Chapter 5 Who is the Real Culprit

Mr. Tirta, as a biology lecturer at Manura University, contacted the parents of Clara and Devaro. Their parents needed to know about their children's behavior on campus.

"Sir, please, don't contact my parents. They'll be angry and ashamed because of this, Sir!"

However, the biology lecturer ignored Clara's request, even though she was already in tears.

"Your behavior is very shameful, Clara! You've tarnished the good name of the campus. You should have thought before taking such a reckless action!"

This time it was Arya Mahendra who spoke. The culprit behind the problem had the audacity to speak as if he were blameless. But in reality ... he was not a good lecturer. In fact, he wasn't fit to be called a human being at all.

'Why are you doing this to me, Sir? What did I do wrong for you to take away my purity? And you act as if you're innocent. But I can't say anything because no one will believe me,' she murmured.

She remained silent. Her lecturer was indeed skilled at acting. He deserved an Oscar for his performance.

"You act so righteous. I know what you've done. Disgusting!"

Dev stared at Arya with disdain. He had twisted the facts by hiding behind his facade of kindness. It was truly unbelievable; the handsome and smart lecturer turned out to be brainless.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tirta had been trying to contact their parents, but there was no answer at all.

"Devaro, Clara, why can't I reach your parents? Are they really so busy that they can't answer my calls?" asked Mr. Tirta. He stared at both of them intensely.

"My parents are very busy. They might be at the office," he replied.

His cold voice made Tirta want to punch him. Did he think he was talking to a peer? How rude.

"What about your parents, Clara?"

She didn't budge, only bowing her head in shame. She didn't dare to look at anyone, not even at Dev, who had been accused of defiling her.

She gripped her skirt tightly, afraid and confused about what to say. She had given a fake number to Mr. Tirta and didn't dare to face her parents' sorrow later.

"Clara! Why are you just standing there? I'm talking to you!" shouted Mr. Tirta. He felt like his head was going to explode. Yesterday's problem hadn't been resolved, and now there was more, and this one was very serious.

"Sobs ... sobs ... sobs ...."

She had no choice but to cry. It was all she could do now. Her life was ruined, along with her dream of becoming a doctor.

"Why are you crying? Clara, you made a mistake, so you have to take responsibility for it!"

Mr. Tirta couldn't understand his student. She was bold enough to fool around in the storage room earlier but now cried as if she regretted her vile actions.

"This girl dragged me into a big problem and now she's crying. What a girl with no self-respect. It's her own fault she wanted to box with the lecturer," Dev muttered to himself.

He actually wanted to curse her, but he held back because he pitied Clara's tears. She seemed like a victim whose perpetrator didn't want to take responsibility.

"Since your parents can't be reached, you both have to make a decision ...."

Mr. Tirta left his sentence hanging and seemed to be deep in thought.

"Now, you must get married! I don't care; if you want to stay in this university, follow my request. Marry Clara and take responsibility for your actions, Dev. Prove that you are a real man!"

"What? Marry her? I don't even know this girl, Sir. We're in different faculties. How can I marry a girl who is no longer a virgin?!"

Clara's cries burst out instantly. Dev's statement just made her more devastated. But it was true; which man would want to marry a tainted girl like her? Even approaching her would make them feel disgusted.

"You took Clara's purity, so you have to marry her. Don't run from your mistakes, Dev!" shouted Mr. Tirta.

"But I'm not the culprit. I never touched this girl at all. I don't even know her. How could we have an illicit relationship?"

His life was truly cursed. Because of his foolishness, he had to bear a heavy burden. He already had a girlfriend; how could he marry another girl, especially by force?

"If that's the case, I'll make the decision: you both will be expelled from the university."

Mr. Tirta looked at both of them alternately. He couldn't believe a medical student could do such a disgraceful thing, especially since she came from a respected family.

"I'm sorry, Dev."

Although very faint, Dev could hear that voice. The apology sounded sincere. He seemed to realize something about the girl.

"Let me talk to this girl privately. Then I'll decide what to do," Dev requested.

"Alright, I'll give you fifteen minutes. No funny business!"

He immediately grabbed Clara's smooth hand roughly. She obediently followed, as she felt she no longer had any worth.

****

"You have to be honest with me. What really happened? Why are you silent while everyone accuses me of doing something disgraceful to you? Don't you think about my future?"

Clara moved her lips. She wanted to say something but was confused about where to start. Everything was over, including her dream of becoming a doctor.

"Why are you just standing there? I'm talking to you! Please, don't drag me into your problem. If it was really Mr. Arya who did it, just be honest. Don't make me take responsibility. I already have a girlfriend," he explained.

"I-I'm sorry, De-dev," she whispered.

Her bravery and confidence had vanished. Blown away by the gust of wind that swept her long hair, which flowed beautifully, captivating the eyes. No wonder Mr. Arya was tempted by her charm.

She took a deep breath. Her tears wouldn't stop flowing. She couldn't say anything, especially about what happened earlier that morning.

"Hey, why are you silent? Don't make me lose my patience!" Dev said emphatically.

"Alright, the truth is, I didn't want this to happen. I'm a victim, Dev. Sobs ... sobs ... Mr. Arya was so cruel to me. He violated me and forcibly took my purity, sobs... sobs...."

"So it's true that Arya is the perpetrator? Why didn't you speak up? You should have said right away that I didn't do it. It's become complicated now because of this. My reputation could be ruined, you know!"

"I'm sorry, Dev. I was helpless. I'm very sad because the purity I kept for my future husband is now gone because of a man I don't love. I hate myself, sobs ... sobs ...."

Dev immediately pulled the girl into his arms. He felt very sorry for the tragedy that befell this girl. Anyone in Clara's position would probably do the same because no woman would willingly give away something so precious.

"Why did you do this to me? You should just kill me now! I have no worth anymore. There's nothing to be proud of in a filthy girl like me. Sobs ... sobs ...."

She cried in Dev's embrace. It felt very comfortable, but she knew she didn't deserve the kindness of this man. Because of her silence, Dev had been accused of being an immoral man.

She quickly moved away from him and wiped her tear-stained cheeks.

"Alright, I'll tell the truth. I don't want an innocent person to be punished for this. You shouldn't be the one to take responsibility. It should be Mr. Arya. He is the real culprit."

She tried to stop the clear liquid from flowing. She had to be strong. Her rights had to be fought for without dragging others into the fire.

"It's too late, Clara! Besides, do you think they will believe you? No! It's not that easy," Dev said.

Clara looked at him meaningfully. What he said was true. No one would believe her tears because people only believe what they see, not what they hear. They don't need an explanation, but proof, and she had none.