The Pawned Marriage

New Sheet

“Suf, can you find work in the village? Who will take care of Nafisa?” Tanya Siti, Jamila's sister, heard that her sister-in-law was planning to bring Nafisa to Malaysia.

“Betul, Suf, at least here Nafi can be tipped to us,” said Ridwan, her husband.

Yusuf shook his head. “I will not be calm working if Nafi does not come. Sorry, actually I came here to say goodbye, not negotiate.”

“You asked Nafi? Does he want?”

Again Joseph nodded. “Nafi won't be far from Jamila's grave. I don't think being late in grief is healthy for us. Moga in Malaysia we can open a new sheet.”

Siti still disagreed, then asked, “If you work, then whose Nafi is guarding? You are an oil miner, can work weeks.”

“Now I work in the office, so every afternoon I can go home. Most Nafi will be alone every time I go home from school until I get home. But because we live in a mining complex so not just anyone can go in and out.”

“Suf, we sincerely Nafi stay here. He is the same age and familiar with his cousins as well,” firmly Ridwan while glancing at Siti, his wife.

“My decision has been made, Ridwan. Nafi will be coming to Malaysia with me. In shaa Allah we will go home every lebaran.”

Ridwan and Siti satirize.

“When to leave?”

“Later tonight, in shea Allah.”

“Loh, why was Nafi not invited here? We're going to find.”

“Later he was sad. I don't want to add burden to Nafi.”

“Yes already, you guys are fine. Cabin if need help.”

Yusuf nodded towards Ridwan then clenched his hands to his chest while looking towards Siti. After a short chat, he went home.

At home, Nafisa's friends are gathering. The faces of Nafisa and Dian look haphazard.

Nafisa looked at her now empty house. Joseph sold the house and the new owner had already transported the old things because it would carry his own.

Nafisa screamed loudly when her mother's bed was brought. Joseph was helped by the neighbors to calm Nafisa.

His sadness increased because he now had to part with Dian.

“Promise we'll keep calling, tidings,” isak Dian. Her tears are shining.

“I promise. You don't forget me.”

“No, bestie,” said Dian then hugged Nafisa tightly.

“Nafi, we have to leave. The taxi has come,” said Yusuf who had brought several bags and suitcases assisted by the neighbors.

Nafisa said goodbye to all the neighbors who came to say goodbye. During his life, Jamila was very friendly and did not hesitate to help anyone. So did Nafisa grow up to be a fun child.

The mothers wiped the tears that pooled while telling Nafisa not to forget to pray and study diligently.

Before long the green bird taxi took Nafisa and Joseph left the house full of memories.

“Well, we stopped by Mother's grave for a while, yes, plis.”

Joseph nodded as he stroked Nafisa's cheek, draining the rest of the tears. He then ordered the driver to a cemetery at the end of the village.

In front of his mother's grave, Nafisa said goodbye, “Mother, Nafi will go far. It seems that it will not be able to every day nengokin Mother. But Nafi promise every after prayer will pray Mother.”

Joseph also sat beside Nafi, laying his hands on his wife's rest.

“Hopefully this place is a paradise garden for you, Mil. I promise I'll take care of Nafisa. You're fine there, yes.”

After praying for Jamila, the two stayed for a moment then joined hands to the taxi.

Passing through the funeral fence was heard the screams of a group of children.

“Dadah Nafi ... do not forget the same me, yes ..” Nafisa turned her head and found her friends running beside the car. Dian was right next to her window.

From inside the car Nafisa waved until they had to separate at the intersection of the big road to the city.

“Dad ...” Nafisa sobbed and hugged Yusuf.

“Crying, Sweetie. After this we open a new sheet together.”

***

“Nafi, your father just came home.”

“Alhamdulillah, Nafi kangen's. Aunt, Nafi go home first yes, assalamualaykum.”

Nafisa ran across the complex road to her house.

It has not been a year since they lived in Malaysia. Nafisa is very entertained with new friends from various nations who live in the petroleum complex.

That week his father decided to go to another city and leave Nafisa to the front neighbor of the house for a few days.

“Assalamualaykum, Dad ..”

Nafisa was stunned to see a pregnant woman and another older woman sitting in the living room.

“Nafi! Waalaykumussalam .. kangen dad!”

They hugged for a long time even though Nafisa was wondering about the whereabouts of the two women.

Pregnant women who are suffering. Joseph looked at her with a smile.

“Nafi, this is Mother Nina. Mmm, three months ago, Dad married Mother Nina and now Mommy is pregnant with Daddy's child. This is Oma Meli. From today they will stay here so Nafi is not alone anymore.”

Nafisa was trying to digest the sentence that came out of her father's lips.

