The Substitute Bride of my Best Friend
The Decree of Zahira II

After breakfast, Arumi and Rayyan chose to sit in the gazebo behind the house. The couple was enjoying the cool air in the morning and the bright sunlight was shining on the earth. The sound of birds squeaking perched on a tree branch like a melodious groove sounded so beautiful.

"Did Zavier tell you anything, Mom?" tanya Arumi started the conversation. The wiggle of hands that had been helping patients on the operating table for decades was pouring warm tea into ceramic cups.

"Yet. Maybe he's busy working on his thesis right now, Bun, and forgot to return a message from me. Understandably, the final semester students are busy again," said Rayyan.

Put a 10.2-inch flat object on the table, then look at the face of a beautiful woman who is very loved. A pair of narrowed eyes caught the look of uneasiness on the face of the idol. Exploring why his beloved wife was so agitated because their two sons were far away.

Gently Rayyan said, "Don't worry too much about Ghani and Zavier, Babe. I'm sure they'll be fine. After all, they can choose what is good and what is bad. We as parents can only wish them all the best."

Sighs long. "Yes, I hope you're right, Honey. I don't know why I could be so worried about both of them. It's been a week since there's been no news of them making me restless and thinking about the kids."

The burly hand grasps the fingers of the lentic hand, then gives a slight squeeze. "If we have prayed, the next step is to surrender everything to God. I'm sure that wherever children are God will always protect them."

Meanwhile, Zahira had just come out of Shakeela's room and was about to meet her parents. However, footsteps stopped when passing by Shaka who was about to enter his wife's room.

Shaka looks so dashing with a white V-neck shirt and light brown jeans. The burly body with muscle carvings everywhere was clearly imprinted despite having been clad in t-shirts. Since the first lawyer always looks charming. Maybe that's why a pretty oriental-faced doctor is hard to forget about his best friend.

"Zahira?" Shaka called out to Zahira with a deep and implied gaze full of longing.

"Sorry, I have to go to the back garden first to see Daddy and Mommy." Zahira leaves Shaka unmoved in his place. But, ....

"Wait on! What do you want to see your Father and Mother, hem?" sergeant Shaka while blocking Zahira's wrist.

Suddenly the footsteps stopped when suddenly his wrist was blocked by the husband. "Of course we're talking about our divorce, Shaka. I want to talk about what else. Last night, I told you I was going to talk to my parents, tell them my plans. After that, just talk to your Papa and Mama." Zahira brushed off Shaka's hand gently. "I just want all these things to end quickly and you can find your happiness."

After saying the sentence, Zahira turned her back to go down the stairs. However, the sound of someone's baritone stopped his steps.

"But what if I don't find my happiness, Ra? And it turns out that the source of my happiness is you?" Shaka's voice trembled as he said the sentence. The man's eyeballs stared at Zahira's back with regret.

"Don't say the impossible, Shaka! As long as you live in a household with me, there will only be suffering without smiles and happiness approaching you. Therefore, we should separate so that we can find each other's happiness. If indeed you do not want to accept Ziva back but at least you can find another lover who loves and is also loved by you. So too with me. I also want to find a man who loves me sincerely regardless of my status who is only a widow," replied Zahira tried hard despite the fact that the girl's heart rumbled violently.

"I need to see my parents right now. Excuse me." Then, Zahira stepped away leaving Shaka who was still frozen in place. Without Zahira noticing, the corner of Shaka's eyes had already shed tears.

***

Upon arriving at the back garden, a smile expands at the corner of Zahira's lips. There was a feeling of sadness and happiness when he saw the romance of his parents. Household relations of a couple who have entered the age of twilight still looks harmonious even though the hair begins to turn silvery.

Will I find a real man who sincerely loves me like Daddy loves Mommy? zahira said in his heart. I used to dream of building a harmonious household full of love and affection with Shaka. Give birth to adorable cute children with faces like the two of them. However, the dream must run aground after he knows that Shaka's heart and love are forever for a Ziva.

"Dad, Mother," call Zahira when the girl reaches the backyard gazebo.

A couple turned to the source of the voice. "Rara? Mother Kirain you are with Shaka." The middle-aged woman smiled widely as a pair of eyes collided with the brown iris of her beloved daughter. "Here sit next to you, Mother!"

"You look serious, son. What's up?" rayyan asked after Zahira sat down next to him. The narrow-eyed and white-skinned girl sat in the middle, flanked by her parents.

Zahira regulated his breathing, trying to replenish the oxygen supply into the lungs. Instantly, the place felt stuffy even though it had been as breezy as the wind continued to blow flying her hair.

"Dad, Mother, for these two days I thought about the future of my household and looked for the best way for me and Shaka. Then, I have decided to divorce from Shaka," said Zahira who suddenly made two pairs of eyes wide perfectly. In fact, Rayyan's iPad had to fall to the floor so surprised.

"Rara, don't talk!" arumi Tegur.

"I'm not talking just like that, Bun. I think this is the best way for both of us. With the divorce, Shaka can return to Ziva without having to think about me" Zahira replied in a soft voice. Both hands clutching each other. The heart stopped beating and cold sweat appeared to drench the forehead.

Arumi approaches the child's body. He gently rubbed Zahira's shoulder. "Son, in the household there is a time when you quarrel and Mother feels that face occurs between married couples. Mother and Father are not infrequently often there is a difference of understanding to cause a great fight. However, we tried to solve the problem with a cold head instead of a farewell. After all, according to Mother, Shaka's mistakes can still be forgiven. He was not proven to be cheating, especially to have sex with other women. So, your household can still be saved."

"But Shaka lied to me, Bun. He had the heart to lie to meet Ziva" Zahira said quickly. Lips trembled and a pair of eyes nearly let out tears feeling sliced as her status as a wife was not appreciated by Shaka.

"Yes, Mommy understands how you feel when being lied to by Shaka. You've felt it, son. Even Mother had felt something more painful than being lied to by her husband" said Arumi. He is still trying to persuade Zahira not to divorce from Shaka.

"Najmas Zahira! Marriage is not a game that you can play at will when you are bored can be ended just like that. When your husband sits before the ruler and the kabul procession is performed there is a sacred promise spoken indirectly before God," Rayyan's firm voice sounded after he managed to control his emotions. Although angry at Shaka's attitude that has hurt his daughter but he does not want if Zahira's household with the new Shaka for a lifetime of corn ran aground.

"Wedding is a sacred thing, don't be messed around" Rayyan said.

Zahira was silent for a while as a cold voice implied full of firmness rang out in the ears. Rayyan's words were right, he did not deny all that.

Marriage is not a game but a sacred moment that is only done once in a lifetime. However, what happens if the marriage occurs without love between one of the brides? Could the marriage be happy?

"I understand everything Dad says. But I still want to end this marriage. It doesn't matter if our marriage is only corn or cassava-sized. Most importantly right now I can let go of Shaka to pursue her own happiness." Without giving his parents a chance, Zahira got up from her chair and left the garden behind the house to Shakeela's room.

"Shiits! I had to ask Mama for help to persuade Zahira" Shaka said as he hid behind a large pillar near the back garden. Apparently he had eavesdropped on the conversation between his wife and his in-laws.

.

.

.