Chapter 9 Prisoner

Prison is scary. I've only ever seen prison on TV, on the news, to be exact. It doesn't even look from the outside. I admit I rarely watch the news. The Korean Drama Marathon is better. Tangled mind so fresh. Managing the information is.

I stayed in front of the penitentiary fence for quite a long time. Come in, no, come in, no. My feet go forward, back. One step ahead, two steps back. Just like that until Luna Maya grew a beard.

"Looking for who?"

Ah, Shit! Hush, you can't do that, Ameena. The pork is unclean. A pious Muslimah is not allowed to mention pork.

Yes, please change it.

Ah, kuntilanak! Oi, you can't mention ghosts. Come on later.

Yeah, it's complicated; I want to swear at it-the truest istighfar.

"Astagfirullah aladzim, you surprised me," I finally said, using the most pious language.

"Where's the mother?" asked the father.

"At home," I answered honestly.

"Poor. Where is the house? Do you want to be delivered?"

I spontaneously nodded. I want to be driven home. I've almost peed my pants since earlier. TBL, TBL, TBL, so scared. Try not to go to jail. It must be goosebumps because there are spooky auras.

"Yes, let me take you on a motorbike," said the officer.

If I go home, Adam will fire me; then I will be eternally unemployed. Ugh, spooky. The burden of family and country. The S.H. degree in a diploma is no longer a Bachelor of Law but Hard to Live or Like Haha Hihi. Duh, I might have been visited by my late father and asked to compensate for tuition fees.

"Well, Mr. Rhoma Irama." I read the nameplate on his chest. Fix: Mr. Rhoma's parents are fans of the Soneta Group. "Are you still single?"

Uh, Fuck. Why do I even remember the song, Bachelor? Here are the lyrics,

He said it was good to be a bachelor

Everywhere, nothing is forbidden

Life feels light without a burden

Spending money is not a thought

O bachelors ... bachelors

Bachelor ... bachelor

"Oh, no. I have one wife and three children. Why?"

"No, sir. I asked the wrong question. I mean, I want to meet Aldebaran."

Bang Rhoma's friendly face suddenly became angry. His eyes bulged like salted fish in a frying pan.

"Aldebaran raped the little guy? How bold he is. So, if you dare to propose, wait until your child has graduated from high school. This is just playing around. Why, Aldebaran's victim's sister too? Do you want to report too? Aldebaran's sentence needs to be extended. Suppose you need to bang it. Why is the country feeding people like that? It's better to feed people who can't afford it."

Bang, Rhoma screeched. I'm confused about where to go. That's right, netizens infected Bang Rhoma. That's why eating tempeh is healthy, bro. Don't eat hoaxes. Does it Make high blood suitable?

"Already angry, sir?" I asked. "Breathe in," I said, exemplifying inhaling.

Bang Rhoma followed my instructions and took a deep breath.

"Throw it away," I suggested while not forgetting to give an example.

Bang Rhoma also exhaled. You know, he's calmer.

"I'm from the CUAN Law firm, Pak Adam's secretary, Aldebaran's attorney."

I thought my explanation would relieve Bang Rhoma, but I was wrong. Bang Rhoma's eyes had dimmed after glaring. Now, even flashing again. Hamish... When am I right?

"You are a woman, you know. How come you want to be the personal secretary of the attorney for the rape perpetrator?" Bang, Rhoma asked fiercely.

Yes, I need money, bro. I want to answer that, but later, he will get angry.

"We have found evidence that Aldebaran is innocent. Instead, the perpetrators are guilty of slander and defamation," I said.

Isn't it cool that I can answer that, even though the shaking is delicious too?

"Ah, you lawyers," Bang Rhoma waved his hand, "everywhere, step forward without fear to defend those who pay."

Ah, brother. Why? Just know.

"May I come in, sir?" I asked.

"Where's the power of attorney? I can't enter random people."

"Power of attorney?"

"Yes, a power of attorney from Aldebaran appointing sister to be the attorney," Bang Rhoma started to get angry.

Astagfirullah aladzim, what is this ordeal? Please Ameena, O Allah!

Suddenly, my cell phone vibrates. Who is this? Don't tell Papa to ask for credit. My daddy is gone.

I look at my phone. An unfamiliar number was flashing. Don't gamble the lottery.

