My madam, my poison

My meeting with Karmila

"Who's bag, Nduk?" he asked when he found a large enough bag that was near my wardrobe.

"Ehm, I-I was collecting my unused clothes so as not to make the closet crowded," I replied a little panicked. I can't possibly say if I intend to leave this house.

I saw Lyra falling asleep in bed. I decided to get out of my room to start cleaning up the house.

"What are you cooking, Nduk?" ask my mother-in-law when I clean up the dining table I just left.

"Chicken's meat, ma'am."

"Alhamdulillah. Ever since Fabian rose to office your lives have improved. I'm also glad you have a car. We will not overheat or rain when traveling," said the mother.

"Alhamdulillah, ma'am."

After cleaning the dining table, I headed to the kitchen. Even though it was only cooking chicken opor, it still looked a mess. 

I turned on the water faucet and started washing the kitchen furniture as well as our breakfast used dishes this morning.

"Fabian's salary is already big now. Why don't you just pay the maid's salary? At least he can help you do your homework or take care of Lyra." Mom pulled the chair in the kitchen and sat down.

"I can still take care of Lyra and the housework with my own hands. Anyway um…"

"Why, Nduk?"

"Honey money. I'd better save for Lyra's education later."

I made a reason that made sense. Luckily he understood.

"If you're tired, you can rest in the guest room. Although rarely occupied, I diligently clean it. Yesterday I also just loundry bed cover." 

I turned off the water faucet and dried my hands with a small towel hanging near the sink.

"Today I plan to visit Amira's grave" she said.

"Wouldn't you wait for Fabian to come home? I actually want to accompany Mom. But I can't possibly leave Lyra alone at home."

"It's okay, Nduk. The distance from this house to the tomb is not so far away. I just need to take a taxi for no more than ten minutes."

I don't know why worry suddenly strikes. Although it still looks nimble, still this heart is not calm to let the woman I so respect go alone.

Amira is Fabian's only sister. The girl, who was only a few months away from me, died two years ago after being hit by a motorist. Worse, the driver of the sedan car actually fled afterwards. However, Amira still had time to mention the eight license plate numbers of the vehicle before exhaling his last breath while on the way to the hospital. My mother-in-law also recorded the license plate on a piece of paper and kept it in her wallet until now.

"Mom wait for Fabian to come home. Instead of taking a taxi" I said.

"It's okay, Nduk. You don't have to worry about Mom. I'm used to going anywhere alone" she said.

 

I admit, my mother-in-law is one of the great women. From the results of selling cakes, he could finance school and college Fabian mas to level S1. Not to let him stay alone. We have repeatedly invited my mother to live with us but she always refused on the grounds that she would not leave her husband's house that they had built from scratch.

"Be careful, ma'am," I said shortly after grabbing her hand and kissing her in reverence. Not long after he left my house.

I had just finished drying my clothes and was about to go back inside the house when suddenly the white car entered my yard. Of course I know exactly who the owner is.

"Just finished your holiness, Ma'am?" 

I turned my body. I saw a woman a few years older above me. His body was not so tall, yet quite densely filled. Her hair is blonde, which I believe is not the original color but the result of hair paint. Her clothes were quite covered, even though she wasn't as hijab-wearing as me.

"Is she that woman named Karmila?" my question is in my heart.

"This is Karmila, who I told you about last night" Fabian said before I asked.

"Can we talk inside, Ma'am ehm, …"

"Azzura."

"Let's good I call Ms. Zura aja yes. And Miss Zura can call me Mila."

As a good host, I let him into the living room.

"Where's mom, brother?" ask Fabian.

"To the grave," I answered flatly. 

The woman named Karmila was seen circulating her gaze and observing the living room.

"Why don't I see your wedding photos in this room?" tanyakanya.

This 6x6 living room may not be like the living room in the house in general. I just put a calligraphy decoration with two sentences of shahadah on one side while the other side I left empty.

"Our wedding photos are in the photo album. We deliberately did not print it in large sizes," I replied.

"Oh yeah, where's Lyra?" ask again.

"Lyra sleeps after taking fever-lowering medication."

"She must be beautiful like Ms. Zura," he said, which I believe is just a small talk.

I replied again with a wry smile on my lips.

"Ehm, Dikk. Mas and Mila are getting married next Monday" Fabian said, which left me gasping.

Apparently no matter how much I resisted, nothing would change his decision to give me honey.

"How many times do I have to say, I mind if Mas remarries." I stood up and looked into Fabian's eyes, sharp and firm.

"Our religion just lets her husband do polygamy, Mom." Mila.

"Maybe other women can have a chest if combined. But not with me. I am a woman who holds true loyalty. I only want to get married once in a lifetime" I said.

"So, Miss Zura wants to demand a divorce from Fabian? After the divorce, where do you want to live? So, what about Lyra?" 

I fell silent and lowered my head. Honestly, I have no family or other place to live in this city. But, I also will not be pleased if Fabian married again especially if I have to live one roof with my honey.

"Mila, …"

"Yes, Mommy."

"As a fellow woman, you know how I feel. No woman in the world would ever allow her husband to marry again."

"Mbak Zura must have known the reason Fabian wanted to marry me. Mas Fabian wants to carry out the will of my late husband" Mila said.

"Your late husband just told Fabian to take care of you. It doesn't mean she should marry you. You are still young anyway. Why do you want to be a second wife?" 

"Bak Zura wants to know why?"

I nodded my head.

"I fell in love with Fabian. He's a good guy, submissive, well-established anyway. So there is no reason to refuse the mandate of my late husband" Mila said.

"What about mom, Mom? I will definitely not allow you to marry again."

"Who wants to get married again?" asked the mother who suddenly appeared in the living room.

Seriate….

Waiting for support….

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