The Third Person (English)

Part 16

A wonderful weekend. At least that’s how I feel right now.

On Friday afternoon, Adi picked me up at work and brought me to this place. At first, I thought he would do things that would later make me disappointed in him even more. But surprisingly, until Saturday afternoon, Adi’s attitude towards me was still warm, as warm as how he hugged me in the cold peak air.

All compliments are given to Sona and her husband who designed their wedding celebration event so festively despite the simple and warm impression preserved.

We gathered in a pavilion dressed to the nines with beautifully carved wooden ornaments. Everything exuded a classic and elegant impression perfectly.

Several long tables were arranged in the middle of the pavilion, fitted out with small cushions for sitting on.

And today, we tooktake a nature bonding all morning, strolling around the tea garden while answering quizzes spread at several points of the meeting. Each couple must take an envelope containing various questions. We are not allowed to bring phones during the session, so we don’t have any chances of cheating or looking for references via the internet. To our surprise, four photographers are hired to take pictures of all of us, so as not to miss those exciting moments that can’t be captured on our respective phones.

To my shock, Adi and I get a question about polygamy. Whether it’s a coincidence or not, just why do we have to get this question?

No.

Not that I am ashamed to indulge in this – for some people – unusual household life. It’s just that in this matter, for people like us whose knowledge is still just a mere drop of dew, it’s not appropriate to practice polygamy. I’m sure if people know our true life, not only a few of them will actually blaspheme me – instead of defending, for practicing this polygamous life.

In other people’s assumptions, when a husband has an affair or ends up marrying another woman, that means the wife — the first wife — must have some flaws, right?

My head is throbbing thinking about it.

My mood is ruined in a mere second after reading the question about polygamy, especially after reading the next sentence, which says the question must be answered by both the husband and the wife.

“Write whatever you want to say.”

That’s what Adi tells me before we answer the question.

The voice of the host greeting the guests breaks my dark sea of thoughts. We are done with our lunch – a special menu from the Priangan land.

The crisp voice of the host who occasionally throws jokes makes our bodies relax again after our exhausting activities.

Other than the nature tour, we also have a chance to compete in a tent-setting up challenge.

According to the event committee, the tent will be the gathering place for us tonight.

After that, we are taken to a strawberry garden ear, where we are allowed to pick strawberries that are ready for harvest. Then, we join in the sour fruit eating challenge.

Surprise!

Adi wins the strawberries eating game. He finishes 15 medium-sized strawberries. I laugh, seeing the expression on his face when he munches. His forehead frowns deeply, his eyes are narrowed, and his lips clench tight, savoring the sour taste.

Adi wins a silver necklace with a heart as his gift.

What makes me even happier is that the necklace is now already around my neck. After the noon prayer earlier, we were given a break time. Adi and I decided to go to our room, and that was when Adi put this necklace around my neck.

Don’t ask about my feelings right now.

There is no match for this happiness.

*****

Though the event at the pavilion is already over by afternoon, it leaves a big question in my head.

How can it not be? Adi’s answer about his view of polygamy is somewhat doubtful to me, as if what I am going through right now is nothing but a part of camouflage from Adi’s true attitude.

“A loyal man will find it difficult just to share his heart with two women at once. Except for a reason.”

That’s the only answer that Adi wrote.

Short and concise. However, it leaves a question that I am reluctant to ask him until evening comescome because I don’t want to spoil the happy moments that have been created since last Friday night.

Let it be...

*****

I find Adi on the balcony when I am done with my nature call. His phone sticks to his ear. He is talking to someone — I don’t know who — maybe Melati. I can’t hear his voice so clearly because the TV sound is quite loud, but I can see clearly, how his laughter is plastered on his handsome face.

I get rid of all negative thoughts — jealousy and envy. I won’t give in to it, at least for now. I hopewish tonight I can try my best to serve Adi. Even if he asks for his rights this very second, I won’t recoil. I will indulge him if in that way Adi will respect me more.

Even for the following days, I hope that love will finally visit his heart — love for me.

I finally decide to watch the Tukang Ojek Pengkolan – Pengkolan Taxi Bike Drivers, while replying to a message from Mom who asks about my condition. Of course, I reply and tell them that I am fine and now attending an event at Puncak with Adi. The other message is from Marta. She tells me that her gathering with her future in-laws went well. I’m genuinely happy to hear that.

Adi returns to the room after lingering on the balcony for ten minutes while I sit on the sofa in front of the TV. His smile breaks beautifully. It seems like he has heard a good news that pleases him.

Ah, it must be because he was talking to Melati.

“Melati said hi to you,” Adi says, hand stroking my head softly, as soon as he sits down beside me.

I only smile at him. It’s as I thought. The one who has just spoken to him was none other than the woman he loves. No wonder his smile is different.

“Wa’alaikumsalam,” I reply. “So, when will she come home?” I ask a little gallantly.

Adi shifts his sitting position. He leans on the sofa body and puts a small pillow on his lap, hugging it. Eyes still looking at me with a smile that never subsides from his bright face.

“On Thursday, she said. There is an additional schedule, so she postponed her return.”

I just nod at it.

Adi looks thoughtful. It shows clearlyclear from his deep frown.

“What is wrong?” I ask, curious to see Adi’s slightly restless body gesture. He likeslike attempts to say something but hesitates.

Adi stares at me for quite a while until then he inhales and exhales slowly. I’m still waiting for what he will say with a slightly pounding heart.

