The night after the event, the atmosphere at Ridwan's family's house began quieting. All the activities of intent, boisterous for the past few days, began to dwindle. The aisle and decoration workers and friends have also removed the aisle. The catering staff and cleaning staff also work swiftly.
Several relatives who came from outside the village outside the city started to leave Ridwan's house one by one after joining in celebrating Isha's wedding this afternoon. Only Malik and Isha are now legally married, as are Ridwan, Rosminah, and two helpers who clean up the house.
The night before Isha, Ridwan called Malik, who was about to take ablution water.
"Can we talk for a minute, Mal?" asked Ridwan.
Malik looked at Ridwan, thought for a moment, and then nodded.
"I can, Uncle. Now?" asked Malik politely.
Ridwan smiled when he heard Malik still calling him uncle, as the boy used to call him by the same name.
"Why do you have to call Uncle Mal? Aren't we already a family? You are already Isha's husband. That means you are already my son, and I am your father. Maybe from now on, you should get used to calling Uncle a dad," Ridwan said, still with a relieved smile.
Malik smiled awkwardly.
"Sorry. Maybe it's just not used to it," Malik nodded awkwardly.
"Yes, I know."
"Father wants to talk now?" asked Malik, continuing the conversation that had been interrupted earlier.
Ridwan smiled.
"Actually, yes. What do you want now?" asked Ridwan when he saw Malik going backward.
"I want to pray first was the plan," Malik answered honestly.
"Well, that's that, then. You pray first. Later, when finished, meet Dad in the living room. I have something to discuss with you as a fellow man," Ridwan said seriously.
"Fine, Dad. I pray first," said Malik, about to leave.
"Don't forget to invite Isha along, Mal," Ridwan ordered.
Malik smiled and nodded, "Okay, Dad."
After Malik left him, Ridwan walked towards the living room, which tidied up again. Ridwan's eyes turned to the courtyard, which was still brightly lit. Ridwan's face showed great relief when everything went well, even though it didn't go as it should. At least Ridwan is grateful for Malik's presence, who arrived on time to save face for this family.
Ridwan couldn't stop thinking about what made Malik so determined to marry Isha, even though it is evident that Isha didn't love him. Even Ridwan knows their once-good friendship relationship has deteriorated in recent years.
However, whatever Malik's motives for marrying Isha, Ridwan only wants Malik to have no bad intentions for Isha.
"Would you like some coffee, Dad?" Rosminah, who suddenly came, asked Ridwan.
Ridwan turned his head and looked at Rosminah.
"Just wait for Malik. There's something I want to talk to him about," Ridwan replied.
"What do you want to talk to Malik about?" asked Rosminah patiently while sitting beside Ridwan.
Ridwan was silent for a moment but then looked at his wife.
"However, I have to thank Malik for what Malik has done for us, for Isha, and our family. If Malik doesn't run, maybe tonight we won't be able to sleep well thinking about the embarrassment our family must bear, Ros," said Ridwan.
Rosminah nodded in understanding.
***
Meanwhile, in the bridal chamber, Isha was lying on a cute bed in a long shirt and trousers. Her hand kept holding her cell phone to surf here and there, looking for information about Murad's whereabouts because Isha still couldn't accept all this. I don't think their wedding night will be erotic or hot because Isha couldn't do that to Malik. If she did, it would not be with Malik but with Murad.
"Sha? It's time for evening prayer. Do you want congregation?" asked Malik patiently.
"You first. I'll do it later," Isha replied in a lazy tone.
"Performing prayers at the beginning of time is better, Sha," continued Malik, not wanting to give up.
Annoyed, Isha got up and looked at Malik with annoyed eyes full of hatred.
"Didn't you hear? I said to pray later. Why do you charge?" asked Isha no less fiercely than before.
Malik smiled.
"You don't force me, Sha. I only offered to join the congregation," Malik said very patiently.
Isha was silent and did not answer even though she still felt annoyed.
Malik then took ablution water and immediately carried out his obligations while Isha still struggled with his cell phone. Isha was making compromises with her heart and her life, which suddenly changed beyond her control.
