(Medicine of Revision)Rosalinda
Bainai Night

I put my wallet and the plastic I was holding back into the closet. “Come tomorrow Uda, I beg you... I just want to see your face one last time, before I'm actually officially someone else's wife. Make sure, I'm the only one still hoping for you, making sure you're okay without me. And behold, I am trying to leave you as you wish.” I groaned inwardly.

Tired, my body and heart feel tired. I lay this body on my new bed, until I fell asleep. I don't know how long I slept, until the gentle caress of Mom's hand woke me up.

“Ros, wakeup! I want magrib. Get ready lah.”

I was trying to collect my life that was flying when I fell asleep earlier. After fully awakening, I took a bath, put on the brackets I had been provided for this Bainai Night, and foraged in the kitchen.

My house is already very crowded like people selling fish in the market, ranging from the living room to the kitchen, terrace and in the back, all crowded with their respective busyness.

Uncu got me a plate of rice with a spoon, as well as a big glass of my favorite ice tea. “Makasih, Uncuku Darling.” said I smiled sweetly receiving my food and drink.

After the magrib, my house grew crowded, the girls and bachelors began to gather. I sat on the couch, like their boss. They put my feet and hands together.

This night is called Bainai Night.

Bainai Night is the last night for the bride-to-be Minang kabau to feel the freedom of being a single woman. Because tomorrow, he is no longer single after the husband was picked up by Adat.

Literally, Bainai means to wear Inai or henna nail leaves. Previously, when Uncu married we still pounded Inai with charcoal and additional lime and then covered with eggplant leaves. However, now I have used this more practical. People call her by name Henna.

And why do you have to do it at night? I don't know why either. But, Grandma used to say, so that the Inai red must wear it at night and covered with eggplant leaves, then sleep.

I don't know, is that just a myth? In fact, if the hand is loved Inai, day or night still the nails will be red.

Clearly, it seems like Bainai Night is one of the hereditary traditions since long ago, the girls and bachelors gathered at that time. They're vying to put Inai on. And also took royong install jalo-jalo (Decoration cut into pieces from marble paper).

At first, Bainai believed in some people as a way to avoid doom for the bride-to-be. I don't know, is that true? In essence, is not the Bainai is one of the berias, so that the hands and feet of the bride become more beautiful and look beautiful? I don't know, this is what is called a hereditary tradition, right?

On this Bainai night, I had to prepare the thickness of my ears to hear the elders' advice and lectures, even though it was interspersed with the joking of the girls and the bachelor in front of me.

Every nail that Inai wears, has a special meaning. When worn on the little finger, it means that the bride is prayed for in order to get through the difficult things faced with her husband later.

The Inai given on the index finger symbolizes the hope for the bride to be careful in making decisions, while the Inai on the middle finger is the hope that He can share affection fairly.

The inai on the ring finger symbolizes the prayer for the bride to have an ideal household life and eternal love. Then, on the thumb nail symbolizes a prayer for the bride to honor her future husband.

That is one of the tips of the elders that I strain and digest in my brain

All my nails are full of Inai up to the top of my finger. They carved flowers in the palms and backs of my hands, some on the sides of my feet.

Tonight I'm waiting for my little friend Boy. Since a few days ago, I could not meet him, is it still not allowed to meet him now? Tonight, will be our last night together, because of the news of the bird, after marriage I will be taken by my Husband.

When are we gonna have fun and spend my free time again? From tomorrow on, I'm already the wife of someone, will my freedom be completely exhausted?

“Woi, Where's Boy? Is He not coming tonight?” ask my sisters who are cool with their activities gathered in front of it.

“I don't know, Brother. Rarely see him now.” replied My sister.

“Aah, look out for the boy if tomorrow also does not come, I beat him to battered.” murmured me.

Time passed, and the clock began to show midnight. I was escorted into the room by Uncu, my face was washed only with a wet towel by Uncu, then lay on the mattress with my hands still on.

My clean hands are wrapped neatly. I don't know the reason, why it should be brought sleep Inaiya, should have turned over, if I wash now? But already, I just according to the tradition set by my family.

**

A bright morning.

Today is my wedding day.

This morning, I was arguing with the whole house, We and the family are forbidden to take a bath, even others are also prohibited if they want to take a bath, have to go to Grandma's house. Grandma's house is just next to Boy's.

“Why is it forbidden to shower? Aren't I going to be together all day? How could I not take a shower, if all day there will be many guests. They'll smell my scent later.”

“Anything, can't shower Ros!”

“But why?”

“Mitosnya, if we take a shower, later today can rain. It cannot rain today. If the rain comes, everything becomes difficult, people are also reluctant to come to the party.”

“That's just a myth! Just like, Hmm. cats can not be bathed, it will rain. I once bathed a cat several times it did not rain any.” said I.

“ Anyway, you can't Shower Ros. Wash all over the body, change clothes and wear perfume, already deh!”

“Aaaahhh!!! Shitty!” my peek. I threw the towel I was holding in the direction.

I'm upset not playing.

I also choose to follow the Customs and Traditions, because I do not want to hear the lecture that is endless if I rebel again. I just washed my body and changed my clothes.

“Come, you have to eat first now. Later, starting at 10 am, guests have started to come.” said Uncu who just came with breakfast for me.

“But I have no appetite in this blind morning Uncu.”

“Yes already, it's up to you. You don't blame me later, if you're starving.” I brought the breakfast back to the kitchen.