I Love You My Step Mother
Weddings

Alfira POV

My wedding day with Mas Reza has finally arrived. I sat down in front of the old man wearing a beautiful white wedding dress. Father and Mas Reza faced each other while shaking hands to recite a few wedding vows. A wide smile was engraved on my face, but in my heart, an unexpressed pain struck.

"How is the audience, legit?" The old man looked around.

"Well!"

As soon as everyone recites the prayer after the process of ijab qabul has been done. Everyone congratulated and applauded joyfully. I tried to keep my sadness inside, letting a fake smile continue to accompany my steps. Every step I take towards the guarantee, every word spoken in the wedding vows, everything is like an inevitable blow.

I looked around, looking at faces filled with joy and happiness. The family and friends present, all congratulated me sincerely. However, only I knew that behind the smile I was smiling, my heart was broken.

I tried so hard to pretend to be happy, trying to hide the agonizing pain. I saw Mas Reza, my future husband smiling proudly beside me. He did not know that behind this smile, I was languishing because of being betrothed to him, someone I did not love with all my heart.

I presented a false eye twinkle on the face as I joined hands with Mas Reza, trying to convince myself that I could make him happy. But in the heart, there is an unfilled sense of emptiness. I wondered if I would find true happiness here in a marriage reserved for others.

If it wasn't for Dad, I wouldn't really want this wedding. I was forced, because of Daddy's business that almost collapsed, so from that with this matchmaking, Daddy's business will be saved. Dad was willing to match me with a widower and his best friend, who is now his business partner, Mas Reza.

My age and Mas Reza's differences are far-reaching. We are twenty-three years apart. I'm 22, while Mas Reza is 45. He even has a teenage son, who is none other than my student at High School.

Andrian. That kid, ever since he found out about my relationship with his papa, he's kind of kept his distance from me. He became cold, not as friendly as before. Could it be because I will replace her mother's position as the reason she behaved like that?

Didn't he himself ever say that someday he would accept anyone to accompany his father, as long as the woman was loyal and loved his father wholeheartedly. However, the reality ...

Shouting in my heart was frustrating. I was really confused to think about the change in attitude of the boy. Whatever, I'm dizzy! Clearly, now I have to accept the fact that now I am a stepmother. ****!

"Sir, why did you daydream?"

With a faint smile, I turned to look at Mas Reza on the right side. "What's wrong, Mom."

"Oh. If the cape rests," said Mas Reza who I reply to a lethargic nod.

Our conversation stopped because the guests came back and forth. I had to stand back up, greet one by one the guests who came to this wedding.

***

The car we were riding stopped in the courtyard of Mas Reza's house. The two previous cars have been parked here. Perhaps the car contained gifts and wedding handouts that had just been removed from the wedding building.

Mom and Dad went home after we said goodbye. Andrian too. My forehead wrinkled in wonder, his figure was not visible from earlier. Is he in his room?

Mas Reza quickly went out and opened the door for me. I got out of the car in a wedding dress that still stuck pretty on the body. Bi Narsih swiftly took me to the porch of the house.

Mas Reza smiled at the middle-aged assistant. "Bi, please take my wife to her room, yeah. And then help me clean up Bu Al's stuff in the car."

Bi Narsih nodded obediently. "Good, Sir. Please follow me, Miss Alfira."

I followed Bi Narsih towards the room with heavy steps. The two of us got to the front door of the room, and Bi Narsih opened it carefully.

"This is his room. If there's anything Bu Al needs, please tell Auntie, yes."

Before passing Bi Narsih tidying up the sheets, bolsters and pillows in the bed. "If there's anything you can help, don't hesitate to call Auntie. Hopefully Ms. Alfira can find comfort here."

"Thank you, Bi. I'll try to adapt."

Bi Narsih then gave a smile full of warmth before leaving the room. I sat on the edge of the bed, looking at this strange room. My heart was still filled with confusion and uncertain feelings about the future of my household with Mas Reza.

After a while, Mas Reza came to enter the room. He looked at me intently, trying to read my tired-looking facial expression.

"Sir, is there anything less in the room? Is Adek hungry?"

I shook weakly. "No, Mas. Want to just take a break, want to clean first keep changing clothes."

"Yes already then. I'll take care of it first, yeah."

I nodded without saying a word. After that, the door closed again. Sighing deeply stared at the ceiling of the room. Suddenly my mind wandered far away. Questions in the mind. Can I be happy living with him?

With a heavy heart, I took off the dress slowly, covering it with great caution. I felt like I was letting go of a beautiful chapter of my life, but it was also filled with sadness and doubt.

Now the towel covers half my body to the chest. Walk to the bathroom, rinse my face with cool water to remove makeup marks and dry tears on my cheeks. Every splash of water gives a fresh feeling, reminding me that life goes on even though my heart is in a state of disintegration.

After cleaning myself up, I returned to the room with lethargic steps. I stood in front of the mirror, looking at the tired-looking self-reflection. I saw the wedding dress lying on the chair, reminding me of an unfulfilled dream.

After hanging the towel on the wall, I picked up the t-shirt and shorts inside the suitcase. After stuffy wearing that wedding dress all day, I can now breathe a sigh of relief by wearing this simple dress.

Hearing the sound of the doorknob that opened spontaneously I turned my head.  Mas Reza appeared to come with a warm smile radiating across his face. Apparently he had changed into a white shirt and trousers.

"Capek ya, Dek?" tanyanya while sitting on the edge of the bed.

I gasped, changing my position from the bed. Giving a thin smile on the face.

"Yes Mas," I replied while tidying up the clumsy hair.

"You want some incandescent?" These eyes are perfectly dilated. Oh gosh. I was made to gawk at his offer. What just now? Incandescent?

"No, my body is not pegel ko, he." Chuckling softly, I was really nervous and awkward with this situation.

"Yes already. If it's sleep, it's late." Mas Reza got on the bed, broke down and then closed. While I was still sitting clumsy not careless.

The atmosphere was so awkward when it was nearby. Back me lying on the bed. But this time, he turned his back.

"Good night, Mas" I said slowly.

"Night," replied Mas Reza. Apparently he's not asleep yet.

Closing my eyes, I prayed for strength and courage to move forward. Although my heart is still languishing, I must find a way to heal it and accept this unexpected life. Started yawning, and I felt a tremendous amount of sleepiness.