At 9:00 PM. Darkness had completely enveloped the night. The black car driven by Police Inspector Naufal Hasbi stopped in the yard of a white-painted house.
The house, although not too big, had a fairly large yard adorned with a neatly arranged flower garden and a decorative fish pond with water shimmering under the light of the garden lamps.
After a long day leading the tense operation to arrest Ricky, the peaceful atmosphere in the yard felt calming—a contrast to the adrenaline still coursing through him.
Exhaustion pierced his bones, and the gratitude and satisfaction for the successful operation lifted his spirits. The faint scent of roses and jasmine wafted through the air, mixed with the smell of wet earth from the afternoon rain.
Naufal got out of the car, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The house had been occupied by his mother, Adelia, and his youngest brother, Akhzam, for the past year. He smiled, looking at the well-maintained garden.
The garden lights illuminated the blooming flowers, creating a peaceful atmosphere. His mother had always been diligent in caring for flowers, an activity that had become her therapy after retiring from her job at the airline.
He walked towards the door, his steps heavy with fatigue, but his heart full of joy. He imagined his mother's face, the friendly smile that always greeted him, and the aroma of robusta coffee that was usually available.
The aroma reminded him of times full of love and support. However, tonight, it was not coffee that awaited him, but the aroma of his mother's cooking—an aroma that made him feel at home, comfortable, and loved.
The sound of his footsteps echoed in the quiet yard. He knocked on the door, softly. A few moments later, the door opened, revealing his mother's face, which looked surprised before turning into a wide smile. Adelia hugged Naufal tightly, her hands touching Naufal's slightly wrinkled white shirt.
"Naufal! You're home?" Adelia said, her voice full of relief. "Mom thought you weren't coming. That arrest operation was quite dangerous, wasn't it? Mom was very worried."
"Sorry, Ma. The operation took longer than expected," Naufal replied, returning his mother's hug. He felt the warmth and affection that had always been his source of strength. "But everything went smoothly, Ma. The suspect was successfully arrested without significant resistance. The team worked very professionally. Thank God, everything went according to plan."
"Thank God," Adelia said, patting Naufal's back. "Mom always prays for your safety. Every time Mom hears news of crime, Mom immediately thinks of you."
"Have you had dinner?" Adelia asked, releasing her hug. "Mom has prepared your favorite food."
"Not yet, Ma. I came straight here after finishing. I've submitted the report to my superior. I can only rest longer tomorrow morning. I need a good night's sleep."
"Mom has prepared dinner. Come on in. You must be very hungry. Mom cooked your favorite fried chicken, complete with urap vegetables and green chili sauce."
"Yes, Ma," Naufal replied. He released his mother's hug, then his eyes searched for Akhzam. He missed his youngest brother. Since being assigned to an area two hours away from the city where his mother lived, Naufal had been living separately from his mother and brother.
Adelia understood. She pointed towards Akhzam's room. "Azam is already asleep. He seems very tired today. He rested immediately after coming home from school, then in the afternoon he practiced karate at Sasana Garuda. After Maghrib, he recited the Koran and finished his schoolwork. That boy is very diligent. He often asks when you're coming home."
Naufal followed his mother into the house. The house felt warm and comfortable, filled with the familiar aroma of home cooking. At the dining table, Adelia immediately served warm white rice, fried chicken, urap vegetables, and Naufal's favorite green chili sauce.
The light from the dining table lamp added to the comfortable family atmosphere. Without waiting long, he sat down with his mother and began to eat.
"It tastes the same as before, Ma. So delicious," Naufal praised between bites. "Mom's hands are indeed magical."
"Thank God if you like it," Adelia replied with a smile. "Mom always tries to cook the best for Mom's children. This is all for you."
After finishing dinner, Naufal stood up, intending to help his mother wash the dishes.
"Just leave it there. Let Mom wash them," Adelia said.
"It's just this much, why bother Mom?" Naufal said. "Let me help."
"Rest, son. You still have to go back to work tomorrow. Don't let your exhaustion affect your work. Your health is more important."
"Yes, my dear Mom," Naufal replied. "Thank you, Ma. For everything. The cooking, the prayers, everything."
"Mom has tidied up your room. Sleep well, son."
"Tonight, I want to sleep in Azam's room. I haven't seen him in a week. I miss him."
"Yes, it's up to you," Adelia said. "Mom has put your change of clothes in your room, okay?"
Naufal went into Akhzam's room. The room was decorated with a Batman theme, his brother's favorite character. He gently stroked Akhzam's head. For the past six years, the boy had no longer felt the love of a father.
Maybe he had forgotten what it was like to have a father. The figures he knew were only his mother and his older brother who were always there for him. Naufal felt responsible for filling that void.
Suddenly, the phone in his pocket vibrated. A call came in from Sinta Kharisma, the woman he had been close to for the past five months. He was a little disturbed, and still answered the call.
"Yes," Naufal replied, walking to the window, making sure his voice didn't wake Akhzam.
"Hello, Sinta?"
"Honey, have you arrived home?" Sinta asked, her voice sounding a little spoiled.
"Yes, I just had dinner with Mom and Azam. What's up?"
"I'm annoyed. I was planning to go on vacation to Korea next week, but Papa won't allow it," Sinta complained. "Even though I've prepared everything. Papa forbade it. He said I just got back from Australia, and I want to go again."
"Just follow Papa's wishes, Sinta. Maybe he wants to spend time with you."
"Or, what if I just go on vacation to your place next week?" Sinta asked, sounding hesitant.
"Maybe Papa really wants the weekend with you. Let's talk more tomorrow, okay? I'm very tired tonight."
Sinta was silent for a moment, then said, "I miss you, Naufal." Her voice was soft. "Can't we talk for a little while?"
"I miss you too, Sinta. But I'm very tired. Can we talk tomorrow? I promise."
"Okay. Get enough rest, okay." Her tone sounded a little disappointed, but Naufal knew there was sincerity in her words.
"Good night." Naufal hung up his phone. He looked back at his brother's face, who was fast asleep. He was grateful for his family—for his mother who always supported him and his brother who was the spirit of his life. He knew he had a great responsibility to protect them. He also prayed that he would always be given strength and health to carry out his duties as a police officer and as a brother.
Naufal stared at the phone screen for a moment after hanging up. He sighed deeply, then slipped his phone back into his pants pocket.
He turned around, looking at Akhzam who was sleeping soundly in his small bed with Batman-patterned sheets.
"Sorry, Azam. I rarely comes home these days. But I never forgets about you."
Akhzam squirmed slightly, but remained asleep.
Naufal smiled. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands clenching his own fingers.
"Thank you, God, for taking care of Mom and Azam while I'm busy out there."
He bowed his head, his hands clasped in front of his chest.
"Give me strength, God, to continue protecting them. To be a son that Mom can be proud of. To be a brother who is worthy of Azam."
Silence for a moment. Only Akhzam's soft snores and the ticking of the clock on the wall could be heard.
"You have to be a great kid, Zam. Abang will always be there for you. Always."
He stood up slowly, pulling the blanket more neatly over his brother's body.
"Good night, my little hero."
The light of the night from the window hit Naufal's face, which looked calm. He stepped out of the room with soft steps, closing the door carefully, as if wanting to let the peace remain in that room.