The Secret Marriage of the Teacher

The Play

“Why can you come with Papi ?’ gabriela asked as the two walked hand in hand down the street in the Old City.

 

Again they have to play like a happy couple and Gabriela has to admit that Jonathan is very good as a character player.

 

“Why do you always have to ask to get the same answer ? Not bored ?”

 

“So the hotel that I have stayed so far is also prepared by Papi ?”

 

Jonathan was silent, reluctant to answer the question because he did not want to be fouled with the next question.

 

“Why are you carrying so much tonight ? Did the tripe fried rice that went into your stomach make your energy go overboard?” jonathan replied with a cynical smile.

 

Gabriela sighed. Since then the man beside her though clasped his hands tightly, but his face and attitude were still annoying, cold and cynical, even Jonathan was reluctant to look at Gabriela as he spoke.

 

Gabriela let go of her hand from Jonathan's grasp until the man turned his head, but had not yet spoken, the girl had caught up with the three people in front of her and was struggling spoiled in Papi Hendri's arms.

 

“Basic spoiled girl,” grunts Jonathan with a veiled face.

 

“I want to eat gelato there,” Gabriela pointed to one old building that is at the end of the Old City road.

 

“Yakin already this evening want to eat sweet?” tanya Papi glanced at her daughter.

 

“It looks like Gaby needs extra energy, Pi. After this he wants to enjoy the city of Semarang by walking to the hotel,” ledek Jonathan who knows already standing next to his wife.

 

“Cie cie, there is a husband here. The farther the distance, the more beautiful it feels,” led Jenny while laughing.

 

“Cold too, Jen ? Find a girlfriend there or if you need to find a prospective husband kayak Brother,” said Jonathan while chuckling.

 

“I again wait for mama's friend who suddenly came and said that his handsome boy has been betrothed to me,” Jenny said glancing at Mama Hani.

 

“Uncreative child,” Mama Hani pinches Jenny's arm until the girl grimaces.

 

“Makanya so a daughter do not be too thin like your brother, where there are men who dare to approach if you always put the face of war.”

 

“Ma, I did not ketus, the proof is that my wife is in love with me so we can be betrothed,” protest Jonathan.

 

Jonathan acted again, his hand without permission to embrace Gabriela who was still holding Papi's arm. The girl looked up and glared but Jonathan did not care that he even smiled happily.

 

“Do not be affectionate in front of singles,” grumbled Jenny with a pouty face.

 

Papi, Mama and Jonathan just laughed while Gabriela was still staring at her husband who was getting good at the show. Jonathan glanced at his wife and smiled cynically at the tip of her lips.

 

Jonathan's presence with Papi makes Gabriela's vacation more colorful, but at the same time makes him careless because he has to play in front of Papi, Mama and Jenny.

Gabriela's spirit vanished and she chose to return to Jakarta even though Mama had offered to continue her vacation to Yogyakarta.

“Later to end of year, Ma.”

 

 

*****

 

Jonathan returned as usual without caring about Gabriela who still has 10 days left before entering the new school year.

 

“What is the school meeting always until night ?” gabriela asked while sitting on the bedside as Jonathan was getting ready to leave for work.

 

Gabriela could no longer borrow Jenny's room or find an excuse to sleep with her sister-in-law. He was forced to room again with Jonathan and the man still did not allow his wife to sleep in one bed with him.

 

Gabriela frowned seeing Jonathan as if not hearing his question, the man was still busy tying his tie.

 

“I am the same Father, it is hard to answer ! What questions do I need to use the new formula until you have to think long to answer it ?”

 

“Do not care and I do not have to report all my activities to you. Did you forget that this wedding was only on paper ? Don't act like you're a real wife, ” ketus Jonathan with a cynical face.

 

“The truth is I am a real wife, legally and religiously legitimate. I need to know where you go to work every day but until night. I do not want if suddenly there are people sending photos or report you again cheating. At least as long as we still live at home let alone room, please you appreciate my feelings.”

 

“So right my guess, right ?“ Jonathan laughed mockingly. He stood in front of Gabriela who was still sitting on the edge of the bed.

 

 “You are in real love with me so you are afraid of heartache if you find me looking for love out there.”

 

“Not because it's !” Gabriela stood up and challenged Jonathan's gaze. 

 

“Contin ?”

 

“Bapak did not forget about the reason we did the wedding on this paper, right ? If Papi is not sick, I will definitely refuse my mother's will and find a husband who really loves me. But at the moment Papi is sick.”

 

Gabriela paused for a moment, adjusting her hunting breath due to emotions and several times swallowed her saliva before continuing to speak.  He threw a glance in the other direction, not wanting Jonathan to see his eyes glazed over.

 

“Doctor says Papi's age only counts days, whether until when Om Dharma does not dare to say. So please, as long as Papi lives his days in this condition, don't create a scandal that could make Papi worried and even speed up his time. I beg.”

 

Gabriela ventured to look at Jonathan even though her eyes were wet. His heart was racing and his breathing was slightly stingy, disorganized as it still held back the emotions.

 

Jonathan's heart was slightly pinched as he saw the face of the girl in front of him crying with tears that broke without him being able to hold back. He clenched both of his hands at the side, trying to resist the urge to hug Gabriela.

 

“I'm not your peers who put emotions first when making decisions. I do not forget my intention to marry you and certainly I will not be rash in acting especially regarding the health of Papi.”

 

Jonathan leaves Gabriela still in tears. He could not face the girl any longer, especially when their eyes were staring at each other. The status of the husband that is often echoed by Mama sometimes unknowingly makes his heart want to protect Gabriela as his wife.

 

To be honest, there was an urge within Jonathan to hug Gabriela, patting her on the back giving a young girl a roller coaster ride of her life.

After hearing many stories from Papi Hendri, Jonathan's conscience begins to disturb his calm, especially many times Papi Hendri always beg Jonathan to guard and protect Gabriela until the girl is strong enough to be released alone.

But Jonathan is determined, this marriage is only a promise and responsibility to make parents happy. There will be no love between them and he has fortified himself so that there is no gap and let Gabriela into his life.

 

Once he does a good thing to Gabriela, the girl can be misguided and may even make Gabriela more hurt because of what she does not because of a husband's love for his wife, but more on a man's responsibility on his promise.