It was 5:30 AM. The faint light of dawn barely pierced through the gap in the window, illuminating the room filled with silence.
Naufal, after performing the dawn prayer, folded his prayer mat with slow movements. His gaze fell on Akzham, his younger brother, who was fast asleep on the floor.
Gently, Naufal lifted Akzham's body. He laid Akzham on the bed, pulling the blanket up to cover his small body.
His touch was full of tenderness, as if afraid to awaken any nightmares Akzham might be experiencing.
The fried rice from the kitchen wafted in as Naufal walked there. Adelia turned when she heard footsteps approaching.
Her face looked tired, her eyes were still puffy, and she forced a thin smile. A smile that felt so bitter, reflecting the heavy burden she carried. Naufal felt the same despair.
"Have you prayed?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse, trying to sound calm.
"Yes," Naufal replied.
"Akzham?"
"Yes, but he's back asleep," Naufal replied, stifling a small yawn. He tried to act normal, and the burden in his heart felt heavy.
Adelia sighed deeply, her face looking more tired than usual.
"You don't have school today, right? Can Mama ask for your help, son? Take care of Akzham. Mama has to go to the office. Aunt Lila's child is sick. She can't come in. Mama also wants to meet with the boss, maybe there are extra job openings." Her voice trembled, trying to hide the deep sadness. Her words sounded forced, covering something up.
"For?" Naufal asked, his curiosity mixed with anxiety.
Adelia wiped her face, her eyes welling up. "We have to move from here, son. Mama's money is all gone. We can't stay here any longer." Her voice broke, accompanied by sobs she tried to hold back. The words were like a direct blow that hit Naufal. He felt the same despair, and he had to stay strong for his mother and Akzham.
Naufal thought for a moment, then an idea came to his mind, a slim hope that might save them.
"Why don't we move to Grandpa's house, Ma?" he asked, his voice full of hope, even though he himself doubted his grandfather's acceptance.
"Mama is Grandpa's only daughter. Uncle Kevin and Uncle Revan won't let Mama be treated like this!"
He hoped for the strength of his extended family, for protection from his uncles who held high ranks.
Adelia pondered, images of her past filled with luxury clashing with the bitter reality she faced now. Memories of the luxury and protection from her two older brothers, Kevin Samudra (Brigadier General) and Revan Anugrah (Police Commissioner), made her even sadder.
They were her protectors, a solid fortress that always shielded her. However, her marriage to Fatar, the man she once loved with all her heart, had taken all of that away.
Overwhelming love had blinded her, leading her to leave the luxury and protection of her family to live a simple life with Fatar. She believed in Fatar's promise, a promise to lead her to God's paradise. It never occurred to her that she would experience this shocking problem.
"Ma," Naufal's call broke Adelia's reverie. She snapped back to the bitter reality she was facing.
"No, son. We can't trouble your grandfather," Adelia replied firmly, holding back the tears that threatened to fall. "Mama can still try to find a decent place for the three of us to live. While waiting for Papa's explanation. Maybe there's a big problem he's facing, so Papa recklessly sold this house without talking to us. Maybe Papa doesn't want to worry Mama." She was still trying to defend her husband, finding reasons to excuse Fatar's unforgivable actions.
"Still thinking well after what Papa did? Ma, Papa sold this house without Mama's permission! Forged Mama's signature! Spent my educational savings! Drained all the contents of Mama's ATM! Then ran away and can't be contacted! Mama is still defending him?!" Naufal exploded, his anger no longer contained. He felt betrayed, treated unfairly, and most painfully, seeing his mother still trying to defend his father who had destroyed their lives.
"There must be a reason... Let's just wait until Papa's cell phone number can be reached. Don't judge Papa so harshly!" Adelia defended her husband, her voice trembling, and her determination remained firm. She still hoped there was a reasonable explanation behind all this, still hoping for a love that had long faded.
Naufal fell silent, looking at his mother with a broken heart. Although his mother looked very hurt, the woman in front of him did not seem to want to think negatively about her husband. He didn't understand how his mother could be so strong in the face of such cruel betrayal. He could only feel a deep sense of despair.
"Mama is going to take a shower first. Have to go to the office soon. Wake up your brother, ask him to have breakfast," Adelia said, trying to hide her sadness behind words that seemed ordinary. She tried to be strong, trying to be a strong mother in front of her children.
"Yes," Naufal replied briefly, his voice flat.
Adelia walked away from the kitchen. Naufal sighed deeply before walking towards his room. He felt a heavy burden on his shoulders. The responsibility to take care of his younger brother and support his mother in this difficult situation felt very great.
Akzham was already awake. However, he was sitting on the bed playing with his favorite toy cars, seemingly unaware of how serious the problems his family was facing. Naufal smiled bitterly looking at his younger brother who was still innocent and didn't understand anything.
"Come on. Let's eat," Naufal said softly, trying to divert his thoughts from the problems that plagued him. "Mama has cooked your favorite fried rice." He held out his hand for Akzham to get off the bed.
Akzham's small hand immediately grasped Naufal's finger. They arrived in the kitchen. Naufal lifted the small body to sit on the chair. His gaze accidentally fell on Adelia's cell phone lying on the table. A missed call from Aunt Lila, his mother's best friend. But there was a message. Naufal's heart pounded as he read the message:
"Have you left, Del? I'm still watching Fatar and Chintya. They're still here and haven't noticed my presence."
A photo was attached. A photo of Fatar sitting intimately with a woman Naufal knew very well—Chintya, Adelia's best friend in high school. Five months ago, Chintya, who experienced domestic violence from her ex-husband, had returned with Adelia's help.
Naufal froze. A bitter truth was revealed before him. His family's life was destroyed not only because of economic problems, but also because of the betrayal committed by his father.
From the chat conversation between Adelia and Lila, it showed that his mother was trying to cover up the pain she received by pretending to go to the office to replace her friend who couldn't come.
Naufal now understood that Adelia wanted to meet Fatar before her husband left the city with Chintya.
Footsteps approached. Naufal immediately put the cell phone on the table. He sat next to Akzham.
Adelia entered, looking hurried as she put her cell phone in her bag.
"Mama is leaving, okay? You guys be good at home."
Without waiting for an answer, Adelia left the room.
Naufal looked at Akzham.
"After eating, you'll wait for me at Aunt Nisa's house, okay?"
"Where are you going?"
"I am going to the supermarket for a bit."
"Buy me chocolate?"
"Yes."
Naufal clenched his fist.
"I can't. I have to catch up with Mama," he resolved.