The Wasted Bride

Starting Point

Me and Mehmet are in the back garden.

Not only the two of you, of course, with my other family, but also Abba and Amma. They were enjoying small snacks made by me and Aunt Claire after eating earlier.

"So what are your plans for Arwaa?" Sis Mehmet asked, breaking the silence between us.

There was still disappointment in his face. Even so, no doubt keep giving her smile to me.

"InshaAllah wants to continue my education Brother."

"You're going to college?"

I nodded in agreement.

"In Indonesia?"

"No Brother. InshaAllah at UOC (University of Calgary). I want to major in nursing there," I explained.

"Calgary? Where will you live?"

"Maybe dorm. But I don't know, I still don't know the truth, because about where to stay, Uncle Jhonny said he'd take care of it. Hehe," I'm ashamed.

Brother Mehmet sighed. He looks more relaxed.

"Haa... Good then. But you have to be careful because you will live alone" he said.

"Why not in Toronto. Let's get one campus with Naina, and be close to your family too" he continued.

I can catch the worry on his face making me feel bad.

"InshaAllah I'll be fine Brother."

"Please promise to call your sister whenever you need something in Calgary. And don't forget to always tell your situation every day to Naina," she said with a sad look.

Kak Mehmet's concern and concern rattled my heart. I never got these two things from Aldair when he was his wife.

Makes me suddenly want to always get the attention and affection of this man.

Athaghfirullah!

Instantly I shook my head to wake up to this almost consumed by demonic seduction.

It is true that when a woman and a man are not alone, the third among them is Satan.

"I... Inshallah... Brother need not worry because there is Uncle Jhonny and also God who will always take care of me."

I squeezed both my hands out the loud thump in this self.

I must not change my mind after rejecting Kak Mehmet's previous proposal just because of this momentary temptation.

"Pulse... Excuse me, brother. Help Aunt Claire. Assalamu'alaikum," I said without looking back at Mehmet.

Not far off I stepped, Kak Mehmet's screams stopped my feet.

Along with all who were there, stopped their activities.

"Withy! You are my biggest reason to keep fighting and changing for the better than ever. I hope you will remember!"

I still flinch at my position without any intention of turning around.

Abba and Amma gave their sad smiles. While my other family stared in curiosity at the reply I was about to give.

Oxygen seemed to shrink around me under different pressures from everyone in the park.

I closed my eyes for a moment and scooped out the remaining air.

I can feel the cold sweat running down my neck.

Don't get the wrong word and just give false hope.

I turned around even though this heart was reluctant if I had to look again at the disappointment that would be painted in the look of the man I had considered like my own brother.

"Thank you for your intention. But I want Big Brother to change with God's Ridho is the purpose of Brother,"

"I am nothing more than a servant who cannot escape the multitude of faults and sins. It would be inappropriate if Big Brother kept such great expectations on me, only disappointment would Brother be able to if he wished for such a false hope,"

"For that, if you expect happiness from humans then, leave one room to keep disappointed," I clearly looked at the man.

I quickly nodded and immediately passed from before him.

Prefer to go back into the room rather than being in a very awkward situation because of the incident earlier.

***

'Tok... Geck... Tok'

The knock on the door made me stop reading the Holy Quran after performing the Maghrib prayer.

"Uncle what's wrong?" I asked as soon as I found Uncle Jhonny who was knocking on the door.

"Can Uncle come in?"

"Yes Uncle. Please."

Uncle Jhonny also took a position to sit on the single sofa where I used to read books.

His eyes followed my movements that were clearing the prayer rug earlier.

"What's Uncle?"

I asked again as soon as I finished everything and sat on the bed facing him.

Uncle Jhonny seemed to sigh for a moment.

"I'm sorry your grandfather is yes" he said looking at her heartily.

I smiled understandably.

Remembering the incident when Grandpa Harry ignored me at dinner and snorted as he passed me by.

Even Grandma Xin and Aunt Claire had grumbled upset because of Grandpa's behavior that they thought was childish.

It seems like Grandpa is indeed disappointed with me who rejected the proposal of Kak Mehmet which he thinks will give a lot of benefits for me and my family.

Although I understand Grandpa's feelings since he always praised the kindness of the Ghifari family even though the reality is like that. Still don't make me change my mind about accepting their oldest son's proposal.

I don't want anything that happened before again. The failure of my marriage with Aldair also began from an arranged marriage that was not agreed by one of the parties.

Finally it only causes suffering and leaves wounds.

"It's okay Uncle. I understand if Grandpa behaves like that, after all he just wants the best for me,"

I play my fingers.

"I should be the one apologizing for disappointing you and also bothering you."

"Don't talk like that Arwaa. You are our family too."

Uncle Jhonny grabbed me into his arms making me sob.

I am so grateful to myself despite so many worries and fears of loneliness if parting with Aldair because it will make me far from his family which I have also considered like my own family.

I have these tears that make Uncle Jhonny smile.

"It's a cry" his taunting made me frown.

"Name!" Whinekku pissed.

It's funny myself when I act spoiled to Uncle.

Really, the existence of Uncle Jhonny can make me feel the love again like from my own parents.

"Uncle is only worried later when you are in Calgary if it continues to be whiny like this," he said with a witty smile, teasing me.

"Yes, it won't be Uncle. I've been independent and used to myself ever since..."

Uh!

Uncle was silent and so was I. Unknowingly this conversation brought me back to the lonely times of being ignored by my ex-husband.

"Eyeum..."

"It is better that you prepare the things that you will bring to Calgary the day after tomorrow. That's where you're gonna live in Uncle's apartment,"

"Don't worry. There you will not be lonely because the neighbors of Uncle's apartment are all friendly. Uncle is sure you guys will be instantly familiar," he explained breaking the silence.

"Yes Uncle."

***