The Pawned Marriage

Manten Anyar

That morning at Mikail's house there was a furore. The groom-to-be insists on coming two hours early to the bride-to-be's house.

Yusuf and Rafiq who were in charge of accompanying had been overwhelmed.

“Do not, Mas. This hour Madam Dian is still dressed. Patience tho. The pengantene can hang if Mas come now.”

“I can wait on the terrace, right Oom,” Mikail replied with a patchwork face.

“No way, sit here. Reading exercise ijab kabul.” Joseph's voice sounded firm.

Finally Michael sat beside Joseph after being forced by Rafiq who, despite his age, had the strength of a young army.

“Come how does the akad sound?”

Mikail berdehem's.

“I received the marriage and marriage of Dian Fitri Kusumo with the dowry, cash!”

“Ngot legit!”

“Loh how?” Mikail turned towards Rafiq with a nyolot look.

“Ya is not legal, right? His guardian Dian is not here,” replied Rafiq casually.

“Berantem, yuk, Shaykh.”

More fun, Rafiq replied, “Later you bonyok.”

Mikail moved to attack Rafiq but was arrested with a walking stick belonging to Yusuf.

“Sit! Or Oom tell Mbak Nafi to come here.”

Hearing the threat, Mikail immediately sat down, not wanting to find a storm with a woman named Nafisa Salsabila who was getting older and even more fierce.

“We leave one hour from now as planned. Now Mas njai used to be next to Oom to calm down and all smoothly.”

Mikail then opened the application in his hape and chanted the holy verses. During his time in Banyuwangi he had studied with an ustadz so that he was now able to read the Qur’an well.

Suddenly Mikail stopped.

“I miss Bude Maryam.”

“There's still time to tell.”

Mikail pondered for a moment.

“If Bude gets to know where I am, surely he and Zayn will be here soon. What about Nafisa? Is it ready?”

Joseph held Mikail's shoulder, moved by how the man was protecting Nafisa.

“Thank you for taking care of my daughter. But now there's Oom. You have to focus on keeping Dian and Aisya as well as your children later.”

“Pardon us from the Malik family who have been mean to the princess Oom. If you will, consider me as your son too, the sister of Nafisa. From childhood my parents died. Bude raised me. It would be great if I could also be part of the Oom.” family

“Sini, Nak.”

Joseph hugged Mika like a father to his son.

Then the middle-aged man broke down his embrace and gave advice.

“Nak, even though Nafisa already you consider a sister, but the priority is in your little family. You and Nafisa are still not mahrams so take care of your eyes, keep Dian feeling. That's a condition from Dad.”

Mikail tightened her embrace.

“In the Lord, Father. Mika will not waste Dian and Aisya.”

“Learn to be a priest, husband, protector for your wife and children. Until death do us part. Educate your wives and children to be obedient servants of God so that you may gather in the highest heaven. Endow your wife is born and inward. Do not first ask for rights, but give love and affection then you will get more than you expect from a woman.”

Mika rubbed the corner of her eyes. Left by his father since his youth, he never got advice on how to be a man to behave after marriage.

“Still, Dad. Don't hesitate to remind me if my steps deviate. Pray Mikail too so that one day can bring Dian and Aisya to get acquainted with Bude.”

“Aamiin, aamiin. Do it whenever you want, son. A strong woman's breath. And if things don't go well, Dad will take him to Dubai to stay there.”

“Agree!” Cetus Shaykh Rafiq who had been following the talks of Joseph and Michael.

“Mr Yusuf has a large and spacious house. Not to mention enough treasure for Madame Nafisa and her child. Gratitude-gratitude to get a handsome Sheikh.”

“No way. No more marriage,” reply Nafisa who suddenly appeared.

After kissing her father's hand, Nafisa looked at Mikail.

“Udah ready, Brother?”

Joseph and Rafiq immediately snorted.

“If he can hang in Dian's yard, he tuh tuh,” said Rafiq half annoyed because it has been undermined from the morning by the grooms super-beauty.

Not answering, Mika just sneered while putting on a blangkon.

“Yuk ..”

“Eh Dian is still being dressed, I stopped by to nemenin Daddy love a gift to Sister.”

“Lah was ready?”

“Any mental, Brother. Dad, where's the prize?”

Joseph took out an envelope and handed it to Mikail.

“Hopefully useful to both of you.”

Netra Mikail.

“Four

“Package umroh at once honeymoon to Turkey! Dad, thank you.“

Mikail hugged Joseph tightly. Since leaving the Malik family, Mikail is no longer a wealthy man. He lived off the few deposits he had taken before going to follow Nafisa as well as the results of the business he had in Banyuwangi.

“Kok Brother calls him Dad?” Nafisa glanced at Mikail and her father alternately.

“Now I'm your sister.”

“Yah?” Tanya Nafisa wanted to make sure.

“Mikail I consider my own son. But remember your bloodline is not mahram.”

“Hai Sister. Ouch ...”

