The Shackles of Love

Renata sat stirring her coffee, her gaze distant. Robby watched her. She had called him to meet at Rainbow cafe after work, saying she had something to discuss. But over half an hour had passed since they sat down with their food and drinks, and Renata hadn't said a word.

"What's wrong, Re?" Robby asked.

Renata looked at him, remembering Lizzie's story about Trisya earlier that day.

"What do you think, if a man buys all these expensive gifts for a woman, why? Is it love? Or is it to control her?" Lizzie had asked.

"Maybe... love, and wanting to give her everything she wants to please her."

"Why do women choose older men as partners?"

"There are many reasons. Maybe she's missing a father figure, maybe it's about wealth, or maybe... love truly knows no age. I don't know."

"Trisya, or Monica as I know her, I don't think she loved Uncle Steven. She just wanted his money. Then she disappeared."

"I don't know..."

"Okay... honestly, Uncle Steven isn't fully a widower, he..."

Renata let out a short breath before finally speaking.

"Yesterday... I met Lizzie, she told me a lot."

"Does it have anything to do with me? That's why you called me here?"

"How well do you know Trisya?"

"Why?"

"Even I, her best friend, don't know her life."

"What's this about?"

"There's a rumor... Trisya is the mistress of a wealthy man, 55 years old."

"Oh..."

"She's your future wife, Rob."

"So what?"

"They call her Monica."

"I don't look into her past."

"But..."

"If that's all you want to talk about... I don't think we need to continue. I won't listen to it."

"Uncle Steven is looking for her."

"So?"

"There must be something that makes him search for Trisya."

Robby looked at his watch.

"I'm going home, I need to pick up Trisya," he said, standing up.

"Rob..."

"Come on..." Robby left Renata.

"But she might be playing you, Rob..." Renata thought to herself.

Meanwhile, at the university...

"Madame..." Davina called.

"Yes..." Trisya replied.

"Are you leaving already?"

"Why?"

"Can I talk to you, Ma'am?"

Trisya looked at her watch.

"One minute..." she reached for her phone.

"Hello..." Robby's voice.

"I might be a while, you can go ahead, I'll take a taxi later."

"It's okay, I'll wait."

"Ok..."

Trisya put down her phone.

"What is it?"

"I want to show you something."

"Something?"

Davina showed her hand, bruised and blue.

"Someone treated you roughly?" Trisya guessed.

"My stepfather, Mom..."

"And you stayed quiet?"

"He also often harassed me, but he threatened me not to tell anyone."

"You obeyed?"

Davina nodded.

"Why?"

"I'm scared, Ma'am..."

"Scared of him?"

"Yes."

"How many times did he do that to you?"

Davina looked at Trisya. Trisya's gaze was completely flat, without any sign of concern or tenderness. Maybe others would stop talking if they were met with such an attitude. But for some reason, Davina continued her story.

"Since I was in the second year of high school. I suffered so much but didn't know who to turn to."

"Then why you tell it to me?"

"I don't know... Suddenly I wanted to tell to you."

"Tomorrow afternoon, wait for me in front of the security post. We'll meet your father."

"What for?"

"Just come along," Trisya took medicine from her bag. "Treat your wound at home, now let's go."

"Yes, Ma'am..." Davina followed Trisya.

They walked towards the parking lot.

"Hi..." Robby greeted them.

"Sorry for the wait, I had a little business with my student."

"The one who came to the house?"

"Yes, Sir..." Davina smiled.

"Are you going home?" Trisya asked.

"I don't know, Ma'am... Maybe to a friend's house. But he already knows all my friends' houses, he'll definitely pick me up."

"What are you taking?"

"Just a motorcycle, Mom..."

"Go home with me. Here's the key."

"But, Mom... It's not good to bother Dad."

"It's okay, dear? Vina will sleep at our house tonight?"

"Huh?" Robby was surprised. "Why are you asking me?"

"You have to ask your husband, right?" Trisya winked.

"Oh..."

"You go first, okay? I'll leave first. We might come home late."

"Okay... Thank you, Ma'am."

Trisya got on the motorcycle. She waved before leaving with Robby.

"She's so kind..." Davina praised.

"Where are we going?" Robby asked after they were on the road.

"Mall..."

"Why?"

"I want to ask my husband to buy me some clothes."

"What?"

"Why are you surprised? Don't you want to? Oh, you're so stingy."

"It's not that... Husband? You said that in front of your student too."

"You told her that you're my husband when she came to the house. So I just continued it. Besides... I heard she's one of your fans. Rather than her taking a chance while the wedding bell hasn't rung... I'd rather just continue by calling you husband."

Robby laughed.

"Rena met me earlier..." Robby said.

"Oh yeah? Why are you so honest. You should have kept it to yourself if you meet another woman, especially one who makes me jealous."

"She's just a friend..."

"What did she want?" Trisya asked.

"Nothing, just chatting."

"She wants to tell me that I'm removing the thorn that hurts her?"

"What do you mean?"

Trisya laughed.

"It's okay. You should understand."

"Is there a bad man trying to get close to Rena?"

"No... A bad woman," Trisya replied.

"Oh, a woman problem?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure you don't know Lizzie?"

"Lizzie?"

"My friend yesterday, who felt familiar with your face?"

"Oh, her..." Trisya paused. "I know her."

"Then... why did you say you didn't know her?"

"Isn't it okay for me to leave behind a painful past with those who like to get drunk?"

"Those?"

"I won't lie to the man who will marry me..." Trisya said.

She wrapped her arms around Robby's waist.

Robby stopped his motorcycle in the parking lot. They walked towards the entrance.

"That's Aisyah, right?" Robby asked, seeing her in the clothing store.

"Yes."

Trisya took Robby's arm.

"Sister Aisyah," Trisya greeted.

Aisyah turned.

"Hi."

"Looking for clothes?"

"Yes, for tomorrow's campus event. You?"

"Me too. My man has some time to accompany me. And I want to hijack him to buy me a dress."

Aisyah laughed.

"Are you alone, Sis?"

"Yes."

"Isn't Ardi with you?"

Aisyah smiled faintly.

"Who am I to him that he should accompany me?"

"Isn't he your boyfriend?"

Aisyah laughed.

"Just a friend who happens to be close."

"Maybe he'll level up to boyfriend soon?"

"Amen."

"Okay, I'm going upstairs, Sis?"

"Okay."

"Let's go..." Trisya pulled Robby's arm.

"Are they really dating?" Trisya asked.

"Why?"

"Can't I know?"

"Well, Aisyah is the girl chosen by Ardi's family. She's a very religious girl. It must be Ardi's mother's dream to have a daughter-in-law like that. Someone who suits Ardi who is also religious."

"Oh."

Trisya stopped walking.

"Let's just go home."

"Why?"

"It's okay. I remember Davina is sleeping at my house tonight. There's nothing at home. Let's just go to the supermarket."

"Okay."

They went back downstairs. Trisya saw Aisyah still standing in the clothing store.

"The girl chosen by Ardi's family?" Trisya muttered.