The Decapitation of Wounds
Chapter 24

Time runs fast. Eight years have now passed. During that time, Mas Dudy made a lot of progress. It starts when he can move his fingers. And then followed by other advances. Now Mas Dudy can sit in a wheelchair and can do many activities. His spirit is burning again. A feeling of hopelessness and uselessness was no longer in his heart.

To continue to encourage Mas Dudy, Mr. Iskandar also provided business capital for my husband. The spacious yard facing the crowded street was transformed into my in-laws into a place of business.

"It's a strategic place, right? In a crowded environment but still remain in the yard of our home. So Dudy can do activities without having to leave the house," explained Mr. Iskandar with a satisfied tone.

"But what effort isn't too exhausting for Dudy? I don't want Dudy to do activities that are too tiring" asked my mother-in-law.

"stores stationery supplies and photocopies only, ma'am. There are a lot of students and students around. School is close by. I don't think it's too exhausting for me" Mas Judy said. And we all agree.

I'm getting busy with the culinary business I've been doing all this time. Even now it has become a caterer that has regular customers. More than half of my house is a kitchen. My father-in-law asked me and my children to stay with them. After all, their home is too spacious if only lived alone.

"Let your children and Dudy, father and mother take care here. You just focus on your efforts so you can grow. Make your home a place of business. Let you stay here with us" my father-in-law suggested at the time. And after asking the opinion of my children, we finally agreed to live with Mr and Ms. Iskandar.

Meanwhile Tassa, my daughter, has grown into a beautiful teenage girl. She was like a fresh flower. So beautiful, fresh and fragrant fragrant. Many young men came and tried to win her heart. But Tassa was reluctant to respond. Even his attitude often looks indifferent and cold. To be honest, I was a little worried about seeing all that. Girls the age of Tassa should be warmly in love. Start to feel an interest in the opposite sex. But Tassa is not like that. He prefers to be friends with his textbooks and preoccupies himself with his college assignments.

"Nothing you like, Sa?" manya curious.

"Ah, mommy. Tassa wants to concentrate on Tassa first, ma. Tassa wants to quickly achieve Tassa's goals. Tassa wanted to be a doctor at a young age. Tassa wants to be a successful career woman. Tassa does not want to marry young and hangs life on a husband who can not necessarily be a backrest," replied Tassa gave an excuse.

I smiled hearing it too. "Mama is happy that Tassa is actively pursuing his goals. Tassa has to be an independent woman. But that doesn't mean Tassa has to shut himself out of a boy friend, does it?"

"If Tassa is an independent woman, that means Tassa doesn't have to need a man, right?" ask with a serious face.

"That's Tassa?" many surprised.

Tassa sighed softly. "Already, ah, Tassa is lazy to talk about this problem. Now Tassa wants to focus first on Tassa's lecture. Tassa just wants to learn."

Ah, Tassa's attitude makes me restless.

But another with Tassa, the change that happened to Ayala just makes me happy. Although not as feminine as Tassa, but Ayala can now be gentle like a woman. He's not a half-breed anymore. The affection and attention of Mas Judy during this time was able to soften his heart. Ayala can grow up to be a sweet girl though often still behaving like a man.

"I'm worried about Tassa" I told Mas Judy that afternoon.

"What happened to Tassa?" ask Mas Dudy with a serious attitude.

"Didn't you notice that Tassa was too engrossed in her textbooks?"

"Isn't that good?"

"Yes, it might be good not to shut yourself out of the company."

"Is he like that?" mas Dudy asked as if he did not realize what happened to Tassa.

Mas Dudy looked at me without a blink. "You mean?"

"Eitherway. Tassa's like saving trauma."

"Trauma?"

"It's like keeping your distance from men. He told me he didn't need a man."

"But why?"

I stared at Mas Dudy without a blink. I was confused to have to choose the right word to explain.

"Because of me?" asked Mas Dudy with raised eyebrows.

I didn't answer.

"Because my actions hurt you first, now Tassa hates men? Is that right, Ani?"

"I've talked to him about it. He said he didn't want to be hurt" I said at last.

"Oh," sighed Mas Dudy as if regretting his actions first. "My daughter hates men because of me" she lamented.

"I'm afraid it's all carried on until he's an adult."

"Is there anything I can do to remove the trauma?" ask Mas Dudy.

"Okay, I don't know. Maybe you just give her more attention. I hope that way he can get his trust in men again" I said trying to give way.

But Tassa's heart was frozen. I'm almost desperate.

"What's wrong with yourself, ma? You don't have to be Madame Anu to be happy, do you? Being married cannot guarantee that we will be happy. Mom, for example, right? How big was your mother's sacrifice all this time? But how deep is the wound you have for papa's betrayal?"

I'm stuck hearing it. My tongue feels bad. Tassa's words really shook my heart. My girl has deep wounds. He reflected on my experience all along. Who should be blamed now? Am I the one who sacrificed for my husband, or my husband who betrayed me?

Why did his father lose faith in men? A girl should feel at peace when she is close to her father. He will look upon his father as a great man to be proud of. But Tassa is just the opposite.

Should I let him out with his trauma? But I can't allow Tassa to choose to live alone. Forever alone, with no one present.

Tassa should get married. Tassa must have a husband. Having a family and children will be her happiness. He must believe that the way of life of each person is different. And that not all men will grieve his heart. But how?