100 Days of Being a Widow
end of story about Melati
POV: Jasmine
The divorce went well. Without any discussion. In less than two months alone, the judge had knocked on the hammer, and I received a divorce certificate with the treasure of Gono gini which was not small in number.
Money of Rp.500,000,000.00. Big enough for me to never really make my own money. My job as Ustad Malik's wife was just volunteering for her madrasa.
That kind of money I used to enroll in a master's course in Turkey. Yeah, I didn't think long at the time. Just wanted to get away from the wound. Wounds with imperfect female stigmas, violate natures. Without wanting to know how I tried to learn to be a wife, when my imagination pursued my ideals. What is the difficulty of enjoying the process, until it becomes the best madrasah for children from my womb in the future.
#Two Years passed...
Indonesia is too cruel for me. The stigma that I am the cause of the divorce I cannot close in society. Turkey is the country I choose to continue my path, the nature of being a happy human being, and the place to escape from all the problems I have experienced since marriage.
I can't imagine, at a very young age, I had to face marriage, demands for pregnancy, demands for a wife. I was not given the opportunity to understand the meaning of love, relationship, commitment and a lasting home. Life is like a puppet, and adults are the masterminds of my tragic story.
Two years passed. My master's degree at Bahcesehir University has been earned, it's time for me to return, even though my injuries haven't really recovered. There are not many stories about Indonesia that I know, even though I am very active as an educational influencer on social media. But, I stayed away from the wound center. I know very well that my ex-husband and his family do not have social media accounts. So perfect is my intention to take a break from the past story. Once someone sent DM and asked me who I was as Melati, the ex-wife of Ustad Malik. But I never responded.
I only communicated with Rania, a friend of LBH who accompanied me during the precarious times of divorce that almost took all my happy opportunities. Rania was the only person who didn't cry when I told her the weirdness of my life. That's what makes me comfortable when I confide in him. Because, confiding with my mother and sister only makes me suffer more, because all my brothers are in a happy household.
I felt isolated at the time. Until the idea of rising up arises. The Rania I know is crazy about her ideas. When he found out that I got Gono gini, then only 1 sentence he said. "you can do something happy with the money you have now. Enjoy your life, chase your happiness, travel the world if you need to!". I even like unknowingly passing through the 100-day phase that is strange. preoccupied with learning languages, managing the can and learning culture. Excited and instantaneous I forgot bitterly yesterday.
"Your destiny cannot be changed, but your future can still be planned beautifully...!"
****
The plane I was riding on had landed perfectly at Juanda International Airport, Surabaya. A pair of eyes greeted me with fullness. It's umi. People who always worry about their youngest child this installment. Hugs and crying are like blind. Umi, accompanied by my eldest brother. I let go of the hug and squandered at the figure on the wheelchair. He's my father. The one who feels the most guilt for my fate. For years he was sick and always apologized to me. Although I feel, this has become a fate line that I can no longer erase.
The first days back home. I was preoccupied with the process of printing the book "you deserve to be happy (divorce in youth)". I was helped by Rania and other LBH colleagues. This book will inspire many young people who want to get married at too young or even for those who are victims of the same.
***
The day of the book launch arrives. I have a sponsor who is a partner for the promotion of my book, so I do not need to be tired to take care of the event launching this book. I did not expect, so many were enthusiastic to get the first printed book which amounted to 1000 copies. The book ran out seven days after pre-order!
It took me a lot of time to mentally prepare to speak in public, to tell the story that I tried to forget two years ago. However, LBH's friends, NGOs and some friends who were close to me always reassured me.
If I keep this story to myself. I don't know how many women who suffered incited his destiny. Let your pain be a lesson to those who have not felt marriage, and an inspiration to those who have been victims of divorce at a young age.
At this point, my story is over. May you inspire me & Iike
