Teasing Sister-in-law

Desi took a deep breath as she looked at herself in the mirror. She tidied up her hair that fell slightly on her forehead, making sure every strand was in the right place. Today, her family would have dinner together, a tradition they always did once a month. But, there was one thing that made Desi feel awkward-the presence of Reza, her brother-in-law.

Ever since Rani, her sister, married Reza two years ago, Desi realized that something had changed inside her. The admiration that she used to think was normal had now turned into something deeper and harder for her to control. The feeling grew silently, getting stronger as time went by.

That night, Desi chose her best dress, a maroon color that gave off an elegant impression. She hoped it could distract her from the feelings that shouldn't be there.

When she stepped into the living room, she found Reza talking to his father. Reza's warm laughter filled the room, making Desi feel warm and awkward at the same time.

"Desi, come here. Chat with me," Rani called from the sofa, gesturing for Desi to sit next to her. Desi complied, sitting down while occasionally stealing glances at Reza who was sitting across from them.

Reza turned his head, smiling warmly at Desi. "Hi, Desi. How are you? Long time no see."

Desi smiled thinly, trying to stay calm. "Hi, Mas Reza. Fine, thank God. How about you?"

"Fine too. Busy at the office, but still making time for family." Reza spoke in a tone that was always warm and friendly, but Desi caught something deeper than that-something that made her heart beat faster.

As she sat there, Desi couldn't stop her wandering thoughts. Why couldn't this feeling go away? Why did her heart always tremble every time she saw Reza?

Dinner began, and Desi tried hard to focus on the conversation around her. However, Reza's gaze that occasionally met hers made it difficult for Desi to concentrate.

After dinner was over, their family gathered in the living room. Desi felt relieved when everyone was busy with their own conversations, giving her a chance to reflect.

"Des, are you okay?" Rani patted Desi's shoulder, making her flinch.

"Yes, Sis. I was just thinking." Desi tried to smile, but she knew the smile wasn't entirely convincing.

"You don't seem to be feeling well. Do you want to rest first?" Rani looked at her with concern.

Desi nodded slowly. "Maybe I'll go to my room for a bit."

Rani nodded, and Desi got up from the living room. She walked slowly towards her room, but her steps stopped when she heard another footstep behind her.

"Desi, wait a minute." It was Reza's voice.

Desi stopped and turned around, finding Reza standing a few steps behind her. "What's wrong, Mas?"

Reza smiled softly. "You look a little pale. Are you really okay?"

Desi swallowed, trying to calm herself down. "Yes, Mas. Just a little dizzy. Maybe I need to sleep."

Reza nodded. "Okay. If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me, okay?"

Desi nodded and tried to smile. "Thank you, Mas."

Reza stepped closer, touching Desi's arm gently. "Get enough rest, Desi. Your health is important."

Desi felt the touch like an electric current running through her body. She nodded again, this time more slowly, before finally turning around and walking to her room with faster steps.

Inside the room, Desi closed the door and leaned against it, trying to control her breathing which was starting to become irregular. She couldn't go on like this. This feeling had to end soon before everything got more complicated.

"But how?" she whispered softly to herself.

The ticking sound of the wall clock was clearly heard in the middle of the silent night. Desi woke up from her sleep, feeling restless for no apparent reason. She got up from her bed and decided to go to the kitchen, looking for a glass of water to calm her mind.

Desi opened her bedroom door slowly, walking slowly on the creaking wooden floor. The house was quiet, everyone seemed to be asleep. However, the feeling of discomfort she felt was getting stronger. Like something was lurking in the darkness of the night.

After arriving in the kitchen, Desi turned on the light and opened the glass cabinet to get a glass. The sound of water flowing from the tap was the only sound that filled the silence. Desi drank the water while leaning on the kitchen table, trying to calm her mind that kept spinning about her feelings for Reza.

Suddenly, Desi heard footsteps. Heavy and steady steps, approaching the kitchen. She turned her head and saw Reza's figure emerging from the darkness, only illuminated by the dim light from the kitchen lamp.

