Murder In The Old Castle
222. Photo Close-ups

Night always comes, although sometimes his presence is not anticipated. There are some people who hate darkness, because dark is synonymous with sinister and evil shades. Inside a three-story mansion, Rianti Tobing lays on a comfortable premium-class mattress. However, he could not enjoy the comfort of the bed. His mind feels lonely. The mansion felt like a golden cage to him. Especially when the husband is not at home, and barely cares about him. He spent the night alone in a quiet room.

He stared at the wedding photo placed beside the bed. The photo was a silent moment that seemed to tell a lot of things. He is not sure whether the taste that exists today is still the same as the taste when early marriage. Rianti only sighed, while glancing at the wall clock that docked to the number 12 night. The room is getting colder.

Suddenly he heard a voice like a plate and a spoon in the dining room. He wondered, who was in the dinner room like this? He got up to make sure. He exited the room, stepped into the dining room which was very close to his room. He saw a man eating at the table. Of course the man was well known to him.

“Hen ... “ whispered Rianti.

Unfortunately, the man who turned out to be Henry Tobing did not understand the presence of his wife. He was enjoying the food he bought from the outside. Rianti immediately took a place in front of him.

“You're home?” ask Rianti.

Henry stopped his mouthful, then looked at his wife's face for a moment.

“Can't?” ask Henry.

“Bu-not like that. I'm just wondering if you remember the way home. Where have you been?” ask Rianti.

“That's not important I guess. What matters is that I go home, right? This is my home. The house I bought from my work all this time. I deserve to enjoy whatever is in this house, with or without your purpose!” ketus Henry's.

“I ... I have no problem with that, Hen. Do you know that I've been worrying about you all this time? Do you understand my feelings? I called all your friends, but they all didn't know where you were. I'm confused!” Rianti.

“Listen Rianti! I'm not a kid who should report wherever I should go. I can take care of myself, so you don't have to worry, I'm fine. I also know you went to the salon with Ollan this afternoon, right? You also don't like it when I spy on you. You don't be a holy-spirited Rianti. I also know your embarrassing past. So don't try to dictate my life!” henry's toilet.

“Yes, I am not a holy woman, Hen. But do I deserve unfair treatment from you? You cheated on Laura in front of my eyes! Is that not fair? That hurts a lot, Hen!”

“I didn't have an affair with Laura!” henry's Resolute.

“You don't have to dodge, because I saw it with my own eyes and many witnesses told me. Including today. You didn't come to Mr. Daniel's funeral because you were at Laura's, did you? Aye right?” rianti.

Henry did not answer. He did not deny the words of his wife, because in fact he was in the safety of Laura. Only, he did not want to admit. However, he wondered how his wife knew that he was at Laura's house.

“Ollan sure told you ...”

Henry said, looking intently at his wife's face. Rianti nodded slowly. Indeed, when he went to the salon with Ollan, the gleaming man told a lot about Henry, including Henry's curiosity in Laura. That's what makes Rianti jealous.

“Bagging the Ollan!” furious Henry.

“He is honest and not wrong. You are wrong!”

“I'll teach that Sissy a lesson!”

Henry is getting angry. He forgot the food he was facing, then left the dining room in a hurry. He was feeling angry and angry.

***

After Daniel Prawira's funeral, Daniel's office began to be cleaned. Riky and Widya immediately cleaned the room filled with books and documents about the film. Some important files are still piled on the table, then Widya keeps them in a cardboard box. Some days unoccupied, the office looks a little dusty, so Widya and Riky wear masks.

“This will be a memory that is always missed,” Widya said.

“You missed him?” ask Riky.

“Yes, of course. You don't?” Widya asked back.

Riky just smiled cynically while shaking her head. He piled up the books on the shelf, then reassembled them.

“I think you are someone who is happy about the death of Mr. Daniel,” said Riky.

“Happy? Of course not, Rick. I'm not that bad! How can you talk like that?”

