The Substitute Bride of my Best Friend
Prayer and Hope Shaka

Shaka grabbed the door handle and opened the door. The man was flabbergasted and moved, amazed at the surprise prepared by his beloved wife. The room was quite spacious, capable of accommodating twenty people already decorated in such a way. Still with a dim atmosphere, dozens of candles and moonlight at night became a light for them. Many balloons of various colors were hung on the wall and not only that his two in-laws were also present at the surprise party.

"Happy birthday, dear!" said Zahira while carrying a cylindrical birthday cake with a height of about 10 cm and a diameter of 15 cm. The cake is coated with Shaka's favorite matcha cream. The number 25 listed above indicates that the man is entering the age of 25 years.

Shaka was still frozen and silent on the spot, unable to speak. Really, he did not expect to get a special surprise from his beloved wife.

Zahira walked slowly while singing the song 'Happy Birthday to You'. Until the lyrics of the song run out, Shaka is still unmoved.

"Darling, just shut up, anyway? Blow out the candle at the time of the wedding, "reproved Zahira when the woman was right in front of the husband. Rayyan and Arumi were only watching the child and daughter-in-law from a distance that was not too far away. They think let the couple express themselves without feeling disturbed by anyone.

The soft, melodious sound of a beautiful melody restored Shaka's consciousness. In a stammered voice, the man replied, "Aah. Um ... All right, I'll blow it." The man who had studied in the country of Kangaroo took a deep breath ready to hit the candle Zahira brought.

"Wait!" sergeant Zahira quickly before Shaka extinguished the two candles that were on the birthday cake. "Before you blow out the candle, you make a wish first, dear."

Shaka looked at Zahira's face in minimal lighting. Although only candles are their only source of illumination, but he can see the aura of the beauty of the woman who looks so charming.

"okay!" sahut Shaka brief. He closed his eyes, saying do'a in his heart.

Lord, bring forth soon the fruit of my love with Zahira. That is the do'a that Shaka proposes to the Creator. Hopefully there is one drop of pleasure liquid that he sprayed in the womb of his wife successfully fertilized.

If only Shaka knew that now their first child would be present in the stomach of his wife, would he still say the same do'a to God?

After chanting the do'a, Shaka opened his eyes, finding Zahira looking at him gently. A sweet smile fell on the corner of the woman's lips.

"In the countdown, you blow out the candles, yeah, honey." Shaka nodded his head in response.

Three ... two .. one .... Shaka blew the candle out. A thin cloud of smoke was pouring out in the air.

Arumi approaches the child and his daughter-in-law, then takes the cake from Zahira's hands. "Take your husband sit down. He must be tired after a long day of work" he whispered in Zahira's ear.

"Thank you, honey. You bother to prepare this surprise for me," said Shaka as he summarized his wife's stained fingers to the table provided.

"Don't hesitate! It's just a little surprise I can give you. Sorry, yeah, if it doesn't live up to your expectations. I don't know what kind of surprise you want."

Shaka wrapped his hand around Zahira's shoulder, rubbed gently and said, "All these surprises are more than enough."

The youngest of the three siblings pulled a chair, allowing Zahira to sit down. The man sat in front of his wife. Soon Arumi and Rayyan catch up with them with a cake knife, plates, spoons and forks.

Arumi put the items on the table. "Son Shaka, happy birthday. May your life be long and healthy always."

Rayyan who was sitting next to Arumi muttered softly. "If it wasn't Rara herself who came to see me where I might be present at your birthday celebration. A waste of time. I'd better take a break at home, have dinner with my beloved wife while watching my favorite movie."

"Dad!" reprimand Zahira with bulging eyes. He didn't like his father saying that in front of Shaka.

And so is Arumi. The woman was quite upset to hear the words of her husband.

The beautiful woman who just celebrated her 52nd birthday nudged Rayyan's arm. "Mas, don't start! Today is our daughter-in-law's birthday, don't let your words ruin the mood!"

Attacked by two women who are very dear to make Rayyan do not dwell. Instead of being hostile to his wife and daughter, he better lock his mouth shut to avoid a major disaster that might happen to him. While Shaka just chuckled softly to see his father-in-law.

Shaka did not feel offended let alone angry at hearing Rayyan's words. Already understood the attitude of his father-in-law who until now still holds a grudge because he had once hurt Zahira. Do not blame Rayyan for realizing he was guilty for incising a wound in the heart of his beloved wife.

Shaka grabbed the knife, then cut the birthday cake to form a triangle and placed it on the plate. "The first piece of cake I gave to Dad as a thank you for being willing to take a little time to attend this surprise party. Thank you, my dear father-in-law." The corner of the man's lips was pulled upwards forming an arch like an arrow bow.

Rayyan sneered and rolled her eyes. "Basic licker!" mumbled wailing. Nevertheless, I keep praying, may God give you long life and all your hopes and dreams are granted by the Creator.

After giving the pieces of cake to his two in-laws, Shaka turned to his wife. He took a fork, stabbed a piece of cake and sliced it. A small incision punctured on the fork, he pointed it at Zahira's mouth.

Zahira. "No need, I can eat it myself."

"Come on, open your mouth. Think of this as my appreciation because you've prepared a surprise party for me."

Zahira's eyes were distracted by the middle-aged man and woman watching them. There was a sense of shame slipping inside the woman. How not this is the first time Shaka bribed him in front of his parents.

When his gaze unintentionally collided with the mother, the woman who had given birth to him to the world nodded her head and blinked her eyes as if beckoning Zahira to obey Shaka's request. After all, it was just a bribe, no problem for the middle-aged woman.

Shamefully Zahira, opened her mouth, letting Shaka put the piece of cake in there. The combination of sweet chocolate and matcha taste is soft and very delicious.

Shaka returns to feed the next piece for himself. "Oh yeah, did you invite my Mama and Papa too, Ra?"

Zahira nodded. "Really! Both your parents are ...." The narrow-eyed beautiful woman circulated her gaze around, looking for the whereabouts of Rini and Rio. Where did Mom and Dad go? Why aren't they here?

...***...