Giving Birth to My Brother
13. Tell Sinta

"No. I will not hate you anymore. I promise."

Both of Elin's eyes were wet from Ariel's words. Half a year passed painfully for Elin. Getting an intimidating look and a look of hatred from Ariel was the worst thing. Ariel rarely even invites him to talk and only considers it wind then even though they live at home. And if Ariel doesn't hate him anymore, that's enough.

"I still have a running movie project" Elin said as she stared at the door. They just arrived. "I've got to design this movie first and get one more script."

"OKAY. So how many months are there?" ariel asked in a demanding tone.

"Maybe 2 to 3 months" he replied. He looked at Ariel again. "I'm going to marry my sister and get pregnant with my sister. But I can't say the same to Sinta. What would Sinta think of me? I'm not good. I ... I'm just .. I want to make amends."

"You just calm down, let me talk to Sinta," Ariel reassured. "We're down. You need to rest."

It was late afternoon when they came home. As usual, Sinta welcomed Ariel's arrival with a hug. He had heard from Ariel that Elin had a work accident and he had to pick her up early this morning. He who was also worried about the situation of Elin immediately told Ariel to leave immediately.

"Where are you, El? How can anyone get into a trance to attack you?" ask Sinta. He sat next to Ariel after bringing three cups of tea and a jar of pastries.

"I wore a red shirt last night when it turned out to be a taboo in the forest there, Ma'am. That's why I was the same Mirna again the way to the toilet on the edge of the forest was suddenly attacked. I also do not want how it happened, but I know I have been beaten," replied Elin.

"Geez," sis Sinta. Next to her, Ariel shook her head slowly. "Next time you're careful. Remember what can and what can't."

"Yes, Mother. I wrote a horror genre script. But it's already spooky. Just filming" Elin said. "This brat I want to go back to a more relaxed romance."

"Yes good. Kasian you nyampe beret-baret is the same face as his hands," said Sinta. He stared at the bandage on Elin's head. "That's your head hurts too?"

"Yes, the stone was stitched up" replied Elin.

"Elin has been checked completely at the hospital nyampe CT scan as well" said Ariel, patting Sinta's thigh. "So you don't have to worry. He just needs a few days to rest."

"Alhamdulillah." She smiled at Elin. "Yes, you take a break, El, don't take it. If you want to eat something say, let me masakin."

"Thank you, Ma'am." Elin sipped her tea to shake off the nervousness. Sinta was very kind and attentive to her. I don't know what Sinta will say if she finally knows that she will be married to Ariel in 2 or 3 months.

***

A month passed quickly. And over the past month, Elin could feel Ariel's attitude change towards her. Ariel began to talk to him a lot, even occasionally joking with him. Elin knew, Ariel did that because of the deal they had made. Ariel still looks angry or upset whenever their mother calls, or if anyone offends the pregnancy in front of Sinta. So, Elin realized that Ariel's attitude was just pretending. Ariel is kind to her for wanting to take her heart so she doesn't cancel the deal.

And that night, as time passed Ariel decided to tell Sinta. He had prepared a contract letter that he would give to Elin if Sinta also agreed to the crazy idea.

"Darling, I want to talk to you about something. It's important" Ariel said as she watched Sinta apply night cream on her face.

"What's? Tumben you talk seriously, Mas," said Sinta while chuckling. She saw Ariel's tense face and she wondered what made her husband like that.

"I met the woman" replied Ariel.

Sinta stopped her action for a moment and then she rubbed her face again. "Women who will give birth to your baby?" ask her with a trembling voice.

"Our baby. The baby will be ours, both of us" Ariel said. He stood behind Sinta's body and touched both of her shoulders.

"So the woman agreed to give her baby? We just ... borrow her womb?" ask Sinta while looking up.

Sinta nodded slowly. "But, can he be trusted? He won't run away or .. he won't take you away from me right?"

Ariel lowered her body and hugged Sinta tightly. "No, baby. I'll just sleep with her until she's pregnant. If she was pregnant, I would never sleep with her again. We just ... we do it just to make a baby. Not using feelings. I promise."

Sinta's lips twitched. He wanted to talk, but his lips seemed to be unwilling to move. He agreed to the idea. So, it would be strange if he suddenly asked Ariel to cancel it.

"Then, what about your parents?" ask Sinta. "What if Mama or Papa suddenly comes?"

"No, it won't. Mama and Papa have agreed to stay in France during Gladis lecture there. They'll only go home if you give birth, and we can tell them that we have a baby after the baby is born or a few months near delivery" Ariel said.

"Are you sure that won't be a problem?"

Ariel nodded slowly although she also noticed there were many flaws in this plan. But he asked Elin. All he needed to do was ask his parents to stay in France.

"Then, who's that woman? Does ... I know him? What kind of woman is she?" ask Sinta. He was afraid that Ariel would sleep with a cheap woman.

"He's pretty good" Ariel replied. He released Sinta's body and then sat back on the edge of the bed. "Most importantly he can be trusted and will not divulge this matter. She also knows why she should be pregnant with our child."

"Why? Who's she?" ask Sinta curiously.

Ariel was silent for a moment. He soaked his lips and said, "Elin will."

Sinta closed her lips with her palm. So, is that why Ariel has been kind and friendly to Elin for the past month? Not only did Elin feel the change in Ariel, but she did too.

"Why? Why should it be your sister?" tanya Sinta turned her back. He stood up surprised. "You want to ruin your own brother's future?"

"I was horrified, darling," said Ariel. He stood up and grabbed Sinta's hands. He held it tight. "Elin is young, just a year will not affect his future. He can still work, write at home or whatever he wants. After all, he was the one responsible for the accident. You'd forgotten? He's the one who made you have to go through this."

Sinta shook her head hard. "It was an accident, Mas."

"I know, I know! But ... Elin was the best choice. He already knows everything and we do not need to add to the list of people who should keep their mouths shut about your current condition. Elin can be trusted."

"And he agrees?" ask Sinta with tears.

Ariel nodded slowly. "Yes. Elin was also guilty of the accident. I'll excuse him if he wants to give us a baby. I can pay Elin too. Just calm down, honey."

"Then, what about your parents? Just making one lie was already terrible, how could you marry your foster sister and make her pregnant, Mas?" ask Sinta pilu. He shook his head so many times that Ariel hugged him. He felt a soft caress on his back, but he could not immediately feel calm.

"Udah I said, it's not a problem. If it's not Elin then we have to find another woman. Much the same. Don't think of anything weird, Sin. You just focus on your health, next year, we'll have a baby."

Sinta looked at Ariel's face as they broke down a hug. "That's our baby, right? Are you sure Elin will give us the baby?"

"Yes. From the beginning it will be our baby. We just put the baby in Elin's stomach. You know what Elin looks like, she won't be a young mother." Ariel rubbed Sinta's face gently. "I'm sorry we had to do this. All for our baby."

Sinta was silent for a few seconds then she nodded. Elin and Ariel are only tied up as sister and foster brother. They do not like each other, their bond will never turn into affection between men and women. It was probably better than he had to see Ariel with other women.

"Okay, I agree. For the sake of our baby, I want you to marry Elin and get her pregnant with our child."