“Hai Nafi, we'll be best friends. Dad many stories about Nafi,” said a woman named Nina with a smile.

“Kiss hands to Mother and Oma,” Yusuf's word gently.

Although still confused, but Nafisa obeyed his father's orders.

“Well, in the Lord we will be a happy family, yes dear. Nafy need not worry. Father will always love and take care of you,” said Yusuf and hugged his daughter.

Nafisa just nodded.

“Oya tomorrow, I'll help you move things to the front room. Pity Oma to sleep there because the room is small. Nafi doesn't mind, does she?”

Nafisa glanced at the room that was currently used as a storage warehouse.

With a forced smile he nodded.

“Turn us to Likea to buy new furniture. I'll help Fisa decorate a beautiful room. Dad also ordered AC to be installed tomorrow.”

Again Nafisa had no choice but to agree with all her father's plans.

***

“Nafisa! Kan already Mother said, if the iron sheets must be neat. Repeat again!”

Holding back tears, Nafisa said, “Mother, Nafi's hand is tired and has not yet made PR.”

“Capek? Just clean the house just as holy already tired. You lazy boy! Anyway the iron sampe slippery or tomorrow do not need school!”

Nafisa sighed, her hands were already very sore from having to iron three sets of full sheets along with pillowcases, bolsters, and blankets.

Such was the life of Nafisa after her father was transferred to be a supervisor at the mine so that only returned every weekend.

Nafisa becomes a maid for her stepmother and her oma who every day just in front of the television or go to the mall. Before school, Nafisa had to prepare food and after school had to clean the house until late.

Luckily Nafisa has a thin brain so that PR and repetition can be done well even though the learning time is limited to doing homework.

If her father returns, Nafisa will be treated as a princess by Nina and Oma. Of course, after the two threatened to make Nafisa discarded if she dared to complain.

Without his father, Nafisa's life was like hell. All household chores are his responsibility.

Not to mention the punishment received if so tired he overslept. Nina certainly didn't feed him. Nina also forbade Nafisa to use AC even though the front room has no windows, only a wind hole that is not so big.

Neighbors were astonished because Nafisa who was cheerful now became quiet and rarely wanted to be played, but Nina explained that Nafisa was undergoing a transition from children to teenagers.

They also understand and believe in Nina because in front of many people, Nina acted as if she loved her stepson very much.

***

“Nafi, please see adek Farrel, do you need to change popo or not,” pinta his father who is enjoying a weekend off at home.

“Iya, Father.”

If anything happy is the birth of Farrel. A handsome baby who is Nafisa's half-sister.

Slowly, Nafisa felt Farrel's diaper so as not to wake up from her sleep. Accidentally, Nafisa nudged the edge of the bed so Farrel was shocked and cried.

“Sssssh, bobo again yuk, Dek,” said Nafisa while patting her sister.

Nina came in to check. Unexpectedly he snapped, “NAFISA! WHY DID YOU PINCH YOUR SISTER?”

Breath shortened and took a few steps back. Before long, his father came in and looked at him angrily.

“Nafisa? Why the hell are you? I'm sleeping again.”

Strayed, Nafisa hears her mother's accusation.

“No, Dad, Nafi never hurt Adek. Nafi dear Farrel.”

Joseph approached Nafisa and slapped her daughter on the cheek. So hard that Nafisa fell.

Within seconds, Joseph regretted and immediately embraced Nafisa.

“Nafi, sorry, I'm sorry. Sorry Father.”

Nafisa's hand held her hot and red cheeks. His eyes shone deeply in disappointment at his father.

“Mas, just don't want to know, tonight Nafisa has to leave this house!”

“Nin, be patient. Is Farrel hurt?”

“But it can harm. Mama also saw Nafi several times want to hurt her sister. She's not ready to have a sister after ten years as an only child.” Oma supports her son.

“Nafi go or I, Mama, and Farrel will go.”

“Nin, for a minute, don't be like that. My son's breath is also.”

“Then Farrel who?”

Netra Yusuf turned to Nafisa. He sat on his knees to equalize with his daughter.

“Darling, Dad apologized. But it looks like Dad's gonna send you to the dorm. Until Mother calms down. Nafi understands, right?”

“Ngak. Nafy doesn't know where it's wrong. During this time Nafi dear Farrel never once sicken as Mother Nina said.”

“Bastard son! You said Mommy and Oma were lying? Mas, please insist dong same your son. Fine if you can't. I'm the one who went.”

“Nin, briefly.”

“Nafi please love Daddy time to talk about this same Mother. Maybe in the dorm you can be calmer.”

Nafisa said nothing. The ten-year-old was trying to strengthen himself against the storm of disappointment that continued to hit his heart.

