Married to Brondong
Anger that leads to desire

“You kidnapped Ganbala?” He snorted, I shook my head. This kid is funny too, he must be smart.

“Assalammualaikum everything!” Ardi greeted several adults who had gathered in a lesehan-shaped cottage. Spacious and comfortable. Because the wall is open.

Those who are slamming, immediately stop the activity.

“You brought a girl, yes, Di?” ask a mother after answering her greeting.

The little boy still holding my hand shook his head.

“Continues!”

“Live companion, Bang Aryo! The angel who stole Ganbala's heart. And now I bring it here.”

Oghh!

I gotcha! So these kids are brainwashed with stories by Aryo? But why are they here?

What has my husband done?

I looked for Aryo with the corner of an eye, but the man was invisible. Did he kidnap me like Ardi said?

“Finally! He we're all granted. Aryo has chosen!” The mother immediately stood up and rushed to me.

I was confused as to what he meant.

After that, everyone who was there approached. Their eyes glazed over at me.

“Aryo good man, son! You're lucky to marry him.” Mother was holding my cheek with her palm.

Then, he apologized. It turns out there is residual paint attached to the cheeks. I shook my head, then replied slowly, it's okay.

The taste of haru is framed on the faces of women who look older than their age. Perhaps, the weight of the burden of life, makes them like this.

“But why did all the mothers get to this place? Only women and children?” I came from the beginning not to see a grown man in this place.

They look at each other. Then point towards the hillside.

“They are working to make this place beautiful. Let many visit here.”

I'm amazed. It turns out this area will be used as an educational tourist attraction. Who is the motor?

“Keren, yes, Bu!”

“All because Aryo! He's very kind and smart. Oh, aye! What's your name, Son!”

“Aida, Mom!”

“Good name,” said friendly.

After a long conversation, I started to get nervous. Aryo and the kids behind me are invisible.

Going out on my own, I don't know the way. Anxious face may be noticed by the mother. Then he told Ardi to take him to where Aryo might be.

“Come, Brother!”

“Where?”

“Ke hiding Ganbala!”

“Whose is Ganbala?”

“Ga can be many ask!” He pretended to hear something.

This kid is so funny, I laugh. Our steps go hand in hand to a place located behind the batik spot earlier.

The road to get there is like a hallway, but it is formed by green leafy roots that grow in bamboo that are deliberately used as a place to spread the trunk.

“That, Ganbala!”

I raised an eyebrow, then grabbed her shoulder to the waist.

Aryo was sitting on a big rock, behind him was a waterfall. There were a few other children besides the one who had gathered. Some dance, some paint, and some learn to play the guitar.

My husband bends his knees, keeping an eye on those potential boys.

“Why did you mention, Bang Aryo, Ganbala?”

“Because he kidnapped us all to this place. Who used to live under the bridge, do not have a house, eat only once a day, sometimes do not eat. Ganbala came with his reinforcements. Teach our parents to bathe, to garden behind the cottage. Now we can learn with Mbak Ismi!”

I knit my eyebrows back, Ismi? Who else is that guy?

“Our school teacher is here. Her people are beautiful, kind and soft.”

“Daughter, Bang Aryo?”

“Ndon't know! I was a kid, I could date!”

There's a tight hold haru in the chest. Aryo is an amazing man. Why can't I accept this gift with sincerity?

He is so proud. He is useful to others. Maybe even this marriage happened because prayed by the mothers I met earlier.

“How familiar are you with Bang Aryo?” I bowed.

“That Aryo, like the sun, shines on the earth without asking for a reply. He is like a leafy tree, though we sometimes throw with stones, he still protects from the heat of the air. Bang Aryo best sister,” she explained with sparkling eyes.

Yeah, God!

Why can't I feel his kindness? Why am I always suspicious of men who might be deliberately sent to correct my morals.

I'm really slapped with all this. I am arrogant, I am insensitive to those who are corrupt. I put my career first of everything.

