The Substitute Bride of my Best Friend
Apologizing and Making Up

Shaka wants to go back to the apartment, but he hesitates. Then, the man turned his car to his parents' house.

A few minutes away he arrived at the home of his parents. The fingers pressed the doorbell and before long, Rini stood in the doorway. "Loh, Shaka, tumben night-night come here without telling first? What's up, son?"

Shaka replied "I have a need with Papa. Is Papa inside?" ask the guy limp.

Rini was sensitive to the movements of her son, but she just smiled. "There was. Let's go in first. Mama's gonna call Papa."

Not long after, Rio came. Shaka kisses the back of his hand and they sit together, while Rini goes to the kitchen to prepare a warm tea for her husband and son.

"What's up, Ka, you're looking for Papa?" Rio started their conversation.

Shaka took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "Look, Pa. My wife and I had a fight because Rara Keukeh wanted to go to Cianjur, help the victims who needed help while I did not agree that she was going there. Moreover, he'll go with Doctor Nizam."

"Then?"

"Ehm .. If Papa doesn't mind, you can't please replace me at the trial. I want to accompany Rara, Pa," said the handsome lawyer.

Rio sighed harshly. "Shaka, it's not that Papa won't help you, but from the beginning of accepting the case you should already know the consequences to be faced. Moreover, there is an agreement between you and the client. Neither you nor any of your other friends can arbitrarily resign and replace with another lawyer."

"But, Pa, I-I"

Rio patted Shaka's shoulder slowly. "Papa understands why you're so worried about Zahira. However, your actions forbid your wife to go according to Papa too selfish anyway he went there not in order to tour but work. So, why don't you just let her go."

"Then, for the matter of exchanging lawyers, it has become your duty and responsibility. You who first accept the case then you also have to solve it. Being wise and professional is the key to becoming a great lawyer" Rio said.

"What your father said is right, son. Mama is not defending anyone in this case because your equally stubborn attitude makes you and Zahira no one wants to budge" Rini said, carrying two cups of tea, then put it on the table.

"As a doctor, of course Zahira must be ready to carry out his duties and obligations to help people in need as well as you. You both work in different fields but have your own duties and responsibilities. So, be professional, Ka. Don't be childish!"

"But Rara raised her tone in front of me, Ma. He was no longer like the old Zahira, innocent, obedient and meek. He's changed, Ma."

Rini smiled sweetly, then sat down next to Shaka. "Rara was guilty of not obeying your words and she was also disrespectful to you. It could even be said that she sinned for being the wife of a dissident. You should have counseled him well, tell him your grievances not even run to your parents' house."

"Mama as a wife was quite disappointed to hear that the sweet and cute Rara was behaving differently than usual. However, you can't do anything because rebuking and advising her is your duty as a husband."

"Lantas, what am I supposed to do, Pa, Ma?" shaka asked as she looked at the faces of her parents.

"Go back to the apartment and solve your problems with a cool head. Papa is sure that Rara is waiting for you at home." Rio brought his face closer to Shaka's ear, then whispered, "Whatever a wife is angry with, she will never be able to calm down if the husband leaves in a state of anger."

Shaka looked back at Rio's brown iris. The tall-nosed middle-aged man only smiled as he nodded his head.

"All right, then I'll go home first. Pa, Ma, thank you for your advice and counsel" Shaka said.

Rini rubbed the top of the prince's head. Although he did not hear what was said by the husband, but he believes the sentence is like a magic spell that can hypnotize Shaka in an instant. "Be careful on the road and remember, solve all your problems with a cool head."

***

Shaka returns to the apartment in a better mood than before. Along the way he kept thinking about all the words of his in-laws as well as his two parents. He realized that the dislike for Nizam even made his household hit by a storm that was quite shaking them.

The lawyer decided to budge and if necessary apologized to Zahira so that all business was done. There was no harm if he apologized first for the common good.

Shaka went into the apartment, seeing the atmosphere in the apartment unit was quiet. He could confirm that Zahira had fallen asleep because the lights in the room were all out.

Just about to step into the room, Shaka was startled by Zahira's voice calling out to him. “Shaka,” call Zahira.

“Eh? You haven't slept?” shaka approached Zahira.

