The Substitute Bride of my Best Friend
Shinjuku Gyoen Tokyo

The first tourist destination to be visited by Zahira and her husband is Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo. Shinjuku Gyoen itself is a national park located in the city center, usually the main destination for tourists to enjoy the expanse of cherry blossoms that are growing when spring comes.

Walking together on the train, Zahira seemed so happy because the longing for the Sakura country was now treated and his desire to meet Ghani was soon granted. Even if it's been a month apart, but his longing for his first brother is so intense and unstoppable especially the man who is now a specialist rarely gives news to make the family in Indonesia so worried about the man's situation.

"You come here often, Ra?" shaka asked as they crossed the zebra cross. The right hand continues to hold tightly to the hand of the wife.

"Especially not. During college three times I came here. It was because I was forced to accept Akihiro's invitation" Zahira replied.

Footsteps stopped for a moment when the wife's rancid lips said a foreign name. "Who is he? Did you live in Japan for six years, you've been in love with someone without your family's knowledge?" Shaka's eyes hit him sharper than usual.

Zahira was quite surprised at Shaka's change of attitude which suddenly just flinching on the spot, staring fixedly at the brown iris without any intention of answering the husband's question.

Feeling annoyed as if ignored, Shaka again asked in full search. "Jawab my question, Ra. Who's Akihiro? Is she your lover?"

The high tone of voice made Zahira jump in shock. "Ehm ... Akihiro ..he was my college friend when we were both students first" he replied in a stammering manner. Zahira had not realized that at this time Shaka was actually being filled with jealousy because there was another man who approached the woman besides the son of a bitch Nizzam Al Fallah.

"How close are you to him?"

"Yes, of course, close. He's my college friend. We were always together, doing college assignments and group assignments. Besides, he's also a confidant of lecturers just like me. So he often helps me finish my work" Zahira said. Shaka grew increasingly furious, palms clenched perfectly with a flabby chest. The man was very sure if Akihiro actually had other intentions why he was willing to help Zahira.

"So, you guys go together a lot, don't you?" Shaka asked again. Eyes squinted sharply as if wanting to pounce on Zahira that second as well.

"Not often, only occasionally. If Ghani has a job on campus while I want to go home, Akihiro is always asked to take me home to the dormitory" said Zahira innocently. He really did not know if a white smoke billowed on Shaka's crown.

Shaka muttered softly in an annoyed tone. "Basar Abang irresponsible. He asked someone else to take you home. He was not afraid of anything bad happening to Zahira." This time he vented his frustration to Ghani who had asked another man to deliver his woman.

"Then, where is he now? Do you still communicate with him a lot?"

"Dam, Shaka. How the hell are you. Can't you judge a person from which country by name?" Zahira. "Akihiro that. Just hearing his name we already know if he comes from Japan, where we honeymoon today. If for your second question, we still often communicate. Last time before we went to Australia."

Shaka was silent, looking sharp eyes blasting deeply on the owner of the shady eyes. Want to feel cursed, vent his frustration, but realize that they are currently on their honeymoon.

Sighing deeply, glancing around. Many people looked at him with strange looks towards them. "Other times if he sends a message, don't reply. Pretend you don't know if there's a message from that guy. Or if necessary, just block the number so he doesn't bother you!"

"Huh? That's what it is! Why would I block her number, Ka?" Zahira looked up at his surprised head.

"I don't like you communicating with any guy. Neither Nizam kursukupret nor old Aki-aki sucks, just stay away from them!" shaka said without wanting to be denied in the slightest.

Slowly, a smile rose at the corner of Zahira's lips. The woman felt that she was floating above the clouds just imagining Shaka being jealous was unclear. Isn't it so sweet to have someone we love and also love we're jealous, but too proud to admit it?

"Why are you smiling?" ask Shaka ketus. Jealousy makes a person more sensitive and sometimes unable to think logically.

"Why-why. I just remember something funny." Zahira chuckled softly. Then, the woman wrapped her hand on Shaka's arm. "Udah ah, don't talk about anyone else while we're on our honeymoon. I'm not in the mood to break down just because of someone else."

***

At nine in the morning, a couple arrived at the park. Shaka is still in a jealous mode considering there are other men who have delivered his wife besides him. The man's face was tangled like clothes that had not been ironed for months. While Zahira seemed so happy to be in the middle of a sea of humans who were enjoying cherry blossoms.

"Honey, we're going there yuk!" take Zahira while pulling Shaka's hand through the crowd who are standing looking at the beauty of the scenery in front there.

Zahira stopped walking and now they are on the bridge with the bottom there is a koi fish pond with a variety of beautiful colors. The position of the bridge is in the middle of a stretch of cherry blossoms that are blooming.

"It's so beautiful, isn't it?" Staring with a happy twinkle on the line of trees ahead there. There are many cherry blossoms with various colors that are blooming at this time. Not only pink, but there is also a white color even so it still looks beautiful and unsightly.

"You know, Shaka, this spring I miss Papa and Mama a lot. We, students who study in Japan get 200 days off and one of them is during spring break. However, every time entering the holiday season, my first brother and I never once returned to Indonesia, we decided to stay here and fill the vacation time with various useful activities. In fact, we used to work side jobs when the students were busy on vacation."

"Actually I often said to Kak Ghani to go home if it really wants to meet Father and Mother, Mother, but he insisted on continuing to be near me even though there was actually a pent-up longing all this time" he continued muttering.

"Why don't you want to go back to Indonesia, Ra? Don't you miss the atmosphere of your hometown? Yes, although Jakarta is often jammed and there are floods everywhere, does not living in Indonesia make us more comfortable than living abroad?" sahut Shaka slowly. Where to look Zahira.

Smiling bitterly at Shaka's words. It would be a lie if Zahira said she did not miss the warmth of a family, especially if she was born and raised in a family full of love and affection. However, for some reason made the woman was forced to harbor a longing for her parents.

"It's true what you say, the comfort of a country, but it's better to live in your own village. However, I have my own reasons why I do not want to go home despite the intense longing" Zahira replied by biting her lower lip. Eyelids begin to glaze over and the nose feels sour. Memories of the past seemed to be a frightening specter for the woman.

Shaka looked up his head, fixedly staring at the woman next to him. "Reason? What reason did you spend six years not returning to Indonesia? Does it have anything to do with your sudden departure to Japan without telling me in advance?"

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