BECOMING HONEY'S SISTER
SECOND QUEEN

Became the second queen on a household ark. It's hard to imagine. I covered my face with both palms. Shaking my head tightly so that the words of the Goddess Union did not ring again, but it was still difficult for me to avoid.

"It's Mil, no need to think too much. I can't accept that Mom's son is a second wife." Mom is suddenly followed by Uni Siti, my sister-in-law is already beside me. They sit on my left.

"Keep Mil, you will get the best soul mate later. Not as a second wife. Uni is sure of that. You just have to open your heart to another man. Give up her father Yumna." added Uni Siti.

"After all, what about the man's family? His first wife's family too? Sure you've received a hundred percent? Do not let there be problems in the future, while they want after the wedding you live in Jakarta. Far away from our village. If there's anything how? I can't, Mil. I was afraid something might happen to you and Yumna." Mom's face immediately turned moody. The woman who gave birth to me clasped my hand. "You're her only daughter, even if you're not a girl anymore, but she still thinks you're her daughter's mother. If you're hard, mom's also hard Mil. It's better to stay close together here even if our lives are mediocre."

"Mom, Mila gets it. Mila just ..." I fell silent.

"What only? Never mind, do not eat the words of the Goddess, he just conveyed, must be said good-nice only. While undergoing it you. The bitter sweetness it is you who will bear it. So please just ignore it, Mil." Mom was kind of whining.

"Yes Mom." I said.

"If so, already. Tell the Goddess not to come here again to discuss the proposal. After all how people say later when they know you are proposed to be a second wife. Duh Mil, I can't imagine. You are beautiful, though widowed, many will. Never mind." pinta mom.

"Or, does the Union need to convey to the Goddess to no longer discuss the application issue?" the Union of Siti. "It's worth knowing, you must be bad at resisting, right? That's why he came here to persuade."

"Not so Ni, Mila only thinks about their ability to bear the economy of our family," I said.

"Duh Mil, if that's the case, just ignore it. The sustenance of Allah is arranged." added Uni Siti.

I nodded, I decided to leave the house. No longer want to continue this conversation with the mother and this is Siti who is clearly being rejected.

As soon as we got out of our hut, the breeze blew, giving me a bit of freshness that was really sultry not because of the weather but because it was hard to make a decision.

Now my eyes are staring at the shadow of Dad sitting under the guava tree next to our house. I want to go to Dad, want to know how exactly you think about this proposal. Perhaps by talking alone, you want to give a response. Not evasive as when talking to the Goddess Union or mother.

Just a few more steps to the father, but stopped when I saw the arrival of my three nephews who had just returned home from school. They gave Dad a piece of paper.

"The next week's already a grade-level test, Cake. If the SPP has not been paid off, do not take the exam." said my second ponakan, followed by his two younger siblings.

"Make the agreement again, can't you?" ask dad. "Later if grandfather has money immediately repaid." Father's promise.

"Can't be Kek, will want to raise the class" he replied.

The sixty-year-old man nodded his head. He promised again that he would try to make the next week there funds, although in fact I am very sure Dad himself did not have a picture of where to get the money from.

At the beginning of last year we were already in debt big enough to put my oldest brother in the cottage. The cost is not cheap because the school chosen by my nephew is not a playful school. Including elites with a monthly that is not small.

As a farm worker who used to find sustenance in the fields or gardens of people, the income of the father is not much. Actually it was just enough to eat our simple family. But it became big because now my five parents have gone to school all ranging from Elementary to High School.

Meanwhile, in this house the only one who works is dad. I teach njai every afternoon. But the salary is not much. Just a few hundred thousand. Enough to buy my personal needs from Yumna, despite what they are.

"Will your father bear the burden of your family's economy? He's not young anymore, Mil. The power must not be as strong as it used to be." Back the words of the Goddess Union ringing.

Oh Allah .. I don't want to make a wrong decision.

"Lho, Mila. What the hell are you doing there? Ha, come here. Sit next to dad!" Call dad, patting the bamboo chair next to him as a gesture for me to sit there. "Have your guest been home?" ask dad.

?

"Yes yeah." I'm closing in. "Dad why not give input to Mila? Mila is confused." I said.

"Hmmm, I'm afraid I'm wrong to give input, Mil. You are just so Istikharah, ask God for guidance."

"Are you tired?"

"Why?"

"Dad is not young anymore but still has to finance us all."

"Don't make that a reason to accept his proposal. I don't want you to be burdened."

"But this may be the answer to our prayers, Dad?"

"Father does not pray that sacrifices father's own children, father fights for you sincerely. I'm sure there will be a windfall for my grandchildren."

"How about Mila just accept the proposal, Dad?"

I didn't answer, just looked straight ahead. But I could feel how my face changed. That guy probably doesn't like my decision. But I did it all because of Dad.

"Yes ... Mila wants our family's economy to change. At least not poor like this anymore" I said.

"I'm sorry, Mil. I'm trying to work hard for you and your grandchildren" I seem to be getting grim.

"Mila didn't turn on dad. Mila was even very grateful to my father because he had tried hard for us. Thank you very much Dad. Now give Mila a chance to serve father." I said. "Being second wife is not bad, is it Dad?" my question, in a quiet voice.

"Mil .. The decision is in your hands. Don't make decisions that will make you regret later."

"If you won't regret it, Dad. God willing."

Dad and I looked at each other. Then we looked straight, far ahead. Busy with their own minds.