Sinta leaned on Naufal's shoulder, enjoying the remaining warmth of the night. The night breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of frangipani flowers from the luxurious hotel garden where they had just parted ways. "Thank you for making time for me tonight, dear. And for introducing me to your Mom," Sinta said, her voice soft, a mix of tenderness and gratitude. Her smile bloomed, reflecting the happiness she was feeling. However, behind that happiness, the shadow of the past still haunted Naufal, the shadow of Chintya that never truly disappeared.
Naufal smiled, his fingers reaching out to gently caress Sinta's hair. His movements were full of affection, soothing. "I'm sorry for disappointing and angering you," he murmured, his voice heavy, as if carrying an invisible burden. A burden that always haunted him, the shadow of the past that never truly disappeared. The shadow of Chintya and her role in destroying his family.
Sinta smiled, hugging Naufal tightly. Her body felt warm in his embrace, calming the worries that had been bothering her. "I love you, Commander," she whispered in Naufal's ear, her voice almost inaudible, but full of meaning. A soft kiss landed on Naufal's cheek, a sign of sincere affection. In that embrace, for a moment, Naufal forgot the burden that always weighed on him. But that happiness was only temporary. That warmth could not erase the old wound that always gaped in his heart.
Naufal returned the hug, his hand stroking Sinta's back. He felt how close Sinta was in his life, how lucky he was to have a woman like Sinta.
"You don't have to take me home, just go straight home," Sinta said, feeling sorry for troubling Naufal any longer.
"It's okay," Naufal replied, holding Sinta's waist, leading her into the hotel. His touch was gentle, but firm, showing an undeniable possessiveness.
"Okay, see you tomorrow," Sinta waved her hand, entering the elevator. Her smile was still etched on her face, holding sweet memories of the night. However, behind that smile, the shadow of Chintya returned to haunt her, darker and more terrifying than before. That shadow was like a shadow of death that always followed her.
Naufal smiled, watching Sinta disappear behind the elevator door. He then walked towards the hotel exit, his heart filled with mixed feelings. Happiness for being with Sinta mixed with worry about the inevitable meeting. He knew Chintya must be waiting for him. And this meeting, he knew, would be more painful than he had ever imagined. More painful than the old wound that had long gaped in his heart.
Chintya was already standing in front of the door, her silhouette clearly visible under the hotel lights. Her long black hair was loose, covering part of her face which looked tense. A face that always reminded Naufal of a bitter past. A past where this woman had destroyed his family, snatching his father from his mother's embrace, Adelia. And now, that shadow returned to haunt him, more real and more painful.
"Aunt Chintya?" Naufal greeted, his voice flat, trying to hide the emotional turmoil within him. He tried to remain calm, but his chest felt tight. Tight with anger, tight with old wounds reopening. Wounds that never really healed.
"Naufal," Chintya began, her voice trembling, "I know you hate me. And you have the right to hate me." Tears began to fall, wetting her cheeks. Tears of regret, or perhaps, tears of despair.
"I don't want to see you again, Aunt," Naufal interrupted, his voice cold, firm. He tried to control his anger, but it was difficult for him to hold back the emotional turmoil that was engulfing him. Anger that had been pent up for a long time, now ready to explode.
"You have to hear this," Chintya pleaded, her voice almost inaudible because of her sobs. "It's about... about my child."
"I don't care," Naufal snapped, his voice full of anger. "You have destroyed my life, my Mom's life. Have you forgotten how cruel you were to make Azam lose his Papa at the age of 2! You have no right to ask me to care." The anger that had been pent up all this time, exploded. The words came out uncontrollably, filled with deep hatred.
Chintya sobbed, holding herself up so she wouldn't fall. "He... he's sick, Naufal. Very sick. Leukemia." Her tears broke, her voice punctuated by sobs. "Raisa... my child... she needs help." Her voice was full of despair, full of helplessness.
Naufal fell silent, Chintya's words piercing his heart. Even though he hated Chintya, he couldn't just ignore a child's suffering. However, anger and hatred still controlled him.
"I... I don't know your child," Naufal said, his voice still harsh, but there was a slight tremor in it. He tried to remain strong, but slowly, his emotional defenses began to crumble.
"She is innocent, Naufal," Chintya pleaded, looking at Naufal with teary eyes. "She's just a little girl who needs help. Please... help her." Her voice was full of despair.
"Where is Papa? Why are you here?" Naufal diverted the conversation, trying to control his emotions that were starting to get out of control. He tried to find a loophole, to avoid Chintya's request.
"He left us when Raisa was 3 years old. With a beautiful woman who is probably 10 years older than you," Chintya replied, her voice still trembling. She told everything, without hiding anything. She wanted Naufal to know everything.
Naufal's blood felt like it was boiling when he heard that his father had moved on to another woman.
"I don't have a job, Fatar doesn't provide for Raisa at all. I worked hard for my child who was then diagnosed with leukemia. Before my problems were over, I was suddenly fired from the company on charges of embezzling company money. Throwing me onto the streets with Raisa. Until I decided to return to this city, living with my mother who I hadn't contacted since marrying your father. But what I found.. Mother was gone. I tried to find a job, only this cleaning service job I got. The salary is not enough for living expenses and medicine for Raisa." Chintya told everything in detail, with overflowing emotions. She wanted Naufal to understand her situation.
Chintya looked at Naufal's face, waiting for his answer. Her eyes were full of hope, full of pleading. "Could I... ask for your help tonight? For Raisa's medical expenses?"
Naufal closed his eyes, trying to calm himself. He felt a great battle between anger and compassion within him. He hated Chintya, but he couldn't refuse her request. He couldn't refuse the request of a mother begging for her child. Even if it was the child of the woman who had destroyed his family.
After a moment of silence, Naufal opened his eyes. His voice sounded hoarse, full of emotion. "How much... how much does it cost?" The question came out in a trembling voice. He knew he couldn't refuse. He couldn't leave a child to suffer. Even if that child was the child of the woman who had destroyed his mother's life. Even though he was still filled with anger and hatred. But, in his heart, something had changed. There was a thread of affection that was beginning to form.