Father To Sapphira
Refusal

PoV Zein's

Today the workshop is quite crowded. Although only a tire patch, at least I still have income to be able to pay Akbek (Akbar). He asked to be given a daily wage in order to help his family's meal expenses. He's two years younger than me. He was an orphan who had to help his mother support his three younger siblings. His mother was a washing worker. His three younger siblings are still in school.

Mother also often brought him food when he came home from the workshop. In addition to her deftly irritated, she also did not hesitate to help Mother and Father in the house when the buyer was crowded. That's why I always leave food in the barn to bring it home.

I started to clean up the patch equipment after the last customer passed. Abek patted my shoulder and raised his chin, as if he was pointing at something. I see the direction of his chin. It turned out that a woman with blonde hair walked over towards the workshop. The woman wears a navy sweater with sunglasses and a mask. I still recognize that woman even with that look. She is Sandra. I only knew him about three months ago. When attending a friend's wedding.

"Zeez. Again quiet?", he said while staring cynically at Abek. He took off his sweater and put it on his arm.

Sometimes I wonder about the women who first met Abek. Always looking at her cynically or humbly. Maybe because of her delicate appearance and dull face. But, he was working in a workshop. Of course it looks like that. My appearance must be the same as her.

"Alhamdulillah. Just got quiet. Sit down first, San", I pointed at the long chair where the usual workshop customer was sitting.

"Walking, yuk. Find a meal" he said quickly as I offered him to sit down.

I smile. He certainly wouldn't want to sit in such a dirty place. "My mom is cooking, San. Kasian I'm tired - tired of cooking but I'm eating out". I tried to reject her invitation gently.

Piss bulging. He seems to be angry at my refusal. "I don't feel good about having to eat at your mom's stall. Will be free with your mother. Your mother also sells for money". His face began to fade.

I always refused his invitation because I didn't want to give him hope. He has expressed his feelings to me many times. And many times I have rejected it so subtly. But he seems to be very head-spoken. Though she is beautiful, it is not difficult for her to get a man who is more than me.

"We ate at the barn, yes. You are my guest. Yes, it is impossible that I tell you to pay for dishes served to guests".

"This one time, Zein. Please", he started to embrace my arm. Wandering spoiled without caring about people - people look at what he has.

I tried to release his hand. But he hugged me even more. My face is hot and shames. Some of the passers-by were the mothers of my neighbors. They seemed to sneer at Sandra's behavior at me. I can assure you, tomorrow there will be news in the stalls about this incident.

"Sane... Pleases. Don't think gini. Without you realizing it, you have reduced your self-esteem as a woman. You should be able to maintain a more attitude. Not like this. Try you to look. A lot of people look cynically at us". Slowly Sandra took her hand off my arm. His face was still pouting.

"I'm sorry, San. It's good you keep your distance from me. I don't want any slanted stories about us that will reach my mother's ears. It'll just add to my mother's mind. You know what I mean, right ?"

I looked at Sandra. Then he looked at Abek who signaled he wanted to leave. I raised my hand as a sign to keep Abek in his place. I don't want people who look worse and worse to think of us because it's just the two of us.

"You want to eat with me, we eat at my mother's house. Because I don't have enough money to buy you a meal outside. And I also can't keep accepting treaties from you".

"Jude, deh. We eat your mother's cooking" said Sandra resigned.

I smiled and started taking Sandra to her mother's shop. I gave Abek a code to come. However, suddenly someone came and attacked me.

"Ba**at".

Shouted the man while punching me in the face. I who was unprepared for the attack staggered backwards. It also felt like the world was turning. I can't focus my eyes. The man immediately approached me who was still lying and continued to throw fists into my face. With the rest of my strength, I tried to fend off and fight back

"Zein.", Sandra cried out hysterically.

"Cont**t. Dare - how dare you call a cave girl".

The man then thrust his fist into my face. I could see his eyes filled with a fog of emotion. As much as possible I deflected the blow.

Abek pushed the black hooded man from above me. And help me to get up. I grimaced with the pain in my face that was hot in here. The man in black came back to me. But alas, Abek shunned him.

"The gua has no business with you. Move aside". The man pushed Abek and wanted to punch him. Buru - hunt the attack quail and then kick it until it falls.

"How dare you shake lo, yes. Okay. Jabanin cave". Said loudly.

Then the man put his index finger and thumb into his mouth to whistle. Instantly, the same two people - wearing black hoodies and wearing masks - came closer. It seems like it was planned. Without aba - aba, the two began to attack Abek.

I see around there are many spectators who flat are women. No one dared to break up. I tried to help Abek against those two men. But, wait...

"Racaine, lo". I looked at the man's face. He grins. His face did not look human. "Dead aja lo all of you".

I held back something that had penetrated my stomach skin with the rest of my energy. I felt a droplet that soaked my feet that was only made of sandals. Then I tried to swing a fist towards the man's face. Until I finally fell.

Aarghs. Grinding and pain felt in my stomach when something was pulled from there. I could feel the blood pouring down on my hands. I tried to hold it in by continuing to press the wound.

"Zeeinn... "

"Astaghfirullah's..."

"Please..."

I can still hear boisterous voices at the end. I saw Mom's pias face before she fell helpless.

"Zeez... Gosh darn. How is this ?".

I grimaced with this stomach pain. It was clear that blood was seeping around my stomach.

"Woi.. kejer them don't get away".

I don't know who Abek is talking to. My eyes can't open. I could only hear Sandra's voice growling very close.

"Woi how is this"

"Bring to the hospital".

"Search freight. Search shuttles".

I still keep my consciousness. My eyes kept on me to keep it open. Drowsiness is growing. It felt like it was healing the pain but it felt even more burdensome to my body.

"Astaghfirullah's... Zeins. Oh Allah... ".

I can hear my brother's raucous voice. From his voice it was certain that he was very panicked right now.

"Sick, brother"

That's all I can get out of my mouth. I tried to reopen my eyes. But my eyes started to feel blurry. I felt something being placed and pressed near my wound. I grimaced with the pain. I don't know. My body feels heavy. Even just to hold my head up, I was unable to.

"Please help lift it to the car".

I don't know who lifted me up. All I know is that I'm in the car with Sandra and Abek. Then Abek moved to the front seat. I could no longer see who was coming in and sitting next to me. Everything feels dark.