BECOMING HONEY'S SISTER
SOMEONE'S PROPOSAL

Suddenly they came to me, offering me a proposal. A proposal that made my forehead wrinkle, while my father and mother did not answer a word, but I could feel objections from them.

This application is not an ordinary application as commonly delivered by Uni Dewi, the wife of one of the managers of the mosque where I used to teach teaching. Not a proposal from a single man, whether it is still a young man or already a widower. But this is a proposal from a man who still bears the status of a husband of a woman.

Yeah, the one who proposed to me was a married man. He wants to make me his second wife. The application that made me more confused because the man was supported by his wife. Even according to Uni Dewi, his wife chose me to be his honeymoon sister.

How good is that woman? Ahhh no, I mean, is their marriage really okay?

Uni Dewi repeatedly said that they married not just get offspring because the man and his wife already have five children. They live well. Happy living.

Then why should I marry again?

"For they want to practice the Sunnah of the Prophet, Mil." explained the Goddess Union.

"There are many Sunnahs of the Prophet that can be followed, but why choose polygamy?" my many. "If only heaven, the woman had the title of wife, by obeying her husband, carrying out all the commandments of God, she could enter heaven by any door. Without the need to share a husband with another woman that is not easy!" i said again.

Honestly, it never occurred to me to undergo a housewife as a wife who had to share a husband even though now my status is a widow at a very young age, twenty-two years because my husband died six months ago in a motorcycle accident.

It is not because I am against the Sunnah of the Prophet. Who am I that dares to oppose what the Messenger teaches, while I myself profess to be his follower. But, more because of my own incompetence.

I am not a person of faith or a lot of knowledge. I'm just an ordinary girl, I didn't graduate elementary school. Everyday just fill activities with homeworkers and teach teaching in TPA mushallah. My heart is not as broad as the saliha women who have dared to undergo polygamy.

Ever since the arrival of the Goddess Union first to offer this proposal, I have actually refused firmly. But Uni Dewi persisted in persuading me to accept because he believed I was the right person to be part of that family.

"Hem," Dad cleared his throat. "Dad leave everything to you, Mil. Whether you want to marry again or not, I let you. Likewise with wanting to undergo a monogamous or polygamous marriage, as long as it does not conflict with the sharia, I support it." Dad got up from his seat, as if giving me a full chance to make a decision, then he left our hut, going somewhere, when I really needed input from him.

"If mother?" now I turn to look at Mom, though, I hope that the woman who gave birth and raised me will give back input even though I actually already know that in fact mother strongly rejected this proposal because mother does not want me to be a second wife. Yesterday mom told me the reason for her objection.

He reminded me of the story of Mr. Ustad and his wife who lived in the District, but often filled the study in our village. Five years ago, they finally decided to become polygamous. As a result, just one month the household of Mr. Ustadz and his first wife ran aground. No one knows what the fate of his first wife is now, according to rumors, they were repatriated to his parents' house because of jealousy and the ustadz retained his second wife. The victim was of course his four children. The career of the ustad is also actually destroyed, only a few pilgrims are now following him because they have been disappointed in the final decision of the ustadz.

"Mother just doesn't want you to have the same fate as one of the ustadz's wives. The first wife was repatriated, no longer concerned about her rights. While the second wife until now, although he maintained, but until this moment always be the impact of ridicule people. Wherever he is always a satire and ghibah material. Wait for me not willing if my daughter experiences the same thing and that, Mil. If you are already determined to get married again, it is better to accept a single male proposal. Have many come to propose? Pick one of them, Mil." That's what mom said last night.

"Mom, how?" ask the Goddess Union.

Mom shook her head. "Ask only Mila." mom got up, then went to the kitchen.

"Tuh Mil, all the decisions are in your hands. Give an answer immediately. This is a good opportunity, they are not just anyone in Jakarta there. In fact, the husband and wife is the biggest contributor in the pesantren where the husband Uni ngajar. Can imagine how rich they are. So, it could be that they have run the other Sunnah of the Prophet, they now want polygamy must have been with a variety of mature considerations" said Uni Dewi again.

"But I never thought of becoming a second wife" I said.

"Maybe this is the destiny God has set for you. Just imagine, there are a lot of names that I proposed, but they still choose you, Mil. They really feel sorry for your old father but have to bear the burden of being the head of the family which of course is not light.

It's true, you could have married a single man from our village or next door. But what about their responsibilities? You know, right, the ability of men around here is not very good economy. But you already have Yumna who must go to school this year. Want you to burden your father again, Mil? Remember, you have five orphaned nieces and nephews, your father must bear his life as well because their father is dead, while your brother-in-law lives fully here. Poor Mil, think again. The offer did not come twice. They could have gotten another second wife easily, but you? The opportunity to get a rich husband, maybe only this one time" said Uni Dewi. "It's just pity on you, lest after your father is gone, your children and nephews can't continue their education. What, dear, Mil? Sometimes life has to sacrifice, Mil. After becoming the second wife of your life will be good, they also promise to guarantee the economy of your family. Not only Yumna school, but also yours, Mil. Think again!"

The conversation between the two of us ended after the Goddess Union conveyed all the messages that were entrusted to her. Of course with the hope that I would accept the proposal.