BECOMING HONEY'S SISTER
INTRODUCTORY SESSION

"Today we'll have lunch outside, all so you can get to know our children." said Ayu, when he came to my room. That's why I'm getting ready now, because the clock is already showing at eleven o'clock in the afternoon. Asih said, this family is very disciplined, all are organized with a set schedule mbak Ayu. Lunch is usually ba'da Zuhur, so I have prepared before the Azan roars because we have to travel before getting to the location of the lunch spot.

Sure enough, not how long the door of my room was knocked mbok Asih. He said Ayu and the kids were waiting outside. We will leave first, while mas Ilham will follow directly to the restaurant that has been determined by mbak Ayu.

Everyone is sitting in their own place. Only I was left standing in front of the entrance of the car because I did not know where to sit. All the seats were full and no one took the initiative to move.

"Come on Mil, soon!" Said mbak Ayu. "We can be late if you stay there quietly" he added.

I was confused where to sit. But I remember the word mbok Asih that Sabrina is the son of mbak Ayu who is closest to others, he is classified as a friendly child. So I took the initiative to approach the number four child who was sitting in the back corner with his other brother.

"Sabrina .. can Aunt sit here? Sabrina is my aunt." I don't wait for an answer from her, just sit down after lifting up the girl's body. Then put it on my lap. Sure enough said Asih, Sabrina did not refuse in the least. He also doesn't seem to mind if I pick him up.

"Rid, let's go!" ayu's orders.

The car started walking away from the mansion that had just become my residence. We went through a street surrounded by high-rise buildings. The atmosphere in the car was completely silent. Actually I tried to melt the atmosphere by inviting Sabrina to chat, but her sister Hana immediately pinched Sabrina's arm, plus her mother had a sharp glance so that the girl finally decided to shut up. No more answering the questions I asked.

Only fifteen minutes drive to the dining area. But it feels so long because it is in the car with a very uncomfortable atmosphere. It should be, in a car filled with children there are many jokes of laughter or at least there are rants that can melt the atmosphere. But not with the condition in the car I was riding, even the little toddler who was held by his mother was not chattering at all.

Either this is just my feeling or that's how it is. I feel like these children are not accepting of my presence. Plus his mother's attitude was suddenly cold. Ayu's mother who is now with the one I met when she came to propose is completely different. He no longer talks much or warm but becomes quiet and feels cold.

What's wrong?

I tried to remember, maybe I made a mistake that made Ayu angry. But the taste is not there. Everything Ayu said I followed. But why does his attitude feel changed.

"Ahhh it's Mila. Don't think too much. It could be because you're tired and miss Yumna, so it suddenly becomes sensitive like this!" I am trying to raise my own heart. I need to be able to make things comfortable so that Yumna can come here soon.

"We've arrived!" said mbak Ayu. He went down first, followed by the other children. Sabrina and I went down lately. Not wanting to walk alone like a stranger, I ended up holding Sabrina's hand which happened to be by my side. But her brother Hana suddenly pulled Sabrina's hand and invited her to stay away from me.

"Duh, why else is this? Why is everything so cold!" I murmured in my heart.

The restaurant chosen by Mbak Ayu is quite luxurious. Complete with a saung and play area for children. He ordered one saung. Food was also there. We were led to Zuhur prayer before going to the dining table, before how long Ilham appeared.

"Before we eat, Abi wants to introduce Umi Mila to you. From now on, he is part of our family. Just like Umi Ayu ..." said mas Ilham.

"No. Not same. Umi ya Umi, this Aunt yes this Aunt." cetus Iqbal.

"Bal" Ayu glanced at her eldest son. "The Betul that Abi said. This is your Umi too. Umi Mila is married to Abi. Just like Umi."

"Hem," Ilham cleared his throat. "We're eating now!" tehur mas Ilham.

"Mil, can you hold Ibed for a second?" suddenly Ayu thrust Ibed into my lap. "I want to get Ilham's mas food and the kids first." Added.

"Oh yes," I said. Now Ibed is in my lap. Unfortunately, the two-year-old toddler does not like strangers. That's why he immediately cried. I who originally just cradled while sitting had to stand up so that his crying subsided. But instead of subsiding, Ibed constantly cried, he even thrashed to ask to be returned to his mother.

"Get him there first, Mil. Perhaps you can be quiet." mbak Ayu pointed to the direction of the children's game. I can only follow the instructions mbak Ayu although actually a bit confused also calm Ibed who had already tantrum.

Long enough Ibed cried, finally his crying subsided as well. Either because he had become accustomed to me or because he was tired of asking to be returned to his mother but never returned. That's why he gave up.

Now, I and Ibed are sitting on the swing. We swung while enjoying the breeze playing at the end of my veil. Inadvertently my gaze was fixed on the saung where Ilham mas, mbak Ayu and their children ate.

They seemed to calmly enjoy the food.sometimes chattering between them followed by laughter. Sounds quite clear because the distance of the saung with the playground is not too far away.

In a situation like this, I suddenly felt discouraged. Who am I anyway? Am I not the wife of Ilham. The legitimate wife. But why when they eat together while laughing, I was told to take care of one of his children. Yes indeed this has also become my son too, but why not just be together there. If anyone is crying, they can sit together. Then it tastes better. Not like this. I felt like a complete stranger, but I was already a part of their family.

"Ibed, hungry isn't it?" I asked the two-year-old.

"Lapel," he replied in a slurred voice.

"Eat yuk?"

"No way."

"Says laper, why don't you eat? Umi laper nih."

"Mommy mam,"

"Yes, I want to eat."

"Umi mamam."

"Not Umi Ayu, but Umi Mila." I pointed to myself, trying to introduce to Ibed that I am now also his mother. But the boy shook his head while pointing at his mother who was in the saung.

"Tu umi, tu umi." point it out.