"Hello," I said.

[Ameena, you entered already?]

I won't forget his resolutely authoritative voice, even though I've only heard it for two days.

"Oh, honey. Not yet. I'm not allowed to enter with Mr. Rhoma."

[Hand over your cell phone to Mr Rhoma.]

I obeyed, handing over the cell phone to Mr. Rhoma. I don't know what Adam said. Mr. Rhoma just nodded.

"Yes, sir."

[.....]

"Okay, sir."

[.....]

"Ready."

Mr. Rhoma returned the cell phone to me. Now, his face is friendlier.

"Hello, honey," I greeted.

[You follow Mr. Rhoma. Leave all your things except the tote bag. Explain to Aldebaran that the case has gone to the Constitutional Court with new evidence or novum. Do you understand, Ameena?]

"Okay, p, honey. Got it. Explanations full of love are always easy to understand."

Tuut, tuut, tuut...

Adam didn't want to hear my crap. Instead, he immediately cut the phone line.

"Come on."

Mr. Rhoma invited me to enter the door of the Penitentiary. The iron gate is tall and tight. There is no way to escape.

There are officers carrying rifles. It's scary, like in an action movie. I asked him to smile, but his face didn't smile too. Don't take life seriously. Get old soon.

"Sir, cellphone, ID card, all left here." Mr. Rhoma showed me a room full of lockers.

"But is it okay for me to bring this file, sir?"

Mr. Rhoma opened the tote bag and read the contents of the folder I was carrying.

"Yes," said Mr. Rhoma.

My hand is stamped. At first glance, you can't see it, but if you highlight it with a unique tool, you can see the stamp marks right away. This is to differentiate me from officers and convicts.

I once watched the news about prison inmates who escaped. How do you do it if the guard is tight like this? I'm not good at being a criminal. His talent is to be a kind-hearted elementary school kid who is pious and diligent to help.

"Now, come with me."

I followed Mr. Rhoma through the iron door again. We entered the basketball court. Then we crossed the basketball court through the metal door-multilevel security.

I, who until this moment breathes free air, consider freedom to be expected. I can go to Bogor, SCBD, and even the North Pole if I have money.

Unlike the case with the prisoners here who can not go anywhere. So don't be stubborn. So, law-abiding citizens don't languish here.

"Wait here."

I was left on the bench. In front of me were many male convicts playing ball. It looks like they're having fun. Maybe they have adapted to reality?

Some people were observing me, but most of them didn't care. I'm looking for is there a girl here? It turns out I'm a lone girl.

"Here, Mr. Aldebaran," said Mr. Rhoma, bringing a man with an oriental face.

I was surprised; the Aldebaran I saw now was very different from the one in the photo in the file. Aldebaran is now thin. His eyes were haggard. He smiled when we made eye contact.

"I am Ameena, Mr. Adam's assistant," I said automatically formally.

"Miss Ameena. How are you?"

I should be the one asking how are you. But there's no need. Without even asking, I should have known Aldebaran lived a hard life here.

"Mr Adam has an urgent business; that's why I was asked to come here to meet Koko," I said to be friendly.

"Yes, no problem. Ms Ameena, did you come here?"

"Earlier, Mr Adam brought." Well, even though I left it right away. He had the heart to tell me to go to prison alone with all the boys.

"Is this your first time at a men's prison?" asked Aldebaran.

"Looks great, huh?" I asked, a little embarrassed.

"There's no need to be afraid. The women who enter here are taken care of by them. Prisoners hate the perpetrators of abuse against women and children the most," Aldebaran sighed.

That's right. Aldebaran's life must be hard here.

"Please be patient, Koko. Koko's case files have gone to the MK. Hopefully, the verdict will be fair for Koko, and Koko's name will be clean again."

I'm talented. It is difficult for the accused of sexual crimes like Aldebaran to be accepted by society again. Even if the Supreme Court finds Aldebaran innocent and he is released, life will be a tough challenge for him. People's views will not change. Aldebaran will be accused of bribing until he is released. I'm afraid that's not right, not only for Aldebaran but also for his lawyers.

"Tell Adam, I am very grateful. Only he would defend me and believe my words." Aldebaran's tears dripped in the corners of his eyes. He hastily removed it.