The Substitute Bride of my Best Friend
Guardrail Fort

In the morning before noon, the atmosphere of Rayyan's residence turned cloudy even though the sunlight was still faithfully shining on the earth and all its contents. However, a gray cloud was clearly visible in a luxurious house owned by a famous surgeon at Persada International Hospital. Today is the first time a middle-aged couple has had to let go of Zahira out of the house which has kept many sweet memories while they were still together.

"Dad, Mother, I say yes. If Daddy and Mommy need anything please do not hesitate to contact me! In an instant, I must have come here," Zahira said as she continued to hug Rayyan and Arumi. The breakup was too sudden and very heavy because they were only two weeks together but we had to separate again.

"We must have told you, son. Already yes, don't worry so much about Father and Mother, we must be fine." Arumi hugged Zahira's body tightly. The woman's soft hands continued to rub the back of her beloved child affectionately. "Be a faithful and obedient wife. Serve your husband well."

"Please be good. If there is a little problem that comes up, solve it with a cool head and do not be rash in making decisions," said Rayyan who stood next to Arumi.

To be honest, he was also hard to release Zahira to live with Shaka, especially their marriage occurred without any love in it. However, he tried to convince himself that one day the marriage between his beloved son and the son of his best friend will end happily despite the belief that many obstacles block until the boat is anchored on the dock called happiness.

After Zahira was satisfied to embrace her beloved mother and say goodbye to Rayyan, now comes Shaka's turn to say goodbye to her two parents-in-law.

"Dad, Mother, I say goodbye first. Thanks for the banquet." Shaka greeted the two in-laws and kissed the back of the hand before leaving the house.

However, when Shaka kissed Rayyan's back, the oriental-faced man whispered, "Remember what you said earlier. Take care and protect Zahira even if you don't love my son."

"Let's just calm down I must have taken good care of Zahira. Then, our conversation while in the workspace was always going to be remembered until anytime," replied Shaka steady.

Zahira's hands ended their separation. The girl's cry broke as she and Shaka were in the car.

"You can still meet your parents when you miss them. I will not stop you from seeing Father and Mother. As long as you ask permission, I will allow it."

Zahira still hiccups when she hears Shaka's words. A pair of teary eyes, melted tears still continue to divide the cheeks. At a time like this, he felt a little relieved because Shaka was not a selfish man. The man still gives her the freedom to meet Arumi and Rayyan when she misses them.

***

Along the way, there were no talks between Zahira and Shaka. The young lawyer focused on the street in front of him, while the beautiful was immersed in his own thoughts. Until when Shaka's four-wheeled vehicle entered a large mall that blends with a luxury apartment building in the South Jakarta area, the girl stared questionnaires at her husband.

"Shaka, what are we doing here? Didn't you tell Daddy and Mommy that our apartment is still about 4 KM from this mall? Then why stop here." Zahira looked confused.

Because before they left the house, Shaka gave the full address to Arumi and Rayyan, telling the middle-aged couple that the apartment occupied by the newlyweds was about 4 KM from the mall.

"I told you that I would buy some clothes and other necessities because some of them were left at Mother's house. Instead then I replace it with new clothes and stuff." Shaka glanced at Zahira, then smiled. "Take it as my first living as a husband."

Zahira's heartbeat continues to beat faster when near Shaka. How not, now the youngest child of Rini and Rio transformed into a handsome man, dashing and courageous. Shaka eyebrows are thick and beautifully curved over a pair of sharp and alluring eyes. The nose is sharp, it looks harmonious with sensual lip lines.

"It's a boutique my mama used to go to. Just pick all the things you want. Don't think about price. I work in Papa's firm office just like any other worker. So, you don't be afraid that my money is running out just because it buys you all kinds of clothes, shoes, bags and so on."

The magnetic noise made Zahira turn her face the other way. He bites his lips, condemning his stupidity for having admired Shaka secretly.

"Alright, Ra. It's up to you."

Finished shopping until spending about three hours, finally they were in the basement of an apartment building that could be said to be quite luxurious. The couple had two bags of groceries in their hands. Zahira not only bought clothes, shoes and bags but also asked Shaka to buy kitchen needs in the super market in the mall. Tonight, the beautiful doctor wants to make a special dinner for the two of them.

"Come, comein!" Shaka went in first and turned on some lights in the room.

From the doorway, Zahira examines a section of the apartment space. Every item is neatly arranged. The color selection of paint and curtains looks so harmonious. Inwardly amazed because the man is very good at making the dwelling feel comfortable and cozy.

"Rara, you just shut up. Let's get inside!" Shaka again invites Zahira into the apartment unit that will be lived together.

Zahira just nodded her head, obeying her husband's orders.

"In this apartment there are three empty rooms. My room is right over there." Shaka pointed at a room near the balcony door. "For your room, it's up to you to choose which one."

Zahira's reflexes raised her head, staring fixedly at the husband's beautiful face. "Well, brother, why don't you sleep in one room? Shouldn't the husband and wife sleep in the same room?"

"You're right. The couple should be sleeping in the same room and bed. But that doesn't apply to us, Ra. Our marriage takes place by force alone, there is no love in it. So, why sleep in one bed if we don't love each other."

I swear by anything, I want Zahira to drown her head under the pillow, crying loudly to vent all her sadness. The earth no longer rotates when it hears Shaka's words. The girl's body froze in place, but the heart kept pumping firmer than before.

Shaka had just built a barrier between them, sleeping in separate rooms. He thought, with their official become a couple there will be an opportunity for the two people to open their hearts and try to cultivate love to bloom in the heart. However, apparently the wish of the girl was destroyed along with the loss of hope to reach the love of the husband.

With trembling lips and a pair of teary eyes, Zahira said, "What if it turns out that love grows in my heart even though we don't sleep in the same bed?"

"Then you'd better get rid of that feeling because forever I only love one Ziva." Shaka said firmly and loudly without the slightest hesitation.

.

.

.

Hello everyone, the author wants to promote the work has a temen author. Please stop by.