Nafisa held her stomach with a grimacing face.

Three men panicked.

“Ngak what, this Debay follow happy so immediately kicked. Yes already, I went to Dian's house, when it's ready, Brother I called ya.”

“I deliver, rather than stress here nemenin penganten bawel,” said Rafiq stepped out heeding Yusuf who tried to prevent it.

***

Dian's finished, sitting in front of the mirror. Ms. Wati, her in-laws are staring at her.

“Dian, Happy mother you will be getting married again soon. All these years you endured longing and love for Andika. Now it's time to knit a new leaf. Genuine mother, Nak.”

“Mother, thank you for being a second mother to Dian and Eyang Mother to Aisyah. Dian did not think how to get through this all if there is no Mom.”

“You considered your own flesh and blood. Now happy. Don't forget about Mom, huh?”

“Ngot going! I have to be a second mother to Dian. I have to stay close to Dian, can't go anywhere.”

Wati fix the jasmine roncean embedded in Dian's veil and then kiss the forehead that oernah became the wife of her late son.

“Dian, before Andika left for the assignment, she left a letter. If he doesn't come back, he's already sent you to Mom. He wants this letter given when you are about to start a new life.”

Wati handed her a light purple colored envelope with a dry flower patch on it.

Netra Dian glazed. In the past, Andika always sent letters from wherever he served if not allowed to talk by phone.

Dian received an envelope. Not directly opening, he put it on the dressing table.

“Mother get out first. Ojo cry. Make up later fade. Salah jen ibu kasih now, but yo Dika pesene that,” said Ibu Wati while closing the door.

Seeing the figure of her mother-in-law already out, Dian grabbed the envelope. The last thing Andika left for her.

Slowly opening the envelope, do not want to damage because of the glue that sticks.

A piece of paper matching the color of the envelope with the writing of her late husband. Again Dian pressed the paper to his chest. His eyes were closed withstanding emotions.

When he was ready, he started reading.

Assalamualaykum, dear,

How are you doing? Deg-degan, huh? But I'm sure you must be pretty.

Dian, Honey. Be happy with the man who will marry you soon. Love him and find your happiness.

(Okay, I'm short of breath. Imagining his love for Mas alongside other men.)

Honey, thank you for letting me know. Believe me, I have a good life. A wonderful wife and a fallen Mas defend the earth.

Let Mas remain a memory that you keep beautiful in your mind. Someone who at the end of his life imagines your sweet smile before saying tahlil.

I love you so much. Say hello to the lucky man who managed to invite you.

Tell him that Mas will haunt him if he doesn't treat you with love. (Handering ding. Uh really.)

Don't cry, the beauty will fade. Do I always say that before I leave?

Always happy, yeah, baby. I love you forever.

Andika Ardianto

Slowly she walked into her closet. From under the pile of clothes he took out pictures of Andika.

“You will always be a great memory for me. Even for our children. Aisya always thought her father was a super hero. Allow me to live a new life with Mas Mikail, yes. Don't bother ghosting him, you just calm down there,” he said with a chuckle.

“Mas, my prayers are always with you. May your life be there. Aamiins. I'll get ready first, yeah. I love you still.”

For a while, Dian still looked at the pictures of her husband, then took the carved box on top of the closet.

Photographs of Andika there. Also the last letter written for her along with other letters during her husband's assignment.

After locking the box, he returned it to the top of the closet. Put the key on the bedside nightstand that will be used with Mikail.

Dian thinks that Mikail should know that she is a woman with a past. The beautiful memories of her late husband will always be stored and Mikail will hold the key.

The door to the room is open. Nafisa looked in looking for her best friend.

“Di .. “

“Hey, Bestie.”

“Maa shaa Allah, your beauty. Pantes Kak Mika klepek.”

“What the hell you are, gemes deh,” said Dian while pretending to stab Nafisa's waist with her finger.

“Ouch ..”

“Eh why? Violence then? Sorry .. sorry.”

“Neither Si Debay again over excited about marriage.”

Nafisa then sat on the dressing chair.

“I have something. Must accept and must be used.”

From her bag, Nafisa took out a city of dark blue velvet.

Dian's eyes sparkled and then dimmed.

“No, definitely expensive. I don't want to, you also need to make a loan and raise a child. Gosh gosh? Do you not take it from the savings that the Malik family loves? Later they know where you are, loh.”

Nafisa was just a whimper and replied.

“Don't get too GR, open it first. Bawel salatan.”

Dian sneaked towards her best friend then took the box and opened it.

Inside there is a black pebble.

“Fatitude?”

“Naudzubillah, I still want to go to heaven. It's a symbol don't let you two be stone-hearted. Especially eating stones. Try your hardest to live a new life.”

“Yes is Lust, that too ay understand keleus. Wise but failed,” cetus Dian with a big laugh responding to the snickering of her best friend.

Nafisa also chuckled.

“Stand first, your back veil is stuck. Here I am for real.”

Dian also stood facing the mirror, letting her best friend tidy up her veil from behind.

