Love Reset

"How is it? Legal?"

"SAH!"

The chants of prayer echoed around the room. The families and guests who were present now took turns congratulating Namira and her husband on their marriage.

"May this one last until your grandparents, Nam," said one of them.

"Yes, yes. You didn't make the wrong choice again. Amir is already the best," said another.

Namira smiled and nodded her head. She then turned to her husband who was now standing beside her and hoping that the Almighty would guide them to become the best couple until the hereafter.

"Don't keep looking at it, Sis. You're going to be misbehaving."

The words just now made Namira quickly avert her eyes. She was embarrassed because she was caught looking admiringly at the man who had legally become her husband.

"I still feel like I'm dreaming, honey," grinned Namira after trying to normalize her nervousness. "I didn't expect you to marry my sister, who had failed to get married twice. You're still single, handsome, and a good man too, but -"

"Don't feel inappropriate, baby," cut her husband quickly. "You're a great woman who should be happy. I'm happy to be your husband, dear."

The man named Amir now touched Namira's chin gently. Making the face that was reddened now look up slowly. Their gazes met at the same point, causing a throbbing in the chest.

The first night of marriage that would become history for them began to knit. Amir gave his wife's increasingly nervous forehead a long kiss.

"Amir and Namira. Our names seem to be a sign that sister and brother are soul mates," Amir said in between the process of introducing their bodies on that quiet night.

Namira nodded vaguely. "They say that a similar face means a soul mate."

"Hu um."

Unlike Namira, who was experienced in bed matters, this was Amir's first time. The young man who initially looked calm began to break out in a cold sweat as he gazed at his wife's beautiful curves.

"Why?" asked Namira who saw her husband slowly pulling away.

Amir did not answer. His hand began to feel the left side of his chest which was already causing pain. The man became breathless and his breathing became labored.

"Honey," he called in a soft voice.

Namira widened her eyes as soon as she saw Amir who was already lying unconscious. Her hands shook the man's body several times.

"Amir!" screamed Namira in a loud voice. "What's wrong?"

Unfortunately, the call went unanswered. Namira became panicked. Especially seeing her husband's eyes closed. She hurriedly grabbed her clothes and veil. Then she went out of the room.

"HELP!!! HELP!"

Namira ran until she stopped halfway up the stairs. Her vision was blurred by the tears streaming down her cheeks. The rising night made her voice ring loudly in her ears. Then several people appeared from below.

"What's wrong?"

Namira shook her head while sobbing. "Amir. He fainted."

"Huh?"

Everyone then ran to the bridal suite. Leaving Namira who fainted after being propped up by her mother-in-law in front of the room. Until then...

"Amir is dead."

No, it's not. It must have been a dream. There was no way her husband could have left that quickly. Namira shook her head strongly in disbelief at what she had just heard. She slowly stood up straight and walked through the crowd of people in the room.

Amir. The husband who was able to convince her to accept divine fate was lying stiff on the bed. Now the bed that was originally intended to be a witness on their wedding night has changed its function. The body of the man who had only been her priest for a few hours lay there lifeless.

"NO!" Namira approached and touched the pale face. "Wake up, honey! Don't leave me alone!"

Unfortunately, the call did not get any response. Namira sobbed even more and her hands began to pat the body that was no longer breathing.

"Sis, Amir is gone."

Namira didn't care at all. She was still trying to wake up her husband. They had just promised to be together. How could God just separate them? That was what was on her mind at the moment.

"How pity he is." Her mother-in-law quickly pulled Namira's body from there.

"No, Mom," Namira sobbed in what little voice she had left. "Mas Amir is probably tired from the party. He just needs to rest."

"No, you're wrong."

"No. You're Amir's mother. Can't you see that he's sleeping?"

The woman continued to shake her head and babble more incoherently. Until the next second, she squealed as someone covered her husband's face with a white cloth.

Namira was frozen in place. Her body was then dazed and could no longer respond to the words of the people around her who called out to her. She prayed silently that the angels would take her life soon.

"Dear, don't be sad. Forgive me who left you."

The sound of the Fajr call to prayer slowly awakened Namira. The woman swept her gaze across the room. It was quiet. Her smile slowly rose. It had all been a dream. She quickly chanted until she heard...

"Has passed away to the grace of God on behalf of Muhammad Amir Husein. Husband of Namira Hafsari...."

"WHAT??"

Oh my God. It was genuine. Namira was not dreaming. Again. For the third time, she was officially a widow.

Early in the morning, her father-in-law's house was visited by mourners. Even Namira's family was there. Witnessing for herself how the woman stared sadly at the corpse that had just been shrouded.

"Be sincere, Nam. Be patient," whispered her mother, who stood by her side.

Namira was silent. Did not respond to the sentence just now. Her heart was still broken lamenting the fate that felt so outrageous.

Sincere? Namira was tired of the words she heard. Even the late Amir had said it. What did she get? Nothing.

