Heavy rain fell when the night was late. The cold hit Ratih's body, and she was curled up on her bed. There is no heater other than the thick blanket she bought a year ago. And there is no friend to fill the loneliness except for the noisy sound of the rain.
In that solitude, Ratih was feeling longed. The longing that she did not address to a lover, but her parents. If only her Dad and Mom were still around. Ah, her life would not be as lonely as it is now. And she didn't need to insist on perfecting herself to protect herself.
"Dad, Mom, Ratih missed," the woman muttered. Tears had stained her cheeks.And she quickly wiped her tears away.
Sometimes a person's fate is not as lucky as other people's. Even Ratih always bears the sorrow of living alone. Still warm in his memory when she was reviled for not having parents. The ridicule of children of the same age had become daily food. Even just because she was an orphan, she was often beaten. At the age of 14, Ratih began to have ambitions. She must be strong and also smart! At least to improve yourself while looking for a better future.
From that age, Ratih began studying martial arts in the taekwondo class. She also studied almost all subjects at school. And at that time, Kani often orders her to be a maid in her home. However, Ratih is an intelligent girl, and she can share her time for various activities. Until finally, it came when Ratih was 28 years old. She is beautiful and robust, has a promising career, and even managed to get promoted in a reasonably fast time.
Just as Ratih was about to get out of bed, the sound of the door being forcibly opened was heard. Of course, that made her frown. Questions about what or who tried to open the door of her house now crossed her mind. Even though it was almost midnight.
Ratih took a deep breath. "Maybe, only cat," she said, not bothered. "Or I think I heard wrong."
Then, Ratih immediately proceeded to go to the bathroom. Her feet were walking relaxed. There was not the slightest bit of fear except for the lonely feeling that so faithfully clung to herself.
"Tsk, try staying at Nurma's place earlier; it won't be lonely, hmm ...," grumbled Ratih after finishing her rituals and getting out of the bathroom. And she somewhat regretted her decision not to stay at Nurma's house this night. She took a glass of cold water to wet her dry throat. "I wish Oppa Korea was here. Ah... I'm happy... he is handsome, different from geeky Sugantara."
After muttering Suga's name, Ratih's lips hissed. This incident of her fight with Suga this afternoon is still warm to remember. The tomboy woman who loves Korean Oppas becomes sullen. She doesn't know what dreams she had the night before that she had to be involved in an argument with Suga.
"But... why did Mr. Suga cover up his identity? Other people will be amazed by his visual face, which is handsome and as cute as that. Eh! Not! No, he's ugly!" Ratih took a deep breath. Her face was much sourer. "Yeah... he's handsome."
Even though she had tried to disgrace Suga's face from her mind, Ratih was still surprised. Moreover, when she remembers if Suga insisted on guarding his handsome face. The man seemed to be scared that Ratih would expose his true face. And Suga's attitude made Ratih feel curious.
"Hmm… if he covers his bangs with your glasses, it's really ugly. But, when he took off his glasses, he was charming. Aaaah... never mind, going to sleep! It's none of my business either!" Ratih said while walking to return to her room.
Things began to quieter when the rain was to subside. Now, only the sound of crickets creaking gives an eerie impression. Humanely, of course, Ratih got goosebumps. But she immediately blew away the horror inside her at that condition. Trying not to care is the best way to cultivate courage.
However, something else happened instead. When Ratih was about to open her bedroom door, the sound of a heavy object falling was heard so loudly. In addition, the main gate of Ratih's house was again heard being forced open.
"Thief?" Ratih frowned. Her beautiful eyes suddenly narrowed. Slowly, she turned around and walked away.
"Do you want to mess with me?!" Ratih said with her hands on her hips.
The sound coming from the door could still be heard. A few seconds later, the door was successfully opened by the culprit. When Ratih arrived a few meters from the door, two figures appeared in masks and suits dressed in all black.
"Who are you two?!" asked Ratih, full of fiery anger. "Want a thief? I'm poor. What are you trying to steal from me, huh?!"
