BECOMING HONEY'S SISTER
MEETING MOTHER-IN-LAW

The seventh day in the big house. Plus one day, during that time I became the wife of Ilham. But there was never a word let alone a visit from him. I really like a stranger, or rather the person who is tasked with helping to take care of household affairs together mbok Asih.

It feels so strange. Although there is no love in the heart for Ilham mas, how would love appear if the attitude is indifferent like that, but I also need certainty. Because it has to do with my daughter. If my position is not clear, how can I bring Yumna here while longing has accumulated. Yumna had asked several times, even started whining to be picked up.

During that time I kept praying for everything to be clear. What they really want from me.

Whether this was a coincidence or indeed the way God answered my prayers, suddenly this afternoon, I was called back to meet someone. She was Ilham's mother, a mother-in-law I had never known before.

"Mila?" ask the sixties-year-old. Although it is old but looks young with a dark green abaya. He approached, saw me clingy, then pulled me in his arms. "You are my son-in-law too" he said.

"Yes, ma'am" I answered his greetings. It felt calm when he called me as his waiting. I assume he accepted me in his son's household.

The woman, telling me why she's coming now. He needs time to accept all the decisions of his son and daughter-in-law. Although they are a family that understands religion, but living a polygamous life is not common in large families. This was the first time, so everyone was still shocked and it took some time to adjust. Indeed, I am a polygamous shariah to be foreign to the Muslims.

"You don't think about anything, let alone think that you don't care about you because you just came now. I honestly need time to accept my new daughter-in-law. You probably already know how Ilham and Ayu's home life, they've been fine, they've had kids too. Polygamy decisions according to mothers are something that is not urgent, without them doing any actual household they can still be fine. Ahhh, never mind, I don't know what else to say. What is clear is that I just want to say, this is the big family of Inspiration, the mother-in-law wants to say welcome to you, Mil. You are fine, be patient with everything" he said.

"Thank you for accepting me." I replied to the warmth she had given me.

"When you're married, where have you been?" almost the same question as Madam Sila asked.

"We had lunch together at a restaurant, with the kids too."

"Oh so." The conversation went on. Before long, when Ilham came home, the mother called her first son and daughter-in-law. "Ilham, Ayu, Mila .. I'm sorry that new mom can come now. As I said before to Ilham and Ayu that I will not oppose anything you have decided, including when going to undergo polygamy. As a form that mother supports you, mother will give the same wedding gift to Ilham and Mila."

"I mean mother?" ask Ayu, looking at my mother.

"Yu, when you were the bride of Inspiration, I gave you two gifts. I will give the same gift to Mila" said the mother-in-law as she pulled out a parcel for me. "Open a Mil!"

"But why Mom?" ask Mila again.

"Aren't you the one who told me not to distinguish the wives of Ilham? I'm gonna go after everything, Yu." Mom turned to me. "How do you like it, Mil?"

A red jewelry box. As soon as I opened it, it had a diamond ring. I was so stunned when that tiny thing that must have been worth a fortune sparkled. True said the mother-in-law, this gift is the same as he gave Mbak Mila.

"Don't you like Mil?" Ask your mother-in-law again.

"Np ... Loves Ma'am. But it must be expensive." I still can't believe it, when finally the ring was pinned by mom on my sweet day.

"Not more expensive than a daughter-in-law" said the mother. "Oh yeah, one more. I've prepared a second gift for you and Inspiration. Later in the night, you can travel to the top. I booked the best hotel there. This is a wedding gift, as well as for the honeymoon. You and Ilham haven't had a honeymoon yet, have you?" ask mom again.

"Why, Yu?" ask mother.

"Mas Ilham is doing a lot of work, I think now is not the right time to travel. He is running for chairman of the foundation. Isn't that right, mas?" ask me Ayu.

"You just calm down Yu. I've communicated with your aunt. Madam Sila has agreed. They don't mind if Ilham and Mila are spending months together." explained mom.

"Shortly? Long time!" mbak Ayu shook his head. He did not accept the plan instead of honey. "Mas can't, can you?" ayu turned to Ilham.

"Everything has been decided. Later that night Ilham and Mila will travel. During that time, mother will accompany Ayu and the children here." stressed the mother. No one can deny. Although it looks right that Ayu objected. "Mil, now you are beberes, so that the maghrib ba'da can go directly to travel." mother ordered.

***

Tok to tok. Room door knocked. Not yet had time to rise to open, suddenly the saddle was open. Ayu ma'am comes in. He immediately approached me.

"You must be very happy with what mom has given you. Aye, right?" ask me Ayu.

"Alhamdulillah. I really didn't expect my mother's response." I answered honestly.

"Hihh, really you huh Mil. Do not be fun first, especially until big head. You are, after all, only a second wife. You can't surpass me!" mbak Ayu.

For a moment I was silent, digesting Ayu's words just now. What's wrong with her? Why talk about competition? I know that I am a second wife and I will keep putting myself as a second wife.

Is Ayu jealous? Seems like yes, so I decided to be careful not to hurt him as my middle brother.

"Remember, don't fuck Mil!" be firm again Ayu.

What to mess with? Again I can only shake my head. "I will continue to follow what Ayu directed. I won't step over mbak. God willing." I said.

"But you did!" mbak Ayu looked at me sharply.

"Do what the hell, ma'am?"

Suddenly, Ayu's anger exploded. It makes me even more clueless. Was he angry because I received the same gift that my mother gave him? Or he felt rivaled, felt I should not get all of it because my position was second.

There are many things that make me confused about Ayu's attitude. It's very hard to understand. It is true, it is certainly not easy to accept a honey in our marriage. But if she really can't, why let her husband marry again. Even choose his own future wife.