Behind The Lies
Sudden Allotment

At three o'clock in the afternoon before the Ashar adhan reverberated, all the children and grandchildren of Grandma Alma had gathered at home. Ira never stopped introducing Marissa to everyone. However, Marissa herself did not know there would be a wedding in the house. Although some people tease him.

“This is your candidate, Yash?” ask Irwan, Grandma Alma's second child.

Iyash just smiled, and it was as thin as wanting to deny all the drama that he had agreed to before.

Marissa looked so upset. He then looked at his mother. He really thinks they're just kidding. He also thought this was the work of Grandma Alma, starting from Grandma introduced him to Doctor Seto as the future wife of Iyash. However, it does not make Marissa stiff, she is still Marissa who is so easy to blend. Having a warm and pleasant persona is the advantage.

Suddenly Marissa was playing with her son Iqbal. Rahma pulled him into the room. “Mama want to talk to you.”

The two women then entered the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. Marissa thought her mother would ask about everyone who called her Iyash's future wife.

“Mama Icha was also confused,” suddenly Marissa started the conversation with confusion. “Suddenly last night Grandma introduced Icha as Kak Iyash's future wife to Doctor Seto.” Marissa was very sure that her mother would ask that question.

“You happy?” guess Rahma.

“Ngaklah. From last night Icha wanted to say that Grandma misunderstood.”

“Cha.” Rahma grabbed her two hands.

Marissa.

“Soal Om Rudi, Mama just made up,” I'm Rahma.

“Hah?”

“Two days ago Om Rudi did come home, but it was Mama who asked. Mama asked Om Rudi to be a marriage guardian for you.”

“Ma?” Marissa was confused to hear her mother's words.

Rahma nodded.

“You, ‘kan know, Papa grew up in an orphanage and only Om Rudi is the only friend of Papa that Mama knows, besides Om Hasa.”

Marissa nodded because it was from there that her father and Ira began to make friends. Ira herself is the son of the orphanage owner and Restu is one of the disadvantaged children.

“But, why should Om Rudi, why not Om Hasa alone, instead of Om Hasa who took over Papa's responsibility?” ask Marissa.

“That's impossible, Cha.” Rahma gave a pause and she clasped Marissa's hand even tighter. “Because you will marry his son.”

Marissa's heart slipped until she couldn't say anything.

Rahma caressed his cheek. “You deserve to be angry because all things are sudden.”

Marissa wanted to be angry because everything was beyond the limits of her life. However, he could not scream or curse. His body froze and his mouth locked, only his thundering chest held back the turmoil.

Rahma placed Marissa's hand on her left chest. “Mama is afraid one day can not watch you get married.”

“Why Mom says so.” Marissa pulled her hand quickly.

“Cha, Mama's pain is getting worse and Mama's heart can stop.”

“Papa who is healthy and not sick at all could suddenly die.”

“Iya, precisely that.”

“Not that Icha mean,” rebut Marissa fast. “Mama should not despair.” Breath choked.

“The fear that Mama felt was a face, Cha. You're your only hope Mama, Mama is afraid you're falling in love with the wrong person.”

“No, no, no.” Marissa got up and backed off. “Icha do not want to marry Iyash.”

“Mama already knows how Iyash. A good boy, polite.”

“But, he's rough.”

Rahma shakes. “Mama saw him when he had an accident ten years ago. Papa's time is still there. His girlfriend died in the accident. She was angry and hated her life until that long, Cha.”

“Mama, Icha can't.” Marissa's voice began to tremble. “Icha already considers Kak Iyash like Icha's own sister. Besides Aunt Ira already thinks Icha like her daughter, ‘kan? So I guess–” Marissa took a breath to hide her own anger and sadness.

“Cha.”

“Icha does not need to be her son-in-law,” added the woman slowly.

“If this is your last request. What are you going to do?” ask Rahma.

Marissa could not answer, she could only wet her throat which suddenly felt so dry.

“If it's a love problem, Mama is sure you can love him, your tenderness can beat the harshness of him.”

Marissa shakes. “What is this plan long ago?” ask Marissa quietly.

Rahma nodded and it made Marissa's heart come back. “When?” tanyanya sat back next to her mother.

