The Marrying Bet

Pulang Kampung's

The atmosphere of the airport is so crowded. It looks like a queue that crowded the check-in counter as well as the delivery of baggage. Vara already holds a plane ticket that will take her home to see her parents. There was already nothing that could hold Vara to stay in this city. He has given up the work that has been central to his life for the past seven years. A job that really takes up almost all of his time. But for Vara really no problem, because he really enjoys his work.

Although it is very hard to give up work, but for Vara the decision has been unanimous. He had to step out of everything that became his comfort zone.

The airport still makes Vara feel lonely. It looks like a family troupe that escorted his brother, as if they were tour participants. There are also couples who seem to embrace tightly when going apart because the husband must return to work in another city. It also looks like a pair of lovers who let go of their lover to return to college.

"Diligent father study, not the lyrics of another girl!" lover says.

"Relax Mother, Daddy studied diligently so as to quickly pass and continue to apply Mother," said his lover.

"Then, let's call you."

Vara held back her laughter, the children of today dating just call her Father-Mother. Bringing the departure of her lover who will return to college like he will take her to the battlefield only.

Vara remembered that the one who always drove her to the airport to return to college was her father and mother. Father and mother strictly forbid Vara dating other men because it is feared will disappoint Riko.

"Vara, you have to take good care of yourself, lest you be courted men and keep you tainted! You should not be a mango that is just squeezed, smelled, tasted, continue not to be bought! There is no price later you in Riko's eyes! You will not be given a high dowry from Riko! And it's certain that you won't marry Riko!" mother's toilet.

"Don't let you be a neighbor's talk, go to college, go home instead of taking a degree and bring a boy with a baby!" continued mother.

That's the message that mom always reminds me of every time Vara is going back to college. College away from parents and without direct supervision from parents certainly makes the mother very worried about Vara. Mom really takes care of her daughter very closely. Do not make the family embarrassed, the point is like that, and Vara certainly can only obey all the requests of his mother.

Vara did not expect that her marriage to Viceroy really seemed to break the relationship Vara and her mother. That prolonged cold war really has to end. There is no word of ex for parents and Vara is aware that the old man is her real home. The place to go home and come back.

Vara's daydreams caved as her eyes caught the figure of the man running towards her. The man ran with a frightened face as if a transvestite was chasing him behind. The man immediately stopped his steps right in front of Vara who was smiling towards him.

"Vara, please don't go" Viceroy asked.

"Viceroy, if I don't go, how can we both give space and time to realize our respective positions?" said Vara staring at Viceroy fixedly.

"Vara," said Viceroy, looking clear.

"Viceroy, it's time I end my cold war with my mother! I realized that I was a child who was against his will! I must have been a child who let her down so much! Your devotion and obedience to your mother made me realize that as a child, I had to show my devotion to my parents that they were still alive" Vara said.

Viceroy throbbed, he even used his devotion and obedience as a weapon to defy and teach his mother not to interfere in the affairs of her life. If only this was the time of Malin Kundang, Viceroy would have been cursed to stone because he had dared to bestow all the blame on the mother and make her mother regret the afterlife.

"Alright, I understand," said Viceroy.

"But, what if your mother betrays you to another man?!" ask Viceroy.

"Viceroy, you have even brought all the love I have, there is no place in my heart to receive another love" Vara replied.

Viceroy seemed to think, the man rubbed his face with his palm many times in a huff. He tried not to shed tears, even though tears already seemed to pool in his eyes that always stared hard.

"Vara, wasn't there a hug or a kiss before we parted?" viceroy asked who really wanted to hug Vara before Vara left.

Vara shakes.

"Hug and kiss me as much as you when we're halal again! I really don't want you to think that I would do it with a man other than you! My first hug, my first kiss, my body, until my first love you took it all" Vara said.

Viceroy was stunned to hear Vara's words.

"But you were massaged reflexes by another man!" sergeant Viceroy.

"Viceree! Please distinguish yes, between those who wear feelings with those who do not!" said Vara.

"Ah, reason! Still it's the other guy who touched you! I don't want to! You are mine! I've marked you!" viceroy said in a threatening tone but with a warm smile that was reviewed.

Vara smiled at Viceroy. The man was always full of surprises and was unpredictable.

