Option
1001 Words
The atmosphere became silent, no one dared to continue the conversation. Maybe they were taking Soraya's problem too lightly, maybe they thought they could help her with this problem. But in reality, what she was going through was so much more serious that they should think twice about getting involved.
"Soraya, have you been through anything bad lately? Did they force you to do something you hate?" David asked. Although he had thought about giving up on figuring out what was going on. But David doesn't seem to want to give up on helping Soraya. He wants to be someone who will always be by this girl's side whenever she needs him.
Soraya didn't budge. A few hours ago, she had informed the police about the abuse and violence she experienced. She didn't understand if she should tell the matter again for the second time today. It felt like she was forcing herself to re-wet a wound that hadn't even had time to dry.
She also didn't know if anything would change if she told them what she had been through.
"Nothing will change, everything has happened." She said with empty eyes. They were even more confused to see the situation like this.
"Whether or not there is a change, the most important thing is that now we can hear what you should have said from the start. We hope we can help you!" David said. His hand touched Soraya's hand on the table and gripped it tightly.
Seeing David's reaction, James and Kimberly exchanged glances with different meanings. Meanwhile, Soraya begins to consider telling them what really happened and how she should be the real victim even though she's the only one who seems okay.
"I-"
Drrrnnnggg...drrrnnnggg...
The phone in her bag rang, Soraya gasped in surprise and immediately stopped her sentence. Soraya took the cell phone in her bag and saw who was calling her. When she realized Robert's name appeared on the screen, Soraya immediately ended the call and hid her phone.
"Why? Who called?" Kimberly asked suspiciously. She seemed to be able to guess something just by seeing Soraya's sudden nervous and restless reaction.
"That, I- I have to go to the toilet! Excuse me!" She said as she got up from her chair and walked towards the toilet while carrying her phone which she had hidden in her coat pocket.
Soraya went into the empty toilet and dialed the number of her lecturer who she thought had become her lover.
"He-hello?" She greeted nervously. Soraya felt guilty for ignoring Robert's calls. She was afraid that Robert would be angry with her.
"Where are you now? Why aren't you at the police station?" Robert asked in a very calm tone of voice even though he knew that Soraya was in serious trouble.
Soraya was stunned, she was happy that Robert contacted her. But honestly, she expected more of a reaction. Like panic, a little angry and worried.
"I-I was at the cafe across from the police station. Where are you? How do you know I'm not there?"
"I was at the police station to pick you up, but they said you're gone!"
"I was with my friends, they came to see me and they also wanted to know what happened to me. You must have known, right?"
"Yes!"
"Oh, I see?" Soraya started to cry. She couldn't believe she could cry and show her weak side to this man, while to her friends, she still tried to stay strong as if the problem she was facing was not a big problem.
"Where are you going after this?"
"I don't know! I don't want to go back to that place, I'm scared! I want to go back to my parents' house!"
"Are you sure you can go back to your parents' house at a time like this? I'm sure the police won't let you away from their watchdog until this thing is over."
"Then, what should I do? I don't want to be here anymore, I want to go home!"
"Are your friends still with you now?"
"Yeah, they're still here! W-why?"
"I'll take you to a safe place. You can stay there for a while until the police determine that you're not involved in your roommate's death!"
"Safe place? Where?"
"I'll take you there! But now, make sure your friends leave, then come to the supermarket parking lot at the intersection. I'm waiting there in the car. I'll send you my license plate number. Do you understand?"
"A-alright!" Although a little doubtful. Right now the only person she could trust was Robert. Not that she didn't believe in Kimberly, David and also James. But Soraya didn't want to get them into her troubles.
After ending the conversation, Soraya put her phone in her coat pocket and returned to the table where her friends were still waiting for her.
"What's wrong? Who called?" David asked.
"My mother! It seems that my mother has a bad feeling, so-"
"Have you told your mother?"
"No! I'm just saying that all is well."
"You really don't want to tell me what really happened?" David asked.
"I'm sorry, but for now I'm not ready to tell you what really happened. But you don't have to worry, when the time comes I will definitely explain everything!"
"Promise me!" Said David. He grabbed Soraya's hand and held it tightly. Soraya nodded slowly while trying to smile.
"Okay, now where are you going? Are you going back to the dorms and asking Mrs Carla to give you a new room you can stay in? Or is there a better option?" James asked.
"I'm going to my relative's house! I hope I can stay there for a few days until this whole thing is over."
"But next week campus is closed for winter break! Are you going back to your parents' house?"
"I don't know, but I was thinking about quitting college, going back to my house and never setting foot in this town again!"
***
- Writer