Namira growled inwardly. Cursing the trials that came one after another endlessly. At a time when she had readily accepted fate, why did God disturb her happiness again?

"Poor Namira. Already a widow three times."

"Yes," said another. "Uh uh. Have you ever heard the term bahu lawean baseball? Maybe this is what happened to her. No matter how many times she marries, her husband will die. How scary!"

"Don't be so crazy. Namira's first husband is still alive. It's just Namira's bad luck."

The mourners gossiping in the backyard were very harsh. They had no idea that Namira had overheard the conversation.

Sad. She wanted to calm down, but instead, her ears caught all the bad accusations aimed at her. Was it true that she was a bad-luck woman?

All Namira knew was that the purpose of the praying was to ease the grief of the family left behind by the deceased. So, why did the opposite happen? Instead of getting peace of mind, she received a lot of gossip from the mourners.

Let's see. Even her in-laws have started whispering. Now all eyes seemed to be stealing glances at the ill-fated woman.

"Nam, you don't have to go with us to the cemetery. Just stay here," said her mother-in-law.

Namira, who had just emerged from outside, nodded obediently. Then she hurried to her room. The sense of loss gnawed at her heart even more when she saw the sweet memories she and her late husband had yet to share.

"Nam."

"What, Mom?" muttered Namira after casting a glance around the room. "What else can I say, hem? Patience? Sincerity? I've had it. What's the truth now? I haven't even spent one night as Amir's wife and I'm already gone. What did I do wrong?"

Her mother lost her voice when she heard the outburst of anger that had just been unleashed. The middle-aged woman shook her head as she sobbed too. She knew all too well how painful it was to live the destiny that God had outlined.

Namira began to wail. Voicing the contents of her heart that only God and her mother could now hear. Really if she could choose she wanted to catch up with Amir right now.

It wasn't until late afternoon that the room was quiet again. Leaving only the sound of quiet moaning due to the body's weakened condition. Namira lay weakly on the bed with her eyes closed.

***

"It's a good thing I got divorced from him. If not, I would have gone to the grave like her husband yesterday."

That voice. Namira knew very well who said that just now. Suddenly, she turned around to check the situation.

"Who, Nam?" her mother-in-law asked later.

"I'm her ex-husband, Madam."

It was the tan-skinned, handsome-faced man who answered. He grinned as he came face to face with Namira who was already glaring.

"Come on, Mom. Let's get out of here," said Namira, who had grabbed her mother-in-law's arm.

"Why, Nam? You're afraid your rottenness will be exposed, aren't you?" quipped the man. "Damn woman!"

Namira's blood boiled at the outburst. She immediately threw the man with the water bottle she was holding.

"Watch your mouth!" screamed Namira loudly. "Don't reverse the facts. You're the one who's rotten and unreliable. You still dare to bother me, huh?"

"Nam, be patient," admonished her mother-in-law gently. Especially now that they had become an impromptu spectacle to the people passing around the market.

However, Namira's patience was wearing thin. Especially when facing her ex-husband who was good at speaking his mind. Her barbaric spirit could no longer be contained.

"You saw it yourself, right? This is his true nature." The man smiled slyly.

"Heh!" Namira took one step forward with a finger that started pointing. "Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

"Namira Namira. Tsk." The other person chuckled softly while shaking her head. "You do suck. Look at me now! I have two children. Mine can stand because of my smart wife. Not like you who -"

"SHUT UP!"

Namira was about to throw up her hands. However, her mother-in-law's strong grip made her quickly realize herself. As a result, she could only sigh in resignation as she watched her ex-husband leave with a triumphant smile.

"What you did earlier was bad, Nam. Everyone must be talking about our family."

Namira looked down sadly while squeezing the ends of the veil she wore. Holding back the annoyance and guilt that came at the same time. "Sorry, Mom. I let it go."

"It's because you're resisting that he's getting excited," her mother-in-law said again.

"But ... if not then Putra feels he has the upper hand, Mi," Namira said trying to defend herself.

"My friend is right. Amir is better off not marrying Namira. Even if you are so naughty, it won't change."

"Farah," scolded her mama.

"Never mind, Mom. It's better to tell Namira to get out of this house," said her sister-in-law. "What's the point of staying here? She's not even pregnant. Why would we keep her?"

That sentence was true. Unfortunately, Namira had just realized the harsh reality. She got up and walked half-run up the stairs. She was ignoring the calls from her in-laws.

Even after dinner, her sister-in-law was still saying the same thing.

"Isn't it?"

The middle-aged man who was her father-in-law also confirmed.

"Yes, it is. So what are you waiting for?"

"Farah is right, Mi. I shouldn't be here anymore."

The middle-aged woman who was accompanying Namira in her room let out a resigned breath. She looked pityingly at her daughter-in-law because she didn't know what else to do.

"Farah didn't mean to kick us out, Nam. She just does that when she's upset. Abi and Ummi don't mind if you still want to stay here. Besides, didn't the late Amir say that you wanted to study religion again? This boardingschool is the place."

