Love Bersemi In Turkey
The Meeting of Two Families

I saw my father and mother-in-law coming. I approached them. First, I greet and kiss the back of my father-in-law's hand, as I used to do in honor of my parents.

My father-in-law smiled sincerely when he saw me. I was surprised to see him, but he kept smiling. He rubbed my head but said nothing. The man of Turkish blood is already old, but his face still looks as handsome as his son Viantra.

I did the same thing to my mother-in-law. But, she extended her hand in disdain as if I had an untouchable infectious disease. She's just like my mom. Always showing a hateful face towards me.

***

The afternoon is almost here. Now, we're going to roast the chicken. Ever since I was a kid, I've never liked a family gathering like this. All the family members will relax, whereas I have to be busy serving food, cleaning, and washing dishes alone. In fact, I have many female cousins but they never helped me at all when they visited my house. It seems like my mother told them not to help me.

I'm back in the kitchen. Salma and I prepared everything for dinner. Also prepare seasonings for grilled chicken later. Salma and I talked about a lot of things and I could laugh. Amusing me. He's my best friend.

But, like something weird. I didn't see Vian. Where's she? Maybe I was with my sister. What should I care for, too?

I'm slicing ingredients to make a salad. Suddenly my mother-in-law came into the kitchen. He looked at me with a dislike look.

“Why should I have a daughter-in-law like her, My God! He doesn't even know how to hold a knife properly!” he raised his hand towards me. What's wrong with him, I thought. Is there a special way to hold a knife? Huh ...

"Why isn't there anyone else as smart as Salma here? Oh yeah, I forgot, Salma. You're Husam's fiance, huh?" he asked with a sad look.

I looked up, looking at him in wonder because I did not understand the meaning of the conversation. Does she want to make Salma Vian's wife or what? I'm not the perfect wife for Vian, I realized. If Vian and Salma liked each other, I would definitely ask for a divorce or divorce. I'm ready for that.

Salma also looked at my mother-in-law in surprise. "Of course ... Why is my aunt asking like that?" ask my mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law just shook her head as she stepped back into the living room.

"What the hell?" he asked with a frown on his face. Maybe he felt weird about my mother-in-law's statement.

"She probably wants you to be Vian's wife. Or rather, be his second wife Vian. Ah, he can't even take care of one wife, how is he going to take care of two wives?" I grumbled in my heart as I walked to the sink to wash my hands.

Suddenly my steps came to a halt after realizing I was not talking in my heart, I actually said it and Salma heard me!

"Sadiya .. look at me ... " Salma immediately stopped her work. He turned my body. But I could only lower my face looking down. I dare not look him in the eyes.

"Sadiya, are you unhappy with your marriage? Did your family force you to marry?" he asked while looking at me closely. He asked me about 'happiness'. It's a foreign word I've never felt.

"I'm fine, Salma. I'm very happy. No one forced me." I tried to convince him.

"I'll talk to Husam. You cannot have a marriage on the basis of coercion. What century do we live in?!" he said firmly.

The fear began to come again. By the time I had just felt free, it seemed like all the persecution was about to begin again. I grabbed Salma's arm, preventing her from talking to Husam. But he looked at me with a serious look, he was really going to tell Husam.

"No! No, Salma! Don't tell Husam. If you say it, then .. "my words are stopped. I don't know what else to say. I can't tell her what my family's been doing to me all this time.

"No, listen to me, Sadiya. I really don't know anything about your problem. But I'll find out."

I didn't have a chance to answer, and suddenly my father came to the kitchen to tell us to prepare a table. We didn't say anything else to each other after that. I feel very restless.

***

After I cleared everything up, I went to the front yard and sat on the swing. I looked up at the sky. Everything is dark, no stars at all. Just like my mind now. Everything felt bleak, there was nothing I could feel. Salma's words were still ringing in my ears. Of happiness? Whatisit? Of love? I know, those are things I'll never feel.

I took a heavy breath and left the place. Just as I was standing, my brother came to me.

He looked very angry and the look in his eyes scared me. What's he gonna do? I know what he's gonna do to me!

"Sadiya!" he snapped while approaching me. I took a step back.

"What did you say to Salma? Did you tell him what we did to you? Did you tell him about the beatings, about forced marriage?" ask him with anger.

I didn't say anything. I was too afraid to talk. I know, it's all gonna start in a minute. At first I thought that one day I could live in peace. It turns out I was wrong, the pain will not end.

"I'm asking you! Answer me! Can't you hear?! What have you told Salma about your fucked-up life ?!" he asked again.

Tears are pouring down my face. Nope, no! Nay! Help u! I pray in my heart. I can't say anything. It felt like something was stuck in my throat. He raised his hand to hit me. I closed my eyes tightly. I know what's gonna happen. Even I've been dealing with that pain.

Come on, what are you waiting for? Slap me! But strangely, I felt nothing. This is so weird. Why hasn't he hit or slapped me?

"Husam, what the hell is this?!" I heard Salma's voice.

I opened my eyes. I can't believe what I saw! Vian held Husam's arm. He prevented her from hurting me. From his face he looks very angry. Her lips were tightly clenched, while her eyes were looking at me with a worried or fearful look, I myself could not understand it.