Maya Adisti
Picked

I was suddenly deaf, mother explained at length but all her words evaporated into the air. I flinch trying to digest the last sentence my mother said.

"I'm Akash's wife?" I said in my heart.

Even a few times it felt unreasonable. How could I have suddenly married someone I didn't know, met just once.

My mom keeps babbling indistinctly. He seemed to persuade me and continued to apologize, as if he felt very guilty. He began to sob and wipe away the tears with the back of his hand. I approached, gurgling my bracelet sounding roaring in the room.

I held onto both of mom's shoulders and stared into her puffy eyes. "Mom, I'm fine. Let's finish this thing and then we go home."

"But May, you're already someone's wife" my mother said as she pleased.

"We'll think about that later."

I wiped my mother's tears. The locker room door opened, Aunt Mega walked in and smiled without feeling guilty.

"The guests are waiting for May" he said.

"You're really Mega!" mom snaps at him.

I held onto mom's shoulder, asking the woman I loved to temper her anger.

"Calm mom" I said.

I came out of the locker room leaving my mother still crying. Aunt Mega followed me in the back, at the same time I saw Akash coming out of the other room. It looks like our dressing room is next door. The man seemed more relaxed now. Wearing kurta and blue pants in line with the lehenga I wear.

As I passed by, Akash aligned his steps with me. I looked at him, and he looked at me. Without speaking we stepped together towards the ballroom.

Right in front of Akash's ballroom positioned his right arm, I said. Without waiting for the command I approached and took his arm, I could see him glancing at my hand.

When the ballroom door opened, four female dancers danced and greeted us with a melodious Indian tune. Akash and I walked slowly towards the village. I looked around, the guests looking at us in awe. Some of them were also fascinated by Akash's appearance.

Until the middle of the room that was used as a wedding altar, the dancers left the middle area of the ballroom and the lights were off. The entire room was dark, the guests were shocked and started to grow a little chatty. I feel Akash letting go of my arm in his hand.

I began to panic, wry and try to digest what was happening. Was there a technical error? Dead lights?

I try to walk slowly whether it is right or not the direction I am going. I just don't think I want to be left in a crowd of people in the dark alone.

"Akash!" I called Akash's name because he's the only one I know here.

Along with my exclamation two lights shot towards us. I turned around, I saw Akash kneeling and pointing his hand at me.

I looked at him confused, the man said nothing until finally a more romantic Indian music was heard. I took a breath and walked closer to him. Now I get it.

Luckily I was following the college theater community, at least music, dance and dance is not strange to me. Of course improvisation has become my daily food.

I grabbed Akash's hand, the man stood up and pulled me closer. I followed and kept up with his movements. Sometimes I improve, making the man surprised. At the end of the song Akash lifted me up high and played a few times.

Oh my God, I feel like I'm becoming Anushka Sharma.

Akash lowered me slowly. "How did you do it?" tanyakanya.

The clapping echoed. I didn't answer Akash's question and got him back on his way to the pelaminan.

***

It was dark, my mother and I stopped at a fried rice tent. My stomach feels really hungry because during the event I did not touch any food. I'm not tasteful. My legs also felt sore after standing in greeting guests for hours.

"Mom, why did the show go that way?" my many.

Mom told me the chronology again. According to his confession, the mother arrived at the ballroom first, she was surprised to see the altar and the priest who was ready there. Mom went back to Mega's room and argued with her. She said she didn't have to worry because my marriage and Akash were just pretending. Mega said the priest was a fake.

I don't agree they fought either. My mother failed my marriage but when she got to the ballroom the blessing was done. Uncle Dhika and Mega approach Mom, telling her the truth that the priest and the wedding are real.

I looked at the henna that was still engraved in my hand. To this day Akash and his family are not looking for me. Although my status is the wife of the person at least I can be free, the others can take care of later.

My mother and I ate the fried rice that had just been served. After that we rushed home. Arriving at home I cleaned myself and then laid my body on the bed.

I didn't expect Aunt Mega and Akash to deceive us for their sake. I could have taken advantage of this incident, asking for compensation in the form of a lot of money to them. But seeing my mother cry made me think twice.

Can you ask for compensation for a marriage?

Thinking from any point of view does not make sense. My eyes began to weigh heavily, and I fell asleep. Everything feels awkward.

***

I woke up early in the morning with a noise coming from the kitchen. I saw you cooking a lot of menus. Her face was bent sour, I can guess her mood is not fine.

"Mother cooks a lot, are you okay?"

A silly question, which parent is not sad his child married without his consent.

"Mom should ask, why are you acting like nothing happened?" Mother took a long breath.

I kept quiet, instead of answering her question I took an empty plate and scooped up the rice and side dishes and ate them. I was confused as to what I thought. I don't feel sad at all, just a little deceived. I glanced at the circular ring on my ring finger.

At seven in the morning mom went to the office as usual, I cleaned up my script files because there was guidance at nine. I get ready to wear jeans, T-shirts, jackets and sneakers that I usually wear.

I took out my motorbike and immediately left for college. For some reason, all the way to I felt this heart empty. Several times I shook my head to brush off the shadow of Akash who suddenly appeared. His gaze, the roar of his breath made me feel crazy.

Upon arrival at the college I met my friends at the faculty. They gave me questions about the henna that were still vividly painted on both hands.

"When I play theater" I replied.

Midday, after the guidance is completed. I drove my motorbike back to the streets of Bandung City to the distro where I work.

Upon entering the distro, I was surprised to find someone sitting reading a magazine on a chair in the corner of the room. He's Akash, the man I married yesterday.

"May!" nia called me.

Hearing my name called Akash closed his magazine and turned to me. He got up from his seat and moved closer.

"You should come with me. We have to talk about our contract, Maya," he said.

"Contract?" I knit my two eyebrows in wonder.

"Yes, our marriage contract."

***