness. He came with health reports from both Kris and Reva. He explained to all parties involved in the trial that there are certain mental conditions that are the cause of the household rift. Andini is completely neutral just looking at it from a medical point of view.

The trial went well without a hitch. Reva had been very confident in his decision that time, no more doubts and pity that had trapped him for many years. Meanwhile, anyone knew that Kris was reluctantly forced to accept everything. The man speaks a thousand languages and only speaks when his testimony is needed.

There were many who seemed to be contemplating the man during the trial. Occasionally he wiped the water that had formed in the corner of the eye. Sometimes he holds his head which seems heavy. His eyes kept on him and he didn't move much. Andini who sat not far from him always prepared with a bottle of water and tissue, because Kris often asked for the two objects to him.

In addition to agreeing with each other, Reva and Kris also have no children. There is no problem about child custody or anything like that, there is also no drama of distribution of property gono-gini. Reva gave it up without demanding anything. He left Kris' house in Yogyakarta, carrying only clothes and books.

The only thing that made Reva's move heavy was the shady garden that she always cared for every day. Reva arranges them beautifully and treats the plants like a child. Feed them in the form of fertilizer and diligently check their condition one by one. They were grumbling friends and a place to complain when Kris was too drunk to talk. However, Reva still has some savings. He will start a new life again, and perhaps with a new garden.

The initial stage trial was completed without any significant obstacles, and the next stage would also be passed easily. I hope it stays that way until they officially part.

Kris must immediately return to Yogyakarta to continue his legal process there, and he is no longer afraid to face all that. The hardest part he's been through. The peak of his destruction occurred when he saw Reva and Rafael walking side by side out of the courtroom. After that, Kris began to rethink whatever had happened in his life.

“Kris .. we get allotted time for lunch.” Andini broke the man's daydream as he waited for the prison officer who was talking to his lawyer. “You eat together?”

Andini knew the man was being deeply shaken. The worst moment of his life just happened. However, Andini did not want to give up in such an atmosphere.

After a moment of silence, Kris finally replied, “Ayo .. but I don't think we can get out of here. You do not forget, ‘kan, if I am still a prisoner?”

“Include cannot exit.” Andini smiled looking at the lethargic face of the man before her. “But here is the canteen, really. What matters is the stomach, right. Eating anything is no problem.”

“Happy, yes ...” Kris immediately stopped his sentence, hesitating as to what he was about to say.

“Sweetie why?” Andini tried to fish.

“For years you are not in Bandung, here are many exciting cafes now.”

Unexpectedly, Andini was flabbergasted to hear Kris' speech just now. “You ... would you like to take me the way it means?” tanyanya tempt.

Kris looked up to look at the woman. He took a deep breath and said firmly, “An, I want to finish my duty first. I will not live quietly before I can boil everything.”

The obligations that Kris meant were of course prison confinement and the rehabilitation process until he was completely cleared of the influence of drugs and alcohol.

If his lawyer's prediction is correct, Kris won't get a cage that hits the annual figure for several reasons. First, Reva has never made a formal claim for any violence she has ever received. The woman wanted nothing more than a farewell, so the KDRT report never existed. Secondly, Kris's drug possession was still below the maximum amount, and every alcohol he consumed was obtained legally, the brands were even sold on the market and anyone could buy them. Even so, Andini still struggles so that Kris get the verdict as light as possible.

“Kris, I will try hard to get justice for you. At least I can help you from the medical side. You even just need rehab—”

“Not necessary, An. I will proceed according to the verdict. No need to appeal or anything. Waste of time and effort.”

“Kris ...”

“I'm tired, An. I need to rest and leave all the business out here. I want to be alone for a while.”

“Kris .. I know in there how it is. I relate to them, same addicts and sick people. You know, the thing called freedom isn't in there. Everything is all set.”

“Freedom, An? Freedom ... For years I took away the freedom of the person I love the most. Maybe it's time I get to know what he's been doing all that time.”

“T-but ... I can help you .. if you want.”

“Not necessary.”

Kris' reaction was not really surprising to Andini. The man is fragile. The combination of guilt and loss makes him more likely to hurt himself. And maybe that's the only way to make it better. A penance that will free his soul.

“Lagian .. I also need a lot of time to reflect, An. Create move on ...”

“Move on?”

“You know, a dozen years Reva was stuck in her past, and it made her sick every day.” Kris gave an explanation that was actually understood by Andini. “I won't confess to what he did.”