“Yuk, Daddy's packing. Let Mother suckle adek here.”

Joseph took Nafisa to his room.

“Heh, Mas, why doesn't Nafi apologize?”

“Honey, sorry to Mother and Oma, then kiss her sister.”

With a wounded heart, Nafisa obeyed her father's orders and moved away to her room.

“Oya Nafi, remote AC is in the drawer just finished repairing it,” said Oma gently.

“AC your room is damaged? It will be hot there if there is no AC.”

“Nafi sleeping with Oma, yes, right?” Unseen by Joseph, Oma looked up at Nafisa.

“Iya,” replied Nafisa.

“Ya already, where, Mah?”

“Tuh on it.” Point Oma to the top drawer.

Without saying much, Yusuf took the AC remote and took Nafisa to his room.

“Mas, anyway Nafisa should be out tonight. I'm worried that he's putting Farrel at risk,” said Nina again.

In the room, Nafisa packed her clothes in silence. There were no tears because he was tired of crying.

Joseph repeatedly glanced at his son. Confused who to believe. Nafisa has a soft heart but Nina is also unlikely to throw slander.

“Bawa to taste. You won't be there long. If Mommy has calmed down, Daddy will pick up again.”

Nafisa's hand grabbed a photo of her mother tucked away in the nightstand drawer. Nina did not allow any photos of Jamila in her room.

Yusuf stunned.

“Why are your photos not installed?”

“Mmm ... because it makes kangen and cry,” the answer is short.

“If the photos of the three of us fit in Dufan?”

“Nafi save also.”

“Mbak Nafi,” says Father.

Nafisa gasped, her father had not called himself as Mbak Nafi as it used to be done before the presence of Nina and her mother.

“Dad's Cuddle,” Joseph's pinta while hand-stringing.

Can't stand it, Nafisa slammed into his father's arms. As much as possible to withstand the cry of wanting to obey the advice of his mother must be a strong and strong man.

“Mba Nafi don't worry. Dad will be picked up soon and we will live happily like when Mother Mila is still there.”

Nafisa biting lips. In his heart he said, “Nothing can bring happiness to Nafi except Mother Mila.”

They hugged for quite a while until Nina appeared at the door.

“Ayo Mas, spit between Nafisa. Later kemalaman.”

Joseph sighed and then broke his embrace. Taking Nafisa's bag and holding her out of the house to the car.

***

“Bu Reni, this is Nafi. I came with my wife a few weeks ago asking for accommodation and school for my daughter. Looks like starting tonight, Nafisa will be here.”

“Oh good. Madam Mila also said.”

Nafisa's forehead was frowned upon hearing the conversation of Joseph and the woman named Reni.

“Dad, indeed before Daddy and Mommy want to send me here?” Nafisa asked with a choked voice.

“Betul, Darling. This hostel is one of the best. Hence Mother wants to send you here.”

“Nafi, it's night now. Tomorrow, I'll take you to see the facilities here. Surely you like.”

Joseph looked at his son.

“Mbak Nafi, I promise to pick up soon. Always pray hard. Do not forget to pray Mother Mila.”

“In the Lord, Nafi will never forget to pray for Father and Mother.”

“Thank you for understanding. I'm sure I can talk to Mother Nina.”

“Dad, never one bit of Nafi sakin Adek Farrel. Nafi just hope Dad believes.”

Joseph tightened his embrace. It was not easy to leave her daughter there.

“Honey, patience, yes.”

“In shaa Allah, Father.”

Unable to look at Nafisa's face, Joseph immediately turned to leave his daughter without looking back.

Ms. Reni said Nafisa was still staring at her father who walked straight to the parking lot.

“Come, I visit your room. You will share it with three peers. Almost forgot. It's weekly allowance. Tired because it will be shared again next week.”

Bu Reni embraces Nafisa and guides her up the stairs.

In the car, Yusuf hit the steering wheel. I don't know what, but he has a hunch that he won't see his daughter again.

The hape is ringing again.

“Assalamualaykum, Where is Mas? Quick home Farrel fever.”

“Waalaykumussalam,” Yusuf replied in a hoarse voice.

“Mas ..”

“Iya. I just want to leave. How hot is it?”

“Lumayan, I dare not love paracetamol. We have to take it to the emergency hall.”

“Yes yes, Mas otw.”

Joseph started the car, he turned to the lobby hoping that Nafisa was still standing there. Not seeing anyone, Yusuf runs his car out of the dorm yard.

At home, Nina said to her mother, “Mah, ready for a warm blanket. Later I will wear it to Farrel so his body as a fever.”

“Already Ready. Have you given me instructions for tomorrow?”

“Already, Mah. Tomorrow, that son of a bitch won't bother us anymore.”

***