Embun tried to comfort herself when, all the way back to Jakarta, Al continued to hold his hand while the other hand concentrated on the steering wheel.
I'm trying, Al. I'm trying to get used to it, Embun said to herself.
They were still joking and laughing, as usual. However, a few things have changed. Their voices are no longer the same. Now, it sounded softer and anyone who heard it would have guessed that the two were lovers, not just friends.
If during this time people only looked suspiciously at them or speculated by saying that Embun and Al were friends with benefit, now definitely not anymore. They must be sure that the two are indeed lovers.
Alaska could no longer hide the blind glint of love when he looked at the Embun, his beloved woman. The mouth can tell lies, but the eyes can't. Eyes are always more honest than mouth and tongue.
Embun's affection had indeed increased on this man compared to before. Like climbing the stairs to the aisle, she inched step by step. It can't be too fast either, because it's still entangled with the frenzy of the screams of its own heart.
A thousand doubts try to be pushed aside and replaced with a million hopes. It's difficult, but Embun tries hard for it. The shadow of the jerk she knew always flashed past. The men made her hate the male gender.
Two men who have ever existed in Embun's life. Both are here only to inscribe a wound that is deep to heal. Her father and Bara.
Her father was very kind and caring. Then he turned into a cruel wolf who did not tire of tearing the body of Embun. Suffering is not only experienced physically but also in the heart. The sharp blades had already been pierced, scratched, and tore.
When life was tossed about, Bara was present in Embun's life. He is the only younger sibling of Embun's late mother. At first, Bara appeared as a superhero who was always ready to hug her when she needed a hug. This man is the only place to complain for Embun who does not have friends in her daily life.
Bara often comes to visit Embun. Of course, it was the afternoon or evening before her father came home because he was also not compatible with Embun's father. There are always quarrels and fights when the two humans meet.
Not infrequently, Bara came with his friend, a woman, of course. After talking for a while, they would go into the guest room and lock the door. She doesn't know what they were doing. Embun never wanted to know.
An hour or two passed before Bara would come out of the room. Usually, he immediately went with his girlfriend after leaving the room. His female friend was always changing. However, not infrequently, the woman left and Bara was still at Embun's house to talk.
At least Embun doesn't feel alone. There's still a family she can talk to, though maybe not completely nice people. That's what was in Embun's mind. Hence, she never wanted to care about what her uncle was doing in the guest room.
Bara hasn't appeared at Embun's house for several days. Unlike usual three days, the man must show the bridge of his nose. It's been almost ten days.
Where the hell is he? thought Embun. The girl did not want to contact Bara for fear of disturbing him. Who knows, he's still busy with work.
As far as Embun was concerned, the man worked for a contractor company. Bara more often does the work at home. He said, occasionally to the office to deposit work and meetings. Embun also doesn't really understand, so it's okay to hear the uncle's explanation.
Last night, Embun's father threw a tantrum. The man beat her to a pulp all over her body. Indeed, the father was not aware because he was under the influence of alcohol because of several bottles he had drunk.
Embun has always been an outlet for inner anger he could never express to anyone. The loneliness that undermines the heart, the heartbreaking emptiness, has been kept to himself. Only on Embun he can vent all that annoyance.
The next day, Embun could not go to school. There's no way she'd come in bruised and bruised. She was also embarrassed because she would definitely be the center of attention and gossip at school, both among teachers and students.
Embun's body aches all over, even walking is difficult. The father seemed to no longer care. Early in the morning, he had left the house again. Do not know where.
Embun had to call his uncle, because she was really in pain to get out of bed. That morning Bara came to visit the house.
"Are you okay, Embun? Let's go to the doctor, shall we? Let's check everything," said Bara. Of course, Embun refused.
It's hard to eat, it's a waste to go to the doctor, the girl thought.
"No need, Uncle. I've been given medicine too. Tomorrow at least it'll be fine," said Embun, hiding the pain and aches all over her body, as well as sadness in her heart.
"Oh, there's money, really. Come on, if you want to go to the doctor. I will take you." Bara held Embun's hand, trying to get the girl to get up.
"No need, Uncle. Really, Embun is okay, really." Embun forced herself to smile and look fine.
"Have you been given medicine for all of your wounds? Anything else yet?" Bara looked at her only nephew with concern.
"Just the one on the shoulder and back, Uncle. Difficult." Embun pointed at her shoulder.
"Well, that's that then. Here, Uncle smear it," said Bara.
Embun was a little surprised. Even though this man was her mother's younger brother, they were still humans of a different gender. They're both an adult. There is a feeling of uncomfortable in the heart.
Seeing the expression on Embun's face, Bara smiled.
"Why? Are you ashamed of yourself? Just relax. Just like other people, you are," said Bara calmly.
Seeing Bara's calm demeanor, of course, Embun thought nothing of it. She knows her uncle has a lot of stock of women who are much more beautiful and sexy than her. She's just a third grade junior high school snot.
Slightly hesitant, she shifted her seat back to Bara, who was taking wound medicine on the bedroom table. He waited patiently.
"Raise the shirt up to the neck. If you are embarrassed, just lift the back," said Bara, still in a calm tone.
Bara immediately smeared the wound medicine on Embun's back, which was full of bruises and wounds using a cotton swab. The girl winced in pain.
"Hold on a second, okay? Let the wound dry quickly. So, all drugs must be smeared. If it gets infected, it's dangerous, Mbun." Gently, Bara applied the medicine to the entire wound on her back. Bara's gentleness and calmness made the pain that brushed the girl's back slightly subside.
Luckily, there is still Uncle Bara, said Embun in her heart. Arriving at the shoulder area, it was a little difficult to see Embun's wound because it was blocked by the shirt she was wearing.
"It's okay, Mbun, just open it. After all, only for a moment. Not even five minutes. After that, put on the shirt again," said Bara, who was having a hard time applying the medicine to Embun's shoulder. Finally, the girl relented, took off the shirt, and covered it in the chest area.
Bara is still busy applying medicine to Embun's shoulder. However, this time, the girl sensed that something differed from her uncle's attitude. Bara's breath was loud and felt so close to her neck, it gave her goosebumps. Suddenly, the girl turned around.
Bara suddenly covered Embun's mouth, and the next scene was predictable. Yes, that morning, Embun was raped by her own uncle. Bara's screams and muffled cries were completely ignored by Bara. His intention to vent his forbidden desire did not subside at all. Pity had just flowed from the man himself. So pathetic.
The pain in Embun's body is now increasing. It was her father's actions and now Bara is contributing to the pain and aches in her. It is not the body that is actually crushed, but the heart. Being crushed by people who should have loved Embun and instead loved her was far more painful than being hurt by other people. Two men she couldn't trust anymore.
"I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. I deliberately brought the girls here as an outlet. Mbun, I can't stand it every time I see you. You are so beautiful, attractive." Bara can still speak calmly after raping his own niece.
The man put on clothes, then threw several hundreds of thousands of bills towards Embun who was still sleeping on her back wrapped in a blanket. It was very difficult for her to move his body.
"Just order food online. Oh, the money. Om wants to go to the office now. There is an important meeting." The man walked away, leaving Embun still lying as if nothing had happened. Cruel.