At least Kris's answer made Andini relieved. Perhaps, there was still a little space in the man's heart for his return. Andini just needs a little. Just little. Until that time will make it open wider. Slowly, as the man rearranges his heart. Andini just needed to continue to be by his side until that moment arrived. He had promised himself never to leave the man again.

Andini was speechless to witness the persistence of the man to make up for all his mistakes. But he also did not want to give up. What happened to Kris from the beginning was unfair. No one deserves to be punished when in fact he is just a victim of world cruelty. Andini knows the more evil people are still free to roam out there. While Kris, the man actually needs a helping hand, not torture behind bars.

“Kris ...” Andini held onto Kris who was sitting in front of her. “You're a good man. Until anytime please never forget, there are many people who you have helped so far.”

Kris simply smiled back at the grip with both hands. “Jadi ... still want to eat with prospective inmates?”

Without replying, Andini immediately pulled the man's arm cheerfully, to join her to the canteen near the courthouse.

***

“Surprise!”

With the rest of his savings, Reva had intended to rent a house, while he began his writing career again. But suddenly, Rafael took him to a place.

Along the way with Rafael's favorite naked-bike, Reva was nervous because every road he passed was a road that he had memorized in his mind. And sure enough, Rafael did turn into an area that Reva had expected.

“Surprise!” rafael shouted once again, when they were both in front of a door.

“What does that mean, anyway, El? The real one, ah!” Reva who was being played with finally protested.

“Yes, open the door if you don't believe.” Rafael hands over a key that looks familiar.

Slowly, Reva opened the door. And what he saw behind it was still completely the same as what had been perfectly recorded in his memory. Nothing has changed at all.

“Gosh ... El ...”

“Come in, Yi.” Without hesitation Rafael led the woman through the doorway.

“It ... really, can?”

In front of Reva back then was the memory of her past. The kitchen cabinet is the same. The bookshelf is still the same. In fact, all slimes, play-dough, paint painting and the canvas are still in their respective places. The painting made by Kaia is still the longest on the closet door. All that was lacking was his photos with Kris.

“El ... what does this mean?”

Not immediately answered, Rafael again took the woman's arm to the balcony, where he had done crazy stunts hanging in the dark in the early hours. When the balcony door was opened, the roar of wind immediately rushed into the room on the seventh floor.

“Yi ... This is all because of Nadia.” Raphael began to give an explanation. “That time there were property people coming to this unit, make photos before this place is sold. But, Nadia thinks she should do something.”

“Jadi ... Nadia bought this place?”

“Iya .. use her cousin's name, because she doesn't want Kris to be suspicious. He also wants to make amends to you.”

“Jadi ... This is Nadia's home now?”

“Your home, dong ...” Rafael's tongue suddenly felt faint before he could continue his sentence.

“Meanway? Me, ‘kan, have received money from Nadia.”

“Yi ...”

“What, El?”

“By no. ..”

“Apaan?”

“B-can't ... I ask you to use this house? Because I just bought this place from Nadia, for you.”

The climbing of Reva at that time along with a lightning strike whose voice was familiar. Rumbling for the sake of rumbling increasingly heard from the balcony overlooking the hills north of Bandung City.

“I-iya .. I know it's not time yet. I just feel like I need to tell you right away, Yi.” Rafael who was blushing embarrassed immediately gave a clarification.

“I just wanted to say that ... You still have to wait, El. His trial is still in process.”

“Not a problem! How long do you want me to wait? Ten years? Twenty years? Three—”

“Three months, El.”

Both Reva and Rafael reigned until their cheeks blushed, even though the air was very cold. The cold wind alone could not bring away the warmth that suddenly burst in the recesses of their hearts.

“Free three months, Yi? After that ...”

“After what, El?”

Without waiting for long, the already earthy lightning screeches immediately turned into raindrops. Something they've been waiting for.

“Rain-rain,” replied Rafael with a big smile on both ends of his lips.

Reva also laughed to see the strange man in front of him, although in fact it has become commonplace. “Now?” tanyanya tempt.

“Yuk! To the park now?”

The rain grew louder, but the two men rushed to the secluded garden next to the apartment. The garden was fenced by a row of large trees, and the two of them immediately ran around the trees once they got there. There was no one else nearby, and even if there were, they would definitely be astonished by the sight of a pair of barefoot adults playing in the pool.

Laughter began to sound between the whirring of the water and the roar of lightning. At that time there was no romantic dance like that had happened some time ago, but the joy of childhood that had been hidden and lost clearly emanated again there. The freedom that had long been snatched away finally returned to bring them flying fused with the wind.

For them, there is always something special under the rain.