(Not) The Substitute

Eps 1 - Prologue

The atmosphere was so tense in the simple house, the clock was showing at three in the morning. Everyone was waiting for a woman who was struggling to give birth to her second child.

The woman pushed with all her might. While the husband continues to encourage him and provide support/

"Come, Honey. Our son will be born soon" he said.

The woman who held her husband's hand very tightly took a breath and exhaled it, continuing like that over and over again. While the field that helped him also continued to give instructions so that he twitched as hard as he could.

While outside, Grandmother held her eight-year-old granddaughter while continuing to chant prayers. He was accompanied by a couple who also held their 10-year-old son.

"Is the baby's sister out yet?" asked the boy with a cry.

"A little while, son. Arfan's younger brother is definitely going to be born soon" said his mother stroking Arfan's back.

"But Arfan wants a little sister," whined Arfan with teary eyes and a bloated nose holding back tears.

"But everyone is expecting a little baby boy. Om and auntie'll already have a daughter, so now they want a boy."

"But Arfan wants a baby sister." The boy insisted, making his parents chuckle.

"Kan Arfan already has a sister, that's Elsa," Grandma said as she combed Elsa's long hair with her fingers.

"Elsa wants to be Arfan's wife, her baby sister will be Arfan's sister."

Everyone laughed at the boy's words. While the child named Elsa Karina just kept quiet, hugged the grandmother tightly and she did not understand what her cousin said.

Shortly afterwards there was the sound of crying babies from inside the room. They all flocked in to welcome the birth of Elsa's sister.

"Alhamdulillah, your daughter was born healthy and perfect" exclaimed the midwife but instead she saw a look of disappointment in everyone's face, except on the faces of Grandma and Arfan.

"Yeeey, Arfan has a little sister!" arfan's cheer is very happy.

"Alhamdulillah, both men and women, children are still children. A gift and a gift from God," said Grandma. While the woman who had just given birth still looked disappointed as well as her husband because they were really expecting a boy

"Well, who'd you name this beautiful princess? Oh God, she is so beautiful" murmured the grandmother to see the baby who was now cleaned by the midwife.

"Come, Ma. We only prepare names for boys, not for girls" said Malik, the baby's father.

"Yes, Mom. We really want a boy" continued Malik's wife named Isna, he still looks very weak after fighting to death gave birth to his second child.

"Alright, then I'll give her the name of Elnaz Mikayla"

"Can Arfan kiss Elnaz's sister?" asked Arfan with a loud voice. His eyes were round as he looked at the tiny and adorable Elnaz.

"May, like her you'll be the first to kiss this little elf" her mother Malik quipped because like her Malik and Isna were really very disappointed with the birth of Elnaz.

"Arfan wants to be the first person, the last and the one who kisses Elnaz's sister" Arfan said, blinking a funny blink and smiling happily. She kissed baby Elnaz's forehead "Oh my God, she's so soft, Grandma" her fight while looking at her grandmother with her wide eyes, she continued to kiss the tip of her baby's sister's nose, he continued on both of his cheeks and ended up on his lips.

"Like, Mama. Elnaz's sister is very soft, very pretty, very funny. Arfan wants Elnaz's sister during his time with Arfan, to be Arfan's sister. During her... During her"

.........

Although the presence of Elnaz was not expected by his parents, but they still love Elnaz, care for Elnaz and take good care of him. Although they were not as close to Elnaz as they were to Elsa, Elnaz's brother. If Elnaz asked for something, they would give it away, so blandly. There was neither enthusiasm nor happiness nor resentment towards Elnaz.

Unlike Elsa, if Elsa asks for something, they will enthusiastically buy her. And if Elsa's asking no, they'll scold Elsa and it's a strong love for Elsa.

There are only two people who are very close to Elnaz, the grandmother and the older cousin, Arfan. Arfan spoiled Elnaz so much, gave whatever Elnaz wanted. I give gifts almost every week.

Arfan also always helps Elnaz work on her PR, accompany her play and so on. Elnaz even felt that Arfan was his older brother, not Elsa who did not even give gifts on Elnaz's birthday. While on Elnaz's birthday, Arfan will give a myriad of gifts to his beloved sister.

And today, right on Elnaz's 10th birthday, Arfan brought a variety of gifts. Three sets of pyjama picture of his favorite duck, a set of sheets complete with his bad cover which also shows duck, school bag and contents and also shoes complete with socks. Do not forget also flat shoes pink with ribbons in front of her and also dresses with matching colors. So sweet.

"Well, there are so many gifts, brother" exclaimed Elnaz gladly.

"There's still one more, Princess" Arfan said. Then he knelt down so that his body was parallel to Elnaz's body. Then he pulled out a necklace that read Elnaz's name "You like it?" arfan asked and quickly Elnaz nodded. Arfan put the necklace on.

"It's a special day for you, it's also very special for me. You know what's special, Princess?" Elnaz shook his head with a very adorable look, making Arfan couldn't bear to not pinch his cousin's chubby cheek.

"Because, your brother and I are officially lovers" said Arfan who even made Elnaz confused.

"What's a lover, brother?" her question was plain as she touched the necklace that hung around her neck so beautifully.

"That love is two people who love each other and then unite their love in a special relationship. Later, when Elnaz is an adult, Elnaz will also have a lover" said Arfan and Elnaz nodded with a big smile.

"Elnaz loved Brother Arfan and grandma, do you want to be Elnaz's lover?"

.........

8 Years later...

The 18-year-old girl was holding a pencil with trembling hands and was forced to sign the letter, tears flowing freely on her cheeks, soaking her soft silk cheeks. But no one cares.

No one cares that she's crying over her destiny, which is now hanging out with her own older cousin, her older sister's fiance.

How could all this happen?

His life changed 180 degrees in just a matter of minutes, his older cousin whom he considered his own sister had now legitimately become his husband. The cousin who will become his sister-in-law is now his husband.

The cousin who so spoiled her as a sister since she was born is now her husband.

Husband, a husband. And he was his wife, a fact which was never in the mind of Elnaz.