“Well, I saw for myself that Mr. Daniel was angry with you sometimes, and I saw you coming out of the toilet crying because he was scolded by him. And actually, you're a little jealous of Anita, because of the closeness of the two of them right?” accuse Riky.

“To be honest I felt safe and independent after Mr. Daniel died. We all know that the old director was very perfectionist and authoritarian. He always wants anything based on his own thoughts, without accepting the input of others. After all this, I will switch to another director who can appreciate me,” said Riky.

“Well, now it is precisely you who benefited from the death of Mr Daniel!” cibir Widya's.

“Don't be a hypocrite, Wid! We all benefited from Mr. Daniel's death, although after this the film project was delayed. Do you want to work under constant pressure? If I was Wid. But I can't avoid it, because we're under contract. In fact, last year another production house proposed to me for an epic film. Now, with the passing of Mr. Daniel I'm a little freer to move!” said Riky.

“Iya. Actually, Ms. Laura once offered me to become one of the makeup artists in a soap opera production that will air in the near future. The salary is not as big as in the film, but the film project will stop. So I guess I'll take the offer from Laura's mother!” widya.

“Nag is dong! Our sustenance is not only in this production house. Until now we do not know who will replace Mr. Daniel. So mending we try ourselves rather than no clarity right?”

They continued to tidy up the room, while cleaning the drawers and cabinets containing items that may have been unused. Widya picked up a few thick books, then arranged them in cardboard boxes. Suddenly, from inside a book falls a piece of worn out photo. A close-up photo of a short-haired little girl with red clasps in her hair.

“Rik ... whose photo is this?” Widya showed the photo to Riky.

“Ndon't know! But ... If you look like yourself, Wid!” riky answered short while receiving a photo, then looked at Widya.

“Ah, yes! Beda tau!”

“And I said similar, not the same!”

“I know Mr. Daniel doesn't have a daughter. So who is this?” ask Widya.

“Ah stop! Why do we take care of that Wid. It could be anyone. It could be his nephew, it could be someone else or even his neighbor. Why the hell are we dizzy? This is none of our business! This photo let me keep it. Who knows if someone asked!”

Riky stuffed the photo into her shirt pocket. Widya said nothing, because she had nothing to do with the photo. They were still cleaning Daniel Prawira's room, when Thunder suddenly entered the room.

“Crains very much you!” thunder Word.

“Don't just talk. Help also dong!” widya.

“Ah, again cape me. Oya, you know today a film producer offered me to become a writer of a new film story that will be worked on in the next few months. Wow, I've been waiting a long time! This opportunity I didn't miss. I'm tired of waiting for certainty in this production house. So I'll take that chance!” thunder said with a pleased tone.

“What's up too! Later one by one the film crew will leave this production house because there is no clarity here. Good at all!” greet Riky.

“Tonight coffee yuk! We celebrate this freedom, and we welcome our new work without .... “

Thunder stopped his sentence, realizing he was thinking about saying a word.

“Without what Gun?” ask Widya.

“Eh .. no! I mean, let's just celebrate our freedom tonight,” said Guntur with a wry smile.

“Surely he will say we will celebrate freedom without Mr Daniel!” riky Smirk.

The thunder was silent. Indeed, what Riky said was true. He felt that his career had been less developed because he was still under contract with Daniel's film project. He felt less able to express himself, so he only struggled with the same routine every day.

“Later tonight see yes, whether I can join you guys or not, because I happen to have another schedule tonight. Let's see, I hope I can be present at your invitation, Gun! It may be late!” said Riky.

“What agenda do you have, Rik? So tumben. I'm like your artist!” widya.

“Dong secrets!”

“Oke, I'll tell you again. I just want to have a conversation. Who knows if there's a good project, I'll let you guys know. We cannot rely on sustenance in the same place. We have to be creative. We will discuss this matter!” thunder Word.

Riky and Widya nodded. Paras Riky, as usual, looked anxious, just like when showered with a lot of work. Yeah, Riky always looks nervous when he's busy. He looked unsettled, like something was weighing on his mind.

***