The sun began to set on the western horizon. At 5:00 PM, Naufal finally finished the pile of files on his desk. Tired but relieved, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He had spent the entire day grappling with energy- and mind-draining cases, especially the increasingly worrying drug cases. The aroma of coffee from the office canteen faintly wafted in, but he didn't have time to enjoy it. Something more important awaited him.
He reached for his phone, his fingers dialing Sinta, his girlfriend.
"Yes," Sinta answered from the other end.
"I'll be there soon, okay?" Naufal asked, his voice sounding a little tired.
"Okay," Sinta replied briefly, and Naufal could feel the warmth and affection implied in those words. The promise of meeting Sinta was the only thing he looked forward to after a day struggling with complex cases.
Naufal put away his phone and immediately left the room. In the corridor, he ran into Second Constable Aretha. Aretha's face looked a little worried.
"Sir," Aretha called, her voice slightly trembling.
"Yes, what is it, Retha?" Naufal replied, his tone becoming gentler, trying to calm Aretha. He knew Aretha was still new and inexperienced in dealing with complex situations.
"Nindy... Nindy is begging to be reunited with her child," Aretha said, explaining hesitantly. Her voice faltered, reflecting the burden she carried.
Naufal sighed deeply. He had expected a request like this. Although Nindy had admitted her mistake and regretted her actions, she was still a drug offender, a very sensitive case that could not be taken lightly. However, Naufal also couldn't ignore the human side, especially when it involved a mother and her child.
"What did you tell Nindy?" Naufal asked, trying to maintain his patience.
"I've explained the visitation procedures, Sir. But she keeps begging, even crying," Aretha replied, looking a little frustrated with Nindy's stubborn attitude.
Naufal thought for a moment. He had to be firm and remain humane. "Tell her, can't it be tomorrow? During visiting hours. Her family can bring her child when they visit her in detention," Naufal said, trying to explain patiently and firmly. He tried to be fair without ignoring the applicable procedures.
"I already did, Sir. But she's still begging," Aretha replied, looking increasingly frustrated. "She said she misses her child so much, Sir. She said she regrets it and won't do it again."
Naufal wiped his face, feeling a little tired of dealing with this situation. He understood the feelings of a mother separated from her child, and he also had to uphold the law. No one could be given special treatment, whoever they were. The rules had to be followed, especially in a very sensitive drug case.
"Retha, you've done your best. Stay firm, but stay humane. Remember the procedure. Don't let us break the rules just because of compassion. We have to be fair to everyone," Naufal said, his voice rising slightly, still trying to maintain his patience. He had to set a good example for new members like Aretha.
"Yes, Sir," Aretha replied, her voice sounding obedient. She nodded in understanding, although she still looked a little hesitant.
"I'm going home first," Naufal said, leaving Aretha still standing in the corridor. He walked quickly towards the parking lot, leaving the building that looked deserted in the twilight. The image of Nindy and her child, and also the unresolved drug cases, still filled his mind.
In the parking lot, he met Second Brigadier Razak, a member and also his friendly and always cheerful senior. Razak observed Naufal with a friendly smile.
"You smell good, and your face is cheerful," Razak said, looking at Naufal who looked fresh despite being tired. "Looks like you're happy."
Naufal laughed. "You're just saying that, Sir. Yes, a little relieved. Today was quite tiring."
"Got a date, huh?" Razak guessed, smiling meaningfully.
Naufal just smiled, not answering. "I'll go first, Sir," Naufal said goodbye.
"Yes, be careful on the road," Razak waved.
Aretha looked at Razak, smiling faintly. She knew Naufal was happy because he was going to meet Sinta. She was also happy for her superior.
Naufal was indeed a firm and fair police officer, and he also had a gentle and compassionate side. However, behind that cheerfulness, lay the heavy burden of his duty in eradicating drugs.
Naufal drove his car, thinking of Sinta waiting for him. He imagined Sinta's smile, Sinta's laughter, and the gentle touch of Sinta's hand. All of that made him forget for a moment the burden of his work.
He felt lucky to have Sinta, a woman who always supported him in good times and bad. However, in the midst of his happiness, the shadow of drug cases, especially the case of Nindy and the shabu distribution network involved, still haunted him.
On the way, Naufal's mind wandered back to Nindy and her child. Although he had upheld the law, he felt the need to consider the human side, as long as it was in accordance with procedure.
Maybe he could talk to the warden to find a more humane solution, such as allowing Nindy to meet her child more often, as long as it was in accordance with the applicable procedures. He had to balance law enforcement with humanity, especially in cases involving children.
A few moments later, Naufal arrived at the parking lot of the hotel where Sinta was staying. He hurried down and walked into the lobby.
On the way, he had called Sinta to wait in the lobby. As soon as he entered, Naufal saw Sinta's beautiful face which immediately smiled at him. Sinta stood, graceful in a light blue dress.
"Naufal!" Sinta exclaimed, running to Naufal. She hugged Naufal tightly, as if wanting to erase all the fatigue that enveloped her lover.
"I missed you," Sinta whispered in Naufal's ear.
"Me too, honey," Naufal replied, hugging Sinta tightly. He inhaled Sinta's soft perfume, an aroma that always made him feel calm and comfortable.
"Come on, let's go to your house, I want to meet Mom," Sinta hooked her arm into Naufal's. They both walked towards Naufal's car, a romantic atmosphere enveloping them. But when they arrived at the parking lot, something unexpected happened. There, stood a woman Naufal knew very well, Chintya, his mother's friend who had long disappeared with his father.
Chintya's face also looked surprised when she saw Naufal, and her expression was difficult to interpret. Sinta, who stood beside Naufal, stared at Chintya with a questioning look. Silence enveloped the three of them, making the romantic atmosphere they had just felt disappear instantly.
Sinta turned to Naufal.
"Who is it?" Sinta asked upon seeing Naufal's expression that looked changed.
"Naufal?" Chintya greeted Naufal hesitantly.
The man was silent, not answering.
The shadow of a dark past reappeared in Naufal's mind, making him freeze on the spot. This surprise drastically changed his evening plans with Sinta.
The meeting that should have been full of happiness was now filled with questions and tension. Naufal had to face his past that reappeared before his eyes.