Golden Cage

Part 4 : Trying Every Possible Way

Executing the Silent Treatment

Lolita boldly executed her silent treatment plan by running away from home. She found an apartment about twenty kilometers away, far enough from her house.

She turned off the location-tracking app so Eggy couldn't know where she was and blocked his number to prevent him from sending messages or calling her. However, she kept her phone on to stay connected and monitor Olivia through the housemaid.

The first three days felt peaceful for her. There were no toxic words coming her way, either in direct verbal attacks or written messages. No one was calling her "stupid, dumb, brainless, where's your brain, can't you think, you cow-brain," or anything like that. Even though they were only verbal abuses, they were deeply hurtful and, over time, made Lolita feel like she was losing her sanity. She was still grateful that Eggy had never been physically violent or thrown things around the house. But if it weren't for Olivia, Lolita might have left Eggy seven years ago. She hesitated because, apart from Olivia, she still believed that once you marry, divorce is not an option.

Suddenly, her phone rang. It was her mother.

"I'm in Jakarta, Mom. Why?"

"Olivia is here with her dad."

Damn it! Eggy must be finding some way to get in touch with her.

"Oh, is Olivia playing with you, Mom?"

"Why don't you come over, dear?"

Oh, Eggy must be too embarrassed to admit that his wife ran away from home. Turns out Mom doesn't know about it at all.

"Yes, Mom, I can't come over today. I'm sorry, but I promise I'll visit you soon."

"Are you alright? You're not in a hospital or anything, are you? Are you healthy, dear?"

"Yes, Mom, I'm fine."

"Oh, wait, Eggy wants to talk to you."

"Hello, sweetheart, are you okay? When are you coming home? Olivia and I miss you. You're alright, aren't you?" Eggy asked.

"What are you doing there? Don't try to find me. I'm fine!"

"Oh, thank goodness you're alright. Coming home tomorrow? I'll prepare dinner, okay, sweetheart? We can eat together with your mom and your siblings at our house."

"I'm not coming home. You all go ahead and eat together; find your own excuse for why I'm not there." Lolita ended the call.

Shortly after, her phone rang again—it was her mother. Damn it! Eggy wasn't giving up on making her feel like she had to come home.

"Hello, Mom?"

"Yes, dear, the signal got cut off earlier, so I called again. Hold on, someone wants to talk to you. Oliv, here's Mommy..."

"Mommy, where are you? Why aren't you home yet? Oliv misses you..." Olivia said eagerly.

"Yes, Oliv, Mommy misses you too. Be good for Daddy, okay? Don't be naughty, Oliv."

"But when are you coming home, Mommy?"

"I'm not sure yet, Oliv..."

"Why not? What are you doing, Mommy?"

"Mommy's on a retreat, sweetheart..." Lolita had to lie, even though she was just in the apartment she rented. "Do you want to see Mommy? I can come to your school tomorrow, but I won't be able to come home with you because Mommy's retreat will still be going on."