WRONG MARRIAGE

135.

After Arkhan's departure, Zalfa's gaze was fixed on Reza who was still struggling.

“Sister Zalfa, I'm sorry. I'm just doing this to please Atifa. I didn't mean to hurt you at all. I'm sorry, Brother,” said Reza who felt sorry for Zalfa, considering Zalfa is Arkhan's wife. That status made Zalfa looked upon respectfully by Reza.

Zalfa did not answer. His own mind felt chaotic upon knowing the true events. He actually wanted to punish Reza who had trapped him, but he chose to hold everything that was raging in his chest.

“Do you know, your actions are truly damned and inappropriate. Just for your purposes, you even sacrificed us. I swear, may God punish you for this,” growled Zalfa with a sharp look towards Reza. Then Zalfa turned towards Atifa. His sister-in-law stared back with an erratic look.

“This is the real Atifa?” Zalfa's eyes glazed over. “This is a reply for Mas Ismail? What is the lack of Mas Ismail, Ma'am? He's a very noble nice guy as a husband, and Mbak just stabbed him in the back.”

“Don't raise your mas in front of me, Zalfa.” Atifa's eyes look pushy. “If I'm honest, I'm not happy with Ismail. He can't give me anything. As long as I'm married to her, what has she given me? Just this ring as a dowry.”

Zalfa was shocked to hear Atifa's confession. “If Mbak really wants material from him, why did Mbak not be frank with him and demand the desire of Mbak to him? Why are you doing this?”

“Do I and Mas Ismail need to talk about this to you? I have often asked Mas Ismail to give me something more, but he has never been able to give me anything I want. Every time I demanded it, he could only lecture me with his religious words. He asked me to be patient, take care, and be grateful for his gift. That's it goes on. Am I wrong if I want to live happily?”

“I inner pressure, Zalfa. I could never have what I wanted. Cars, big houses, pretty bags, everything. And through Arkhan, I can have it.”

“Astaghfirullahaladzim..” Zalfa wiped the tears running down his cheeks. He felt hurt at the confession of his brother-in-law. His heart was already sore when he knew the mastermind of the trap in the hotel room was Atifa, plus Atifa's confession that blatantly hurt Ismail. Why would anyone hurt when they found out Ishmael was betrayed?

“I regret why I only now know who you are, all this time Mas Ismail kept crocodiles in his house. Turns out this is the behavior behind your hijab.” Zalfa stepped away and got into his car. His tears still continued to drip as the car was already speeding up.

God, it hurts to know the truth. That it turns out that the person he loved had betrayed only for the sake of wealth until finally he and Arkhan became victims of adultery. Even during this time Zalfa never kissed the gelagat Atifa which actually often demands a lot of things on Ishmael. While Ismail can only give money as he can.

Zalfa does not mind Atifa's past, which turns out to be a woman of the night, who plays crazy with men just for money if now Atifa has turned into a pious woman. For Zalfa, the most important thing is morality after repentance. But it turns out that Atifa is still continuing her illegal activities, proven she is still dating Reza when Ismail out of town to attend the wedding of his boss' daughter.

TB