A haunting silence lingered in the house.
The rooms were empty, things scattered everywhere.
Mian, Yen, and Yen's husband sat quietly, their faces pale, their hearts heavy. The stillness was so deep that even the soft rustle of the curtains could be heard clearly in the air.
But the sight before them was an even greater shock.
Wee and Lamai were sitting on the floor.....collapsed, shattered in every possible way.
What they had just seen, heard, and learned was not merely a deception… it was an injustice.
An injustice that crushed their faith, their hearts, their minds, and their very souls.
Neither Wee held Lamai, nor Lamai looked toward Wee.
A strange unease filled the room.....as if everyone had suddenly become strangers, as if every bond, every relationship, every tie of blood had already died.
Behind them, in the lobby.....away from everyone's eyes...the television was still on.
No one was watching, yet the anchor's urgent voice pierced through the air:
"Based on confirmed evidence, it has now been revealed that Jain is the true culprit.
He not only murdered two children but also, years ago, killed a little girl.
That girl's name was Mavi.
Jain has been taken to court just moments ago."
Neither Wee moved, nor Lamai, nor their parents.
They sat frozen....like a flower fallen from its branch at dusk, waiting silently for the last breath of its fading fragrance.
Wee's father's eyes brimmed with tears.
Memories flooded his mind like a raging sea, and guilt struck him harder than any storm.
He spoke between sobs, his voice trembling with regret.....
"How foolish I was… to think my own son, Lu, could have taken Mevi's life.
Why didn't I trust him? Where had my reason gone?
I cast him out of this house… that very son who tried to save Mevi!"
He slapped his own face in despair, punishing himself for the sin of disbelief.
Yen rushed to stop him, grabbing his hands, but she too was as helpless and broken as he was.
"I'm not worthy to be called a father!" he cried.
"I'm guilty too.....punish me as well!
Lu… my son… forgive me!"
At last, he broke completely, collapsing in tears, weeping like a river bursting through its banks.
Mian, on the other hand, said nothing.
Her face was pale, her eyes trembling with silent grief.
She wiped her tears and slowly walked to Lamai, who still sat like a statue of sorrow, motionless and numb.
Mian gently touched her shoulder, signaling her to stand.
Lamai rose quietly, her gaze blank, and as she passed by Wee, she didn't utter a single word.
The two women.....Mian and Lamai....walked out of the house together, their steps heavy, slow, and silent.
---
Flashback begins ... the dreadful truth they had all witnessed.
When Wee and Lamai had arrived home earlier that day,
they noticed the shop was closed.
It was Monday.
And on Mondays… the shop was never closed.
Both of them stood there, puzzled.....
unaware that the surprise they felt was nothing compared to the tragedy that had already taken place.