HEIR OF THE DEATH STRIKE

Chapter 8

Zaqqy was startled. He immediately sat up, surprised to see the young people looking happy that he had regained consciousness.

"What are you doing sleeping on the side of the road? We were worried, mate! Come on, get up, it's late!"

Zaqqy was surprised to see that it was dark around him, then he remembered something Ki Braja had said about it being night-time. He looked calmer and immediately stood up to look around.

"Oh, this is..." Zaqqy muttered to himself. "It turns out I was sent not far from home. Ki Braja is amazing," he said to himself. Then he looked at the young people. "Thank you, Sobri, Imam. Yes, I was very sleepy, so I fell asleep here."

​“Oh, I thought you’d fallen or something. Well, if that’s the case, we’ll be off then, Bro.”

​“Where are you off to at this time of night?” he asked, making small talk.

​“The usual, Bro, just hanging out. Come on, Bro Zaqqy!” they said shortly afterwards, then left together, leaving him behind.

"Yes, be careful. Don't cause any trouble, okay!"

"Yes, sir!" replied the young men again.

Zaqqy tidied up his dirty clothes, as well as his sandy hair and face. He immediately walked away from the place.

Before long, he arrived at his rented house. It turned out that Ki Braja had actually taken him not far from his own residence.

"Brother Zaqqy!"

The young man stopped in his tracks when he heard someone shouting. It turned out to be Rahayu.

"Alhamdulillah!"

His mother was also there. Zaqqy smiled and approached them both.

​“Are you all right, big brother?” asked Rahayu with a sorrowful look. “Thank goodness you’re all right. Oh my God, big brother, I was so scared when you were taken away by the café owner’s men,” said Rahayu again in a sad tone.

​She immediately hugged Zaqqy tightly, leaving the young man frozen in place, especially as his mother was watching them.

"Oh, yes. I'm fine, Rahayu. Don't worry," said Zaqqy as he released Rahayu's embrace. "The important thing is that you're fine too, right? Actually, I was worried about you too."

"I'm fine, brother. We've been thinking about you since noon. We planned to report it to the police."

"No, don't," Zaqqy said. "What time is it? I can't find my mobile phone."

"I gave your mobile phone to your mother earlier. I picked it up when it fell on the road, along with your motorbike. I'm so relieved that you're okay, Zaqqy," said Rahayu again, holding Zaqqy's hand tightly.

The young man smiled slightly, then looked at his mother.

"Mum, there's something I want to talk about," said Zaqqy. He then turned to Rahayu. "You'd better go home and rest. Oh yes, did the two people who took you to Mr Darwin's place know what happened earlier?" Zaqqy asked Rahayu.

"I already called them and explained everything. They also didn't know that the cafe boss would do something like that. My boss is going to sue him," replied Rahayu, her face suddenly turning angry.

"Oh, I see. Hopefully, it can be reported to the police because he went too far. Well, you better go home. The important thing is that you're okay, and I'm okay too."

"Yes, Zaqqy. Thank you for everything."

"Yes, don't worry about it. Go home, it's already nighttime."

Rahayu nodded, then looked at Zaqqy's mother. She approached the middle-aged woman.

"I'm going home now, Ma'am. I'm sorry, because of me, Zaqqy had this incident and didn't come home until late at night."

"It's okay. The important thing is that Zaqqy is home. That's what matters. Go home and rest, okay?" The middle-aged woman gently stroked Rahayu's arm.

"Yes, Ma'am." Rahayu respectfully shook hands with the middle-aged woman and finally went home peacefully after waiting for Zaqqy for quite a while in front of his house.

"Come on, Mum, let's go inside," said Zaqqy, putting his arm around his mother's shoulder.

"What really happened, Zaqqy? I was very worried when I heard Rahayu's story. I was so scared," said Zaqqy's mother.

"It's okay, Mum. Nothing happened, everything is fine. But I don't think I can give you the money for Dad's medical treatment right now."

"It's okay, don't worry about that for now. Come inside, I've cooked dinner. Eat first. The important thing is that you're home."

"Yes, Mum."

The two of them immediately went inside the house. Zaqqy's steps halted when he saw his father lying weakly there. Instantly, a sense of collapse filled his heart, and his hands clenched tightly.

"I have to find money as soon as possible."

Knock... Knock... Knock...

"Zaqqy... Assalamu'alaikum..."

"Dad, who is it?"