My chest feels tight, my tears are spilling. Moreover, seeing Aryo who was so attentive to the boys who surrounded his seat.

Applause and encouraging expressions flowed from his mouth that was endlessly smiling and laughing.

Seeing her body shaken while laughing loosely, my chest rumbled. There was a sudden sense of ambush. My heart is beating hard. Me, I want to always have it.

Is this that love?

Or just admiration? But why did it suddenly feel so strong when it saw his face?

“Kakak to Bang Aryo place first, yes!”

Without waiting for an answer, I ran towards Aryo. My eyes began to water, the taste of haru and I don't know what his name is. Makes my crying spill.

“Beng!” I called from under a big rock.

The kids seem to understand. They moved away, then disappeared one by one. Like getting into a deep hole that sucks them up without a trace.

Aryo jumped down gallantly. He looked with a surprised face. Why did I come with a cry that made a wet face.

“What's up, Mba? How, you cry?”

“I, me!”

“I what?” the question made me sob even more. The sound of the waterfall behind us sounded like cheers for me to apologize immediately.

“I.”

“Iya, what's with me?” He wiped my tears with his finger.

I immediately jumped into his arms. Aryo, look confused.

“Why are you, Ai? You sad?”

I nodded my head at his chest. I felt her hand caress my head, then returned my embrace.

“I'm sorry, Bang! I'm sorry I let you down that night! I'm an ungrateful wife with the gift of Allah.”

“Kok, talk like that? You're not wrong, Ai! You're not wrong! I was wrong to marry you before I could really have your heart.”

He whispered, my chest rumbled.

“Now, now,” my word is cut off. Aryo kissed my forehead softly.

“I'm scared, Beng! I'm scared!”

“What fear? Afraid of being hurt again?”

“I'm afraid of losing you, ever since those kids told me how much you have great love for them.”

“Ai! Your jealousy is in the wrong place. I love you, ever since you dropped this near the bridge the other day.”

Aryo reached into his pocket, then pulled out my necklace and pendant that fell while helping a little boy who was hit by a motorist run.

“There are your photos in it.”

I'm nodding.

“Since then I've been looking for you, Mba. The child you saved is my brother. He died while in hospital.”

His face was sad, his eyes were teary.

“If I was a young man, and you were an adult. The kindness you do fosters a strange feeling in your chest. I finally found out your office address. Remember, ever had a busker give you chocolate and flowers?”

I nodded again. At that time, there were indeed teen buskers who sang, but did not want to be given money. He even gave her chocolate, she said as a thank you.

“I'm the one. Two years I've been waiting until I've finished High School, Mba! It's been a long time to just hug you. But, I don't want to do that, before we get married. That's why it was.”

He looked into my eyes. Then continue his words.

“Actually I deliberately stalked you who happened to wait for a public transport car after work. I came home from school, followed straight from behind. And God granted my prayers, I could finally have you, even if I didn't love me. Because of our age difference.” He exhaled, the warmth felt all the way to my still wet face.

Apparently, God does have a way of meeting a mate. I did not expect, it turns out Aryo was so hoping to marry me. At first, it was only because of debt.

Now what about me? Have you fallen in love? Because there is a beat in the chest that is difficult to understand.

“I'm sorry, Mba! Now, if Mba can't accompany me anymore, I'll decide.” His voice was accompanied by vibration.

“You mean?” I pulled the head off his chest.

“If Mba cannot accept me as a husband because of the age difference. I'm sincere, Mba left me.”

He tried to smile, but I knew he was suppressing his feelings so as not to look crybaby.

I shook my head, then returned to his arms.

“I, I'll learn to love you, Beng! Please accept me for who I am. Teach me to understand the feeling that scares me of losing you!”

“Masya Allah, really, Mba?”

I nodded in shame at his chest. I bit my lips to hold the gelora that makes my body goosebumps.

The sound of applause rang out from behind the trees.

“Cium ... Kiss!” the screaming of the children made me feel wrong.

