Chapter 6 — “Good People are Experts at Twisting the Truth (Dim Moon in the Sky)

‘You need to hear the perspective of a cheating wife like me to understand. A relationship is maintained not just by trust, but by being open,’ Dara sobbed in the recording on Bulan’s phone.

Bulan yawned, while Bara’s eyebrows furrowed as he listened to the wiretap.

‘Communication is a two-way street. If you bury all your feelings, I have to ask, what is my purpose by your side? If you hate someone, then make me hate them too, Angkasa.’

The sound of a soda can opening against the background of a television program could be heard.

‘I feel restless every time I see you come home from work. You always go to your mother’s stall, drinking and brooding, never telling anyone. Every time I ask, you never answer.’

‘How could I say it... when the person bringing me down is Bara, the person closest to you,’ Angkasa’s deep voice drifted mournfully.

‘You should have told me; then the wound wouldn't have stayed open. I would have stayed away from Bara, given him no space to fill my restlessness. I did it unintentionally once, and Laras—our child—saw it on the day she died.’

Bulan turned off the recording. “Uncle, stop your soap opera drama. Do you think my 24 hours are spent like yours? Sitting in a chair hoarding envy, busy looking for other people's faults until you forget to correct your own.”

“Don’t you still owe a debt to Bayu...?” Bara slid a gold bar onto the dashboard. “Keep listening to Angkasa... I’m giving you gold so you can do your job.”

‘G24-25-001919.’

Bulan read the gold’s serial code. She smiled bitterly at it.

“You want me to ruin the branch manager?”

“How are you going to do it?”

“Maybe fill his bottle in the pantry with alcohol.”

Bara gripped the steering wheel. “Do it if you can. I want to see if you’re capable of it.”

Bulan opened the car door and quickly walked toward the Kreneng Branch. She pushed open the pawnshop door forcefully, causing staff and customers to look up in shock. Bulan slammed the gold bar onto the table, right in front of Dara.

“I was curious what a cheating woman looked like. Turns out, she looks this pathetic.” Bulan began writing on a pawn slip.

Dara lowered her head at Bulan’s words. Her fingers trembled as she touched the gold bar. Meanwhile, the cashier and customers frowned at Bulan.

‘G24-25-001919.’

Dara’s eyes clouded as she read the code.

“Send it to BRI.”

Bulan placed her bankbook on the table. She pulled her phone from her pocket. A recording began to play.

“You’re just a child. What do you know about the safe choice for an affair? A married woman won’t go around exposing her infidelity. They won’t whine when it’s over,” Bara’s arrogant voice rang out in the recording.

Dara’s hands shook as she folded the paper and wrapped the gold. The cashier frowned at the sight. Bulan turned off the recording and snatched the pawn slip from Dara’s hand.

“Auntie, wake up. Trash is better than you. Trash can still be recycled, while you only pollute the environment....” Bulan zipped her bag. “Go home and pray before I do something worse.”

The sun shone behind gray clouds. Bulan walked out of the pawnshop, leaving Dara standing there, frozen.

☾ ☾ ☾

The sun grew hotter. The clock ticked toward three. The Renon branch was quiet. The security guard placed a ‘Close’ sign on the door. Earphones were in Bulan’s ears. She organized the pawn slips while eavesdropping on Angkasa’s tapped phone.

Tuk-tuk... the sound of footsteps followed by a door closing.

“Congratulations, Brother-in-law....” Bara”s baritone echoed. “On your branch winning the award for best branch.”

Ting-ting... Ting! A sound like a countdown, followed by a door creaking open.

“I need to talk to you outside,” Angkasa”s deep voice said.

Bulan took the pawn slips to the back cabinet. Her hands untied the wool string. Flipping through the papers, Bulan read slips numbered 3919, 1919, 3939. She checked the dates.

“September 3rd, September 1st, September 3rd.” Those were the three dates. Quickly, Bulan filed the slips in numerical order.

Tuk-tuk... footsteps grew louder, stopping amidst the sound of passing vehicles.

“Stay away from Dara,” Angkasa”s voice was heard faintly.

“I don”t have any kind of relationship with Dara, Brother-in-law.”

“I”ve known everything for a long time.”

“You are truly a hypocrite, Angkasa!”

Bulan stopped sorting the papers. Her eyes flashed with spite at the words.

“Good people are experts at twisting the truth. You are a hypocrite who always buries feelings for the people you hate. You don”t need ambition like me to reach the top. In the end, you”ll seize everything with that “kindness” of yours. That”s just greed!” Bara screamed.

Bulan heard no response from Angkasa.

“Good people are manipulative. You”re kind to everyone. Everyone bows to you. Your subordinates don”t challenge your position. Your superiors are willing to step down for you because you”re “good.” You”re a leech! Just take my position then!”

Bulan stood dazed by Bara”s piercing shouts. There was a long silence before Angkasa replied.