“Can I catch up with her when we go back from here?”

It is a question that doesn’t need my answer at all. I just nod instead of saying anything, which in the end might hurt me.

I can’t be... jealous.

*****

At eight o'clock in the evening, we gather in the front yard, where this morning we set up the tents.

When Adi and I step into the place, the thrill of the event already echoesechoed, along with laughter from the guests, which is hosted by the MC.

Surprisingly, in the right and left corners of the park, several bonfires had been lit to keep out the cold as well as for lighting because the lights were deliberately turned off.

Adi guides me to join them. We satsit in front of the tent that we had set up on a small bench provided.

“Everybody, let’s enjoy the party,” The host, who waves a little, welcomes us.

He steps aside to the side of the stage. The excitement continues, accompanied by the sweet voice of the singer who delivers us the song by Rio Febrian, Terserah – Up to You. Many of us sing along to the voice of the singer by swaying our hands to the right and left to the music.

Waiters pace back and forth, delivering desserts and hot drinks for all of us. Sona and her husband arranged this event in detail. Before the closing ceremony, we have dinner with a western menu.

I turn to Adi who is also humming a song by Judika, Mama Papa Larang – Mama and Papa Forbid Me. His right-hand grasps the cup of ginger drink that the waiter has just delivered. I just smile. I feel over the moon now.

Being stared at, Adi turns his head. “Why?”

I shake my head, “thank you for bringing me here. I’m happy,” I reply. The sound of music does not drown our voices from being heard by each other.

“I’m happy too.” Again, a smile is plastered on his face, and Adi is now engrossed in watching the singer in front again, singing along to Afgan’s next song, Sadis – Cruel.

I’m still looking at Adi. Let my eyes be satisfied by seeing the charm of Adi’s flawless visage. Yes, even though the lighting is not that bright, I can still see the details of his face clearly.

All praises are given to God who created this beautiful being.

I pat my cheek in slight embarrassment for praising my husband too much. This can’t be. I must not fall too deep in Adi’s charm, remembering the fact that I’m not the only woman in his life.

I opt to avert my gaze from Adi. I better enjoy the music in front of us, mumbling a song sung by the singer while eating the food and drink served.

The night is getting late, the clock shows ten o'clock when Sona and her husband — Farhan — get on the stage to express their thanks.

“Thank you to all guests, thank you for your time to celebrate our wedding. There is nothing happier in this world than to marry the woman we love.” Farhan looks at Sona with an adoring look. “Hopefully, she also sincerely loves me,” he hopes.

The sentence ends with a kiss on Sona’s lips.

We are also happy to witness the romantic moments in front of us. Several guests absentmindedly follow the newlywed couple’s romantic scenes with their respective partners. Meanwhile, I just stand awkwardly because the scenery around me makes my joints weaken. I am unable to turn to Adi to just look at the man’s expression.

And as before, Adi’s attitude is unpredictable. As soon as the MC declares that the series of events that were held from Friday afternoon is over, Adi reaches for my hand. A little dragged away by him, I step following him into our room.

****

My brain goes blank as Adi quickly captures my lips as soon as we entered the room and locked the door. He looks starving. He is crazily, swiftly overtaking my entire face.

I give up.

As I said before, I will give him his rights tonight if he asks for it.

Adi still hasn’t asked if I am willing to do it, but from his gesture, I can see that Adi wants me.

I just hope and pray that this is a good start to our relationship. I am sincere in living in this polygamous household for the rest of my life as long as Adi can be fair.

That’s more than enough, more than anything.

I am also ready with all the pity glances from people if someday we reveal our true household story to them, including my parents, because so far, I haven’t told them about Adi and Melati’s marriage. I don’t know about Adi’s parents.

Adi manages to guide me to bed. We are now both bare without a single thread. I don’t know since when Adi managed to remove my clothes.

Every inch of my body does not escape the pepper of maddening and intoxicating kisses from his lips. Meanwhile, I can only close my eyes while biting my lips to muffle the sounds I can’t help but let out.

I don’t know exactly what I’m feeling right now. My body feels light, floating as if I’m of no weight. An unfamiliar feeling resembling joy creeps into every inch of my body when Adi brushes his lips.

“I’ll start now, okay,” Adi tells me.

I can only nod as we stare at each other long enough for Adi to capture my lips again.

“I’ll be gentle.” Adi peppers kiss all over my face, trying to divert the pain I feel down there. My hands are cuffed tightly and I reply as a sign that I am ready to be fully owned by him.

“I love you.” Like a spell, that sentence paralyzes my entire nerve joint.

We are connected.

I have completely belonged to Adi. I have surrendered it – the only treasure that I have guarded so far – to him at will.

Adi moves slowly and it sends me to fly higher and higher. I follow my instincts. The way I move might seem stiff to Adi because this is my first time doing it. For who knows how long we keep moving to catch up with each other’s rhythm to get to the peak of pleasure.

And...

I feel my body flying so high. It tastes great, beautiful, and immensely pleasurable.

But then... this pleasant feeling that I feel for the first time only lasts for a few seconds, and the next second is ... the pain.

At the same time, Adi finally reaches his climax. He growls softly as my warm body is filled with his fluid.

I should be happy, there is a prayer tucked away at that time, I hope the fluid succeeds in fertilizing me.

I should’ve been... happy...

If only Adi doesn’t spit out her name on our first night.

“Melati.”

Continued.