Wisnu rushed out of his bedroom when one of the household staff informed him about his daughter, just dropped off at home.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s Miss Reisa, Sir. I think she was robbed.”

Wisnu ran to the living room and found his daughter lying on the sofa. He kept whispering astaghfirullah as he examined the bruises on Reisa’s body.

“Tarno?” the middle-aged man said in shock when he saw who had driven her home.

Tarno had often come to the house to drive Reisa back. His daughter had been close friends with Andra for years, and Wisnu knew the people working in Andra’s home well. He even regarded Andra almost like his own son—a polite, respectful boy who was always welcome.

“Yes, Sir. I brought Miss Rei home.”

“What really happened here?”

Wisnu grabbed Tarno’s collar in anger.

“It wasn’t me, Sir. I was only asked to bring her home.”

“Then what happened to Reisa? Why is she like this?”

Haltingly, Tarno told him everything he knew: how Inah had called him from the back of the house and asked him to take Reisa home.

“I don’t know, Sir. We’d better get Miss Reisa to the hospital.”

Wisnu lifted his daughter and carried her to the car. Tarno drove them straight to the nearest hospital. All the way, Wisnu called several relatives, explaining the situation as best he could.

Once they arrived, the medical team immediately tended to Reisa. The family waited anxiously for the doctor’s assessment.

“Wisnu!” cried Sarah, his younger sister, running up to him.

Wisnu looked pale and exhausted, barely able to answer. Sarah hugged him, trying to give strength.

“How is Reisa?”

“She’s conscious, still with the doctors,” he said weakly.

“Why don’t you go inside?”

“I can’t bear to see her. My heart hurts,” Wisnu murmured.

“What happened to her? Was she mugged?”

Wisnu fell silent, shaking his head. The others exchanged uneasy glances.

“Let’s wait for the doctor’s report. We can’t jump to conclusions,” said another relative.

The call from Wisnu had already spread through the family; several rushed to the hospital. Sarah even left her children at home in panic. She had loved Reisa like her own ever since the girl lost her mother.

Wisnu had never remarried, remaining widowed out of deep love for his late wife.

“Family of Miss Reisa?” A nurse called.

“I’m her father, Doctor.” Wisnu answered quickly, eyes full of hope, silently praying his worst fears were wrong.

“Sir, please come with me. There’s something important we need to discuss.”

“All right, Doctor.”

“I’ll come too,” Sarah pleaded.

“Stay here and watch over Reisa,” Wisnu said firmly.

He followed the doctor into a private room. Back in the ER, Reisa lay quietly on the bed with an IV line and a mild sedative; earlier, she had been inconsolable, crying and resisting help.

“What happened, Doctor?” Wisnu asked, his voice tight.

“This is… a sexual assault case, Sir,” the doctor said carefully.

“My daughter was assaulted?”

“Yes, Sir. The examination strongly indicates that. We’ll carry out further forensic tests.”

“That’s impossible, Doctor.”

“I’m afraid that’s the reality.”

“I can’t accept this!” Wisnu shouted, gripping the doctor’s collar.

“Please, Sir. Calm down. We can pursue legal action and bring the perpetrator to justice.”

Wisnu let go, his body weak with grief. This couldn’t be real. His only daughter, protected all her life, now defiled—two months before her wedding.

“You must be wrong, Doctor. My daughter—”

“Be patient, Sir. This is a trial from the God.”

“I cannot accept this. It must be a mistake.”

The doctor patted Wisnu’s back, letting him weep until his rage subsided.

“Sir, it’s best to report this immediately to the authorities. We’ve secured evidence. The medical record is a valid basis to prosecute.”

Wisnu nodded, composed himself, and left the room. He returned to the ER, where Sarah waited.

“How is she now?” Sarah asked, frightened.

“I’m going to the police. Please stay with Reisa until she’s moved to a room,” Wisnu replied briskly.

“Wisnu, wait! Explain to me—don’t keep us in the dark!” Sarah’s voice rose, drawing glances from others nearby.

“Reisa… was assaulted.”

“Oh my God.”

Sarah covered her mouth, eyes brimming, then looked at her niece lying under sedation.

“Go to the police. The perpetrator must face the law. We can’t let this go.”

Wisnu walked out to where Tarno was waiting.

“Tarno, come with me. You’ll have to testify about this.”

“What do you mean, Sir?”

“No more questions, Tarno. Reisa was violated. This has to go to court.”

Tarno followed quietly, still shaken.

“Where are we going, Sir?” he asked as he started the engine.

“To your master’s house. He must answer for this,” Wisnu said grimly.

Tarno drove fast, almost clipping a pedestrian at a crosswalk. Wisnu’s heart was already set—although Reisa had named no one, Tarno’s earlier account convinced him that Andra was the culprit.

Today he demanded an explanation—why the man he trusted would do this.

***

“Andra! Andra!” Wisnu pounded on the door, shouting loud enough for the neighbors to hear.

“What’s wrong, Mister Wisnu?” Inah asked nervously as she opened the door, glancing at Tarno for answers.

“Where is that scoundrel?”

“Whom do you mean, Sir?” Inah trembled.

Wisnu pushed inside, searching every room.

“Andra, come out!”

His voice echoed. Moments later Andra appeared.

“Uncle, what—”

Thud!

Wisnu’s fist landed squarely on Andra’s face. He lunged again, blinded by rage.

“Please, Pak Wisnu!” Inah cried.

“Stop, Sir! Don’t take justice into your own hands,” Tarno pleaded, trying to pull him back.

Wisnu shook free, aiming another blow. Andra simply wiped the blood from his lip, making no move to fight back.

“He destroyed my daughter’s future!” Wisnu roared.

He grabbed Andra’s collar, nearly choking him if Tarno hadn’t intervened.

“I’m sorry, Uncle,” Andra whispered, pained.

“Sorry? After what you did to Reisa?”

“I was drunk, Uncle…”

“Rubbish!” Wisnu kicked him, knocking him to the floor.

Inah screamed, spreading her arms to shield her master.

“Please, don’t hurt him anymore, Sir, I beg you!” She even dropped to her knees, sobbing.

Wisnu’s fists clenched as Tarno restrained him. Rage still burned in his chest.

“Sir, please stop,” Tarno said softly.

Tears streamed down Inah’s face. Though she knew Andra was wrong, she couldn’t bear to see him beaten.

“Take me to the police, Tarno. This must go to court.” Wisnu ordered.

Breaking free, he pulled Tarno toward the car. They drove to the nearest police station.

At the reception desk Wisnu spoke firmly. “Where do I report a crime against my daughter?”

“Where is the victim, Sir?” the officer asked.

“She’s at the hospital.”

Wisnu gave a detailed account of what had happened and named Andra as the suspect, explaining that the man had already admitted it.

“We’ll accept the report, Sir. And begin processing it,” the officer confirmed.

Wisnu whispered thankful over and over, then turned to Tarno.

“Where to now, Sir?” Tarno asked.

“Home. And tell your master—he’d better prepare himself for prison,” Wisnu said coldly.

Tarno said nothing, stunned, and drove back toward the house, mind heavy with what awaited Andra.