"Naufal stared intently at the detainee before him, a gaunt man with eyes full of despair. The 4.2 kilograms of narcotics found in his car were irrefutable evidence.
"I swear, Bang! I don't know Maya! My boss is Robert, Bang!" the detainee said, his voice trembling.
Naufal remained silent, his sharp eyes never leaving the detainee. He'd heard too many false oaths. Behind him, Aipda Dimas, his experienced partner, stood firm.
"Robert, huh? Dimas, any progress on Robert?" Naufal asked, his voice flat, devoid of emotion.
Dimas shook his head. "Nothing yet, Dan. Information is still minimal. All we have is the name."
Naufal sighed. He glanced towards Aretha, who was interrogating Natasha, a young woman in a baby pink t-shirt that contrasted sharply with the room's grim atmosphere. Natasha's beauty was like a mask concealing something dangerous.
"Razak and Evan still haven't returned?" Naufal asked Aretha.
"Not yet, Bang. They said they were looking for cigarettes," Aretha replied, her voice sounding slightly hesitant.
Naufal returned to the files on Aretha's desk. Natasha's name was clearly displayed. 19 years old. Beautiful. Involved in a drug network. Ironic. He looked at Natasha; the woman smiled, her eyes flashing with defiance.
"Natasha?" Naufal began his interrogation.
"Yes, Bang?" Natasha replied, her voice soft, almost seductive. "Wow... you're a really handsome officer."
Naufal ignored her flattery. He knew the beauty was just camouflage. "You know why you're here, Natasha?"
"I know, Bang. Bad company," Natasha answered, in a relaxed tone. "My friends are a little... wild."
"Wild enough to get involved with drugs?" Naufal raised an eyebrow.
Natasha paused for a moment, biting her lip, looking hesitant. "I'm... I'm just a courier, Bang. I don't know anything."
Naufal smiled thinly, a smile that held a deep meaning. "A courier? With that much weight? Don't try to underestimate me, Natasha. I know you're more than just a courier."
Natasha fell silent, not daring to meet Naufal's eyes. She knew she was trapped.
"Do you know Maya?" Naufal fired a sharper question.
Natasha was slightly startled. She hesitated for a moment before answering. "I've heard the name, but I don't know her, Bang." Her voice trembled slightly.
"Ok.. What about Robert?"
"Don't know him either, Bang."
Naufal observed every detail. The tension in Natasha's face, the hesitation in her voice, all indicated that she was lying.
"Don't lie, Natasha," Naufal said, his voice becoming firmer. "We already have enough evidence to link you to Robert's network. It's better for you to be honest."
Natasha bowed her head, tears beginning to fall. She knew she could no longer hide the truth. But she was afraid. Afraid of Robert, afraid of the consequences she would face.
"I... I'm scared, Bang," she whispered, her voice almost inaudible.
"Scared of what?" Naufal asked, his voice softening slightly. He knew that behind the baby pink mask, there was a much more complex and dangerous story.
"Scared of Robert," Natasha replied, her voice growing more tearful. "He... he's threatening my family."
Naufal was silent. He understood. Robert used family as a tool to control his subordinates. This was a cruel and dangerous game. A game that was much bigger than he imagined.
"Tell me everything, Natasha," Naufal said, his voice gentle but firm. "Tell me everything, and we will try to protect you."
Natasha nodded, her sobs growing louder. She began to tell everything, starting from her involvement with Robert's network, the threats she received.
The door to the room was knocked. Razak and Evan entered.
"Eh, you came, Dan?" Razak was surprised to see Naufal. "Aren't you on leave?"
"I was curious if these people are connected to Maya. Have you gotten any info on Robert?"
"No significant info yet, Dan. Just the name is circulating."
"Are you sure?" Naufal pressed.
Evan, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "We've tried to find information, Dan. But this Robert is very slippery. No trace is left behind."
"Look for more information," Naufal ordered.
"Yes, Dan."
"It's late, Dan. You need to rest. Remember, the wedding is in 2 days," Dimas reminded him.
"Take them to the cell," Naufal said to Evan and Wisnu.
"Yes, Dan."
Evan and Wisnu immediately took Natasha and Andre out.
"I'm going home, let me know later, okay?" Naufal said goodbye.
"Yes, Dan!" Dimas replied.
Naufal left the room. He saw Revan waiting outside the room.
"Uncle..." Naufal greeted.
"Finished?"
"Finished, Uncle."
"Let's go," Revan put his arm around his nephew's shoulder, leaving the place.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Dimas looked at Aretha, who was lost in thought.
"Ret," Dimas called.
Aretha turned around.
"What is it?"
"Tired, Bang."
"It's okay... Don't think about it, soon she'll have a partner, maybe she's not your soulmate. There's still Evan and Wisnu," Razak said.
Aretha smiled.
Naufal and Sinta's wedding party was a lively affair. The ballroom of a luxurious hotel in the city center was filled with guests who arrived non-stop until the reception was over. The glittering atmosphere of lights, happy laughter, and the fragrant aroma of luxurious dishes still lingered as Naufal and Sinta left the ballroom, leaving behind a trail of the magnificence of a sacred bond they had just forged. Naufal had been in a relationship with Sinta for eleven months, and tonight, at the end of the sacred vows, they officially became husband and wife.
The bridal suite in the hotel had been prepared so beautifully. Fresh flowers adorned the room, dim lights created a romantic atmosphere, and the bed was draped in white silk for the newlyweds. The clock showed 2:00 AM when Naufal's cell phone, which was placed on a small table, vibrated. Naufal reached for it, his eyes still sleepy. An incoming call from an unknown number.
Sinta opened her eyes, feeling the vibration of her husband's cell phone. "Who is it, dear?" she asked in a soft voice, still echoing the fatigue and euphoria of the wedding party.
"I don't know," Naufal replied, his voice still hoarse from fatigue, while answering the call. "Hello..."
"Good evening, Ipda Naufal..." The voice was cold and piercing. It was the voice of Maya, his hunted target, the drug dealer who had been cunningly disappearing from his pursuit all this time.
"You?" Naufal was startled. He didn't expect Maya to contact him, especially at a time like this.
"Your wedding ceremony is over, right? You must have enjoyed your first night with your beautiful wife," Maya mocked, her voice sounding satisfied and slightly mocking. "You should be grateful, I let you enjoy your happiness. But two o'clock marks a new day. Your happy day is over."
"What do you mean?" Naufal asked, trying to keep his voice calm, even though in his heart he was already alert.
"I just want to remind you, Naufal. I'm going to invite you to play hide and seek."
"You already knew about this wedding?" Naufal asked, trying to dig up more information.
"Of course. I always know what you're doing. I have eyes and ears everywhere," Maya replied confidently. "And I know, you will never be able to catch me."
"Don't be arrogant, Maya. I will keep hunting until you are caught," Naufal replied, his voice firm. He wouldn't give up so easily.
"We'll see who wins. But remember, your happiness now is only temporary. I will be back, and I will destroy everything," Maya threatened before disconnecting the phone."