Suddenly Nafisa paired a necklace strand with a beautiful pendant.

“Thank you for remembering me. Even when I myself can't remember myself.”

“Nafi ... very good.” Dian is stunned by the tiny diamond necklace that now hangs around her neck.

“Like?”

“Banget. I'm repotin you.”

“Ngak, my dear Bestie. We are sodara. Sutil and frying pan. I can't get through this now without you. Happy always, yes.”

“I also always pray for your happiness. Hopefully you can get together again with Aurelie and Milo.”

“Aamiin yes Allah.”

The two friends hugged each other.

“You want me to call Brother Mika? From earlier he made dizzy Dad and Shaykh for insisting on waiting for you and on the terrace.”

Dian blushed in embarrassment.

“You didn't have to marry Zayn and not Mika?”

“One time no, In. Mikail Malik was created for you.”

Nafi and Dian were silent while stunned then laughed out loud.

“Gelaaay! Already ah. You tell Mika if I'm ready, yes.”

“I called Dad, after a thought. Not good because sister Mika bertar again be your husband. I don't want to be a mosquito between klean.”

“Sempring. Yowis phone.”

Once again Dian pegs herself in the mirror while Nafisa informs her father if the bride-to-be is ready.

Staring through the reflection of the mirror with her best friend, Nafisa raised her thumb indicating everything was perfect.

“Sip, five minutes nyampe.”

Dian frowned.

“Then I was escorted by the Shaykh, Mikail called and insisted we return to pick him up. As a result after I was dropped here, they waited at the end of the road. Shaykh Rafiq has been very much the same as your future husband.”

Dian blushed, imagining a man impatiently marrying her.

“I didn't make a wrong move, did I? I don't know his family.”

“But I know. Sister Mika is a good person. He really likes a lot, but does not want to use women. Educated by Mother Maryam. Believe me, he is not the type of man who easily wants to be close to women. The fact that he is persistent waiting for you to be ready is a sign that mantaff right.”

Again Dian breathed.

“Bu Maryam would have liked it, yes. I'm the widow of one child, a village woman.”

Nafisa.

“Ngeledek you. I'm a widow of two children, with no past. He was very supportive of me marrying his son. Fate aja akutu married twice as men gemblung.”

The door to the room is open. Miss Romlah and Miss Wati came in to pick up Dian.

“Mas Mikail has arrived. God, Yes, In. Lucky you dapet prospective husband guanteng tenan,” said Ms. Romlah.

“Udah dateng? Not even five minutes,” asked Dian astonished while Nafisa again chuckled.

“Prepared yes. Mika's sister is the way she thinks extreme. Romantic radicals. May your marriage be happy and exciting. Many children.”

Nafisa then stepped out of the room to join her father.

Romlah back to look after his son.

“Honey, may you live as a heavenly person,” he said full of affection.

“Aamiin. Thanks Mom,” reply Dian, hugging her biological mother.

“Dian Darling, you will always be Mom's son. You've read the letter from Andika, right? Happy, she and mom are so much more than sincere.”

Dian hugged the mother of her late husband tightly.

“Ijin kan Dian to marry again, yes Ma'am. Memories for Mas Andika have been saved as a beautiful past. Now and forever, I'm still Dian and Eyang's mother I made Aisya.”

Dian then kissed the reverent hand of Miss Romlah and Miss Wati.

Then slowly they walked out towards the boardroom.

There Mikail can't wait for Dian. Aisya cheered to see her mother coming but remained orderly sitting beside Nafisa.

Joseph was a witness on the part of Michael. The marriage guardian is one of Paklik from Dian's side because his father is dead.

Dian's heart was beating faster. His Netherworld sat with Mikail who looked at him with a smile.

Though nervous, Mikail is more than ready to open a new chapter in life with Dian and Aisya by her side.

Penghulu gave the marriage sermon and came when Mikail shook Paklik's hand tightly and said the words that bound him.

“I received the marriage and marriage of Dian Fitri Kusumo with the dowry in cash.”

“How, witness? Valid?” Ask penghulu.

“Sah!” The two witnesses said in unison.

After that Mikail put a hand to Dian's forehead and then said a prayer, “Allahumma inni as'aluka min khoiriha wa khoirimaa jabaltaha 'alaih. Wa a'udzubika min syarrihaa wa syarrimaa jabaltaha 'alaih. O Allah, I ask You for His goodness and the good that You have set upon him

Dian kissed the reverence on the back of Mikail's hand which showed respect.

Aisya immediately rushed towards Dian and Mikail.

“Bapak ..”

Mikail immediately held the little boy and pinched his gnarled cheek.

“Iya now Pakde has become the Father of Aisya. Nope?”

“Alhamdulillah,” replied Aisya and then wrapped her hands around Mikail's neck. His head rested on his new father's shoulders.

Nafisa stood up to congratulate when suddenly the sound of water spilling.

“Yes Allah, Nafisa!”

***