(Not) The Substitute

Eps 16 - Let's Start a New Life

Andy who just arrived at his house was immediately welcomed by his mother who had been widowed since Andy's father died a few years ago.

"Andy, where have you been?" ask her Mama, whose name is Bu Kinar.

"That road, Ma. Keep seeing Elnaz on the street"

"Oh yeah, haven't you asked yet?" bu Kinar asked enthusiastically to make Andy shake his head. What else is the expression and gaze of his eyes like a man who is waiting for a natural phenomenon that only happens once every decade, very curious.

"Are Elnaz really Arfan's affair? Some even say Elnaz was pregnant, so he was immediately married"

"Astagfirullah, Mamaa.." angry Andy was angry with his mother that "Mending Mama follow Andy to Jakarta, rather than here, Mama always follow the gossip of the mother mother of the complex" he grumbled.

"Ih, Mama's not her gossip. Just curious about when my friend Arisan talk in Elnaz with Elsa. Some even ask directly you the same Bu Isna and Bu Yuni. But they both no comment he said "

"Yes the same time, Ma. And Elnaz isn't as bad as you think, Mama knows what Elnaz looks like"

"Well, she's a nice, quiet girl, not much of a whimper like your other girlfriends. So Mama wants your soul mate with Elnaz, Ndy. Uh, she's married now" Ms. Kinar said with a frown and she was like a heartbroken person

"Keep on... So why did Arfan marry Elnaz? Did Arfan realize that Elnaz was better than Elsa? From the appearance alone, Elnaz is more promising than Elsa"

"Promise what the hell, Ma? It's like anything promising" grumbled Andy who now walked into the kitchen. He was holding his stomach hungry.

"Yes Elnaz was well-dressed, well-mannered, introverted. If Elsa will be more open, yes even though we can not judge people from her outer appearance alone. But if she can maintain herself and her dignity as a Muslim woman, then she will also definitely maintain the dignity of her husband later, maintaining the honor of her family. Aye right? "

"Ma, the fried chicken's just one?" ask Andy who ignored his mother's long speech.

"Yes, the hungry Mama kept Mama eating her one" Andy just nodded in understanding, he took the plate and was about to take the rice but Bu Kinar instead prevented it.

"Ceritain used to say what Elnaz, Ndy said. Mama is curious half to die." exclaimed Bu Kinar who made Andy throw a rough breath. He sat on the chair and his mother enthusiastically sat beside him. He looked at Andy seriously as if he were a journalist who would get sensational news from his source "How about...."

Andy also recounted that night Elsa was called to a photo shoot to Jakarta, and asked Elnaz to be a substitute bride for Arfan but Arfan would still say kabul ijab on behalf of Elsa. And maybe because Arfan was angry or disappointed or whatever, Arfan even said kabul on behalf of Elnaz and everyone legalized the marriage.

Hearing the news, Bu Kinar immediately glared perfectly and gaping wide, he covered his mouth with both palms of his hands.

"However, Elsa and Arfan married Elnaz" commented the mother, and "Elnaz was also more beautiful than Elsa, it's just a pity Elnaz can't dress up and dress fashionably like his sister. Elnaz's skin is also whiter than Elsa's, but unfortunately she always wears covered clothes so it does not look beautiful skin. In fact, if they are similarly dressed fashionably, groom and, ugh... Lose the Elsa. Already so, the face of Elnaz more calm again" he said at length while imagining Elnaz and Elsa.

"Have got the information, right? Now I want to eat first, Ma. There's one more chicken. You can fry again, Ma?"

"Instant noodle cooking, Ndy... Mama's gonna go out for a second"

"You want gossip?" joked Andy's upset.

"No, just want to tell mom what complex their questions have been"

.........

Arriving at his room, Arfan immediately took Elnaz sitting on the edge of the bed that was still not right.

"El..."

"What else?" ketus Elnaz "Not satisfied to vent his pseudo as me? Want another one?"

"Sister doesn't make you an impingement at all, El. Trust your brother?"

"Then what was his name? You hugged me more when Sister Elsa came" exclaimed her angrily "You want to make her jealous, right? He was jealous, so jealous that he slapped me so hard. Already satisfied? Pleased?" he was half screaming. No matter the circumstances or if anyone hears her screams.

While Arfan could only let out a long sigh, he stared so heartily at his little sister who was yelling at him for the first time.

"Sister hugged you, so that Elsa knew that now the brother is yours and you belong to the brother, Elnaz" said Arfan who somehow immediately made Elnaz's heart gasp and he just fell silent. It was as if returning to his confusion of his living conditions and situations.

Have each other?

So, now he and Arfan have each other. No longer as a sister but as a husband and wife.

"Damples, El. Give a chance to our relationship, yes." persuaded Arfan in a soft voice. Elnaz simply threw away his face without intending to answer Arfan's question "Sister please, El. Now that you're sister's wife, your happiness is sister's duty"

Hearing that Elnaz looked directly at Arfan, it was not a foreign word to him. Since childhood, Arfan was always there for her, put her first, and made her his top priority. Since childhood, Arfan has always been his protector. If the other children make their father as their superhero character, then Elnaz will be the only child who will boast of his cousin as his super hero.

"What kind of happiness will you give? Papa, Mama, Sister Elsa. They all hate me now, and even Om and Auntie hate me too. The neighbors kept gossiping about me, talking about me and even they said I was your affair. Which happiness can you offer, hm?" asked Elnaz in a flat tone but a very sharp look.

"We leave here." said Arfan and he clasped Elnaz's hand tightly, Elnaz let it go and he was still staring at Arfan who was currently also staring at him.

"We go to start a new life, there's only us and our future"

Elnaz was still speechless and still maintained his gaze right at Arfan's bead of eyes.

"Sister please, Deck. You want ya?"

"Do we have a future?" elnaz said sharply and Arfan nodded firmly.

"I don't think so..." Elnaz forcibly pulled his hand out of Arfan's. And that made Arfan's heart hurt.

"We have, as long as we accept this destiny. If you don't want to do this for yourself, at least do this for grandma's sake, huh? This is what Grandma expected..."

Elnaz was silent, if it concerned his grandmother then what could he do?

"Grandmother's happiness is our happiness, I am sure we will find our happiness later as long as we are willing to accept our present status. Maybe it's our destiny, Elnaz"