BECOMING HONEY'S SISTER
COLD WAR

"Mom, I just heard a little bit of the debate between me and Mila but I have immediately concluded that I am the guilty one. Look at me from my side, Mom. It's not natural for me to be angry because Mila didn't tell me about mom's arrival. He let me busy myself with friends even though I was also mother's daughter-in-law." said mbak Ayu. "I'm upset Mom, so angry and negative thinking to Mila."

"Till tell him to get out of your lives?" ask mother. "That's a bad name, Yu."

"Yes I'm evil Mom. I'm so mean. Mommy's satisfied? I'm bad because I think Mila will get my mom's attention, but I also want to be close to my mom. I also want to serve my mother, so a good daughter-in-law like Mila. I'm jealous if mom and mom Ilham are too close to Mila than I am. Is that wrong, Mom? Though mas Ilham promised our marriage will always be fair." said Ayu.

***

For two days the people in this house have been silent. It was like a cold war. Since the fight that night, Ayu locked herself in her room. Inspiration has not spoken a word.

While the mother chose to stay in this house until Ilham made a decision. I chose to stay in my room.

Of course this cold war made the children hate me even more. Their attitude was no less cold, especially Hana. He was always trying to do things that upset me. But I tried to restrain myself so that the problem would not increase.

Living a polygamous life is not easy. Especially if you have to have a roof.

Entering the third day, Ilham finally invited me to speak. He took me out of the house because it was uncomfortable to talk about everything here.

We both went to one of the restaurants that I think is very luxurious in the North Jakarta area. Mas Ilham who ordered the menu because I do not understand the types of food provided here.

"Do you know why I've been quiet for three days?" ask mas Ilham, after the dishes are served.

"To talk about yesterday's problems?" my guess.

"Yes. You're right Mil. I was honestly confused as to what to decide. I ...."

"What, mas?"

"I'm hard to defend Ayu."

"Astaghfirullah, what are you talking about? Mas, please be careful and promise never to talk like that again. I remember Ibed had five children with Ayu, and Ibed was a child. What if you split up, they might lose their father."

"All that's not gonna happen. I'll always try to be there for the kids."

"But it still feels different. You're usually together, but suddenly you have to separate. As with anything you try there will always be different for children. They still need a father and mother figure. If anyone has to go, it's true it's me mas."

"Mil .. please don't. I wouldn't be able to deal with all this without your support. All this time actually I've been shaky, Mil. But I tried to hold on until I was really fragile. As soon as I met you, I felt my life was excited again. Then you want to leave, just as it makes me more broken!"

"It's been Mil, but it's not good to love something too much. We've given him one more chance but he's not changed either."

"Who said, mom? Ma'am Ayu changed, she ...."

"You don't understand Ayu, Mil. What Mom said was right. He used his pain as a shield. His attitude is manipulative, so that his opponent loses mentally as well and that's what he's doing to you right now."

"I don't understand what I'm saying, but I really can't if I have to see you guys split up." I think my appetite is gone. I decided to get up from my seat, and then passed.

"Where are you going Mil?"

"Just eat first. I am no longer lust. I just wait in the car." I'm back leaving Ilham mas.

Ayu and Ilham's marriage cannot end. I can't bear to see children lose their father. I will try to keep their ark together anyway.

Finished from the restaurant, Ilham did not take me home. He actually drove to another place that I finally knew was the apartment owned by Ilham. His residence before marriage to mbak Ayu. The apartment is not too luxurious because it only consists of one room with makeshift furniture.

"This is how my life was before I married Ayu. I'm just an ordinary man who lives a mediocre life. Compared to Ayu, our lives are like heaven and earth. But Ayu changed everything. He spoils me with luxuries I did not ask for. I always try to give my best for me. One day I told him I wanted to have a lot of children, considering me and him to be both single children. Knowing what Ayu did, he tried to have many children until he finally got sick. The doctor said after Ibed he should not get pregnant again because Ayu has done it five times. The content is also actually very weak. But Ayu kept trying until her condition worsened. I actually owe him a lot, Mil. I realized that I was just a burden to her. He wasn't really happy by my side because I wasn't good as a husband." - Ilham covered his face with both palms. "This feeling is gone, Mil. I should how? There are many wounds that I have inflicted on his heart!"

"Mas," I hugged Ilham, letting him lie on my lap.

"I'm really tired, Mil." - Ilham cried. This is the first time I've seen a man cry and I believe he must be very depressed with all this.

They are both good people who don't want to hurt each other. But Ayu's attitude made everything fall apart.

I don't know what to say, obviously, the two of them are both in an uncomfortable position. I dare not say anything for fear of being wrong. Actually they both do not want to burden anyone, but both are equally injured.

"Mas and Mbak Ayu must be reunited," I whispered in the ear of Ilham.

"Can't be Mil, I don't love him anymore" she replied.

"Then do it for me, ma'am." My love.

Now Ilham hugged me. He whispered, asking me to stay by his side so that he can stay with Ayu. He needs someone to support him. Strengthen when really tired with the attitude mbak Ayu. Without us knowing, who started first, the song of love came back a second time.