Namira shook her head quickly. "Things have changed, Mom. I'm a widow now. I can't bear to hear all the gossip out there. Even my behavior sometimes embarrasses Ummi and the rest of the family. I ... just say goodbye."

"At this time of night?"

"Medan to Binjai is close, Mom. I can take the bus from Kualanamu Airport that goes that way," Namira replied straightforwardly.

"Okay. But at least .... if you still want to go home, it's better tomorrow. Don't you want to make a pilgrimage to Amir's grave first?"

Namira finally relented. She agreed with her father-in-law's suggestion. Now her eyes were busy sweeping across the room. Paying attention to the furniture and all kinds of memories that had been with her alone for the past three months.

The 30-year-old woman smiled sadly at the figurine she had just gotten a few weeks ago. There was a smiling face of her and her late husband there. Unfortunately, everything is just a memory. They had never even slept together in that room.

***

"It's good, sis. I've only been married to Mas Amir for a short time and I already got an inheritance," Farah sneered. The young girl smacked her lips as she saw Namira holding a small book from her mother.

"Don't talk nonsense."

"You still defends Namira, Mom," Farah grumbled.

Namira, who was tired of being cornered, said, "If I could choose, I would never want to be in this position, Rah. People can only watch without knowing what I feel."

Not wanting to argue any longer, Namira immediately dragged her suitcase. Get into the car that her father-in-law had prepared.

"It's not good like this, Nam. Will you wait for Abi to finish teaching?"

"No, Mi. I'll be alone. It's okay," Namira refused quietly.

"I was told that," Farah chided. "He finally caught his stripes. It was his turn in front of Mas Amir to be so sweet. Now Ummi can see for herself that he is a rebel."

"That's enough, Farah. You'd better accompany Namira to Mas Amir's grave."

"He's not my brother anymore!"

In the end, Namira went to the grave accompanied by her mother-in-law. Here she was now. Staring at the heirloom bearing the name 'Muhammad Amir Husein' with a forced smile. Trying her best to hold back the tears that were about to run down her cheeks.

'Sister, don't be sad.'

The words she heard in her dream rang again in her ears. Namira recited a prayer as well as silently said goodbye to the heirloom that clearly could not make a sound. After that, she got up and stepped quickly out of the cemetery fence.

However, her steps stopped when longing returned. Namira quickly turned around with tears already streaming down her face.

'I can't be here anymore, Baby. I'll take my leave.'

Along the way to her mother's house, Namira continued to daydream. Even when the driver and the two female students turned around, she was still busy in her head.

"Sis, we've arrived. Your mother's house is here, right?" said one of the students next to her.

"I-yes."

A suitcase and two tote bags were in sight. Now the delivery car quickly disappeared. Namira walked slowly towards the house with the brown fence where her only home was.

Greetings had been said three times. However, there was no response from the residents of the house. Even phone calls went unanswered.

"Nam? When are you coming back?" greeted a girl who happened to pass in front of the house.

Namira quickly smiled. "Lia? Just now. How come there's no one home?"

"Your mother and father went home. It's been almost a month." The woman walked closer until they were only a few feet apart. "Don't you know? Your mother and father's business has been slow. That's why they chose to migrate to your father's village. That's what I heard. What ... didn't they say?"

Before Namira could respond, a woman about the same age as her mother walked hurriedly towards them. Then pulled the girl named Lia's arm forcefully.

"You're getting married next week. Don't wander around! Especially near Namira," the mother said in a stern tone. "Do you want to be a widow like her? Three failed marriages, huh?"

The half-whispered voice was still ringing in Namira's eardrums. It was deliberately sarcastic.

"What the hell? Poor Namira."

"That's it. Let's just go home," broke off the mother who then gave Namira a fierce look. "Eh, Nam. You better leave your mother and father alone. It's a pity that they're being gossiped about. Their only child is a widow. Because of you, their business went bankrupt."

"No, Nam. Don't listen to my mama!" said Lia, shaking her head. "It must be because of Bang Putra's incitement. He's now a meat supplier to the markets. That's why he took the opportunity to ruin your father's business."

Namira could not hear anymore after that. The woman named Lia had been forcibly pulled away by her mother.

She tried hard to stay strong. In the end, it ended up like this. The promise to restore a good name to both parents was dashed.

Namira's heart ached after hearing the news. Now she could only stare at the calf-high grass growing wild in the yard. Until fifteen minutes later her cell phone rang.

"Assalamu'alaikum."

Shortly afterward the greeting was answered by the person on the other side.

["Why? I was helping your father at the market. We're already home."]

Namira covered her mouth tightly with one palm. Putting the phone away from her ear because she knew that her mother was lying.

["You're okay, right?"]

"I-yeah, mom. I'm with my mother in law," she also lied. "Mom and Dad are healthy, right?"

["Alhamdulillah. Sorry, son. We haven't had a chance to see you there. We've been busy."]

"Yes, Mom. Hmmm, that's it."

Oh my God. So her parents have been suffering all this time?