Chapter 12: Finally I am Free
1463words
"Ramona...," he whispered in a low tone, but dramatic enough to make anyone who heard him think that he was truly feeling deep sadness. His eyes radiated a spotlight full of pretense, as if he could not contain his emotional turmoil.
Soon, Belinda and Jeseline appeared in the doorway. The two women exchanged glances, both wanting to know what would happen next. Belinda, with her high curiosity, stepped in without hesitation. While Jeseline watched him from behind, his eyes narrowed, trying to judge Hunter's every move and word.
Belinda walked over and stood by Ramona's side opposite Hunter. "How's it going?" he asked in a flat tone, his eyes attentive to Ramona, but occasionally glanced at Hunter to read his reaction.
Hunter took another breath, this time heavier, and pretended to bite his lip as if holding back feelings. "How is this ma, how do I explain everything to Ramona. I can't see Ramona knowing the truth if she loses...," she said, pausing to suppress her emotions. Jeseline, who was in the background, began to feel that something was wrong with Hunter's play, but she remained silent, watching how all of this would unfold.
The room seemed to be filled with tension and unspoken feelings, while Ramona remained lying motionless, becoming the center of worry, curiosity, and the play that was playing around her.
The emotion-filled Belinda immediately embraced Hunter, her eyes glittering with suppressed tears. The hug not only showed her sense of surprise, but also mixed feelings of anger, disappointment, and fear. Hunter raised his hand, momentarily hesitating before hugging Belinda gently, trying to give her a sense of calm even though he himself was struggling to contain his anxiety.
At that moment, Jeseline, who was standing by the door, saw a faint movement of the bed where Ana was lying. "Ramona is sober!" she exclaimed, making the tension in the room rise instantly. Hunter and Belinda immediately let go of their embraces and rushed towards Ramona, their gazes filled with hope and anxiety.
Belinda spoke first, her voice sounding full of worry. "Ramona, how are you doing?" she asked, the anxious tone in her voice being clear. Ramona tried to get up, leaning her back with difficulty while holding her heavy head. His eyes searched for focus before finally meeting Belinda's sharp gaze.
Without waiting for any further answers, Belinda continued her question with to the point, "Why are you doing this?" His voice was firm, leaving no room for a half-hearted answer.
Ramona raised her head weakly, her eyes filled with pain that could not be concealed. "I want to be free," his voice hoarse and pleading, "I don't want to do this marriage. Our castes are different, Madam. Please let me go. I beg you."
Belinda squinted her eyes, her piercing gaze full of burning disappointment. "But why did you do that?!" his voice rose, breaking the silence that enveloped the room. "You know, because of your deeds, you killed your own son, my future grandson! How can you be so heartfelt, Ramona?" Belinda's angry tone echoed, making the atmosphere even more suffocating.
Hunter, who saw Belinda almost lose control, tried to calm her down with a hand on her shoulder. "Mama, calm down," she whispered softly, trying to quell the anger that was peaking. Meanwhile, Ramona lowered her head, her tears flowing slowly, bringing with her an unspeakable burden of guilt.
Ramona lifted her pale face, her eyes glittering with hanging tears. His voice sounded hoarse and heavy as he finally spoke. "I'm sorry, Madam. I was forced to do it," he said quietly, as if every word that came out was a dagger that pierced his own heart.
Belinda looked at Ramona with wide eyes and full of surprise. Ramona's words were like a hard blow that hit her inside. His body weakened, and unknowingly, he fell sitting on an iron chair nearby. His mind was spinning, filled with a paralyzing feeling of disbelief. How could Ramona, the woman she had always seen as a calm and dedicated figure, go that far? Does he really hate that much with the arranged marriage?
Question after question raged in Belinda's mind, encapsulating her in confusion and pain. "Does he hate that much with Hunter?" he thought over and over again, trying to find a plausible excuse for Ramona's reckless decision. The memories of the sweet moments between them were imagined, but now they felt empty, replaced by the bitter reality that was in front of them.
Meanwhile, Ramona lowered her head, her tears starting to drip one by one, wetting her cheeks. In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Hunter stood still, implied happiness in the look in his eyes as well as anger because of Ramona's actions his mother became sad and emotional. Jeseline could only look at the scene, there were many plans and strategies that were being prepared after the cancellation of Ramona and Hunter's wedding.
I don't know what it is, but for sure, Jeseline participated in Bahagia in the cancellation of this marriage.
After all the exhausting problems surrounding her marriage to Hunter ended, Ramona finally felt the freedom she had been longing for. That day, when he was reunited with his mother, it was as if the burden of years that had squeezed him was lifted. The tears that she had been holding back finally flowed rapidly, reflecting the happiness and relief that overflowed from her heart.
"Mother..." Ramona's voice trembled as she hugged her mother tightly, grasping the hand of the woman who had always been the source of her strength. He kissed his mother's hand with love and gratitude, unable to contain the overflowing feelings. The middle-aged woman who had been lying in a vault and in a coma for three months really didn't want to open her eyes for a moment to see her daughter. For some reason he didn't realize either.
"Today, I'm really happy, ma'am. I'm finally free," Ramona whispered, her voice full of emotion. In his heart, there was a deep satisfaction for the decision he made, even though he had to go through a path full of sadness and suffering. The failure of her marriage to Hunter was not the end, but the beginning of a new life free from fear and pressure.
Ramona took a deep breath, filling her lungs with air of freedom. In his heart, he vowed to live a life that was completely his, away from the shadows of the terrifying past. That day, with the warmth of her mother's hand tight, Ramona knew that she could finally truly start a new life free and full of hope.
Ramona wiped her tears with the back of her hand, regulating her panting breath with emotion. His eyes were now radiating a strong determination, as if nothing else could shake his spirit. He looked at his mother with a loving gaze and an unspoken promise.
"Mother, we're going to go far from here. I'll take you to a place where we'll never be touched by Hunter's dark shadow again," Ramona said, her voice firm though shrouded in emotion. His trembling hand gripped his mother's hand tighter, as if to confirm the promise. "I'll protect Mom. I will look for the safest shelter, a place where we can start a new life without fear."
His mother looked at Ramona with tears in her eyes, seeing the courage and sincerity emanating from her daughter. There is a deep sense of pride and gratitude, realizing that Ramona has grown into a strong and determined woman, even though life often puts her in difficult situations.
"Ramona, you're strong enough to face everything. I believe in you," the mother replied in a soft voice, her smile soothing Ramona's turbulent heart.
Hearing those words, Ramona felt her spirit burn even more. He knew that the journey ahead might not be easy, but with his mother by his side and the determination that strengthened his heart, he was ready to face the world. There is no longer a grip on power that can break his will to be free. Today, Ramona is no longer a woman bound by fear, but a figure who is ready to protect her most loved ones and pursue a peaceful and secure new life.
