"Renata, we have heard Andre's explanation. And can you regret it and promise not to do it again?"
Mr. Kades, my father-in-law, started our conversation tonight.
"Sorry, Papa. But Rena doesn't know what Rena did wrong?" I said trying to clear everyone's mind.

"Gosh Rena, I don't know how you've changed so drastically?" said uncle Herlan, Aunt Lina's husband.

"I really don't understand anything here, uncle!" I said.

"That's enough!"

"You've embarrassed the family so much, Renata! What is Andre's family lacking in you, Ren? In fact, their land title deeds have been mortgaged for all your grandiose desires. What business are you actually running right now? It's taking up so much capital. Even Andre's monthly salary is not enough to fulfill your needs."

My heart felt like it was crushed by a mountain of rocks. What capital? What debt? There's really nothing I can understand here. I saw Andre still bowing his head. I wondered what he was hiding from me.

"Can you explain all this to me, Dre?"

Andre was still silent even though I was asking him a question. It was an attitude that deserved a thumbs up. As a man, he dared to sell my name in front of our extended family.

"Already Renata, you don't need to scapegoat Andre anymore!"
Mom snapped at me again.

"But Mom..."

"Shut up! How can you be such an unlucky woman?" she snapped again.

I was speechless, without feeling the tears flowing. I didn't realize how much slander Andre had given me. I regretted having to ask him for money this morning. Just because I thought I was stuck, even though all this time I myself always covered all our needs.

"Renata, what is Papa lacking with you? Even all of Azzam's needs Papa always leaves to Andre. But is this how you repay us? At least, seeing your household peacefully happy. We as parents are happy to make it," complained my father-in-law.

"Andre has decided to end your relationship, Renata. So, you should know yourself. We will take very good care of Azzam. You can go wherever you like."

These words, this sentence. Maybe it wouldn't have hurt this much if it was my mother-in-law who said them. But, this came out of my mother's own mouth. I don't know what her mind has been stuffed with. Until she believed and chose to support her ignorant son-in-law rather than her own son.

"Dre, say something before I really hate you, Dre."

I groaned bitterly at the way my parents and in-laws treated me. How could they ignore me completely. Not hearing any explanation from my mouth.

"Uncle, listen to my defense first, uncle!" I whined, seeking sympathy.

Uncle Herlan was silent.

"Uncle, listen to my explanation first! Wasn't I always there when everyone left you first? When you had a stroke, only Mom and I cared about you. In fact, Mom and I were the ones who took him for treatment here and there," I babbled.

It's not that I'm looking for something in return. But, I wanted someone to defend me at a time like this.

"Oh... so it's true what Andre told us. You're a soulful person, Ren. Didn't you expect this from your aunt?" aunt Lina, Uncle Herlan's wife, immediately snapped at me. She had a sour look on her face, but that was the truth.

"You never managed to live alone, Ren. So we suggest you go back to your own way. You're free to do whatever you want out there. Find your own happiness. It's okay, we'll take better care of Azzam. Papa and mama don't want Andre, our son, to live a chaotic life with you here."

Now my mother-in-law was speaking up too. The more I was cornered, the more I understood what they wanted from me.

"You want me to leave? Just leave my son behind? heh!"

I smiled bitterly at everyone. No one was defending me. They were my parents, but also strangers to me.

"Alright!"

I stood up and glared at everyone who was there.

"You want me to leave! Then I'll go! But remember, I'm leaving to come back!"

"I will come back for Azzam, my son! And it won't take me long," I fumed.

In Mom's eyes, I could see devastation.

But I couldn't understand it. What destruction was she implying? In fact, as a mother, she was helping her insolent son-in-law carry out this crazy act.

I walked away from my own home. In order to come back, I was determined to stay alive and get everything I had back. One thing is for sure, this is my home, the result of my hard work. Why did I have to leave? Why didn't Andre go instead, when he would have been nothing if we had parted ways.

I couldn't even look at my son's face for the last time. My wounds are too deep for this vile slander. I must rise up to get my son back.

***

I limped along alone. The darkness of the night was no barrier. My fear was gone. The pain in my solar plexus eroded. Remembering Azzam, the baby who will definitely look for me when I wake up later.

Tears streamed down my face. Painting the pain of the heart. My feet kept moving, not caring about the uncertain destination.

"Kayra," I muttered.

I was right in front of my best friend's house.

However, the house was so quiet. Where were they all? I didn't have my cell phone with me, so it was difficult to contact her.

"What a fool I am."

I cursed in misery. That's what I was doing right now.

I walked back through the silent night. I didn't know where I was going. I fell asleep in a closed shopfront.

"This stupid self."

I cursed in anguish. That's what I was doing right now.

I walked back through the silent night. I didn't know where I was going. I fell asleep in a closed shopfront.