"Vara, are you seriously saying that I'm your first love?" ask Viceroy.

Vara replied with a smile.

"Since when, Vara?" viceroy asked, looking curious.

"Hmm, tell me no, will you?" sahut Vara while commenting on the ignorant smile.

"Vara, don't blame me if I rape you every time!" Viceroy.

"Yes, raped once I'll ask for ten more times! If you need to get your waist off!" Vara chuckles.

Viceroy pursed his lips, he was really anxious to see Vara teasing him like this.

"Vara, what should I do if I miss you so much?" ask Viceroy.

"Look at the sky, say my name three times" replied Vara.

"And you are still not by my side" said Viceroy, laughing bitterly.

Vara opened the bag, from inside her makeup kit bag, she picked up a lipstick and pocket mirror. Vara began to shine the bright red lipstick onto her lips.

"Oh my God, Vara, the red of your lipstick! Please remove, I really don't want to see you look so seductive like that" Viceroy pulled out a white handkerchief from the pocket on the inside of his suit and handed it to Vara.

"This is yes, which is why women who have become widows are much more seductive than when they were wives" Viceroy said.

Vara received the handkerchief and pressed her lips against the clean surface of the handkerchief leaving a trail of lips.

"Take it, here's a down payment for you," Vara said, handkerchiefing Viceroy back.

Viceroy laughs.

"Alright, I'll actually charge the repayment in cash!" Viceroy.

"Viceroy, I'm leaving now, take good care of yourself, greetings to your mother and Mr. Ryo, sorry I can't say goodbye directly, I still feel sorry for them," Vara said.

"Yes, go, I'll pick you up when the time comes" Viceroy said, taking Vara off with a heavy heart.

Vara stepped away.

"Vara! I love you!" shouted Viceroy.

Viceroy really hoped Vara would stop his steps. Vara ran up to him and hugged him like in Hollywood movies. But it turned out that Vara continued his steps and did not look at all.

Vara really did not turn his head even though Viceroy shouted and invited the attention of everyone. He didn't want Viceroy to see her shed tears. He did not want the man to think he had no stance.

Vara really loved Viceroy, but he remained steadfast in his decision to give them space and time to realize their feelings.

It is up to the man to choose another woman as his new companion because he feels disappointed at Vara's attitude that refuses to return to him. Promises in the form of oral speech are definitely not to be held. After all, they were also no longer bound by anything. For some reason Vara felt grateful in their short marriage, God did not present the fruit of love for them.

Vara wiped her tears as soon as she entered the garbarata that led her into the plane. Vara re-energized himself, not to cry over the sweet story of his marriage that has ended, and now only leaves a beautiful memory even though there is also a bitter. But Vara decided to take her sweet memories.

...*****...

The village of Vara's parents is off the island. After taking a flight for one and a half hours, Vara again continued the road trip by bus which is expected to travel overland for approximately ten hours. On the bus, all passengers were seen sitting crowded because the bus to the village of Vara's parents only operated twice in one day. The majority of the passengers were workers and merchants carrying a lot of merchandise.

Along the way to the village of his parents, the area of oil palm plantations became a major scenic treat that spoiled the eyes of Vara. A group of fuel tankers were seen convoying along the road accompanying the speeding bus carrying dozens of lives including chickens and goats jostling with humans.

Passengers working on oil palm plantations began to get off the bus. The other passengers continued the long and exhausting journey.

Along the way Vara thought about what he should tell his parents about his return. When Vara called his father to inform him that Vara was coming home, he greeted enthusiastically. I don't know what reaction his mother will show.

Vara still vividly remembers that her mother gave her an ultimatum that Vara should not come home and cry because her beloved husband dumped her. But it was Vara himself who chose to leave the man. Because Vara knew how hard the Queen Mother was against the decision she made. Obviously the Queen Mother prefers women from her own family to be a companion for her children.

...*****...

The evening began to come, the sky was already perfectly dark. Vara immediately got off the bus that had reached her at the terminal of her parents' village. He gets off the bus immediately, a kernet helps Vara pull out her suitcase which is in the bottom trunk.

"Vara!" it was the father's cry that made Vara look.

"Mr," Vara ran while dragging her suitcase.

