DILA

Dila POV

Today mother and father asked me to hurry home. It was unusual for my parents to ask me to go home early because my mother really understood my job as a banker at MBC bank. Even though I was only 30 years old, I already had the position of head of a sub-branch (Capem) in a class C branch office.

I asked my subordinates to work faster than usual. Working in a bank was interrelated with one another. I couldn't go home before the teller and customer service had finished, neither did the credit department. I had to take the money in the safe before going home. I had to make sure the money in the safe matches the amount written in the banking system.

When I got home I immediately took a shower to clean myself. After taking a bath, I came to the living room to meet my father and mother. I knew they would have something important to talk about so they asked me to hurry home.

I came to the living room where my family gathered. There were already father, mother, Iqbal and his two wives Naura and Ria.

You must be wondering why Iqbal had two wives and can live in the same roof as us? Well I will tell you a little about Iqbal's love story.

Iqbal was a bad boy and a womanizer when he was young and dating two women at once. Iqbal greedily couldn't choose between Naura and Ria, so he decided to marry both of them.

If no one was willing to be polygamous, Iqbal would not have married one of them. Iqbal will look for another future wife. Naura and Ria who really loved Iqbal and didn't want to lose him. They were sincere to be combined and shared a husband.

"Dila you must be wondering why we asked you to hurry home. Forgive Papa for disturbing your time." My father made small talk at me even though he was very authoritarian. His words were orders that must be carried out.

I saw my father glanced at my mother before continuing his words. Mother nodded, looked at my father affectionately. I was very jealous to see their intimacy.

If I got married someday, I wanted to have a household like them. Even though there were quarrels in my parents' household, they still carried out their obligations.

Mother still prepared food, drink and clothes for my father even though they fought. Father still provided monthly groceries for my mother.

"What's wrong, Pa? Why are we all gathered here?" I asked, surprised to see my mother, Iqbal, Naura and Ria.

I felt like a defendant on trial. Father's face looked serious and tense. I didn't know what father will say. I saw an aura of tension on his face. Whatever father says I have to be prepared to hear it.

"Dila." Father called me.

"Yes father," I replied, while nodding.

"You know that this is not the era of Siti Nurbaya. Does Dila have a boyfriend? If you haven't, father will match Dila with father's friend's son. He's a businessman." Father opened the chat.

Deg .... my heart was beating faster at what my father said. Yes, I knew my parents were already uncomfortable with my status. The neighbor's talk had hit me badly. Maybe they called me an old virgin.

I was 30 years old but I had not married. My career was well established but not with my love. I was still alone. I didn't even have a lover. I found it hard to fall in love. Once I fell in love with F. He was still studying in M country.

It had been 8 years that I had not communicated with F. I had given my heart to him. I waited for him here. Waiting for him to propose to me. Even though the expression of love never came out of his mouth.

But what he said when I graduated from college, he was told me to wait for him, I interpreted that as a proposal for me. I supported him to continue his education at M country even though we have never communicated so far.

I woke up from my reverie when my mother touched my hand.

"What is wrong?" Mother asked me.

"It's okay, mother." I woke up from my reverie.

"Dila is already thirty years old. It's too mature to get married. Dila's career is also good. Just taking care of a husband and children is certainly more noble. As your father, father is already anxious and worried because you haven't married. Many have asked about you to Father. Why you're not yet married? So father took the decision to immediately marry you. Father would not force you to marry our choice. If you have a boyfriend, introduce it to us. Whoever the man is, poor or rich is up to you. As long as the person is good and responsible. "

I was even horrified to hear what my father said. A Defri Sulaiman giving freedom to children? I was stunned to see father. The first man I loved and been proud of. Even though he was strict and authoritarian, I admired him.

"Father." I cried with emotion.

I hugged father's frail body. I cried in the arms of my first love. I was proud to have a father like him.

He always attached importance to our happiness even though he never showed it directly. For a moment I thought of F aka Fatih. My adored man who studied in M ​​country.

Fatih was the man I waited for eight years. The man never gave me any news, letters, or e-mails. Didn't know how he was now. Has he forgotten his promise to me?

I was waiting for an uncertain promise. I endured this loneliness to protect my heart for him. I did not allow the name of another man in my heart. My heart belonged to Fatih Al, but that man had never given me any assurance. My age was now too ripe to marry.

I looked at my father, mother, Iqbal and his two wives. I saw that there was great hope in their eyes that I would get married soon. I can't be selfish. They wanted to see me happy and didn't want to be the subject of other people's gossip because I hadn't married.

In the office I also often teased by my friends to get married. Getting married was good they said. If I sleep, someone will accompany. There was someone who was hugging and warming the bed. When I heard the chatter of my colleagues, I just bowed with embarrassment and my face was red like a boiled crab.

Sometimes I was amused by myself hearing the babble of my friends. Both male and female. When speaking about sex, their enthusiasm were extraordinary like the spirit of the heroes who fight for independence and the language was vulgar. Horrified as good as I could hear. The hairs on my necks often got goosebumps to hear their stories.

Mother stroked my cheek and wiped my tears.

"Dila doesn't have to answer it now. We don't force it. We just want you to be happy," said my mother softly.

Mother's voice was like dew in the morning. The cold that calmed my heart.

"No mother. Dila knows you want the best for me," I replied briefly.

"Whatever your answer. We can only pray. May you be happy and blessed by God." Iqbal joined in the conversation.

"I accept this matchmaking. Certainly my father and mother have never carelessly looked for a future husband for me. I am sincere because of Allah. I will try to love my husband someday. Even though this marriage is not based on love. It is not without love but not yet. Hopefully this marriage will be blessed by Allah. . "

I saw the happy hue on the faces of my father and mother. They were very happy with my decision. At least I can make mother and father happy. I felt like a devoted child seeing the smile on the corner of their lips.

"Before the wedding takes place please allow me to meet that man."

"Definitely, child," said my father smiling happily.