Zahira changed her position from lying down to sitting, then rubbed her eyes using her palms. Then the girl got up and kissed the back of her husband's hand. "I just fell asleep just now."

“How can I sleep well while you've gone and not returned,” said Zahira.

Yes, Zahira was about to go to sleep, but for a few minutes closing her eyes, she did not fall asleep. Gadia's heart was agitated, worried about Shaka's state. She was afraid that something would happen to her husband on the street. It would be very regretful if Shaka left the house and did not come back for good.

“Sorry for waiting and worrying,” Shaka said.

Zahira shook her head quickly. "You're not wrong, Ka. I should be the one to apologize to you for raising my tone in front of you. But really, I had no intention at all to disobey you. I just got out of control until I unknowingly did something that our religion has not taught me. Sorry me, Ka.” Zahira's lips trembled as she said an apology. The girl's chest felt as tight as a lack of oxygen supply. A whole new life this time said rudely and raised the tone of speech in front of others even more so was the husband.

Unknowingly, the crystal grains had slid down the cheeks. Zahira deeply regretted what she had done some time ago to Shaka.

In a dim state that was only highlighted by moonlight and light from the skyscraper next door, Shaka could clearly see the deep regret of the figure of the girl before him. “I can understand why you lost control. It all happened because of my selfish attitude. I was indignantly angry just because I heard you went to Cianjur with Doctor Nizam. Though many other medical personnel who participated to the disaster site."

“So ... are we better now?” zahira said with a trembling voice. The rest of the water still puddled in the corner of his eye.

Shaka reached out his hand forward, then rubbed the rest of his tears. The man smiled and replied, “There is no reason for me to be constantly angry with you, Ra."

The lawyer had a big nose and the owner of a sweet smile touched the tip of Zahira's chin. The moving eyeball stared at the beautiful brown bead in a dim state. "Next time, don't make the same mistake as before. You know, right, if your actions can be condemned by the readers in our story, Ra. Poor authoritarian crumbs so their moons. Moreover, your actions just now were not a reflection of a religiously observant wife. Understood?"

“Understanding. I promise I won't do it again" Zahira said earnestly. Strengthen the determination in the heart not to make the same mistake. "So can I go?”

The atmosphere turned silent in an instant. Not a single person spoke. Only the sound of the clock ticking of the wall in the family room.

Zahira took a deep breath. Next to the hand clenched perfectly, trying to dare to make a decision. "If you don't give me permission, I won't go, Ka. I don't want to be an ungodly wife who leaves the house without the ridho of the husband. I'd rather all others condemn my actions than my sins increase in the eyes of God."

Shaka smiled faintly hearing Zahira's words. "Of course, honey. I gave you permission to go there" Shaka said, pinching Zahira's cheek anxiously.

"Geek!" zahira exclaimed as she rubbed her nose which was painful. A pink hue flashed across Zahira's face.

Shaka chuckled at her. An idea struck his wife. “Cie, some are bullshling nih.”

Zahira immediately hit Shaka's hand. “Aaan, anyway,” says Zahira shyly.

“Dih, that cheek why is it red? Salting, yes called darling?” shaka Goda.

Reflex, Zahira touched his face with both hands. Feeling whether the current face feels hot due to teasing Shaka. “E–ngga! What the hell! Udah ah, I want to sleep,” said the girl was about to leave, but her hand was held back by Shaka.

“Where are you going, honey, hm? I'm not done talking,” said Shaka still continues to tease Zahira.

“Apaan, anyway, Ka. What do you want to say?” asked Zahira while trying to hear the irregular heartbeat that he had felt earlier.

“You're my wife, don't ever tell me again that you're a surrogate, okay? Oh, yeah, I can't come with you because this week there are some sessions I have to attend. You're fine there, spit it home. Do not be too close to Doctor Nizam or other guys there,” said Shaka while tucking Zahira's hair into the ear where the man's actions increasingly make a small rumble in the heart of the beautiful doctor.

“I–iya, Ka. On the other hand I went there on work, not anything else,” Zahira said with a bow.

“I speak like this as your husband, Ra. So, please, don't break what I tell you."

Zahira nodded her head. "Yes, I understand. Thank you for giving me permission."

Unexpectedly, Shaka carries Zahira's tiny body in his arms. "Don't feel shy, Ra. I want your husband to be no longer a friend let alone someone else."

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