Zulfa stepped into the simple house she had lived in since she was a child, but not anymore because she lived with her husband. She didn't stop to grip the hem of her long scarf because she was nervous. Her chest rumbled, but she tried to calm down.
"Assalamualaikum, Mom, Dad," said Zulfa when she saw two middle-aged figures who were watching television together, they looked so intimate that they were getting old. "Zulfa has arrived," she continued.
For the introduction, Zulfa's mother's name is Rania Dwitama. The woman who once worked as an employee of a two-star restaurant is just a waitress who delivers customer orders to her table. As for Zulfa's father, Gito Marwan, now works as a postman every day —except for Sundays which are shifted to work days off—. A simple family, with a job that is also simple but able to bring a harmonious family to this day.
Rania and Gito smiled at the arrival of Zulfa, their sweet daughter. "Waalaikumsalam dear, please come in," they answered in unison.
Zulfa kissed the back of their hands politely in turn. "Happy birthday, Mother. Long live the good things in your life." She said while looking at Rania's emotion, she immediately sat beside Rania and hugged her mother's body with great affection. "Sorry if I just had time to come today," she continued, kissing both of Rania's cheeks.
As for Rania? Of course, she accepted gracefully all the sweet actions of her daughter. "You are getting more and more beautiful, Farel will finance all your needs perfectly." She said casting a warm gaze, deeply touching Zulfa's heart as if greeting her pain.
Gito smiled at the sight in front of him, he missed Zulfa's figure. He misses his daughter who is getting older. "Wait, where's Farel?" he asked while raising an eyebrow, he was surprised that Zulfa came alone without a man following her from behind.
Due to Gito's question, Zulfa's body froze for a moment, then released Rania's arms and turned to look into her father's eyes. "Farel is at work, Father. So sorry, he can't come here." She said with a fake smile.
Gito squinted, he suspected that his daughter's marriage was in a bad position. "Supposedly, no matter how busy the husband is, if he wants to meet the in-laws, he will always take the time to come," he said as he looked further into Zulfa's shady eyes.
Rania looked at Zulfa curiously. It is true what the husband said.
"Farel has an important meeting, Mom, Dad. It can't be left behind, because a colleague is important. A great person who instills cooperation in Farel's company, of course, cannot be canceled." Zulfa said with a slightly choked tone, she was hiding all the truth behind a spice of lies.
"Shouldn't he be canceling his meeting for our family gathering? It doesn't take long, and it sure is rare to meet like this."
"After all, what can I do? Farel works for the survival of our family, later if you lose cooperation with other colleagues, the company's income will decrease."
Gito, who had never set foot in a skyscraper, just nodded. "Consequences of being the boss, huh? If you were him, you'd do the same for us."
Sounds so touching...
Rania nodded in agreement. "And I will always be patient like you so that the household is perfect, I'm proud of you." She said, giving her a warm smile.
Zulfa smiled faintly. It's true what people say, if you lie once, you will lie again for the umpteenth time. "I also appreciate Farel's struggle as a husband, earning a living is not easy."
"Right, on this one Father agrees," Gito said while hugging Rania while squeezing the shoulders of the woman who always accompanied him even though he was always hit by economic difficulties.
Somehow it felt very guilty knowing that she was currently lying to her parents. But if she's honest... Ah wouldn't have thought, their marriage relationship must have foundered in the middle of the road. Zulfa didn't want that to happen!
Gito narrowed his eyes asking for further explanation as if he didn't believe Zulfa's words. "Are you sure you're not hiding anything? If there's a household problem, just tell me. Mom and dad must have a way of finding a way out," he said very gently. The voice of a father who loves his daughter very much is clear.
Zulfa was made awkward by her father, his words were so touching as if they could predict the thoughts that were neatly stored in her brain.
"What, Father? You don't believe me? Don't think like that, Farel is very good to me. Every time I cook, he will add twice the side dish I made for him. He also always asks me to justify his tie which he wears when he wants to go to the office. He is the best husband I have, and he will always love me." Zulfa said at length which turned things around again. Don't count how many lies she has now, but she is still a good wife because she keeps her husband's good name.
