Tanah Larangan: Jangan Bawa Pulang Apa pun

Maria

An almost flat phone battery, ripped wedding dress, and horror are all I have, as I stumble on the rusty iron gate that leads to my father's house.

I pull my way into the old mansion covered in darkness, pulling down the creeping stems that covered the front door.

Some group of people have been trailing me since the mysterious death of my father earlier in the day. Hanging on a tiny thread of hope for survival, the best place I could think of for an escape is an abandoned property.

My phone vibrates as I glance behind, forcing my way into the building. I pick the call and slam the door shut. Dust settling over me from the harsh impact of the door against the crumbling building.

“Where are you, Maria.”

“I’m at Pentagon,” I reply, my whole body trembling as I slowly walk In, my eyes weary of tears.

“You went back there?”

“I couldn’t think of a better hideout.”

“Okay. Do not leave the mansion. I'll be there soon,” his thick voice assures at the other end of the line.

“No…No…you can't come anywhere close. They'll kill you,” I sob, falling on my knees as the memories flood back into my mind. I desperately need companion, but I could not bear the thought of bringing him into such a world as mine.

I hoped for freedom, instead, a pack of power hungry factions are after my life.

The last thing I intended was to allow Elvis anywhere close to my father’s dark world.

He's a sweet gentleman, deserving of something more. Certainly, not a girl like me. Daughter of a ruthless don. The wedding was his idea of giving me a new life. How stupid of me to think of such possibility?

It would never be safe for him no matter how good his plan sounds. What was I ever thinking…that a girl like me could lead a normal life?

We planned a perfect small wedding. A happy ever after, far away from the claws of my father and his world. Until I was kidnapped right in the cathedral.

What should have been a fairy-tale wedding, turned out to be a bloodbath.

Unlike Elvis, I am now a murderer, no different from my late father.

So soon. Too soon, my wild imaginations of a perfect life have brought only pain to the man I always loved and a few others that died at the chapel.

"I don't care what they are, Maria. I'm coming for you. If they really want you dead, then they'll have to pass through me first." A new text from Elvis.

I try to call back. To stop him from making the mistake of his life. But my phone shuts down.

The damned phone dies. What now?

There's no stopping Elvis. His kind of love could be what every girl wishes for.

But who are my kidding? Elvis is weak. He could never stand against men like these. Men, strong enough to subdue a man like my father. The great Giovanni.

I would never be able to forgive myself, if Elvis becomes another victim in this clash.

A prolonged creaky sound comes from outside.

I jerk up from the cold ground, wrapping my arms around my shivering body, backing away from the direction of the sound. My eyes are fixed on the entrance.

They are here. A weapon is useless for defense, even if I had one on me.

I only pray for a less painful torture.

And with the Mafias, it is an impossible wish.

“Don't hurt me!" I scream with my eyes shut right as the door gives way to a faint ray of the setting sun outside.

“Maria,” i hear my name. It doesn't sound threatening. It's the same charming voice I fell for some two years ago. I open my eyes to my beloved, as he rushes towards me for an embrace.

I bury my face in his suits, in tears. He still looks as charming as he did when he stood at the altar before the awful incidence.

“I'm sorry, Elvis…”

“You stay quiet, honey. If there's anyone to apologize, it's me. I'm sorry I was late,"

He replies, raising my chin and placing a kiss on my trembling lips.

“Your beloved husband is here now. Nothing can separate us. Not even your father…”

I pull away from his embrace instantly, with eyes filled with tears. He didn’t know about it.

"They killed him."

I try to fight the tears as I break the news. The news I saw on the news myself, disguised as suicide. I know my father too well to believe the media.

“I think they are after me because I'm the only heir. And then they'll come for you because you have me," I add.

Our eyes meet as i speak, backing away from him.

“This thing…” I point at Elvis and then myself, “...Can't work. We've got to go our separate ways. It's the only way you can be safe."

I can hear the shattering of my heart as I speak the words. But it’s the only way out.

“You don't know what you're saying, Maria. I wasn't kidding at the altar when I made those vows. We have a plane to catch for our honeymoon. So would you keep quiet and stick to the plan?" He insists, closing the gap between us as he reaches for my hand.

“By the way I'm sorry about your father.”

“The same plan that almost got me killed, Elvis. It's a miracle I escaped them.”

I pull away again, "Don't you get it! Your life is in danger because of me. You have to go! Leave this town!”

“That's exactly what I'm doing, Maria. I'm leaving this town but not without my newly wedded wife. The cops are outside. We have their protection. Now, would you please…”

Tears escape the corners of his eyes as his words trail off. His sincerity, deep affection gives me a false sense of protection but I know better.

The cops are not enough to protect us. But, I let myself fall for the delusions as we walk out of the darkness into a fleet of cop cars.

The ground outside is covered in flashing siren lights, as some armed cops approach us to guide us into one of the convoys.

Just as Elvis reaches for the car door, a loud explosion blast into the night, suspending my senses for what seems like a minute as I find my body face-down to the ground, my hands clasped above my head.