“I don”t want to take your position....” Angkasa”s deep voice sounded exhausted. “Just stay away from Dara.”

“Lan, get some water, Lan... don”t forget to water the decorative plants,” Feri called from the service booth.

Bulan quickly put the organized files into the cabinet, walked to the pantry, and grabbed two bottles of water. She gave one to Feri and then slowly poured water onto the plants.

“Look at you, you already stole Dara from me... Dara is my cousin, I”ve known and liked her since we were kids. You”re just an outsider who entered our circle and snatched her away. I will never trust you!”

“You wouldn”t marry a woman who already has a child like Dara, so let her go. You”ll only end up hurting her. That”s all I want,” Angkasa said softly, followed by the sound of footsteps walking away.

Bulan closed the water bottle. She walked listlessly to grab her bag and left the pawnshop.

“Hey, Bulan! I still have things for you to do, don”t go home yet!” Feri shouted from the booth. Bulan kept walking.

☾ ☾ ☾

The sky was black. The streetlights were dim. The roar of traffic sent pollution into the air, inhaled by Bulan in her scruffy jacket. She lifted a fish basket from her motorcycle and carried it into a customer”s shop.

“Here, I”ve given you a little extra, keep it, dear.”

Bulan pocketed the money, then lifted the empty basket. She tied the basket to the back of her bike. Bulan rode slowly through the city crowd. Her earphones were still plugged in.

The door creaked softly.

“I”m going shopping, are you coming?” Angkasa”s voice was heard.

There was a long pause. “Yes... I”m coming, Angkasa,” Dara”s voice drifted faintly.

Tuk... tuk, the sound of footsteps followed by a door closing gently. An engine roared to life, and a car door slammed shut.

The car moved through the noisy traffic. Angkasa and Dara remained silent throughout the journey. Only the sound of the news on the radio filled the space.

Bulan parked her motorcycle on the curb. She lifted another fish basket and entered a restaurant. Customers were picking out the best fish.

“Do you want some martabak?” Angkasa asked, followed by the sound of the engine cutting off.

“Yes... that would be nice, Angkasa.”

Bulan carried the basket out of the restaurant. She tightly tied the rope through the basket holes to the bike”s metal frame. Bulan continued riding through the crowded streets.

Bruk! It sounded like a vehicle collision.

“Who was that, Angkasa?” Dara asked, startled.

Tuk-tuk! A knock on the door, followed by it opening.

Bugh! The sound of a punch.

Bulan stopped her bike on the side of the road, carrying another basket to a vendor. Her hands began to shake. Her blood felt like it was surging wildly.

“What did Bulan give you? Why are you giving her money, huh?” Bayu”s voice echoed, followed by repeated blows.

Dara sobbed. “Hey, why are you hitting him? Stop!” Dara”s voice sounded like she was trying to intervene.

“Enough, enough, don”t fight on the side of the road,” a stranger”s voice intervened.

“How much is the debt?” Angkasa”s deep voice asked.

“Are you going to pay it, huh?”

“Yes... I will pay it.”

“What have you done to her, Bulan?!” Bayu screamed, followed by Dara”s intensifying sobs.

“Just hit me, don”t hit her,” Angkasa”s voice was raspy.

Bugh!

“Hey! Don”t fight on the street. Settle this properly,” the stranger”s voice mediated.

“Hey, move back, move back!” Dara continued to pull them apart.

Silence. No words were spoken, only the sound of ragged, heavy breathing.

“Why... why do you torture her, huh?!” Angkasa screamed.

Prang! The sound of glass shattering, followed by Bayu”s yell.

“She killed my father!”

Deg!

Bulan”s heart felt like it stopped beating. Her hands shook violently. She stood frozen on the side of the road. She stared blankly at the fast-moving traffic. Tears pooled in her bloodshot eyes.

For a long time, no one spoke, only Dara”s loud sobbing remained.

“She was just a child when your father tortured her mother. It was self-defense. That is why the law protected her,” Angkasa”s voice sounded hoarse.

“What about me! Am I an adult? I was also just a child when my father was snatched away just like that!” Bayu screamed louder.

Bruk! The sound of a body hitting the ground, followed by more blows and the stranger trying to break it up. Dara”s sobs echoed.

Bulan opened her phone. Angkasa”s location was at Ketapian Market. Bulan quickly hopped on her bike, revving the engine down a slope amidst the traffic. The wind blew hard. As her chest grew tight, her motorcycle slipped on a downhill curve.

Sret! Bruk!

“Are you okay, Miss?” A crowd of people rushed to help Bulan.

Her motorcycle had fallen. Fish were scattered across the road. Bulan”s body shook uncontrollably. Someone helped her sit on the curb.

“Why do you torture her? She”s just a broken girl,” Angkasa”s voice drifted through the phone, filled with pain.

The crescent moon glowed amidst the directionless wind. Bulan sobbed, holding her trembling, bleeding hands.

☾ ☾ ☾

Previous Chapter....

Next Chapter....