Akad Shackle

Anggara POV

Three months have counted since the last time I accompanied her to accompany the bride at the wedding at her sister's wedding.

There are so many new things I see from him. He was so proud and relied on by his family, always able to be a wise solution provider in every problem. I saw him so loved by his brother and sister-in-law and so respected by his two younger siblings.

I just saw how he became a prima donna among his friends. Many of the invitations to her sister's wedding were Rahma's friends and I saw with my own eyes how much my wife was so admired by them. Many good things I heard from the talk of family and friends about my new wife I know, all this time it escaped my sight.

But there is something that makes me so very upset and angry that when I see a man who may be not far from me looking at Rahma with a longing gaze. I know what that man's gaze means to my wife. A gaze that hints at how much a man admires, loves and longss. When we faced her gaze as if it could not be separated from Rahma and she turned out to be my wife's superior at the school where she taught.

Naura Rahmania, the woman who a few months ago I paused through a marriage contract, a sacred bond that is legal in the eyes of religion and also the state. There was a feeling of unwillingness to slip into my heart as the male guest looked at my wife with a different look.

My wife.....? I don't know when his name was in my heart.

The day after I got it together I had to go outside for two weeks. During the service my memory couldn't stop from thinking about it. I don't know, suddenly there was a feeling of fear in my heart when I was away from him. I was so afraid that my wife would turn away and give up on our marriage.

I even forgot Friska, the woman who had been my lover for many years and we promised to be together despite the blessings of my parents.

I realized from the beginning I had hurt Rahma a lot. My intention to marry her was originally only to cover up my relationship with my lover.

We met on the initiative of a friend. Lisna is my friend and also Rahma's teaching friend. Hearing Lisna's story about Rahma who was required to get married by her parents in the fast tempo because her sister had proposed and her mother did not allow if Rahma had to be stepped up to make me interested in getting to know him.

The girl who said she was ready to get married when asked about the meaning of a further relationship at our first meeting made me draw up a veiled plan behind my marriage invitation to her.

There was a sense of doubt when I saw solemnity in Rahma's eyes. But I'm sure the plan I'm putting together will not only benefit me, it will also be very helpful. There are similarities between us. We were both required to get married and our marriage was solely for the sake of the family.

Both my parents have asked me to get married for a long time and of course I welcome their wishes because I am ready. Before I met Rahma I took Friska home and introduced her to my parents as a lover.

I even told them that we've been in a relationship for a long time and I love them so much. After introducing Friska I plan to ask mom and dad to propose to her soon. But it turns out that my expectations are not in line with the reality I am facing.

Both of my parents who welcomed Friska's arrival in fact they did not approve if I married her, even asking me to break with her .

For whatever reason they did not approve of my relationship with Friska that has been established for more than three years, mother became the most wrathful person when I was overwhelmed by my choice.

Until the meeting with Rahma made me have the idea to take her home and introduce her to both of my parents. Paddles together, no matter what charm the girl had until my parents were so impressed at their first meeting.

When viewed in terms of appearance, at first glance she looks ordinary, let alone the hijab she uses is very simple, her job is only a teacher in a private school. But somehow my parents agreed that I married Rahma.

That's where it all started, and Friska and I worked out a plan. For my marriage and Rahma to go well and we promise to stay together and make this marriage a wall of protection for our relationship.

All plans went well, there was no suspicion from Rahma or my family. After we officially got married I revealed all my mission to Rahma. Seemed surprised when he heard all my explanations, but not for a long time he also seemed to accept and willing to undergo our marriage in order to maintain the good name of each family.

Long enough I ignored him, after marriage I grew more free with Friska because my parents no longer monitor what I do. Rahma also played a good role as a wife, she acted as a good wife in a harmonious family in front of my family and family, as well as myself trying to compensate.

It didn't take long to find out all about him, my man gave me all the complete information about Rahma, and everything I saw from the data he sent really fascinated me, I unconsciously praised him.

It is fitting that his family is so loving and proud of him, it is appropriate that friends are so respectful and appreciative because they are truly everyone's personal dreams. Intelligent, simple, humble, loving and caring fellow.

Teaching is his main activity, in school he is an accomplished teacher and becomes the favorite teacher of his students. Writing became his additional activity, he became one of the foster parents of disadvantaged orphanage children. From his salary Rahma set aside some of his provisions for them. Not much is known about Rahma's achievements, she hides behind her already superstar pen name among the loyal readers of each of her works.

Naura Rahmania, truly all about herself as beautiful as the name her parents have inherited, she is present to be a loving light to everyone. Where have I been all this time?, I have ignored the beautiful jewel that was in front of me just like that.

After returning home from duty I intend to meet him, I want to get to know him more closely. I was determined to give a living born every month to Rahma, since married only the house she lived in that I gave.

My intention to return to Garut was dashed when Friska told me she was sick. I kept him for days in the hospital because he had to be hospitalized. I waited for Friska to improve to see Rahma but Friska always managed to make me undo the intention to go home for various reasons that I could not even refuse.

Until the weekend Friska asked that I would accompany him to travel to one of the tourist attractions in the Lembang area because he would meet his nephew. I followed his wishes and I never thought there I met Rahma, Naura Rahmania the woman who had been filling my mind for months.

The thing that makes me angry, it turns out that Friska's nephew is Rahma's student who blatantly praised and said that he really liked Rahma, Rahma my wife. It felt like I threw a fist at his face as the boy praised Rahma, but it was impossible.

As we clashed I clearly saw the look of sadness and disappointment in his eyes, he pretended not to recognize me in front of his student. While Friska monopolized me back then. There was nothing I could do, wanting me to approach and hug her as her eyes stared weakly at me. My heart is full of sadness and disappointment on her face.

He decided to leave after having a stale conversation with Friska. After returning from the tourist spot, I thought a lot of things, thinking about what I should do, really my heart was not calm considering how Rahma was doing at that time. I decided to go home and apologize to him.

My determination is round, I want to get closer and even keep it. Friska's attitude lately often overwhelmed me make me want to not compare the two women. And my little heart always said that Rahma was much better at everything but my mind always brushed aside, even though Friska was my lover the woman I loved for so many years.

But the impulse to improve my relationship with Rahma was very strong, I decided to go home that night. I took a week off from where I was on duty and my men took care of it quickly. I told Friska that I had to return to outside service for a week.

I had to lie to my boyfriend, because if I'm honest I'm sure he'll stop me from seeing Rahma.

Almost midnight I arrived at the simple house I bought for Rahma, she did not open the door when I knocked on her so many times that I called her.

I sincerely apologize to Rahma for my treatment all this time. I promise to fix everything, I want to get closer to her.

I'm glad Rahma answered if she forgave me. But how surprised I am when I hear the continuation of his words,

"I'm also sorry, because it looks like I'm going to give up on our marriage"

A few seconds my heart stopped beating, I didn't expect Rahma to give up so quickly and I wasn't willing.

"No....! I won't let you go, Naura Rahmania"