(Not) The Substitute

Eps 8 - Just Want to Protect

Elsa sat pensively in her room, her eyes so swollen that she did not stop crying. Weeping over her love story ended so ironically, and it was all her fault. If the one Arfan married wasn't his own sister, maybe it wouldn't hurt this much.

Likewise with Elnaz who was also pensive in his room, his tears even seemed to have dried up and did not want to come out anyways even though his heart was still sick and tight.

While outside, Yuni and her husband were enjoying their dinner without calling Elnaz. And Elnaz was also embarrassed to have to leave the room.

"Mom, should you call Elnaz? Cassian she is, she must be hungry. From noon have not eaten" said Adi.

"What's there to call, sir? Let it be, she's the daughter-in-law here, not the queen. He should know himself here"

"But he's still our niece, too, ma'am. Even he's your nephew, you know, he became our son-in-law is also our own fault that let Elsa go and let Arfan marry Elnaz" said Pak Adi.

"Oh yeah, don't talk about it. I can't accept Elnaz, he's a kid. Doesn't match Arfan, Elsa's better suited. You don't have to be so considerate of Elnaz, either, let him know where he lives"

Adi could only sigh lethargicly and continue his dinner. His wife was indeed the same as his brother-in-law, not expecting the presence of Elnaz. His wife was very close to his sister-in-law, Isna. They fit blood. What one of them likes, the other likes. And what one of them doesn't like, then one of them won't like it either.

While in the room, Elnaz felt very hungry. He only ate the provisions given by his grandmother this morning, Elnaz decided to sleep alone so that his hunger was lost. In addition, he did not want to face Arfan or see the man's face.

Elnaz curled up at the side of the bed, even too to the edge. He closed his eyes until dreamland picked him up.

.........

At 10 pm Arfan just got to his house, he saw his mother and father who were still in the living room and watching television.

"Home home, Fan?" greet the father.

"Yes, Pa" answered Arfan lethargic.

"Have you had dinner?" ask her again.

"Have you guys had dinner?"

"It is" answered Adi.

"Did Elnaz have dinner?"

"Be..."

"Had" Yuni interrupted her husband's words quickly. Adi glanced at Yuni full of question marks, but Yuni ignored that.

Arfan immediately went to his room, he walked slowly so as not to disturb the sleeping Elnaz.

"El, why sleep on the edge of the bed like this. Later you fall, Princess" muttered Arfan and he moved Elnaz to the middle of the bed.

After that he immediately cleaned himself, performed prayers and then slept on the sofa in the corner of his room.

.........

Elnaz woke up just as the sound of Adhan rumbled, he rubbed his eyes and looked around him. Again, he realized it was not his room but rather his sister's room. Elnaz's heart again feels tight every time considering his status is now the wife of his cousin.

Elnaz tried to ignore the existence of Arfan, he took ablution and performed two rakaat sunnah prayers followed by dawn prayers.

After the completion of the prayer, Elnaz berdizkir and prayer continued with him looking for his Qur'an in his suitcase and nothing. That means Arfan didn't bring his Qur'an. Elnaz took Arfan's Quran and he began to read the Qur'an, hoping that his heart would be calmer after that. Elnaz also prayed wholeheartedly, asking his Lord for guidance. Because really, whatever happens in this world is always by God's will and God always has a reason behind every will.

Hearing the sound of Elnaz reading the Qur'an makes Arfan wake up from his sleep. And he saw Elnaz using his Quran, Arfan just remembered he forgot to bring his sister's Quran.

Arfan immediately went to the bathroom to take ablution, he prayed next to Elnaz who was still reading the Qur'an.

After prayer, Arfan also prays and prays. Pray for guidance again and again, because he does not want to be a selfish person and dzolim.

After all his activities were finished, Elnaz tidied up his bed. Arfan went to the bathroom to take a shower.

The two are still equally mute, even as Arfan searches for his clothes in his closet. Elnaz was just sitting on the edge of the window that he opened wide.

"Today don't go out of the house" exclaimed Arfan at Elnaz, Elnaz glanced at her husband for a moment and then she turned her face back. While the neat Arfan rushed out of the room.

"Ma.." cried Arfan who saw his mother was about to go to the market with her father.

"Where are you going, Fan? This morning blind is so tidy?" ask father.

"There are patients to deal with" Arfan replied lying.

"Please remind Elnaz for breakfast" his pinta and his father nodded.

Arfan got in his car and immediately ran his car, he again stopped at the edge of the river.

Arfan leaned his head on the steering wheel of the car, again he thought about his problem.

Arfan still does not know what to do and how. While he forbade Elnaz from leaving the house because he wanted to protect Elnaz from hearing the gossip of the neighbors. Arfan doesn't want psychic Elnaz getting hit because of it.

"Give me thy guidance, O God. So that I don't destroy Elnaz more"

.........

Elnaz remained faithful in his room even when the sun was high, he could no longer cry. Her tears are no longer coming out.

Elnaz took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Elnaz decided to get out of the room and try to interact with his in-laws who are still his aunt. Elnaz also did not want to leave the house even though it was not ordered by Arfan, because Elnaz would not be able to hear the gossip of the neighbors.

"Tante..." exclaimed Elnaz who is now in the kitchen and he saw his biological aunt was busy cooking "Someone that El can help?" ask her but Yuni as if she did not hear and did not see anyone. Elnaz's heart ached again in such disregard.

Elnaz saw that there was a chicken like he had not been washed, and he took the chicken and was about to wash it but Yuni violently snatched the chicken from Elnaz's hands, making Elnaz very surprised. The tears of Elnaz just flowed back.

"There's still a stock of tears apparently" Elnaz sat cynically, laughing at himself.

Elnaz understood, Elnaz understood. He was not accepted by his in-laws. Yuni and her parents are the same, never liked Elnaz so much since childhood. They all liked Elsa better.

Elnaz returned to his room, locked himself in there and pressed his very hungry stomach.