"Mas Reza?" Desi spoke softly, feeling her heart beating faster. "Why are you still awake, Mas?"

Reza smiled thinly, approaching her with calm steps. "I couldn't sleep, Des. I suddenly woke up and felt thirsty, just like you, I think."

Desi smiled stiffly, turning her gaze to the glass in her hand. "I... I just wanted to drink water too. I couldn't sleep."

Reza was now standing very close to her, and Desi could feel the warmth of his body. There was something different in Reza's gaze this time-something that made Desi feel uncomfortable.

"I've been watching you, Des," Reza's voice sounded deep and soft, but there was a certain tone that made Desi wary. "You look disturbed. Is there a problem?"

Desi shook her head quickly, trying to smile. "Nothing, Mas. Maybe I'm just tired."

Reza nodded, but he didn't move. "You know, Desi, since the first time I met you, I've always felt that you were special."

Desi felt something was wrong. She wanted to move away, but her body felt stiff, as if she couldn't move. "Mas Reza, I think I should go back to the room," she said in a trembling voice.

However, before Desi could turn around, Reza had already caught her arm. "Wait a minute, Des," he said in a deeper tone. "I want us to talk first."

Desi panicked. She tried to pull her hand away, but Reza held it gently but firmly. "Mas Reza, please... this isn't right..."

Reza sighed, as if disappointed. "Desi, I don't want to hurt you. But I can't hold back these feelings anymore." He brought his face closer to Desi, and Desi could feel Reza's warm breath on her face.

"Mas, please, don't..." Desi tried to speak, but her voice sounded weak and scared.

Without warning, Reza grabbed Desi's body and hugged her tightly, making Desi feel trapped in his strong grip. She tried to push Reza away, but it was in vain. Reza was bigger and stronger than her.

"Mas Reza, please... let me go..." Desi struggled, but Reza held her even tighter.

Desi felt incredibly scared when she felt Reza's hands starting to squeeze her body. She tried hard to free herself, but Reza didn't budge.

"Des, I can't pretend anymore. I've been holding this in for so long," Reza whispered in a hoarse voice, full of passion.

Desi held her breath, tears began to well up in her eyes. She didn't know what to do, fear and panic made her unable to think clearly.

Reza brought his face closer, his lips almost touching Desi's lips. "Mas Reza, please... I beg you..."

Desi closed her eyes, feeling helpless. She hoped this was all just a nightmare that would soon pass. But this reality could not be avoided. Her body trembled, fear taking over her entire being.

Reza dragged Desi to the guest room at the end of the corridor, his hand not releasing his grip on Desi's arm. Desi tried to fight back, but her strength was far below Reza's. The guest room door was opened roughly, and Reza pushed Desi in.

Desi stumbled, almost falling, but Reza caught her again, this time in a more aggressive manner. "Mas Reza, please, don't do this..." Desi begged in a trembling voice.

Reza ignored her. He pushed Desi onto the bed, his strong body pressing down on Desi so that she couldn't move. Fear flooded Desi, making her feel as if she couldn't breathe.

Desi tried hard to hold on, but Reza pushed harder. Desi cried, her tears flowing freely, but Reza didn't stop. That night turned into a nightmare that Desi never imagined would happen.

In the midst of her fear, Desi could only pray that all of this would end soon.

The next morning, Desi woke up with a tired body and a wounded heart. The morning sun penetrated the curtains of the guest room that she had never used before. Desi got up slowly, feeling pain all over her body. The reality of the previous night still felt like a nightmare that had not completely passed.

She looked around the room with a blank stare. Everything here felt foreign, even this room itself seemed to hold memories that she did not want to remember. Desi realized that she had to get out of here immediately before someone came and found her.

While trying to calm herself, Desi moved quickly to collect the scattered clothes. Every movement felt heavy, as if her body was bound by an invisible weight. She considered herself lucky that no one heard the commotion that night.