Rania and Gito who heard this immediately changed their faces to be cheerful. They are grateful that Zulfa does not experience problems in a marriage that falls into this category of coercion. They thought Zulfa was not happy. Turns out they were wrong.
Zulfa breathed a sigh of relief, then handed her a plastic bag containing a diamond necklace and earrings. She spent quite a bit of saving on this jewelry, but it didn't matter, Farel would send the money he used to give her once a week at a nominal amount that couldn't be underestimated. Although their relationship looks meaningless in Farel's eyes, it is undeniable that the man still has the responsibility as a husband to provide a living.
"For Mother, this is a gift from Farel and me. Oh yes, Farel also sent greetings and wished Mother a happy birthday. He's the perfect man, Mom."
Lying, lying to everyone with her sweet mouth. She just didn't want everyone to know that she was hurt. Ah, speaking of heartache, what is Farel doing at Rani's house?
What was supposed to be the biggest birthday celebration with her husband and the two parents she loves most, has now run aground, leaving only hope.
Rania smiled warmly, then happily accepted the gift Zulfa gave. She is happy to have a daughter like Zulfa. "You shouldn't have bothered to buy Mother this expensive jewelry,"
Gito who saw that immediately chuckled. "It's okay Ma'am, our daughter-in-law is rich after all. Of course, it's only for diamond jewelry, it means nothing to Farel."
Zulfa just smiled faintly. "Yes, that's right, Dad said, after all, it was Mas Farel's suggestion to give diamond jewelry to mother. Yes, I counted all the signs, sorry if my husband can't come here,"
"Well, Farel is very kind. I feel proud to have a son-in-law who is not stingy and caring like Farel, moreover, he always takes care of my beautiful daughter," said Rania while tracing Zulfa's cheek until it ended on her chin with her fingers whose skin had started to wrinkle.
Zulfa Naraya already holds the title of Brahmana. A very tough woman since childhood never wanted to trouble her parents. She even collects pocket money from day to day and prefers to bring lunch to go to school.
A woman who upholds religion since college, but only dared to become stronger when she married Farel. Her heart as soft as cotton made several people who had met her, even those who had known her for a long time, really liked her because besides being good she was also very easy to get along with, the topics of conversation with her were also very diverse. A woman who was once a prima donna from high school to college because of her beautiful, clean face, almost without pores. Moreover, the woman wears the hijab, adding a plus in the eyes of the boys.
Women like Zulfa should be able to have more happiness than now. But she prefers to fight all the pain with a very sweet smile.
Farel shouldn't have the right to act like this.
Yes, it should be like that.
"I've always loved you, Zulfa. If you have a problem with Farel, please talk about it." Rania said while stroking Zulfa's shoulder affectionately.
"It's okay ma'am. If anything, I should try to solve the problem while I can still handle it myself. I am very grateful to God for being given by both super caring parents,"
Gito, who didn't want to be left behind at this time, got up from his seat and bent down to hug Zulfa's body. "Father loves you too, whatever happens, we face it together," he says.
Imagine the tone of a father speaking to his child, as soft as... entering the sense of hearing. Feelings of emotion immediately spread throughout the body, many services that have not been paid are proportional to the struggle.
Zulfa is very lucky to have both parents who love her very much.
She is grateful for her life.
Have you been grateful for today?
"Zulfa loves you too, I promise after this I will become a better person. Serve my husband with care and affection,"
Zulfa will prove that she is worthy of being a wife who will maintain her husband's dignity in the eyes of others, trying to maintain his good name even though Farel will certainly never boast of her in front of many people.
Kindness doesn't demand reciprocity, and it's a phrase that Zulfa has always held close to so there's no need to set expectations too high.
"Sorry, this time I lied again." Zulfa thought with a faint smile on her face.
Being hurt by Farel does cause deep wounds, but lying to her parents whom she loves the most, causes 10 times more pain than in love.
...
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