The Decapitation of Wounds
Chapter 26

Ika's crying. He looks desperate. With tears she continued to look at Mas Dudy who was still in front of the door.

"I'm sorry, Mas Judy. I know I have sinned against you and Ani. I'm sorry..," lamented Ika sad.

"Me and Ani can't forgive you. Your sin is too big and painful" Mas Judy said in a very clear voice.

Ika's crying is getting sad. His face looks pale. While sobbing he continued to hug Faris. While Faris looked trembling looking at Mas Dudy.

"I know that my sins are too great on you. But please listen to me first. There's something I want to talk to you about, Mom. And it's not about me" Ika said later.

"Oh yeah? So about who? About me? I'm fine, Ika. I never felt sad about your departure. I wish I hadn't seen you in my entire life" Mas Dudy said soon.

"Calm down, my mom. Please listen to me talk." I kept begging.

"I said no! Are you deaf, Ika? I don't want to listen to anything from you anymore! Go now you! Go!" exclaim Mas Dudy lantang.

Faris choked slowly, then looked at Ika's face. "Ma, Faris wants to go home" he whispered slowly.

"But Faris, right, you want to see papa?" Ika said with a voice that was also slow.

"Faris is scared" whispered Faris again.

Seeing such a frightened Faris, I suddenly remembered Resa. If Resa were in Faris' position right now, of course my heart would be broken to pieces. As a mother, I was touched to imagine how the boy would feel now. His hope must have been beautifully strung together when he left earlier. She must have wanted to be embraced, called affectionate by the man she dreamed of as papa. Like Resa who likes to indulge in Mas Dudy. Faris would have wanted that warmth, too. But the reality he's meeting now isn't as beautiful as last night's dream. She even trembled in fear and almost cried in Ika's arms. Oh, my God, what am I supposed to do now?

"You'd better go home, Ika. Poor your son," I said at last.

"No, please don't throw us out, Ani. Please, for Faris." Ika was so insistent.

I can no longer ask him to leave. Maybe we should just listen to what I want to talk about. Because if Faris is Mas Dudy's flesh and blood, it means I have to give him a chance to get to know and feel the beauty of his inner bond with his father. Although I had to go back to feeling jealous and afraid of losing.

"Calm down, my mom. Maybe we should just listen to what I want to talk about," I asked Mas Dudy.

"For what, Ani? Why do you still want to listen to this evil woman's words? Have you forgotten how cruel he used to betray you? He just wants to tell us one lie. Never mind, tell him to leave as soon as possible. I'm sick of seeing his face, too" said Mas Judy.

"No, An, I swear this whole thing isn't a hoax. Just give me a chance and I'll be completely gone from your lives forever" Ika said pleading with me.

"come, mas. Follow me listen to Ika's story," I said in a calm manner.

Dudy seemed doubtful. Face pouting. But finally he wanted to also approach me and place his wheelchair right beside me.

Ika noticed Mas Dudy as if she had just realized something. "You're cured, ma'am?" tanyakanya.

"Yes, Ani took care of me so lovingly that I could recover like now. You must have thought that I would be paralyzed forever, right? No, Ika. The hand of God touched me through Ani, my faithful wife. He's my hero. Helper angel to me," replied Mas Dudy while holding my hand.

Ika nodded slowly. "Yes, Ani is a perfect wife. And I'm happy with your recovery, mas. You really deserve your happiness back that I destroyed."

Mas Dudy snorted in annoyance." No, no need to use any pleasantries. Hurry up and say what you want to say to us. After that go as far away from our lives as possible and never come back again" Mas Dudy said.

"I will indeed go far away from you all and will never come back again. I'm ill. I might be a few months away. And that's why I had to bring Faris here" said Ika with a very sad face.

"Oh yeah? Very good this story of yours. But baby, I don't cry hearing it" Mas Dudy said. Then pointing at Faris, he asked "Lantas what does that child have to do with you bringing it here? Why don't you just take him to his dad?"

"Faris your son, mas. That's why I brought him here," Ika replied quickly.

"What?!" pekik Mas Dudy could not cover his surprise. A second later he looked angry. "Your fake news has gone too far. Apparently you're not satisfied interfering with our lives. For God's sake I can't believe he's my son. You're a barren woman, Ika."

"No, I'm not barren. I just have trouble getting offspring. But it turns out I was pregnant when I left you. And I did not dare to go back," Ika explained.

"Why do you dare to come here now? Do you think now my anger has subsided and you can come back lying? You're crazy to think that I believe your story," said Mas Dudy quickly.

"But for god's sake, mas, Faris your son!" exclaim Ika.

"I can't believe it!" reply Mas Dudy.