Desi decided to return to her room, hoping to confront Rani honestly about what happened. However, when she stepped out of the guest room, she found Rani standing outside, looking worried.

"Desi! I've been looking for you everywhere," Rani said anxiously when she saw Desi appear. "Are you okay?"

Desi tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Yes, Sis. I was just a little under the weather last night. But I feel better now."

Rani looked at her with concern. "I noticed you looked really pale this morning. Are you sure you're okay?"

Desi found it hard to keep up her lie. Her emotional pain was so deep, and she didn't know how to explain the situation without making things more complicated. "I just need some time to myself, Sis. Maybe some more sleep would help."

Rani nodded, worry evident on her face. "Okay. If you need anything, just let me know, okay?"

Desi nodded, trying not to look too tense. "Thank you, Sis."

After Rani left, Desi sat on the bed and tried to think about what to do next. She felt caught between shame and fear, and she knew she couldn't keep hiding forever.

Meanwhile, Reza was in the living room, looking like a normal person. His eyes showed no signs of guilt or regret. Desi felt angry and confused seeing him, but she knew that she had to face the reality somehow.

Desi decided to go to the kitchen for breakfast. Maybe the daily activities could help her distract herself from the memories of that night. She grabbed some snacks and sat down at the dining table, trying to eat even though her appetite had disappeared.

While she was eating, Reza entered the kitchen, seemingly unbothered by the tense morning atmosphere. "Good morning, Desi," he greeted casually. "How did you sleep?"

Desi looked at Reza with eyes full of pain and tension. "Morning, Mas. My sleep... well, I could say it was enough."

Reza studied Desi with an inscrutable gaze. "You look a little stressed. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Desi felt her heart tremble at the offer, knowing full well what was really going on. "Mas Reza, we need to talk about what happened last night."

Reza raised his eyebrows with a cold look. "What do you mean, Desi?"

Desi held her breath, trying to gather her courage. "We need to talk honestly about what happened in the guest room."

Reza seemed calm, but Desi could feel the tension in the air. "I think we should talk about it later. Right now it's better if we focus on family."

Desi felt her heart breaking. She knew that Reza was trying to avoid the topic, but she couldn't let the feelings and uncertainty interfere with her life any longer.

"I can't go on like this, Mas," Desi said in a desperate tone. "I need to know what really happened and how we're going to deal with all of this."

Reza finally sighed, as if admitting defeat. "Okay, Desi. Let's talk in the study, where it's quieter."

Desi followed Reza to the study, which was quieter and quieter than the rest of the house. As they sat down, Desi felt the atmosphere grow more burdensome.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" Reza asked, his voice sounding more serious.

Desi looked at Reza with a determined look. "Mas Reza, what happened that night really bothers me. I feel like I have no control over my own life. I need an explanation."

Reza stared at Desi blankly. "Desi, I never meant to hurt you. I just felt trapped between my feelings and reality."

Desi felt angry, but she tried to stay calm.

Mas Reza, that is unacceptable. Whatever your reasons, your actions are unacceptable. I feel like all my boundaries have been violated."

Reza nodded, seeming to understand the seriousness of the situation. "I'm sorry, Desi. I'm really sorry. I know that what I did was very wrong, and I will do everything I can to fix it."

Desi felt a little relieved to hear the apology, but she knew that forgiveness was not easy. "I can't forgive you right away, Mas. I need time to heal and process what happened."

Reza nodded understandingly. "I'll give you the time you need. If you need to talk or need help, I'm here for you."

Desi nodded, feeling a little calmer even though the pain in her heart was still there. "Thank you, Mas."

After that conversation, Desi felt a little calmer even though there were many things she needed to consider. She knew that this healing process would take time, and she had to face reality with courage and determination.

Outside the room, the day went on as usual. Desi felt alienated from everyday life, but she knew that she had to face the days ahead with strength and courage. Facing reality would be part of her long journey to heal and find a way to a better life.