Sharing Love: Puspita East & West
Female Degrees
“A mother has a very high position, especially over her children. He is the one who brought us into the world. We will not feel this world full of twists and shadows except with its sacrifice,” Amir told Asya without interruption. His gaze stared softly into the vast space. However, his lips remained speechless with a smile as if he was hiding a deep longing.
“For a child, the right of the mother to her is very high. He should give priority to his mother, a very noble woman. In return, he gets the primary rights of his wife as a husband, while the wife is the mother of his children. That is how these rights continue to revolve with fair justice,” now Amir is staring at the earth. He played his index finger to scratch the ground and drew a circle there. “Ah, is my explanation too complicated or circling.”
“No, I understand,” Asya shook her head. She stared at Amir's index finger, which stopped spinning on the ground, and then looked back at her husband, who was still smiling. Amir also reprimanded, “How many times have I told you? Don't be so stiff. Or maybe you are not good at talking everyday?”
Asya. He even felt awkward when greeting Amir without formal language. In his heart, he still thought that his position was nothing more than a captive who could not escape. How could he dare to be presumptuous to his lord?
“Hah. Speak as comfortable as you are,” Amir rests his hands on the ground. He looked back at the dark, but starry sky. When the cold wind blew against his face, he was closed to enjoy the fresh air.
“Master, are women the source of all sins?” asya's sudden question made Amir open his eyes and turn his head. The young commander immediately denied it firmly. It is impossible for a woman to be such a lowly entity, unless she is a delinquent or a prostitute. They are the source of sins.
“Why did you ask me that?” asked Amir in wonder.
“It ...,” Anastasia paused for a moment before continuing, “It was one of the doctrines that existed in my hometown. The doctrine makes women seem to be an item that can be thrown away at any time. They exist only to produce offspring and satisfy mere lust. Every woman who tries to rebel, they will be captured by the troops who are hailed as holy soldiers. Even sensible religious scholars have difficulty confronting the power of the doctrine.”
“It must have been heavy,” Amir sympathizes, “Then, in the land of the Prophet Muhammad SAW., so too had it happened before his apostolate. For the jahiliyah people in the past, girls were a disgrace. They even bury their babies alive. Women are also considered an inheritance when a man dies. Only rich and powerful women do not experience such a thing.”
Amir kept a few children quiet, letting Anastasia reflect on his story. A story that is not just a fairy tale, but actually happened in the past. After enough, he continued.
“Islam is the Rahmatal lil alamain, a gift to the universe. Islam elevates women, fulfills her rights, and explains her obligations. All fit the right amount for him. Not excessive or less,” said Amir with a smile that expands beautifully. Now, there's no more hue of longing there.
Unknowingly, Asya also leaned on her husband's shoulders. He fell asleep again when he heard Amir's story. Her heart was warm to hear that story. The suffering he had been feeling in his hometown was fake. There was only peace resting in his heart now.
Over time, the girl's head descended on her husband's lap. He felt a soft elusan caressing his head, bringing him the warmth and peace he had longed for. He closed his eyes, trying to enjoy every moment full of heart and love.
The night wind again blows from the end of the hill. Asya also close the blanket that has been covering him since. His body was shaking from the cold. However, he still felt comfortable because there was someone accompanying him.
“Cold, yes? Enter yuk,” invite Amir so see Asya who is getting creepy as the mountain wind grows stronger. Asiah rose from the lap of Amir. The dark of the night hid the red hue on his cheeks. She bit her lip, just realizing that she was lying on her husband's lap. They then went into the house to sleep in their rooms.
When Amir was about to enter his room, Asya pulled the edge of his clothes so that he turned his head. He saw the girl bowed in. If only there was a small lantern, surely he could see the face of the girl who blushed as red as a tomato.
“Ya, what ..?” Amir did not need to continue his question because Asya had already nodded. The girl tugged at the end of Amir's clothes, giving him the code for a one-room sleep. Amir smiled warmly. Without warning, he took Asya into his room. The long night continued again with burning embers in the hearts of the two people who were bound to each other in the marriage contract. They are united to complement each other and fulfill their rights and obligations. The reward flows from the relationship.
Marriage completes half of the human religion. The marriage contract is a sacred and magical word. By saying it, the walls between the two people are united, forming a foundation called a household. Haram is halal. Sin becomes reward. Sharia leads their ark to eternal heaven.
...***...
Warm sunlight that infiltrated through the roof vents stung Asya's face. The girl opened her eyes and woke up. His body aches and pains. When he remembered what happened last night, his face immediately met with red. He sat down and found Amir no longer beside him.
After being silent for a while, Anastasia again realized that she was just a hostage. The blonde woman was also bowed in. His face had been completely extinguished. He wondered in his heart once again, “Do I deserve love?”
The sound of knocking on the door rang out to resuscitate Anastasia from her daydream. He answered the knock and found Maimunah opening the door to his room. The old woman brought a plate of breakfast and a glass of water in a tray. He only smiled faintly when he saw Asya's messy appearance.
“Rest longer. Amir said, you had trouble sleeping last night,” said Maimunah, then put his tray on the table. The woman's words made Asya recall her first experience last night. His cheeks are back. Both of his hands reflexively covered his face so that Maimunah did not see his expression.
Maimunah was about to chuckle at Asya's reaction. However, he held her back and pretended not to know. He could understand the young woman's feelings. After saying a few more words, he came out of Asya's room so as not to disturb her further.
Inside the room, Asya's heart was pounding. He was still worried even though Maimunah had come out. The young woman was afraid that her shyness was too obvious. Somehow he could face the Tumenggung Lake elder who was closest to him later. After being able to control himself more, then he ate the breakfast brought by Maimunah.
Asya's first activity after cleaning up is cleaning the house. Because yesterday Hanif and Sharif did not visit, the condition was quite neat and Asya did not need much time to work on it. He sat down in the chair.
Come to think of it, yesterday night was his last night with Amir on this week's turn. Her cheeks flushed again every time she remembered what she had done with her husband. I don't know why, he couldn't forget it at all.
His heart was again in a dilemma. However, it is not a dilemma of depression and stress as in the early days of her marriage. This is another dilemma. His heart seemed to flower when he thought of that. Spring came to him.
However, when he remembered his position as a second wife, he was pensive. Anastasia again reminded herself that she was just a hostage in this simple joglo. He was nothing more than a guarantee of safety for his father and brother. Well, unfortunately no longer for her brother to betray.
As the sun began to climb higher on the horizon, Hanif and Sharif came to visit West Joglo as usual. Initially, they greeted Asya with great respect and courtesy. However, before long, each of them put on a wooden sword, inviting Anastasia to rematch for their defeat a few weeks ago. Asya smiled too. He accepted the challenge with pleasure.