Aryo glanced at them.

“We'll close our eyes!” The brand laughed then covered its face with the palm of its hand.

“Ga, can! You guys are kids. Where do you know about kissing?” Aryo is loud.

“Excuse us, Bang!”

“Now turn around!”

They obey and give back their bodies. Instantly, my lips felt wet and pulled gently, long. It was hard for my breath to get out of my nose.

“Thank you, love! Walk beside me, for you are my life companion.” His eyes looked at me, I was ashamed.

Here's love! This is the taste that he said was the most beautiful gift.

Falling in love is a million things. The color is different too. My face flushed red as the boys turned around and shouted. Cie ... Cie!

Now, my job is to keep making love like a rainbow. But, can I?

“Kak Aida don't want to go home! Here a little a week.” The boys ran closer. Then hugged me who was still very close to my husband.

“But, tomorrow Work brother!” I looked at the husband, then squatted to be as tall as they were.

Their faces changed. Disappointment is evident in that clean retina. The wind suddenly blew softly, as if forcing me and Aryo to stay.

“But, we want to be with brother until night. Teach us one thing!”

Teach one thing? I don't have the skills to make them happy. Since I was a child, there was no special hobby I had. Whether in art, sports, or cooking. My hobby is just one. That is dismantling electronic items at home, then losing bolts or breaking the cover.

So, I don't have one thing to be proud of in front of them.

“So can't do anything, Deck!”

Aryo stroked my shoulder slowly. Then come crouching.

“Kak Aida is tired, she must rest. So, for tonight we cannot stay here. Maybe next week, you guys bring me a book.” Aryo told in a soft voice.

They finally understood.

Long enough Aryo and I enjoyed various interesting places in their settlement. Like kings and queens who have many escorts, my steps and their husbands are accompanied.

Until finally we arrived at a stilt house on the hillside overlooking a clear watery river and there were large stones that poked like buffalo bodies.

“Sisters, thank you, yes, have brought Ganbala and Princess Aida to the contest. In a moment, we both have to go find something to the neighboring country. And will be home in a week. Order for the retainers, keep our kingdom, diligently learn, appreciate Ismi Kak. And don't forget ...?”

“Shalat and teach!”

Answer them in unison.

“Because there is no greatest power, other than strength ..?”

“Allah!”

“Now the retainers can all return to the palace!”

They immediately greeted Aryo, then also greeted me who was amazed by their closeness. Aryo is good at educating children of that age with knight stories that are flavored with moral messages.

I waved my hand as they went down the hillside.

“This is our home! Please enter Princess Aida!” Aryo bowed her body and spread her arms.

“Thank you Ganbala. Thank you for stealing my heart with jealousy.”

He scrunched his eyebrows.

“Kok, so? Jealous of who else?”

“Sama Ismi's. The children were very complimentary to the girl who became their teacher here. Moreover, they tell a lot about you who are very considerate.” I glanced while throwing my face away.

Aryo nodded, then approached.

“Don't be too jealous, it will make love even further. Jealousy is okay, but only. As a passion spice in the household.” He immediately grabbed my chin. Then link all his fingers to mine.

“Excessive jealousy, will make you lose energy and positive thoughts. Later, it becomes possessive. I don't want blind jealousy to cover the affection in the chest.”

“But, I want to know who Ismi is!”

“Next week I introduce. Now, you go in first!”

I nodded, a sign of trust.

“Then, why did you stray here?”

“For him, I was surrounded by residents in my friend's house. I was half conscious, immediately ran away with the motor that you saw his carcass near the waterfall park.”

I saw there was a motor carcass there, maybe it can be used as a backdrop for selfies.

Aryo grabbed my shoulder again. This time he kissed my forehead, long time ago.

“When I ran away, I didn't know where to go. The obvious is hiding first in one place, that's what you have in mind. I drove the bike to the little road we were on, but I don't know, it turned out to be in this abyss.