Vara immediately took the father's hand and kissed him. For months they had never met, could only hear each other's voices as a relief. There is no super internet network that can make them make video calls. It is redundant to have a super-sophisticated smartphone in this village.

I immediately put Vara's luggage in the car.

"Sir Slamet" a middle-aged man said to him.

"Oh, Mr. Nanang," he said hello to the man.

"Fetch who, Mr Slamet?" ask Mr. Nanang.

"My son, just came from the city" replied the father.

"This is a father?" asked Mr. Nanang wide in disbelief.

"It's very beautiful sir, sir, sir Slamet picked up the angel," continued the middle-aged man.

You look sullen, while Vara only comments on a thin smile.

"Sir Nanang, we'll excuse you, yes," he said goodbye.

I got in the car with Vara. He immediately started the engine and drove his car home.

"Basic, Mr Nanang! Vara, this guy used to be handsome, you know! Not immediately stretched like this," said the father who was offended by Mr. Nanang's words.

"Yes, sir, the most handsome of you!" Vara responded to the father's scorn.

"That father was eleven and twelve as your husband was Vara, only the less high!" mr. chuckles.

"Yes, sir," said Vara encouraging father.

"Oh yeah, by the way your husband why didn't he come along with Vara?" ask father.

"Sir, Vara will explain everything later" replied Vara.

...*****...

"Vara!" exclaimed the mother who came out of the house and immediately greeted Vara with a warm embrace.

Vara clutched her mother after months of cold fighting.

But it turns out that all of that is only in Vara's delusion. Vara's mother simply remained silent in the doorway with her hands folded in front of her chest. Mom's gaze was intimidating to Vara, making Vara feel trepidation.

"Well remember having parents?" syndicated mother.

"Sorry Mom, Vara is really busy and there is only now" replied Vara.

"Busy drunk men!" sergeant mother.

Vara gasped at the words of mother.

"Vara, you are yes, the sun has gotten so good that the bird immediately forgot everything! I don't listen to the words of my parents!" fawning mother.

"Mother, already, her son has just come all the way, tired not yet lost, already satirized so," said the father trying to muffle the anger of the mother.

Vara really chose silence, often facing the Queen Mother made Vara so accustomed to silence and listen first.

Mother still threw a hostile attitude at Vara.

"Vara, you take a bath first, I will prepare warm water, I will save all your luggage to your room" said the father.

"Yes, thank you, sir," said Vara.

...*****...

Vara's parents' house is not large, although the terrace is very large. The house consists of a living room that immediately becomes one with a kitchen. There are two bedrooms and one bathroom. The room provided by my father was not large. It only contains a lesehan mattress, pink mosquito nets, and a fan. Vara's room window was large without glass.

Vara soon joins her parents for dinner. There was no dining table in the house, all the food was placed on a round table. Vara immediately sat on the floor and started eating her dinner.

"All this is the father who cook, Vara, is exhausted here there is no home catering," said the father trying to melt the tense atmosphere that occurred.

"Well, you're great" praised Vara.

"Vara, quickly tell me, what exactly was your purpose in coming here?" ask mother.

Vara looked at her mother, for some reason all the courage she had gathered during the short journey.

"Are you pregnant and your husband irresponsible, so you were sent back here?" mother asked still in a quirky tone Vara.

"Mother, it's not like that" replied Vara.

"If it's not like that, then what?" ask the mother with emotions.

Vara looked at her mother, trying to strengthen herself.

"Mother, Vara is sorry for Vara's attitude that has been less pleasing to Mother's heart, Vara is really sorry from the bottom of her heart, Vara realized that Vara disappointed Mother. However, Vara hopes that I can respect whatever Vara decides, because Vara is an adult, Mom," said Vara.

"What do you mean, Vara?" ask father.

"Father, Mother," Vara stared at her parents in turn.

"Vara has separated from Vara's husband" Vara said.

Father and mother were surprised to hear Vara's confession.

"Father, Mother, please respect Vara's decision, indeed Vara has accepted this matter freely," said Vara.

"Vara, how can it be?" ask father astonished.

"Haha, what I said! Men whose schools are not high, yes! All by itself and by itself!" sahut mom laughed.

"Mother, it really isn't like that!" said Vara.

