Chapter 10 Two Wife

It has been a week since that nightmare, and Rama has yet to come home to sort out our marital issues. I am trying to heal my heart while taking care of Mira and my little baby.

Knock! Knock!

The sound of a knock echoed. I placed the little one in her crib to open the door this morning. Putri arrived with Faiz.

"Morning, Sis."

"Morning."

Faiz preferred to sit outside on the porch, while Putri came inside with me. She sat in the living room and invited Mira, my youngest, to play with her.

"So, what are you going to do, Sis? Are you staying as Rama's wife or just getting a divorce?"

Putri's question sent a pang through my heart. Either stay in a polygamous marriage or part ways. My gaze drifted to Mira.

"I'm afraid if you get divorced, Rama will take Mira away. I love Mira. Don't get a divorce, okay, Sis?" Putri pleaded.

I took a long breath. I have to discuss things more seriously with Rama. Now I realize that I have a co-wife. All the rights that should be mine have now been cut in half.

"Put!"

Faiz approached my younger sister. He didn't look at me at all, not like he used to. A smile with dimples appeared on his face.

"I have an assignment in Jakarta next week. Can we postpone the event?" he asked.

"But, Brother, wouldn't it be better to do it sooner rather than later?"

Faiz didn't respond and instead looked at me. "Nai, I'm heading out now."

Putri and I escorted Faiz to the front of the house. Our conversation was interrupted when a car pulled in and parked in the front yard.

My husband was holding the hand of his new wife, along with a little boy I didn't know. Maybe he was Mayang's son from a previous marriage.

"Oh, hi! Who's this?"

Rama spoke sarcastically as he stood face-to-face with Faiz. He let go of his new wife's hand to confront my ex.

"Couldn't wait, Brother? Waiting for her to be a widow now that I've remarried?" he added, patting Faiz's shoulder.

Even though I couldn't see Faiz's expression because I was right behind him, it was clear he was holding back his emotions, clenching his fists. Just a second before Faiz raised his fist, I pulled his arm from behind.

"This is my business, Iz. Go home," I whispered.

Putri quickly pulled Faiz's hand, leading him away from her brother-in-law.

"Rama, aren't you ashamed of yourself? Why did you bring that home-wrecking woman here? Look!"

Putri pointed to the neighbors who had turned our argument into a spectacle.

"I'm going to tell Mom and Dad!"

Putri pulled Faiz along, taking Mira to Mom's house. Only I remained to face my husband's selfishness and madness. He led his wife and son into the house.

"Are you well, Nai?"

The woman named Mayang spoke without hesitation, glancing toward the bedroom. "Is your baby sleeping?"

I didn't answer, my gaze fixed on Rama.

"She'll be staying here?" I asked.

"Yes. Where else? A wife should go where her husband does, right?"

He spoke as if he had no conscience after everything I'd been through. I had already strengthened myself, preparing for the worst. I wouldn't let my tears fall just to boost his ego.

"What's wrong, Nai? Are you planning to file for divorce?"

"Divorce?"

I sat calmly on the living room sofa. I had no intention of offering drinks to this uninvited guest.

"I think I need to hear a bit of an explanation from you, if you're even capable of that. Afterward, I'll decide my own path."

Rama's eyes flashed with anger at my defiance. He took Mayang's bag first. There were only two bedrooms in this house, so he gave my eldest child's room to his second wife.

Then, Rama went to our bedroom. I waited a while, guessing he might be looking at the little girl he hadn't wanted.

Afterward, he returned and sat beside me. I pulled my hand away when he tried to hold it.

"Are you well, Nai? Our baby girl is beautiful, right? Healthy. She's adorable. What should we name her?"

I ignored the spark in his eyes, unsure if it was because of my baby or the aura of his new bride.

"Nai."

Rama took a deep breath before speaking. "Mayang was my ex-girlfriend before I married you. And that boy, his name is Yudha. He's not my stepson, he's my biological son. I left Mayang when she was pregnant, and I didn't know."

My lips remained tightly shut, shocked. Rama had hidden so many secrets. It was my fault for not asking about his past before marrying him.

"I promise to be fair, Nai. I won't demand a son from you because I already have Mayang and Yudha. We can be happy together, can't we?"

Before I could answer, my co-wife stepped out, wearing a faint smile. Was it a genuine attempt to build a relationship with me, or was there something hidden?

"Sorry, Nai."

Mayang sat across from me. "I'm sorry for coming like this. I'm just a mother who's confused because my child needs his father. You're a mother too, so you understand, right?"

I nodded briefly. I noticed how proud Rama looked to have united his two wives under the same roof, both within his grasp.

"For expenses, I'll split it in half, okay? Mayang can cook, Nai, so no need to order catering from Mom. So, I'll allocate 3/4 of my salary to her since she's doing the cooking. You can keep the rest for the little one and Mira, as well as for yourself. Set aside some for makeup, skincare, or whatever you need to look as beautiful and slim as before," he ordered, patting my head.

"Yes."

Rama left with Mayang to help her settle in. Mira's belongings had to be set aside to make room for his new wife.

I leaned against the wall outside the bedroom to eavesdrop. That sweet-talking woman, Mayang, was skilled at winning him over.

"You have to convince Naina soon to make me legally recognized as the second wife. I don't want to remain in a temporary marriage."

"Yeah, be patient, May. The paperwork is complicated, and there's so much work at the office. Even if you're not legally recognized, you're already my wife religiously, right?"

I let them bask in the romance they'd created. I held a trump card. I had to plan carefully to secure Mira entirely for myself.

*

"So, you don't mind being in a polygamous marriage, Nai?"

Dad asked me for the third time. I had come to my parents' house to discuss the fact that Rama had brought his new family into my home.

"It's okay, Mom, don't worry. For now, this is all I can do. File for divorce? My options are limited. I still have to take care of my baby if I return to work. And most importantly, I don't want to lose Mira."

I secured my sling before standing up. I had to be stronger to face the future.

"Mom, where's my motorcycle registration?"

Mom looked flustered because, out of nowhere, I was asking for the registration for the motorcycle Putri had been using. "What for?"

"You don't need to know, Mom. It's my right, my property. Don't hold it back just for your other child's benefit. That's unfair."

Mom pouted as Dad gave her a stern look. She reluctantly went to her room and handed me the booklet.

"But I wanted to use it as collateral for a bank loan, Nai," she said, trying to persuade me.

"Sorry, Mom. This is my only valuable possession."

I took the keys from the table. Mom had mentioned that Putri went out with Faiz, and lately, she rarely used the motorcycle.

I rode the motorcycle home and woke Mira, who was napping when I left.

"Mir, have you eaten?"

Mira slowly opened her eyes. She shook her head, holding her stomach. "Not yet, Mom. I'm hungry."

I placed my baby on the bed first. Then I took Mira to the kitchen to check what my co-wife had prepared. I lifted the food cover, revealing a meal that made me wonder.

"Tempe again, Mom?" Mira asked.

"Yes. Yesterday it was tofu, tempeh, and eggs. Not even with chili paste. And spinach is the only vegetable."

"I saw Aunt Mayang buy chicken, Mom."

My co-wife was trying to make a good impression. I didn't mind only eating simple food. I could always buy extra food from the local stall. But it wasn't fair for Mira, who deserved better from her father's salary.

"What do you want to eat today, Mira? I'll order it from the app!"

"Fried chicken, Mom."

I held myself back, for Mira's sake. Just a few more months, and I'd repay those two for their actions.