A large crowd had gathered in front of a mansion. The streets buzzed with an unusual energy, people moving through the area, stopping to chat, while food vendors peddled their goods. The chatter was thick, as if something significant were unfolding, something that had drawn people from all over.
Amid the throng stood a young woman, dressed in a hijab that completely covered her, blending into the crowd while maintaining a quiet detachment. Beside her, an elderly woman watched the commotion with keen interest. The girl, curious about the scene before them, turned to the woman and asked, "What's going on, ma'am? Why are so many people gathered here?"
The elderly woman, eager to share the latest news, responded with an excited tone, "Haven't you heard, dear? Ustad Juki was arrested by the police!"
"Ustad Juki?" The girl asked again, her curiosity piqued. "Who is he?"
The old lady's eyes sparkled as she filled in the details. "Don't you know? Ustad Juki is famous—he's got four wives and runs an online herbal medicine business. Everyone's been talking about him lately."
As they spoke, a sudden wail of a police siren split the air, drawing everyone's attention. The crowd parted as two police cars rolled through, making their way toward the mansion. Officers filed out, entering the house. A moment later, a man wearing a turban emerged, escorted by two policemen. The crowd's murmurs rose into a mix of indignation and scorn as the turbaned man, Ustad Juki, was led to the patrol car and driven away. The people shouted insults, some even jeering at him, though it was unclear what had prompted such a public display of contempt.
Within moments, a car slowly rolled out of the mansion, carrying a woman in a hijab. Her demeanor was calm, even serene, as she passed through the crowd, which parted respectfully. Despite her composed nature, she was met with a chorus of applause and murmured words of encouragement.
The young girl, still standing beside the elderly woman, watched intently and asked again, "Who was that just now?"
The old lady answered with a note of admiration, "That's Ustad Juki's first wife. She's been with him for years, through thick and thin. Even now, despite everything, she remains loyal to him."
As the crowd began to disperse, the initial excitement started to fade, leaving behind an eerie calm. The girl in the black hijab, still looking at the scene before her, remained still, lost in thought, as if waiting for something-or—someone.
It didn't take long for the person she had been waiting for to appear. Another girl, about her age, approached, her eyes scanning the crowd until they locked on the girl in the black hijab. "Sis Astrid?"
Astrid, the girl in the black hijab, nodded and replied quietly, "Not here. Let's find somewhere more private to talk."
They moved toward the street, flagging down a passing taxi, and soon they were on their way.
Minutes later, they arrived at a food court. At one of the tables in a quiet corner, a man was waiting. The two girls walked over, and Astrid offered a polite handshake to introduce herself. "I'm Maya... the one who asked for your help, Sis Astrid."
"I'm Rico, Astrid's younger brother," the man said with a warm smile.
Astrid, taking the lead, opened the conversation. "This is my twin brother, Rico. He's the one who's really behind all of these plans. I mostly just help limit the space for people like you—your father's confidant, Maya."
Maya nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Sis, for saving my family, especially my mother and my three younger siblings. We'll never forget what you've done for us."
After a brief pause, Maya looked at Astrid and Rico with a sense of urgency. "What should I do next, Sis Astrid? Bro Rico? What's the next step?"
Rico, who had been silent up until this point, finally spoke, his voice steady but firm. "Maya, after this, you need to explain to your younger siblings what their roles will be. Your brothers need to understand their responsibilities. The youngest, though, that decision is up to him. If he chooses to go to a pesantren, we'll welcome him. We can make that happen."
Maya looked down at the table for a moment, her thoughts swirling. "So after the third divorce, the business can only be managed by Bintang, right, Sis?"
Astrid nodded, her expression somber. "Yes, that's the reality. You're right, Maya. The situation has reached a breaking point. It's not going to last much longer, especially now that your father's wives are all demanding separation. It's nothing but greed—lust for wealth, and power." She paused, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's all about lust. For wealth, for power, for control."
Maya reached into her bag and pulled out a brown envelope, handing it over to Astrid. "This is for you, Sis Astrid. A token of my gratitude. I want to be accepted."
"For the pesantren," Maya added, her tone sincere, "I've already arranged things. The funds have been transferred. I've also agreed with my siblings: once the replacement company is officially running, it will benefit the pesantren by two and a half percent of all the contracts signed." She gave them both a meaningful look. "This is for the future."
Astrid and Rico exchanged a brief look, both understanding the significance of what Maya was offering. They knew this was more than just a financial contribution—it was a gesture of trust.
"When should we meet again, Sis?" Maya asked, her eyes filled with hope.
Astrid considered this for a moment before responding, "If all goes well, next month. Same place."
Rico added, "And bring your two younger siblings, Maya. The more solid we are, the better."
After finishing their meal, Maya stood up. "I need to get home," she said, looking at both of them. "Thank you again for everything."
"Of course," Astrid replied, giving her a warm smile. "Take care, Maya."
As Maya left, Rico turned to his sister. "Sis, I want to meet with Senior Felix tomorrow. Are you coming?"
Astrid looked hesitant. "I don't think so, little brother. I need to find a boarding house. Our money won't last if we stay at the motel every day."
Rico nodded, understanding her concerns. "I'll go with you, Sis. We can look for something more affordable."
Astrid smiled faintly. "Yes, let's go find something."
They walked out of the food court, making their way down the street, when Astrid's attention was caught by a row of apartment buildings. The location was perfect—right along MT South Haryono, Jakarta. It was a central spot, with easy access to everything.
"This could work," Astrid thought, her mind already calculating the possibilities. "The money from Maya will be enough for something here."
She entered the apartment management office, only to be stopped by a soft touch on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw a young woman with a radiant smile, her beauty striking. The woman wore a denim jacket and stood confidently before her.
"Hi, sorry to disturb you," the young woman said, her voice warm and friendly.
Astrid smiled politely. "Yes? What's wrong?"
The woman introduced herself. "I'm Puteri."
"Astrid," she replied shortly, a bit curious.
Puteri seemed to read Astrid's thoughts. "You're looking for a place to stay, right?"
Astrid froze. How did this girl know? She stumbled over her words. "Uh, yes... I am."
"Sorry," Puteri said quickly, sensing Astrid's discomfort. "I've been following you for the past few days."
Astrid's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know whether to feel threatened or curious. "Why have you been following me?"
Puteri didn't hesitate to explain. "I know things about you, Astrid. Things that you might be trying to keep hidden. But I also know what you're after."
The conversation took a more intense turn as Puteri began revealing secrets, things only someone close to Astrid could know. It seemed that this young woman, whom Astrid had never met before, had been observing her movements for days, and now, she was here, offering a key to something more.
Puteri handed Astrid a keychain with a small tag. "I've got a place for you. It's not far from here," she said, her tone almost too casual. "You should check it out."
With that, Puteri walked away, leaving Astrid alone with her thoughts, her mind racing. She looked down at the key in her hand, her heart pounding. What did it all mean? What was this girl offering her?
And so, Astrid found herself caught between what was familiar and what was new, unsure of what the future would hold, but knowing one thing for certain: nothing would ever be the same again.