Behind Aisha's Veil

Pretend Happy

Again Anita was struck by Aisha's words.

"I deserve it?" ask Anita not to believe it.

Aisha walked closer to Anita.

"Regardless of how long you've been in a relationship, whatever the actual story, whatever your circumstances and feelings, don't expect anyone to sympathize with your relationship again, for insisting on maintaining your love will only endow you with a dirty stamp. Snatch people's husbands, it's probably a title you'll get if people know if your lover actually already has a wife."

Anita widened her eyes, unable to believe Aisha dared to speak to him like that.

"I didn't take Alvian away from anyone, let alone you. You suddenly came between us. Alvian and I love each other. Whereas you married her only because of an arranged marriage, there is no love between you."

"When Ijab kabul is spoken, a strong bond is formed between us, for God Himself unites us. As for love, God is turning over the hearts of all his servants."

Anita looked furious with all the answers from Aisha, she now felt cornered. He looked at Aisha with regret.

"Do you love Alvian?"

"I told you that I wouldn't share any more stories about feelings with strangers than I just knew."

Anita was made even more upset. He sat on the bed washing his face rough.

Before long Anita stood up and left Aisha's room with her quick steps, bringing with her a pang of resentment in her heart.

While Aisha just smiled seeing her 'new friend' leave without saying goodbye at all.

***

"Polygamy has become a tradition in my husband's family. My father-in-law even has 3 wives, as well as my brothers-in-law." Siti told Aisha everything by phone.

Aisha knew that her brother's in-laws were one of the great leaders of Pondok Pesantren outside the area who was also one of Abah's best friends, therefore Kak Siti was betrothed to one of her sons.

Aisha wondered why the practice of polygamy which she believed to be legalized infidelity is mostly done by those who claim to be intellectuals or the most influential figures in a society that understands religion or commonly called kiai.

Some of them gave arguments to legalize polygamy, which was later cited more for the satisfaction of interests using religious reasons.

According to him, some Kiai are more utilizing his toughness and power also to polygamy.

"And sister's husband will continue that tradition?"

"You don't want to be in. You have to take it."

"Why brother should resign while Brother could have rejected him," said Aisha growled.

"There's nothing you can do. Besides, my sister is now pregnant" replied Siti resigned.

"Don't make pregnancy an excuse so your sister becomes weak like this."

Siti fell silent, she knew exactly the character of her sister, Aisha. Never want to lose talking about something that he thinks is true.

"Kak Siti can tell my sister's husband if our father is also a big kiai, but he is not polygamous even though we know if he would be able to meet all the conditions. Abah remained faithful to one wife. Ummi we."

"Silver. Brother is fine. You don't have to worry about brother."

Aisha understood that she was putting too much pressure on her sister, when in fact her brother was in need of her support and attention.

After talking for a long time, the two ended the conversation on the phone.

Aisha then seemed pensive to think about all her sister's words about polygamy which she said had become a tradition for her family-in-law.

If it's like that. So Abah should have known the practice of polygamy in his iron family. Then why does Abah still match Kak Siti with the son of the family?

***

Alvian returned to his apartment in a hurry. After getting a call from his mother if the father suddenly gets sick.

Arriving home, Alvian immediately knocks on Aisha's room door.

"Prepare to go home now" said Alvian, though the door was not yet open.

Aisha entered with a large bag in her hand.

"I'm ready."

Alvian now knows that her mother must have called Aisha.

"Wait a minute. I'll change my clothes first."

A few moments later the two immediately went down to the car park and immediately drove forward his vehicle.

Alvian looked very worried, his face showed anxiety considering that if his father had a history of heart disease, he was afraid if the father's disease relapsed.

Many times he kept making phone calls with his mother, monitoring the situation of his father who had now been taken to a hospital close to their home.

Aisha knew that her husband was very anxious, but he could do nothing, only to pray in his heart that God would give his father-in-law health and longevity.

"In front of my father later, please act as if our household is fine" Alvian said suddenly.

Aisha speechless.

"My mother knows the true state of our household because of our overly revealing attitude" Alvian continued.

Aisha was silent.

"Because it's in front of my father later. We'll pretend if we're happy." Alvian now glanced at Aisha who had just fallen silent not responding to her words.

For this time Aisha gave a small nod making Alvian relieved.

"I know it's hard. Pretend to be happy." Alvian smiled cynically.

Aisha saw her husband.

"Pretending happiness is not at all difficult" Aisha said as she looked back at the window beside her.

Alvian saw his wife.

"For you maybe not, but for me it's hard to be a pretentious person."

"For me there is something more difficult. Instead of just smiling pretending to be happy at night trying to cry without a sound, do not want to disturb other residents in the same house."