The two intruders stared at each other. They were surprised because, as a woman, Ratih seemed very brave. Apart from that, Ratih is challenging.
"Go home! Don't sin! Struck by thunder, you two can die because of your sin! Are you ready to go to hell?" Ratih continued, still on fire.
One of the people came forward. "Follow us voluntarily. Then you don't have to feel the pain, Miss," he said.
Ratih shrugged her shoulders. "If you are Oppa, I want to. But... I don't think so," she replied relaxedly.
"Get it up. Mr. Dewa will be angry if us failed," the first fellow figure whispered.
"Dewa...?" asked Ratih surprised. "Who is Dewa?"
There was no response from the two of them. They immediately lunged at Ratih's body, which was still standing straight. But with her skill, Ratih managed to fend off every one of their attacks. Two-on-one! Two men against one woman! Yes, fights happen. Punch after punch, and they threw each other. With her martial arts skill, Ratih could still avoid it. Although occasionally, she received punches in the face and body.
"Crazy girl!" screamed one of the two intruders.
Ratih took advantage of the opportunity. When one of the figures was stunned and stopped giving attacks, the woman gave a round kick, and the man down!
"Hah?!" The other man was feeling shocked. How could it not be if Ratih could make a man who was a member of the mafia collapse in less than five minutes?
"Now it's your turn!" After giving a warning, Ratih moved quickly. One punch, two punches, until finally, she repeated the lethal kick on the second intruder.
The second intruder's body hit the sofa and fell to the floor just like that. He and his partner hissed in excruciating pain.
"How presumptuous you two pretentious want to kidnap me. Knowledge is not enough to act!" Ratih said while rubbing her palms.
Before Ratih opened the mask, the two intruders got back up. With shuffling steps, the two fled from the woman's house.
Ratih sighed as she watched them leave. In the next instant, she said, "Dewa…? Who is Dewa? Does he know me?"
"Ratih!" Someone shouted Ratih's name from outside the house. Not long after, he pushed hard on Ratih's door. His breath was panting with a face full of anxiety.
Ratih is stunned. "Gatra?"
"You're okay, right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Just now? Who are the two people earlier?"
"Probably a gang of thieves. I've beat up."
Gatra rubbed his chest and breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't imagine if something had happened to Ratih. It could be late when he arrived because he had slept so soundly. A loud crashing sound woke Gatra up. And when Gatra realized the sound was coming from Ratih's house, he immediately got up and ran to the home of the woman he adored.
Ratih walked over to Gatra. She smiled sweetly, although her left cheek looked bruised. "Please, calm down. I'm fine. You have to go back, Gatra," said Ratih.
"Sorry, I'm late," answered Gatra.
"Tsk, yes, I understand how yourself when sleeping."
A moment after being silent, Gatra grabbed Ratih's body without permission. The man hugged Ratih tightly.
"Gatra...?"
"I'm afraid a bad thing happened to you, Ratih."
"I-"
"Your door is broken. Let me guard you here."
Hearing those words, Ratih immediately broke away from Gatra's arms. She looked down and said, "I am sorry, Gatra. It would be best if you come back to your home. Your Mom would be angry again if she knew if you were in here."
"T-that—"
"Please, Gatra. I don't want to be enemies with your family. I can hold the door using the sofa, cupboard, and anything. My room will I locked. Besides... I'm a strong girl. Don't worry, Gatra. Thank you for taking the time to come here. But you have to go home."
Gatra took a deep breath. On the other hand, he feels guilty about his mother's attitude towards Ratih. The feeling of worry that he couldn't shake off had to be endured firmly. He didn't want to make Ratih uncomfortable. After all, Ratih also has to take care of her name, which has deteriorated. And Gatra should go so that Ratih is not seen as a seductress woman in another person's eyes.
"Okay, I'm back. Be careful, if anything happens contact me. I promise I won't sleep tonight," Gatra said.
Ratih smiled. "Okay, okay!" she replied.
***