The afternoon sun began to dip towards the western horizon, painting the sky with gradients of orange and purple. At 5:00 PM, Naufal entered Clara's Clinic. The clinic was quite busy; several patients sat waiting their turn in the waiting room, the murmur of conversations interspersed with the ringing of the telephone and the footsteps of medical staff. Naufal, with a firm stride, approached the administration desk.
"Is Doctor Clara available?" he asked, his voice calm and authoritative.
"Yes, Sir. I'll let her know you're here. May I ask who's calling?" asked the administrative officer, a friendly woman wearing a neat uniform.
"Naufal."
The administrative officer, named Ani, walked towards Doctor Clara's room. Shortly after, she returned.
"Please, go in, Sir."
"Thank you."
Naufal entered Clara's room. The room felt warm and comfortable, decorated with children's paintings and ornamental plants. Clara, with a lilac hijab that contrasted with her beautiful face, was engrossed in coloring with Raisa. Raisa seemed very serious, fully concentrating on the picture in her hand.
"Sorry to bother you," said Naufal, a little awkward.
"Oh, you're here?" Clara greeted, smiling warmly.
"Yes, how is she?" Naufal asked, pointing to Raisa.
"She's fine now. It just so happens that my practice hours are over," Doctor Clara replied.
Naufal sat down in front of Doctor Clara. He gently stroked Raisa's head, who was still focused on coloring.
"Raisa seems close to you," Clara said, starting the conversation. "Siska said that before Mrs. Chintya passed away, she left a letter asking you to take care of Raisa. Why don't you bring her to your house?"
The question went straight to the heart of the matter. Naufal sighed.
"I can't," he replied, his voice a little heavy.
"Why? Are you worried about your wife getting angry? Thinking that this child is your mistress's daughter?" Clara hinted, deliberately provoking Naufal to reveal his status. The information she obtained from Diana indicated that Naufal was still single.
"I'm not married," Naufal replied, firmly.
"Oh really? I thought you were. Usually members like you already have a 'Bhayangkari mother' by your side," Clara chuckled, her tone light but still sharp, trying to ease the slightly tense atmosphere. ("Bhayangkari" refers to a police officer's wife)
Naufal smiled thinly, trying to defuse the tension. "Amen... Hopefully, it will happen soon," he replied, a little jokingly, but there was sincerity implied in his words.
He turned his gaze to Raisa, who was still busy coloring. "Say goodbye to Kak Clara. We're going home."
"I want to go home too," Clara said, starting to pack her bag neatly.
"Do you have a vehicle?" Naufal asked.
"Not yet. I'm still using online motorcycle taxis everywhere until I meet my private driver," Clara replied, laughing freely, her voice cheerful.
"Let me take you," Naufal offered, joining in the laughter.
"Our houses are in different directions," Clara refused, but her voice sounded hesitant, as if she wanted to accept Naufal's offer, the handsome man who had stolen her heart since they first met.
"It's okay. I'll be the driver for the doctor who has been kind enough to take care of Raisa," Naufal said, carefully and lovingly carrying Raisa.
"For life, maybe?" Clara laughed along, but there was something different in her laughter this time, a hidden hope, a feeling that was beginning to grow in her heart.
They walked side by side out of the clinic, saying goodbye to Ani and the other patients.
"Who is that to Doctor Clara?" one patient asked, curious. "Her husband?"
"No, he's the guardian of Doctor's patient," Ani replied, smiling meaningfully.
"Future husband," Diana blurted out, laughing freely. "Just wait for the invitation."
"You," Ani joined in the laughter, the atmosphere becoming more cheerful.
Inside the car, the atmosphere became quiet. Raisa was busy playing with her toys in the back seat. After a while, Clara broke the silence, her voice soft but full of curiosity.
"Actually, who is Raisa? Why did Mrs. Chintya entrust Raisa to you?" she asked. "Sorry, it sounds nosy. But Raisa is registered as my patient. So I want to know."
Naufal looked at his cellphone. An incoming call from Sinta, his girlfriend.
"One moment," he replied.
Naufal answered the phone from Sinta.
"Yes... What is it, Nta?"
"Look at the picture I sent!"
"Later, okay? I'm driving."
"Give me an explanation after seeing that picture!" Sinta hung up with an annoyed and jealous tone.
Naufal stopped his car on the side of the road. His face looked tense.
"What's wrong?" Clara asked, worried, seeing Naufal's change in expression.
Naufal didn't answer, he opened the chat from Sinta. The photo... was of him carrying Raisa, walking side by side with Clara towards the parking lot. He was about to call Sinta back, to explain everything, when a call came in from Razak, his colleague in the police force.
"Hello."
"The target is locked in at the location shared by the informant," Razak said, his voice serious and full of alertness. "We're waiting for Mr. Naufal."
"Share the location," Naufal ordered, his voice firm and authoritative.
"Yes, Sir."
Naufal turned to Clara after seeing the location Razak shared. "What's wrong?" Clara asked, anxiously.
"I have to go to the crime scene immediately. It's a big drug case. I can't take Raisa and you home," Naufal replied, his face serious, the authoritative aura of a police officer clearly radiating.
"Oh..." Clara smiled, she understood Naufal's job very well. "In that case, let Raisa and I get off here. Let us take an online taxi. Later you can pick up Raisa at my house."
"No. I'll get off here. You take my car to your house. Later, after I finish my work, I'll come to your house," Naufal said, opening the online motorcycle taxi application. He didn't want to leave Clara and Raisa alone in a deserted place.
"Oh, okay," Clara nodded, understanding the emergency situation Naufal was facing.
Naufal's words made her float again.
"But if I don't come by 11 pm, please take care of Raisa, okay? I'll pick her up tomorrow morning," Naufal ordered, his voice sounding a little worried.
"Yes," Clara replied, smiling sympathetically. She understood Naufal's duties and responsibilities as a police officer.
Naufal immediately got off after the online motorcycle taxi he ordered arrived.
"Be careful," Naufal said, showing his concern.
"You too," Clara replied, showing her respect and admiration for Naufal.
Naufal waved his hand. "Raisa, don't be naughty."
"Yes," Raisa replied, her voice innocent and naive.
"Police Inspector Naufal Hasbi," Clara called, her voice a little louder so she could be heard.
Naufal, who was already sitting behind the motorcycle taxi driver, turned around.
"Come home with success, Dan. Take good care of yourself. The fate of young people in this city depends on your success in rolling up the drug dealers," Clara said, her voice full of enthusiasm and support. She encouraged Naufal, showing her respect and appreciation for Naufal's sacrifice for the community.
Naufal smiled while waving before leaving. Clara watched until Naufal disappeared from view. She smiled, a smile full of admiration and hope. It hasn't been two weeks since she met Naufal, but their introduction, which was connected by Raisa's illness, made it seem like they had known each other for a long time. A new feeling began to grow in her heart, a feeling that she had never felt before, a feeling that was more than just sympathy and admiration. She hoped Naufal would return safely.