Chapter 7 Another Wife

"Naina?"

Rama's face turned pale. His handshake, which was just about to seal the marriage contract, halted. I quickly approached the ceremony. It was as if this whole thing had been planned. Even my mother-in-law was present as part of the groom's family.

"What is this? You're getting married again? I'm still alive!" I snapped angrily. "How many times are you going to get married?"

I tried to hold back my anger to avoid causing a scene. The man who was serving as the wedding officiant came over.

"And who are you, Ma'am?"

"I'm Rama's wife! Still legally his wife!"

Rama and my mother-in-law looked uneasy. I focused my gaze on the woman, who even looked older than I was. As I stared at her, I realized she was the woman in the photo Faiz had shown me. What reason did Rama have to marry her secretly behind my back?

"What's going on here, Rama? You said your wife had given you permission to remarry. If I'd known, I would never have allowed my niece to marry you!" the mustachioed man barked at Rama.

My husband stayed silent. The woman's uncle looked at me with embarrassment.

"I apologize, Ma'am. Rama told us he had your permission. He said you couldn't attend because you were recovering after childbirth."

My gaze turned to the woman who had almost become my co-wife. I approached her with a fierce look, steeling myself. From her nervous expression, it was clear she was in the same deception as I was.

"Just wait a little longer, Miss. I'll go ahead and arrange my separation from this man. Don't worry-I don't have any interest in him anymore!"

"Nai!" Rama interjected. "I have no intention of divorcing you! I can explain everything."

"You think I'd accept polygamy?" I spat, sneering. "Like I love you so much, that I'd sacrifice myself to share a husband with some opportunistic woman."

The room erupted into chaos. Faiz began ushering out anyone who didn't need to be there to prevent them from enjoying our conflict as a show. This included the woman and her family, leaving just me, Faiz, Rama, and my mother-in-law.

"Explain! What do you want to tell me?! I won't beg or demand why you weren't there when I gave birth. I don't care."

"Oh, you've got some nerve, Nai!"

My mother-in-law, who had been silent all this time, finally came closer to defend her son.

"You've lost all respect for your husband just because he took another wife!" she added.

"Mom!" Rama signaled her to stop, not wanting her to inflame the situation further.

"What for? Not just two; even four wives are allowed in our religion. What right does she have to forbid you from taking another wife, Ram? To be clear, I want you to marry Mayang. She has good bloodlines and will give you a son."

I couldn't yet understand what my mother-in-law meant. My eyes bore into Rama for his betrayal in deceiving me like this.

"Nai, I'm sorry. I should have gotten your permission first."

I pulled my hand away forcefully as Rama tried to grab it.

"Do you know what I sacrificed to accept your proposal?" I shouted, my voice rising.

I fought to keep myself together, but tears still ran down my cheeks. With a choked voice heavy with pain, I glanced at Faiz, who shared a similar look of sorrow. Yes, our relationship, our commitment to marriage, all had to end because of a sudden twist of fate.

"My feelings, my freedom, and even my willingness to leave behind my single life for Mira's sake, and you repay me this cruelly?" I cried out.

"So, all along, it was out of duty, wasn't it?"

Suddenly, Rama's voice rose, his temper exploding with mine.

"You never loved me, Nai! I've always felt lacking in our marriage. So it's your fault! Naturally, I married Mayang, who genuinely loves me!"

I didn't want to argue any longer, especially as I realized he wasn't even attempting an apology.

"Divorce me, or I'll file in court myself!" I demanded.

"Nai!"

Rama grew angry, clutching my hand tightly as I tried to walk away.

"We'll discuss this at home, Nai. Let me finish my ceremony first. Wait! We'll go home together," he barked.

I wanted to scream, but he was still my husband, and I had to show respect. I tried to wrench myself free repeatedly.

"Let go! You're hurting me!" I whimpered.

Faiz came over as soon as he saw I was in pain. The woman's family re-entered, demanding an explanation.

"Handle your soon-to-be wife first, Ram!" Faiz growled, prying Rama's grip off my wrist.

Faiz quickly guided me away from that painful drama. Throughout the drive, he kept glancing at me without a word. I occupied myself to avoid his gaze.

"Please take me home, Iz."

My heart was breaking. I couldn't wait to tell my father about Rama's behavior. I had been betrayed by a man I didn't even love.

"Marry me!"

I was stunned as Faiz said those words.

"Divorce him and marry me. Let's leave this place, Nai, go far away. You said once you wanted to go to Bandung after we got married, remember?"

Faiz reminded me of the beautiful dreams we once shared. My tears flowed as my chest tightened. The little one must be crying, hungry.

"I want to go home, Iz. Mira and the little one-they're all I need."

Faiz didn't respond. My heart ached deeply. I would allow myself to fall apart for a moment, then pick myself up for the sake of my two children.

"What?!"

I heard my mother and Putri exclaim together in the living room. Faiz was recounting the events from earlier, while I entered the bedroom to nurse my little girl.

"Rama's got to be insane! If I'd known he had another woman, I'd never have let him marry Naina!" my mother seethed, furious.

"Yeah, Mom. And Bu Hesti too. She was the one who persuaded Naina to accept Rama's proposal. Turns out, that whole family is a mess!" Putri added.

"All for Mira, right?" Faiz chimed in. "Nai agreed to that marriage for Mira. That little girl is the only one left to remind you all of the late Kak Dian."

I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. I kept cursing my fate, wondering why my sister had to pass away and leave me to take her place. I'd married a man I didn't even know well.

"Mom!"

I looked toward the door. Little Mira came closer with a look of sadness in her eyes as if understanding her mother's pain. She leaned against my arm, clutching the edge of my shirt.

"What's wrong, Mom?"

My heart shattered. Not because of Rama's betrayal, but because of Mira's existence. If I insisted on divorce, I'd have no right to keep Mira. I was only her stepmother, and Mira would return to Rama if we separated.

"Forgive me, Mira," I whispered softly, kissing her forehead.

What choice should I make? Hold onto Mira and stay in the marriage? Or let go of the pain, even if it means Mira would no longer be part of our family?