“Before Papa died. Papa had told Om Hasa to find you a good husband someday, but a week ago Om Hasa said for what is not sure, you can marry his son.”

“Mama ...” Marissa clucked in annoyance.

“Mama is sorry, Cha.”

“Iya, but Mama has agreed.”

“Why, Ma?” Marissa took a breath to relieve the tightness in her chest.

“Mama just wants you to live with the right people.”

“Why can Mama be sure that Kak Iyash is the right person?”

“Mama think you guys are destined for each other. Otherwise, maybe Iyash is married to his girlfriend who turns out to be alive or with another woman.”

“Hah?” peekik Marissa was surprised.

Rahma nodded. “Iya, Cha, the girlfriend he considers dead is still alive and she is married to another man.”

“Mama is impossible.”

“Nothing's impossible unless you lick your own elbow,” chuckles.

Marissa pouted, and Rahma laughed at her own jokes. If it's hard to believe that Rahma is sick.

“Cha, this is serious.” However, Rahma still chuckled. If this is how who would believe. “Married to Iyash. Om Hasa proposed to you yesterday for his son. This is also as a form of your reply the same Om Hasa.”

“Mama, ‘kan, widow? What if you are married to Sister Iyash.” This time it was Marissa who couldn't hold her own laughter.

“Icha.” Instead of being angry, Rahma laughed again.

“Mama.” Marissa couldn't hold her own laughter. “Icha will do anything to cancel everything.”

Rahma shook her head, but she did not stop her laughter. “You can't all be late. Tonight is his show.”

“Hah?” peekot Marissa. This time he could not laugh. It means he can't make this a joke.

She is pensive and tries to think about derailing the event tonight, while Rahma stands up and points it at the mirror. “You are beautiful.” He pointed at the child's chest. “From here. You do not have any problems with your psychological, you are healthy by birth and inner.”

Hearing Rahma say so, Marissa smiled cynically instead.

“Iyash has dated a psychically troubled woman and of course that is not good,” added Rahma.

“I think he's actually the one who's psychically ill.”

“Maybe. That's why he couldn't forgive himself all this time. And now he needs a woman who can think logically with him.”

Marissa quickly put all her things in the bag. “If Mama loves Icha, help Icha escape from here. Mama does not want, ‘kan Icha married a mentally ill man?”

“Cha, he's not sick, he just needs his confidence back. She needs someone to help love herself.”

Marissa pensive.

“If you marry her. Mama promise you are free to do anything, otherwise work is not a problem.”

“Mama said, I have to be independent because there are men who do not know themselves.” Marissa confirmed that phrase.

“Cha, that's if you marry that reporter, or your aunt's choice. While Iyash has a clear future.”

“Kak Edgar too, Ma.”

“But, he is not necessarily willing to marry you.”

“Indeed Mama thinks Kak Iyash wants?” Marissa clucking. “Icha is not a spinster, Ma. Icha can get more. Who wants to get married so soon?”

“Gini, Cha. Marry first, love affairs later.”

“Mama is not about love,” refutes Marissa. “Icha can't.” Fret makes him pacing indeterminate direction.

“Do not make Mama go to the hospital and you are forced to get married in front of a comatose person.”

“Astaghfirullahaladzim says. This mama is not a soap opera.”

“Instead soapetron inspired from real story.”

“And Mama one of the victims soap opera,” sniffed Marissa.

“Cha, Mama knows this is heavy for you. But, there's no choice. This is also your Papa's mandate. Papa asks Om Hasa to find a candidate for you.”

“Ma, if Icha does not marry her, is there another option?”

“Of course, the choice is only two, married attended by Mama, or not.”

Marissa took a long breath. “Mama, it's not an option.”

“Cha, just like you, Mama also had no choice when Papa left. Mama raised you alone, or went after Papa.”

Marissa was overwhelmed and finally she couldn't keep her own desires.

“Do it for Mama, for Papa and for Om Hasa,” pinta Rahma. He then stroked the top of the child's head. Then kiss her forehead. “You can calm yourself first. The event began after the Isya prayer. Do not try to run because Mama's heart disease can recur and you will not be able to see Mama again.”

 Marissa was down on hearing the worst sentence her mother ever said.