"Already Vara, whatever the reason, divorce is still divorce, and you have to accept being a widow!" sergeant mother.

Vara fell silent again, the mother looked happy, while the father looked beaten.

...*****...

Vara's done washing all the dishes. Mother had locked herself in her room, while father decided to sit down to enjoy the night breeze on the terrace while sipping his tea. Vara was really not happy with the situation of her house that suddenly froze.

"Father," said Vara immediately sat down beside him.

"Sir, forgive Vara," said Vara.

He looked calm as he sipped tea in his cup.

"Vara, have you been divorced from your husband for a long time?" ask father.

"It's not exactly new either, sir," replied Vara.

"Why did you divorce her?" ask father.

"Our internal problems are both, sir," replied Vara.

Father sighed.

"Vara, this father is actually upset, it feels angry! But you don't know who to be angry with?!" father says.

He looked towards Vara.

"Just be angry sir, if it can make you feel relieved," said Vara.

"Vara, why the hell didn't you tell me earlier?" ask father.

"You and your husband think you're fine, you've entrusted your life to him, Vara! Why are you getting divorced?" ask father.

"Sir, Vara and Viceroy are perfectly fine! Viceroy is a really nice guy and treats Vara very well! But there are things that make us agree to separate," said Vara.

"Is it because of the third person? Is it because of the KDRT?" ask father.

"Truly sir, not because of that" replied Vara.

He stared at Vara.

"Vara, is your husband impotent? Orgasmic weakness? Premature ejaculation? Can't satisfy you well?" ask father.

"Goodbye, Father! It's not like that, sir!" sahut Vara's.

"Well, what on? You really want to know!" sergeant.

"Did that man leave you?" ask father.

"Sir, it was Vara who left Viceroy! Vara asked that we both realize whether our relationship is really based on love or not" Vara replied diplomatically.

"Sir, please respect Vara's decision, Vara is an adult and can determine which is best for Vara" continued Vara.

I returned to sip my tea. The middle-aged man with hair that seemed to start whitening was partially seen thinking.

"Well, Vara, the important thing is that happy Vara is enough" replied the father.

"Thank you, sir," said Vara.

...*****...

Meanwhile, Vara's mother who locked herself in her room immediately picked up the phone. The middle-aged woman felt that God had granted her prayers.

He always prayed that Vara would be separated from his daughter-in-law who he could not be proud of. All this time he always avoided if everyone asked Vara. When all his family knew Vara was married, he always avoided when his family asked about Vara's husband.

What to be proud of a man who only has a handsome face, a handsome face because the man is young. The man was not highly educated, his job was just a carpenter. Vara who has an S2 diploma and has a good job is certainly too good for the man.

"Hello, Mrs Muji, how are you?" ask mom as soon as Bu Muji answers her phone.

"Good news, Miss Slamet, Mom herself how's she doing?" ask Bu Muji.

"I'm always okay! Oh yes, Mrs Muji, I have good news for Riko!" said mother.

"What good news, Miss Slamet?" ask Bu Muji to be curious.

"Please tell Riko that Vara is officially divorced from her husband" the mother said.

"REally?!" said Bu Muji sounding surprised.

"Right, Bu Muji, this is Vara coming here and saying it straight away! Oh, my goodness, it is not in vain that I pray day and night to the Lord! Begging and asking God to match Riko and Vara!" said mom enthusiastically.

"Well, yes, ma'am, maybe this is the way!" said Bu Muji.

"Yes Bu Muji, I'm waiting for Riko's arrival to apply for Vara immediately, Vara will definitely have no reason to refuse Riko's application," said the mother.

"Well, Miss Slamet, I'll tell Riko soon" said Bu Muji.

"Thank you, Ms. Muji, see you later" she said before hanging up.

Mom smiled happily, eventually Vara will marry Riko. Riko who has been the daughter-in-law of her dreams. A smart and highly educated man. Have a good job in a big company and have a position as a manager. He was really looking forward to showing off Riko as his daughter-in-law.

Moreover, Riko had prepared a fantastic dowry for Vara even though Vara was widowed. Riko had even planned to hold a massive wedding reception.

I really can't wait to accompany Vara on the tour. Welcoming all guests with joy for successfully having a daughter-in-law who is very proud of him.