08. New Wife vs Old Wife

She is like a rosebud. Sakha had decided to pick it and nursed the rosebud in the vase with other flowers. And in that vase, Sakha treats every flower in the same and fair way.

But, this rosebud still hasn’t bloomed yet, who knows what kind of beauty she has inside? And who can guarantee, that Sakha will not be attracted to the beauty of the flower?

This is what Sakha’s three wives feared as they sat face to face in the living room with a young girl who would become their sister to share husbands with. The girl was obviously still innocent and looked very weak, but she bravely and filled with composure stared back at the three women who were much older than her. Which makes them feel uncomfortable and at the same time feel disrespected.

Meanwhile, Airin with her cold gaze assessed Sakha’s wives one by one. Galih had told them their names and how they behaved at home, at least all that information Galih got from what he had seen, not necessarily that that was their attitude. Just from the way they looked at her, Airin already knew that she would be one of the most hated.

Airin guessed that the woman sitting in the middle was the first wife, Safitria or who was often called Ria, who was the same age as Sakha, 32 years old. Ria has the typical beauty of a hostess. Even though she was already three-headed, he looked youthful. Of the three wives of Sakha, it can be said that Ria is the prettiest and perhaps the one who can take care of her beauty the most. Galih said that Ria was the daughter of Sakha’s co-worker, they got married because of a family arranged marriage five years ago.

Then the second wife may be on the right, her name is Agistia, or Tia. She is one year older than Sakha. She was a widow when Sakha married her. They also married because of a family arranged marriage.

And the third wife, who is sitting on the left, who looks at Airin with the most distasteful gaze, her name is Henia or Nia. Before marrying Sakha, Nia had been married twice before. She is an elementary school teacher, 28 years old, the youngest wife who will soon be replaced by Airin. 

It was natural for Airin to think that Henia disliked her more. And unlike Sakha’s other two wives, Henia married Sakha of her own free will. Galih also said that there had been a small drama before that. Henia’s family also has a big debt to Sakha just like Airin. Then because they could not pay it, they begged Sakha to marry their daughter, but Sakha flatly refused because of Henia’s status, who at that time was still someone’s wife. Henia, who was already attracted to Sakha’s good looks, finally divorced her husband and was accused of cheating. Again, her family begged Sakha to marry Henia to cover up their disgrace, which Sakha was also responsible for. Sakha finally married Henia.

Actually there are still some things that Galih has told her, but the point for Airin now is that she shouldn’t interfere too much or make trouble with these three woman. Airin has to keep herself hidden and if possible, just become a shadow wife. Just being married to Sakha was enough to shake Airin’s peace, she didn’t want to make her complicated life more complicated by dealing with these women.

In a sense, as much as possible Airin will live quietly in the midst of the chaos of her marriage life later.

Then, the silence between the four women was broken by Henia’s voice, “So it’s you, whose name is Ririn Airin?”

Airin smiled kindly. “Yes. And please, just call me Ririn.” Because not many people know Airin’s real name, the village people know her as Ririn. Airin guessed that Henia had previously found out about her.

“Ririn,” called Ria.

Airin then turned to her.

“I’m sure you already know who we are, right?” Ria asked in a tone that sounded arrogant, as if to clarify who Airin should respect the most among them.

Airin maintained a friendly expression on her face, then shook her head slowly.

The three Sakha wives widened their eyes in surprise.

“What do you mean yet?!” Henia exclaimed.

“Mr. Sakha has never told me anything about his three wives,” said Airin to clarify the answer.

Never mind talking about them, they’ve never even spoken once, not even face to face. Airin was so amused, how could she marry such a man? But does Airin have any other choice? Because the answer is of course no.

Agistia sighed. “Mas haven’t had the chance to introduce you to us yet. He only ever said he wanted to remarry and asked our approval, he never spoke anything about you. So, maybe Mas did it on purpose.”

Airin nodded in agreement, although inside she was chuckling amused. Sakha never talked about it because the man simply didn’t know her at all other than the fact that she was the son of Fahrul Jamal who owed him so much. So what’s there to talk about?

When Ria was about to speak again, suddenly a voice came behind Airin.

“Sorry, Madam, I was ordered to take Ririn to her room. It’s all in order, because tomorrow the wedding ceremony will be held.”

It was Galih’s voice. Airin was so relieved to hear that. Because that meant that she would soon be free from the judgmental gazes of the three women before her. Actually, although Airin looked calm on the outside, she was a little anxious on the inside. As Airin said, she wants to be as passive as possible in this family so that her life can be calmer, but who knows what the three women in front of her will do if they find that Airin doesn’t live up to their expectations.

“Well, that’s that then! Take her away!” tell Ria.

Airin immediately got up and smiled kindly. “Then, I’ll go first.”

Three pairs of eyes followed Airin’s movements. However, before Airin really left, Tia called Galih and stopped their steps.

“When are Mas going home, Galih?”

“Looks like he’ll be home late tonight, there are some preparations for tomorrow that must be taken care of.”

Tia then nodded in understanding to Galih. “Tonight, let Ririn rest in her room. Let the dinner be delivered later,” said the woman.

Airin doesn’t understand why Tia said it to Galih and seems like she is reluctant to talk to Airin even though Airin herself is there. But Airin didn’t bother her too much. That’s a natural thing, right? They are now annoyed with Airin, jealous, and anxious.

Airin was sure it would only last for the next few days. Because sooner or later Sakha will ignore her and Sakha’s three other wives will also ignore her because they feel that Airin is not a threat in their position in their husband’s heart.

Airin couldn’t wait for it to happen.

***