BECOMING HONEY'S SISTER
BOOK BY FARID

The whole housework was finally done. Mbok Asih has also left the kitchen. Actually I also want to go into the room because I do not know what to do. At home is quiet, there is only; me and mbok Asih. Mas Ilham and Mbak Ayu have left for their respective offices, while the children go to school. This includes Sibungsu Bilal who is also a school. I don't know what the two-year-old learned at school. But it is also saturated if you have to lock yourself. That's why I decided to leave the house, just breathe fresh air.

While busy looking at the fish pond while occasionally throwing his food, suddenly a voice called out to me. Apparently Farid. He was sitting not far from the pool. I did not realize its existence because it was covered in thick trees of small grafts.

"What is Mila doing?" ask Farid.

"Nothing, just want to finish the time. Bored inside, do not know what else to do, all the homework is done" I replied.

"Milah likes to read, right?"

"Like. Really like. I used to be a nerd. Due to limited costs, you can rarely buy books. Usually if I want to read a book, I minjem in the school library. After dropping out of school, read in the mushalla library, and then with a limited collection of books."

"Oh so. Does Mila like to read what kind of books?"

"Fiction and non-fiction I love everything. What matters is good."

"If I lend you a book, will you?"

"That's a hell of a lot."

Farid quickly passed to his room which was not far from the car garage. He soon returned with a thick stack of books. Looking at the books, my smile immediately grew. Imagine how much fun it can be to channel a hobby of reading.

"This is no fiction book, written by a famous author, already a best seller. There are also motivational books and religious books. If Mila likes it, I still have a large collection of other books."

"Well, I love books like this. Can I borrow it?"

"Of course, mbak."

The books Farid had brought had now moved into my hands. We talked for a while about Farid's book collection. I just found out that she likes to read. Every day, after working as a driver and going to college, Farid spent his time reading. It is fitting that he looks so smart and has a lot of insight because he likes to read.

While chatting, suddenly we were shocked by Deheman's voice. Apparently mbak Ayu. I don't know when he came home, there was no sound of the car.

"Mbak Ayu is home? How can I not hear the car?" I said, wailing to the left and right.

"Yes, sorry. I'm the same Farid just ..." Suddenly my words were cut.

"What's? Do not think because there is no I am the same in the house so you can behave arbitrarily. Free to interact with anyone. No Mila. You can no longer be free. What kind of woman are you anyway? I guess you're a saliha woman who knows the boundaries between women and men, it turns out .. You're so free!" Ma'am Ayu spoke in a fiery manner.

The words that Ayu said were completely beyond my expectations. It is true, a Muslim should not be alone with a man who is not his mahram. But Farid and I were out in the open, and we didn't mean anything but to talk about books.

Ayu's attitude I think is too excessive so I don't know what to say. I'm honestly really surprised. If he thinks wrong, can be discussed well without having to judge excessively. Because I do not want to add to the problem, I choose to say the words mbak Ayu.

"Now you go inside and do not go in and out. Take care of your attitude, Mil. Once again I see you like that, it's not possible that I won't let you out of the house. Oh yes, one more, soon my friends come, you get ready because I will introduce them. Here, you put this robe on later!" Ma'am Ayu threw a paper bag into my hand, then he passed into the house.

Looking at her attitude, I could only stroke her chest. Actually, what's wrong with Ayu, why is she so sensitive to me. It seems like what I do is always wrong. Remembering this morning when I avoided breakfast at the dinner table, Ayu was angry because she thought the arrangement was not right. Actually he can tell you well because this is the first time I've avoided food at the dinner table.

"I'm sorry Rid, because of me you got sprayed" I said, linking both hands.

"It's okay mbak. Mila's brother is patient." said Farid.

"Yes, I went in first. Ayu would be angry again if I stay here for a long time." I hurriedly left Farid, passed to my own room.

Actually, there is a wound in this heart over Ayu's attitude. As a woman of Minang blood who is used to being educated gently, it hurts so much to be accused of being non-no. I am not as highly educated as the people in this house, but I still know the boundaries of association between women and men. If it's wrong, I don't shut myself down for advice.

Slowly, the tears spilled as well. I let it flow continuously flooding the cheeks. Sometimes, we need this to vent all emotions, because if buried, worry even becomes a disease or revenge that will damage the heart. However, Ayu is now part of my family as well. She was my husband's first wife.

Husband? Suddenly a bitter smile appeared on his lips. I don't know, I'm confused about this marriage. Why does everything feel weird. Even this morning, when passing by, his attitude Ilham did not glance at me or greet me at all. I am already legitimate as his wife. It was as if I was a stranger or just a worker in his house who had no right to him.

The smile still remained, continuing to be etched even though the tears were also getting heavier. Am I sorry about this marriage? It's wrong to expect to be appreciated just a little. Being treated like a stranger is exhausting. If they're not ready for this wedding, why take me along in life?

What happened to Ayu and Ilham? They're asking me to act in accordance with Shari'a, but what about them? What is my right they have not given.

"Ahh Mila, is this a sign that you are sorry?" ask me to myself.

I honestly don't mind if I have to work to take care of the household. But I also have hope to be appreciated like a wife. Even though you can't appreciate what bang Hasan did before, at least don't act like I don't exist.