Even yesterday, she was still in touch and chatting with Murad, keeping each other informed. However, when Isha woke up early in the morning and tried to contact the man, his contact was unreachable. He didn't even pick up the calls she repeatedly made.
And now?
Suddenly, she becomes Malik's wife. The boy who used to be a good friend but then humiliated himself at school at that time, so Isha hates Malik until now.
Unfortunately, when Murad was not present on their wedding night, Malik gave himself up like a disease, which irritated Isha even more. Why should Malik be her husband? Why didn't Murad come on the day they had dreamed of together since they were in a relationship?
Isha's tears fell silently. She is crying over his life —not by his expectations so far—crying over her love that must run aground in the middle of the road—screaming over herself forced to be Malik's wife without love, just for the sake of maintaining the good name of this family so that she won't be too embarrassed.
Malik was after the evening prayer when there was a knock on his bedroom door from the outside.
"Mal? Isha? Father is waiting in the living room." Rosminah called at the door.
Malik and Isha stared at each other, not knowing who to answer.
"Yes, Ma'am. We'll be there soon," Isha answered finally.
"Don't take too long," Rosminah ordered.
Malik took off his sarong and folded it. The prayer rug he had laid out earlier was also neatly rolled up.
"We'd better go out together to not arouse their suspicions." Malik made a suggestion.
"Why should they be suspicious? After all, father and mother know, right, why and what is this marriage taking place for?" Isha instead became curt, making Malik choose to remain silent.
He knew Isha was in an unstable state. If Malik gets carried away by his emotions, all his efforts today will be in vain.
"Shall we go out now? Father and Mother are waiting." Malik repeated his words of invitation.
Even with a very unsightly expression, Isha finally came out. She walked ahead of Malik while Malik followed behind her. Not the slightest anger appeared in Malik's heart with Isha's attitude this time. He will forgive whatever Isha does as much as possible because Malik knows this is too much for Isha to bear alone. Now, Isha is his wife, and he is obliged to comfort her. Moreover, the situation was not good at the beginning of this unplanned marriage.
"Dad called us?" asked Isha when she and Malik arrived in the living room.
There, Ridwan and Rosminah were waiting. Rosminah has also made two cups of coffee for Malik and Ridwan.
"Yes. Sit down. I want to talk to you both," said Ridwan.
Isha sat while Malik followed, sitting next to her. However, Isha immediately moved away when she felt Malik sitting too close. Ridwan looked at Isha's attitude with discomfort, feeling bad for Malik.
"Malik, Isha ... this time, I want to talk well with you both." Ridwan started this conversation with a wise sentence while Rosinah just sat listening.
Isha and Malik lowered their heads, ready to listen to what Ridwan would say to them both.
"We all know what happened today is not easy to accept gracefully. I am sorry for you, Isha. If this morning Dad got angry with you, this shocked us all. To you, Malik, I would like to thank you for being willing to save us from the threat of embarrassment and open humiliation like this earlier." Ridwan looked at Malik, who only nodded.
"I only do what I can, Dad," Malik answered politely, but Isha's expression sneered at Malik's answer.
Ridwan took a deep breath.
"You guys already know each other. I don't think it's difficult for you to adapt to each other to keep this marriage alive until death does your part. Because father never married twice. So I hope you, Isha, will be Malik's good wife. And you, Malik, can be a good husband for Isha. You know how hard our daughter is. We only hope that you guide her with maturity. It is my mandate that you must carry out properly, Mal." Ridwan gave lengthy advice.
Malik nodded.
"And you, Isha. Start being mature. It would be best if you treated Malik well as a wife should treat his husband. Thank you because your good name helped by his willingness to marry you." Ridwan looked at Isha.
"I promise I will protect and guide Isha well, Dad," Malik replied, forcibly grasping Isha's hand and holding it tightly as if assuring Ridwan they would be fine.
Isha was surprised by Malik's affectionate attitude. His body felt like it, so she was shocked by the touch of Malik's hand without realizing it.
***
Aksara