I immediately raised my hand asking them to be quiet. "Can we talk grown-up? I want us to sit here talking, not fighting like this."

Dudy and Ika were silent. While Faris continued to hug Ika with a frightened face.

"Are you really sick?" ask me after it calms down.

Ika nodded and sobbed slowly. "My life is soon, Ani. Either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I'll go."

"Faris will be a kara after me, Ani. My family won't accept him because they consider him an illegitimate child. I don't know where to take Faris anymore. My only hope is Mas Dudy..," Ika explained as she continued to sob.

"No," cut off Mas Judy quickly. "I can't believe he's my son. Don't ever expect me to take it."

"Trust me that Faris is your son. Let not your hatred for me close your eyes to this fact. Have mercy Faris. He has no one but you, his father."

"Are you not lying, Ika? I find it hard to believe your words," I said, beginning to be touched by a sense of pity and a little bit of trust.

"Yes, Ani. Faris is the flesh and blood of Mas Dudy. These aren't all lies I tell to hurt you. I came here because I had to, for Faris. Not because I want to disturb your peace. Please, Ani, you are also a mother. You can definitely understand how I feel right now," Ika said hoping for my understanding.

Once again my feelings were touched. If Ika's story is true, how painful she feels now. He had to leave his baby alone. Faris is just a little boy who still needs him. There's no way he's living alone. Faris needed a family for where she lives.

"So you want us to babysit Faris?" ask me with a calm attitude.

"Well, nod. "Will you babysit her?" tanyanya expectantly.

I can't answer. Half my heart wants to say yes. But the other side of my heart still doubts.

"Don't do this for me. But do it for Faris. He's innocent, Ani. Please do not punish him for my sins. After I'm gone, will you be his mother?"

I can't answer that. I just sat quietly while looking at Faris with pity. The boy looked a little calmer now.

"How do we know that you're not lying and cheating on us?" asked Mas Dudy in a voice that no longer sounded sharp.

"So, right now I can't prove anything to you. But maybe later you can trust me that you're already standing on my grave. And I don't think it's gonna be long...." I can't continue his words. He was so sad. Meanwhile, his hand held Faris as if he was going to leave his baby with an unwilling heart.

"I know all this is punishment for my sins against you, Ani," Ika said after gaining control of her. "For years I dreamed of having a child in my life. And I've always wished I could have a perfect life like you, An. I have a husband and son who always love me. But the fact I had to accept, I gave birth to Faris alone. And raised her without a husband beside me. And tomorrow I have to leave him for good. My heart is broken, Ani. This reality is too much for me."

My words touched my heart. My hand moved slowly touching Faris. The boy did not refuse. I too was moved to embrace her with my love. I pulled him slowly into my arms. And I felt the same love I had for Resa, filling the space of my heart. Ah, I have love for her.

"Ani...," call Mas Dudy slowly.

"I just wanted to hug her" I said as I continued to hug Faris.

"But...."

"Resa is happy to be this way to me."

"But he's not Resa."

"But he is very similar to Resa."

Dudy sighed slowly. Irritated, confused. But he no longer forbade me from hugging Faris.

" Faris thirsty?" ask me in a soft voice.

Faris nodded slowly. Soon I went inside to get him some water. I soon returned with two glasses of cold syrup. I gave one to Faris and the other one I put on the table. Without waiting for a long time Faris sipped the cold drink favorably.

"Thank you, auntie," he said politely.

I smiled at him too. Faris looked calm now. He didn't look as scared anymore. While still holding onto his drinking glass, he sat quietly beside Ika.

"Here...?" call Ika for an answer from me.

I turned to Mas Dudy who was sitting quietly beside me. I know, I have to make a decision. But maybe this shouldn't be my own decision. I also had to seek the consent of my children and also my in-laws. Because the presence of Faris in this house will be a family affair, not my own business.

"I can't answer it now. I need to talk to my kids, with my mom and dad. Come back later. But I can't promise you anything" I said at last.

Ika also came home with anxiety that still grips her heart. I am busy fighting with my own heart. I know I can't resist Faris. But.., I don't know.

"I'm sorry. I really didn't think this would happen. Your heart and our children will still continue to be hurt because of me" said Mas Dudy full of regret.

"Not to regret all that, my mother. If it is true that Faris is your flesh and blood, there is no other word than that we agree to accept him here" I said.

"But can you really take it?" ask Dudy carefully.

"What should we do to do it? We are his family. And like our other children, he is also entitled to your affection and attention, mas," I said trying to be wise. It is sad, it will definitely scratch my heart. But I still need to be able to think clearly. I can't sacrifice Faris for my jealousy. For Faris has no sin whatsoever on me nor my children.

Ah, once again I am required to be strong...