Honor Behind the Stain
Barmy

“Jihan!”  The emperor called her maiden name.

“Mas Emperor!” The voice across was quite loud in Khanza's ears.  

It was not the Emperor who did not shrink the volume of his cellphone, but the quiet atmosphere made even a small sound quite clearly heard to the ears of Khanza.  Silently, Khanza listened to the Emperor's talk. 

“How are you?  Long time you didn't tell me, I felt anxious.” The voice of the girl across sounded soft.  Shayu and syahdu. 

“Good.  Sorry I haven't been able to tell you.”

“It's okay, Mas. I-i understand.  Until when did you leave me?”

“Until papa lowers his ego level.  If I go back, I'll only be married to that woman right?  When I came back and I didn't marry you, it was all for nothing.  Let it be this way until papa realizes that his selfishness is not true, ” tender Emperor.

“But until when?  Is it possible that your father will understand your situation?  You know for yourself that your parents are hard, the percentage chance that their heart will budge is small.  If you are equally hard, this problem will not be finished.” 

Jihan was the first girl to make the Emperor fall in love at first sight.  The figure of the girl who wore a long hijab, always dressed modestly, and shy. 

The first meeting was when the Emperor was hitchhiking prayers at the mosque area near Jihan's house.  The emperor was late last night after a meeting, making him stop the car at the mosque immediately, and it was there that he met a figure who diverted his world.

From that time on, he has been in frequent contact with Jihan.  The emperor established Jihan as the first and last choice of woman in her life, making Jihan the future mother of her future children.  

The Emperor and Jihan rarely met despite two years of relationship as lovers.  The Emperor was too busy with work.  He and Jihan only communicate via phone.  If you meet, maybe just dinner to talk about the future, it was accompanied by his cousin Jihan who also joined dinner.  

The Emperor had high hopes for Jihan.  All the beautiful shadows about his household along with the jihan had danced in his mind, but they were all shattered when he introduced Jihan as a future wife to Calvin Dirgantara.  Strictly speaking, Calvin rejects Jihan because she already has the choice of a future wife for the Emperor, who is none other than the daughter of his business partner.

Since then, the beginning of the disaster began, there was a quarrel between the Emperor and Calvin.  The emperor insisted on his choice, he did not want his life to be arranged.  Calvin insisted on his rules.  

Not wanting his life to be a puppet, the Emperor chose to leave his life, his wealth and everything.  He thought, who will give up after this?  Since the Emperor left the chair of directors in the company, the seat was vacant and Calvin was forced to intervene to take care of the company himself.  He could never trust anyone else in the company except his own family.

“Mas!”

The shadow in the Emperor's mind about his papa melted instantly as Jihan's delicate voice called out to him.

“Sorry.  I need time,” said the Emperor.

“Yes, I'm patiently waiting.  Hope your problem will be quickly finished.”

“Thank God!  I know your heart is sincere, surely God will give the best way for you, for me, for us.”  If only the Emperor had been in front of Jihan, he would have seen that sweet smile plus the girl's dimples.

There was a little laugh across.  “Ya already, I hung up.”

“Good.  I'll let you know whatever happens.  Thank you for being patient.”

The Emperor hung up the phone with a smile on his face.

Seeing that, Khanza shook his head.  It turns out that the Emperor was dating a woman named Jihan.  But Khanza doesn't care.  That's the Emperor's business.

The emperor then got up, headed to the corner of the room and sat down on a chair, calling Beno.  Talking in a small voice.

***

Subrata's brother had gone home at dawn along with his entourage.  Only Subrata and Marwah ate breakfast at the dinner table.  

Subrata's gaze was fixed towards the Emperor who was carrying the backpack.

“Again, sir!” greet the Emperor.

“Pak Sir, don't call Sir.  It's like meeting someone on the side of the road.  Call Dad.  I'm your in-law now!” firmly Subrata with a thunderous voice.

The emperor smiled in a slant.  Didn't know she was dibulinized.  Subrata's status is not in-laws.

“Begin father, I will say goodbye to return to contract.”

“Fiuuuh..” Subrata was surprised until the drinking water in his mouth sprayed out.

Marwah wiped the back of her hand that splashed the water.

“Then what about Khanza?” ask Subrata.

“She's my wife, of course she will go where the husband determines where he lives.  This has been my decision,” replied the Emperor calmly.

“Who told you to move?  Even though you come from a poor family, I didn't tell you to move house.  You brought with you the honor of my son.  With you bringing him a hard life with you in the contract, it's the same as dropping the honor of my son as a person of distinction here,” Subrata chirped.

“What's wrong with you staying here?  Don't embarrass our family!” sela Marwah who does not want to lose.

Husband wife soccer!

“Life is simple it's no shame!” The emperor was resolute, just as he was assertive as a leader in his company.  His charisma and leadership spirit are beyond doubt.  He was used to dealing with big people.  “Even shameful is bad behavior and habits to cause a sensation of excitement in the community.”

“Loh, are you insinuating?” Subrata raises eyebrows.

“I don't think dad would be shunned if he didn't feel.  I'm not here to get mom and dad to argue, but I just want to find the best way for my new family.  Khanza is my wife, so her life is also my responsibility.  What about him, I'm the one who will bear it, no longer depend on father and mother.”

“Hey hey, why are you acting as if you can support my son?  I'm not letting go of him with you.  To live your own life you are in trouble, how will you support and my son too?” subrata.

“No need to doubt God's fortune.  Every married couple has been given a measure of fortune that comes from anywhere.  I believe in this,” said the Emperor full of confidence.

“Why do you insist on moving?  Are you ashamed to live here as unemployed?” sela Marwah's.

“I am not unemployed, I also have a job even though the results are not much.  The clear income is halal and tayib.”

“Emperor, don't act stupid!  Do not choose a bad life if the choice of good life is already in sight!” subrata dominates.

“Sorry, I already have my own choice.  As Khanza's husband, I have the right to determine where to stay, and Khanza must follow my decision!” the Emperor does not want to be denied.

Hearing that domineering assertiveness, Subrata believed that the Emperor was indeed stubborn.  But he could do nothing because the Emperor was not a goat to be tied up if he were to flee.  Everything the Emperor said was true.

“Before you take Khanza away with you, you call your parents first.  I want to know your origins clearly.  Do not let my son run away with the fugitive police anyway,” stressed Subrata who finally relented.

Seriate