The night air was piercingly cold, a remnant of the heavy downpour that had subsided just two hours prior. Adelia, her hair neatly styled in a bun, watched Naufal as he prepared to leave. Her eldest son, no longer a teenager—a young man of 23—displayed a palpable unease on his face.
That unease, for Adelia, was a stark reminder of her own adolescence, a time when secrets and anxieties mingled in a complex, often inexpressible feeling. Naufal was hiding something; Adelia could sense it. She observed every detail, from the way he tied his shoelaces to the way he brushed his slightly damp hair. Something was different tonight.
"Who is Sinta, Fal?" Adelia asked, her voice calm yet sharp, cutting through the silence of the night. The question was posed without preamble, straight to the heart of the matter she already suspected. She had picked up on strange cues ever since Naufal's younger sibling, Dek Adek, had mentioned an expensive transformer robot gift from a girl named Sinta.
Naufal, who was putting on a thick jacket, paused for a moment. He turned, his gaze meeting his mother's. A complex expression crossed his face: hesitation, anxiety, and a hint of guilt that he couldn't quite conceal. He bit his lower lip, a habit he always resorted to when nervous.
"Did Adek tell you?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse, trying to buy time. He needed a moment to gather his thoughts, to find a way to explain without having to reveal everything at once. He wasn't ready to face his mother's reaction, a woman always known for her firmness, wisdom, and deep affection.
"Yes, he told me Sinta gave him a transformer robot. That expensive robot, Fal. It's unlikely that just anyone would give such an expensive gift for no reason," Adelia replied, her voice firm, without a trace of doubt. She wouldn't allow her son to get caught up in a suspicious situation, especially involving such an extravagant gift. She knew Naufal wasn't a reckless boy.
Silence enveloped them, broken only by the chirping of crickets outside. Naufal sighed deeply, heavily. He had considered various scenarios, various possible reactions from his mother, and yet it was still difficult to tell her everything.
His relationship with Sinta had been going on for more than six months, and he had never told Adelia. The fear of his mother's reaction, the fear of disappointing her, had haunted him all this time. He was afraid of losing his mother's trust.
Naufal sat down next to Adelia, drawing closer as if seeking protection and strength. He tried to gather his courage, courage he had been suppressing all this time. "Sinta is my girlfriend. She just arrived this afternoon," he confessed, his voice still slightly trembling, revealing how nervous he was at that moment. He looked at his mother with hope.
Adelia was silent for a moment, processing the information she had just received. She wasn't angry, at least not yet. However, she felt surprised and a little disappointed. She hadn't expected her son, who was already 23 years old, to still be hiding his relationship with a woman.
More than just surprised, a hint of worry began to surface. His age of 23 and his secretive behavior raised deeper suspicions. There was more to it than just a normal romantic relationship; Adelia could sense it. She tried to understand her son's point of view.
"Are you going out to meet her?" Adelia asked, her voice gentle and still watchful, indicating that she was still assessing the situation. She wanted to make sure that Naufal wouldn't do anything that would endanger himself.
"Yes," Naufal replied briefly, waiting for his mother's reaction. The short answer showed how eager he was to see Sinta. He looked restless, pacing back and forth.
"Okay." Adelia nodded slightly, trying to remain calm. She had to be wise, not rash. She had to understand the situation and find the best solution. She wanted to offer support, not punishment.
"Sorry, I haven't had a chance to tell you, Mama. I was still looking for the right time to talk when Sinta suddenly called to say she had arrived," Naufal explained, showing his remorse. He tried to explain his reasons for keeping the relationship a secret. He looked genuinely sorry.
"Not from our region?" Adelia guessed, her voice sounding slightly suspicious. Her suspicion grew stronger that there was more to it than just a normal romantic relationship. She wanted to ascertain Sinta's background.
"Yes," Naufal replied briefly, acknowledging his mother's guess. He knew his mother was very perceptive and sensitive.
"Studying or already working?" Adelia asked, continuing her interrogation. She wanted to know more about Sinta.
"Still in her last semester of college," Naufal replied.
"The same age?" Adelia asked, her voice a little sharper. She wanted to confirm some important things.
"Yes," Naufal replied, waiting for his mother's next question. He knew his mother's questions indicated a deeper suspicion.
"Where did you meet?" Adelia asked, her final question probing further.
"It's been a long time. Since I was still in training. We met at a mall when I was on leave with my friends, but we only started dating 6 months ago. I haven't told you, Mama, because Sinta isn't here either," Naufal explained, detailing the chronology of his meeting with Sinta. He tried to explain everything in detail.
Adelia smiled, a smile that was difficult to interpret. The scent of the perfume Naufal was wearing, a familiar and slightly foreign aroma, seemed to fill the room. Naufal's phone rang. He reached for his phone.
"Sinta probably called you. She must be waiting," Adelia said, straightening Naufal's jacket. She tried to remain calm and supportive. "Be careful, okay?"
"Yes, Ma. I'm going, Ma," Naufal said goodbye. He looked relieved that his mother wasn't angry.
Adelia watched Naufal leave the house. She smiled, and there was a hint of doubt in her eyes. "How quickly time passes, my son is so grown up it turns out," Adelia murmured. She realized that her son was already an adult and capable of making his own decisions.
Naufal walked towards his car, answering the phone call. "Hello, Aretha? Yes, I'm about to head out. What's the problem? Alright, I'm coming to the scene." Naufal's voice sounded slightly tense.
As soon as Aretha's call ended, he immediately searched for Sinta's name in his phone contacts, and quickly contacted her.
"Hello." Sinta's voice.
"Nta, I might be a little late."
"Why? It's almost eight o'clock. You said you'd pick me up after Isha."
"There's a little work. Be patient, okay? Just a moment. My team called, they said."
"Ah, you! Can't your team move without you??" Sinta interrupted, her tone sounding annoyed.
"Just a moment, honey. As soon as I'm done, I'll pick you up."
"Just say it, there's Aretha on the team who just recovered her health. You're worried something will happen to her, right?"
"It's not like that. Come on, don't be jealous of my team members? Am I the only one who's still single on our team?"
"Whatever! I'm going to the mall nearby! Whether you want to follow or not, it's up to you!" Sinta hung up the phone, showing a mix of disappointment and anger.
Naufal sighed. He sent a message to Sinta's number.
"Sorry."