The Young Wife's Rhyme

5. Facing a New Day

God, god,

I understand that your every plan is the best

God, god,

Although your way of showing destiny is a joke, I am sincere

God, god,

So when the wind of a third of the night breathes my prayer, will my request be only a false shadow?

God, god,

It is okay for me to accept the destiny line that You have drawn.

But God, though,

Should I protest this time?

Is this really the best?

Whisper to me Lord, through the shadow of the sunset,

Through the melodious strains of flutes that decorate the twilight on the beach,

Through the chirping of birds crowing the top of the hill in the morning.

God, god,

I await Your answer.

Danisa Ainun Mahya's

I

looking at the mirror that displays the reflection of my face that has been polished thin makeup. I tried to move my lips so I could smile.

It hard.

It's very difficult.

In the end, today came. The day I'm gonna be the wife of a man I've never even met. Let alone his face, even his name I don't know.

It's unbelievable. But in fact, all this happened to me.

My mind is empty now. I don't know what to do after this. Although Umi for a whole month has often taught me various things about the ins and outs of the household, along with typical parents' dishes, but in fact all did not help.

I married a stranger. Of course, it's not gonna be easy, is it?

It feels so weird. I guess, everything about matchmaking with strangers only exists in fiction novels and television series. I never thought I would experience it myself. Hopefully I also have a happy ending like the main character in the novel.

Tok Tok!

The knock on the door of the room instantly broke my daydream. I smiled when I saw Ghina come in with her own face.

I can even read the guilty look on her sweet face.

“Kak, sorry I.” Ghina stormed into my arms, so tightly that it made me want to shed tears.

Ah, I'm such a crybaby.

“Why are you sorry?” I asked gently, stroking the top of my sister's head.

“Silver sacrificed for me and my sisters, sorry we brother if you can not be a good sister and often bothers Kak Nisa.”

Ghina was sobbing more and more, making my feelings go back. I do not blame my brothers, I myself decided to throw myself into this match, despite Abi's indebtedness. I just thought, it would all be easier if I obeyed.

I smile. However, I must not cry because it will make Ghina worry and blame herself even more. Of course, I have to be strong for myself and my sisters.

Ghina eventually nodded and stopped whining. Right after, I was asked to get ready because the marriage contract was about to start.

God, may this be the best for everyone.

***

“I received the marriage and marriage of Danisa Ainun Mahya bint Zulkifli, with the dowry of a set of prayer tools, and cash of ten million rupiah paid in cash.”

“How's witness? Valid?”

“Sah.”

“Alhamdulillah.”

The roar of the voices of the people attending the event felt buzzing in my ears. Their voices were earthy, overlapping made my head spin violently.

Today finally came.

The fact that I was now officially the wife of a stranger I didn't know, made me daze. No. gabe. I want to run. Half of me still doesn't accept this situation.

How then?

Rice has become porridge. It all happened so quickly, it made me realize that I had absolutely no power to simply refuse.

I was startled by my makeup artist who suddenly opened the bridging link between my room and the groom. Yes, I will even see my husband's face after he has been officially tied by the marriage contract. The procession itself adjusts the Islamic religious law that separates the bride and groom, and will only

it was found when the word was spoken from the mouths of witnesses.

I was still down when my makeup artist led me to come closer and sit down with my husband. I don't know why I didn't have the courage to look up and look at my husband's face.

Of course I kept to my parents telling me to kiss the back of the man's hand, I mean the man who is now my husband. But I was still overshadowed by fear to see what he looked like.

“Thank you for accepting my proposal, Danisa Ainun Mahya.”

The man spoke softly, his deep voice sounding authoritative. I nodded small, not knowing what to respond to.

Seeing me who was silent and not smiling at all, Umi immediately approached me. Umi did not speak, just looked at me gently, smiling while stroking the back of my hand slowly. As usual, his touch always calmed me down.

In the end I ventured to look up, forcing my lips to smile. With the tail of my eyes, I glanced at my husband who was welcoming guests with his friendly face.

I'm tergugu. Looking at that man's face that looked radiant when smiling. It seemed to force anyone to submit to his smile, which I admitted was very beautiful.

Unknowingly, I smiled at her smile.

Right, that guy is young. Probably hasn't reached the age of three heads. His body posture is tall dashing with mature sapodilla skin that somehow looks exotic.

When he looked at me, our eyes met. The radiance of her eyes looked sparkling, like she had a million charms in them. I'm trapped. Can't dwell for a while.

“Maybe we will be awkward for some time to come, but if you need anything, please feel free to ask me yes, Danisa.”

My husband smiled again, making me pull my lips back with the same smile. My feelings gradually improved seeing her figure, especially her stares.

Alright Danisa, let's get excited. You seem to have a good husband. I was busy self-injuring.

Not far from my sight, Umi stood looking at me with teary eyes. Umi hugged Ghina who was sobbing, and both of my little sisters seemed to be taken away by Abi.

Umi, I'll be fine. I'll try to be a good wife.

Pray for me always, Umi, so that I can sail this household ark with happiness. I will try to accept this marriage with a big heart.

I painted my most beautiful smile to Umi and Ghina. I hope they understand that I'm okay. That I'll only make wonderful memories in life after the wedding. Facing a new day of being a wife.

Yeah, I hope so.