The Three Chosen
152. The Truth Revealed

After a small meeting to discuss the secret behind the small notes left by Marwah, Rauf reported to his superiors. Taking into account the performance of Rauf so far who has been instrumental in helping the Egyptian police, then Rauf's boss also granted ‘little request’ Rauf it. Egyptian police also reopened the case of Marwah's death which had been frozen dozens of years ago.

You can guess how it turned out. All the evidence and witnesses that have been prepared also come to court. Gusman, Mardiyah and Malhaj are to be held in prison until police are given a definitive lead on the involvement of the three men.

After investigating the case of Marwah's death for some time, the police released Gusman because he was not proven to be involved with Marwah's death. While Mardiyah and Malhaj had to languish for a longer time let alone many witnesses who saw the two of them were with Marwah in the last day before his death.

The trial proved that Malhaj was the mastermind of the Marwah murder. He claimed that he had paid his partner to harm Marwah because he did not want his affair with Mardiyah known by Gusman. When the judge asked her about her feelings for Mardiyah, Malhaj seemed confused and it made Mardiyah and everyone in the courtroom wonder.

“ Do you love Mrs Mardiyah very much.?” ask the judge again.

“ Mmm.., I don't know Mr. Judge. All I know is I'm happy when I'm with him because in addition to giving me the money he also gave his body to Me...,” said Malhaj timidly to make the court room filled with laughter full of ridicule to the couple bawdy*um.

Hearing Malhaj's reply made Mardiyah offended and angry. He stood up and slapped Malhaj and it made the courtroom even more rowdy.

“ Brash you're Malhaj. It's a good idea you're always kinkin if I talk about marriage. Apparently you've never been serious about this relationship. Then what do you think I've been all this time Malhaj..?!” mardiyah asked angry.

“ What do you mean Mardiyah. We are not teenagers anymore who still have to discuss love at our age. We can have happiness without getting married. And if I'm honest I never wanted to marry you because you're not a good woman.

“ What do you mean Malhaj..?” ask Mardiyah.

“ Now you dare to wish your Husband who still gives you a living and a place to live. You made a terrible rule in your household that's Mardiyah. Then what if we get married, and you know I don't have a regular job. I can't imagine having to marry a chatty woman and many rules like you Mardiyah.!” malhaj said as he looked at Mardiyah fixedly.

“ You..., realize what you said Malhaj ?. What I did was because of you Malhaj. I told my son to quit school and force them to work so I could get more money to give you. I destroyed my own family for you, but this is what you gave me. You evil Malhaj, jahaaaattt !. Cursed are you Malhaj, I hate you.!” mardiyah screamed while crying hysterically.

“ What you did to your family is none of my business Mardiyah. My business only pleases you in bed, that's all.!” Malhaj.

Again, a commotion ensued and the judge had to knock the hammer over and over again to calm Mardiyah and Malhaj who continued to argue. While in the visitor seat appeared Salman and Najas who sat watching the hearing with a red face extinguished shame. Even Najas cried because he did not expect the mother he loved so much could hurt his son and their father just for the sake of another man.

“ Patience Najas, should we go out..?” salman asked worriedly.

“ Don't Brother, I still want to be here..,” said Najas.

“ But I don't want anything to happen with your pregnancy like Najas. I promised your Husband to bring you home safely until your home later. But if you have to listen and watch them, I'm sure my nephew will be born prematurely.” Salman said.

“ Don't worry Brother. My baby is as strong as his Father and Uncle.” Najas said with a smile.

“ Ck, You are this. Tell me if you feel uncomfortable later. Let me take you right away from here.”, Salman said as he rubbed the protruding belly of Najas fondly.

“ Yes...,” sahut Najas fast.

Then Najas and Salman returned to focus on watching the hearing. Outside the courthouse, Gusman sat with his face down. Gusman was deliberately absent from the courtroom just because he did not want to see his wife and the man. The trial, which was broadcast live by one of the television stations in Egypt, made Gusman's heart ache.

Soon the trial ended and the judge decided the trial would resume two weeks later. Gusman left the courthouse in a shaky move. But his move came to a halt as Najas and Salman called out to him.

“ Father..!” call Salman and Najas together.

Then Gusman, Najas and Salman sat together in a cafe. The atmosphere between them seemed tense. Since the last fight with his father Salman has never returned home again. Salman decided to rent a house near where he used to work. Najas has been held by her husband since she married two years ago. Najas is currently pregnant with his first child and that makes him happy.

“ How are you doing..?” ask Najas.

“ Thank God I'm good, son. What about you and your baby.?” gusman asked as he rubbed Najas' stomach gently.

“ Thank you. Then what about you Salman..?” ask Gusman.

“ I'm good Well, never in my life have I felt this good.

“ Sister...,” call Najas because they do not want Salman to ruin their rare moment of togetherness.

“ Gapapa Najas. I understand why your brother is acting like this. Forgive me, Kids. I'm negligent in looking after and protecting you. I trusted him so much that I ignored the pain you wanted to convey first. Sorry...,” said Gusman while holding the hands of Najas and Salman together.

“ Late Dad. Moreover, Big Brother has also died because of Daddy's stubbornness. If only I would listen and

believe the same Brother, maybe at this time Brother is still alive and can see the woman rot in prison.

“ Watch your words Salman. How come she's your mom...” said Gusman annoyed.

“ My mother, but not Mother Sister Marwah. Seeing the nature of Kak Marwah I'm sure that Kak Marwah's biological mother must be a great woman, gentle and loving. Unlike him ...,” sahut Salman while glaring.

“ What do you mean Brother. Mardiyah's mother was the Mother of the Three of us, right Dad..?” najas asked while looking at his father.

Gusman looked down his face for a while and shook his head.

“ Mother Marwah and Mother You are different people. They are blood but they are much different.” said Gusman lirih.

“ Father Means, Father married Mother Mardiyah who is also his mother's biological sister Kak Marwah.?” ask Najas who

gusman.

“ Mother Marwah's birth name is Neha, We love each other and get married. Then Marwah was born. When Marwah was two years old, Neha became ill and died. Then Neha's older brother Mardiyah came and offered to take care of Marwah. Over time I liked him and Our parents betrothed Us. Finally I married Mardiyah who was three months pregnant at that time due to impregnated her irresponsible lover. But I don't mind that and think of His Son as my Son too.” Gusman said.

“ The child must be Me..” said Salman quickly.

“ Yes. But believe me, I love you sincerely Son. Until Najas was born everything was fine. But that all changed when Marwah started college. Mardiyah begins to compare you often with Marwah. Mardiyah thinks I'm a favoritist, but I've never been like that. It turned out that it was just her reason to cover up her affair with Malhaj. After that, you know what happened, right ?. She is indeed not a good mother, because a good mother will not have the heart to hurt her biological children up to this..,” said Gusman furious.

“ Already Dad. Forget everything, we're fine. Yes, Kak..,” said Najas tried to comfort the father while rubbing Gusman's back gently.

“ Yes, how to do again..,” sahut Salman cuek.

“ Sorry...,” said Gusman once again with a soft look to knock the hard heart of Salman that stone.

“ Forget Dad, it's not your fault. We forgive you..” sahut Salman while hugging Gusman tightly.

Gusman smiled and returned Salman's embrace. Najas cried tears of joy as his father and brother hugged each other.

“ You are my Son, until whenever you are my Son. Take that..” whispered Gusman in Salman's ear.

“ Yes Father. I also do not want to have another father besides Father.” sahut Salman while crying.

Now Gusman welcomes his old age with optimism because he did not lose Salman and Najas. Even he could imagine his happy old age with the grandchild that Najas would be born soon.

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