The Three Chosen
153. Ends Sia - Sia
The punishment for Malhaj and Mardiyah was also handed down. Malhaj was sentenced to eighteen years in prison and was sentenced to death for murdering Marwah. While Mardiyah was sentenced to twelve years in prison for in addition to being proven to fake Marwah's writing to disrupt the police investigation, Mardiyah should also receive punishment for hiring minors and exploiting children for personal gain. Even more concerning are the children themselves, Salman and Najas, who were enslaved by him when they were eleven and eight years old.
“ I learned to imitate the writings of Marwah for several years. How could anyone know it is not the writing of Marwah even though the writing is exactly the same as the writing of Marwah..,” muttered Mardiyah did not believe when the authenticity of Marwah's message was in doubt.
“ It was Marwah's best friend and roommate who revealed the truth Madam. His name is Raqiya, do you remember him..?” ask Marwah's lawyer.
“ Raqiya...?” mardiyah asked trying to remember.
“ Right. Raqiya's husband is a reliable cop who has many achievements Madam. And you understand why you're here now.?” ask the lawyer.
Mardiyah froze in the chair she was sitting in. He was furious because he missed an important figure in the case of death
Marwahs. Mardiyah and her lawyer never knew if it was Marwah who had said that writing on a piece of paper was not a stroke of her hand. The police deliberately obscured it and made Raqiya the one who proved the falsity of the writing given his close relationship with Marwah. Moreover, there were many fingerprints Mardiyah on the paper that further strengthen the police allegations.
Mardiyah grew more helpless as all the visitors applauded the judge's verdict. No one sympathizes with the absurd love story of Mardiyah and Malhaj. In fact, they continued to bully Mardiyah and Malhaj as the two were paraded to the detention car.
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The days of Mardiyah should also be passed in loneliness and solitude. If other prisoners would happily welcome the day of visitation but not with Mardiyah. No one visited him in prison. Although her status is still Gusman's wife, Gusman does not care about her, especially Najas and Salman. They are already hurt by the attitude of Mardiyah. And it seems they still need time to be able to forgive Mardiyah.
Mardiyah cried as she watched the inmates being visited by her family. She missed her son and husband. But Mardiyah could only wait without knowing when she could see them again. After some time in prison, Mardiyah realized how stupid she was. Because a man's irresponsible seduction makes him destroy the lives of those who love him.
“ Forgive Me...,” muttered Mardiyah many times in between her sobs.
“ In vain your regrets Mother...,” said the voice of the ghost of Marwah from the corner of the room.
“ You're right. They can never forgive me..” said Mardiyah sadly.
“ Do you miss them Mother..?” ask the ghost of Marwah.
“ Very....,” fast Mardiyah.
“ Unfortunately they don't miss you Mom. They even forgot about you. They are now happy with the birth of Najas' first child. Your granddaughter..,” taunts Marwah's ghost.
“ Right...?” asked Mardiyah in a loud voice.
“ Yes...,” sahut ghost Marwah.
Mardiyah felt heartache from being forgotten by her son and husband but she could not do anything. His grief grew when he heard Malhaj appeal for not accepting the judge's verdict. Mardiyah felt abandoned by the man she always fought for.
“ If I'm a Mom, I'd rather end my life than fight alone without knowing what I'm for and who I'm for.” Mardiyah's ghost said as she drifted through the wall.
“ He's right. I live or die, it makes no difference. No one cares about me or expects me back. So it feels better to end it all. As soon as possible..,” Inner Mardiyah while clenching her hands.
Unbeknownst to anyone Mardiyah looking for the right place and time to launch the action. Until one day Mardiyah was found hanged herself with a shawl in the bathroom. There was no crying following his departure.
“ We leave all this business to the Father and Mother as officers in this prison..” said Gusman accompanied.
Salman.
“ But he is still your Wife Mr. Gusman. And it is your duty to take care of his body because he is your family.
“ But the world knows what this woman looks like. I haven't divorced her yet because I'm busy welcoming the birth of My first Grandchild. So please understand. Not the state also provides land for the inmates who died without having a family. Just buried him there..” Gusman said.
The prison chief and several prison officers stared at each other and sighed resignedly. Gusman and Salman gave some money to the prison officials so they wouldn't mind taking care of Mardiyah's body.
“ Would you like to watch his funeral..?” ask Salman carefully.
“ I'm not an angel, son, I don't have an ocean-wide heart to watch the funeral of the woman who betrayed me. We better get out of here. Pray for your mother that God may forgive her sins.” Says Gusman reluctantly.
Salman was silent and did not answer his father's words because he knew how disappointed Gusman was with his mother. Then Salman and Gusman left the place at a quick pace as if reluctant to look back again.
Something different happened when Iyaz and Osman heard the news of Mardiyah's death due to suicide. They looked silent while staring at each other. They knew that it was Marwah's incitement that had caused Mardiyah to commit suicide.
“ You instigated Bu Mardiyah to end her life right Marwah.?” ask Iyaz.
“ Yes. I want him to feel what I feel too. To die curious because it was killed or killed is the same. I am satisfied to be able to witness his death sakaratul..” said the ghost of Marwah.
“ Already your grudge Marwah, nothing more burdening you. Now go quietly...,” refer to Iyaz.
“ Yes, I'll go Yes. Thank you for helping to expose my death. Please say my regards to Raqiya and Her Husband as well to my Father and Sister.
“ Have you forgotten the same Me Marwah.?” asked Osman with a smile to make the ghost of Marwah smile.
“ Thank you Osman, you're a good man. I'm lucky to know you..” said Marwah's ghost sincerely.
“ I am also happy to help you Marwah. Go...” said Osman with teary eyes.
The ghost of Marwah nodded then lowered his face. A moment later, Iyaz and Osman also berdzikir ushering in the departure of Marwah who performed with his best performance exactly as he was last alive. Wearing a pink dress with beautiful hair and a smile on her beautiful face, Marwah went to the day of Allah.
“ Thank you...,” word voice without that form once again.
“ Al Fatihah..,” says Iyaz and Osman together in response to Marwah's remarks.
Marwah left quietly after finishing the business that weighed in on her steps during her dozen years of death despite having to make Mardiyah desperate and choose a shortcut to end her life. While Lyaz and Osman also seemed to smile with relief after successfully driving Marwah away to where he should be.
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