MY UNCLE MY HUSBAND

Ardan and his brother's debate

015 Ardan and his brother's debate

A few hours later, Ardan came with Mr. RT, Mr. Amil, and Mr. Ustad, who usually gives sermons at gentlemen's recitations or during Friday prayers. He met Aruna, who was stunned in front of the door of the ICU room where her father was being treated. Aruna looked lethargic as if she was stressed about something. That is what Ardan was thinking because he saw Aruna pressing her broad forehead against the wall next to the ICU room door.

''Aruna!... What are you doing?!!!'' Ardan exclaimed and asked Aruna, waking her from her reverie.

''Mang Ardan!'' Aruna was surprised to see Ardan coming, making her awkward, ''No, Mang... Nothing, why?''

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM WARRAHMATULLAHI WABARAKATUH

Mr. RT and the others greeted her almost simultaneously when they saw Aruna at the door of Mr. Arga's ICU room.

''Wa alaikum greetings wr wb. Mr. RT, Mr. Ustad, Mr. Amil..." said Aruna, answering their greetings while nodding her head.

At first, Aruna was surprised to see Ardan with Mr. RT and the others following behind him. But now Aruna understands why Mr. Arga, her stepfather, asked that they all be brought here. Aruna felt increasingly desperate. Her heart told her that she couldn't avoid it anymore. She no longer had a choice.

"Runa, how is my brother?" asked Ardan seriously.

''It's still the same... He's been waiting for you for a long time.''

"Okay... I'll go in first... Excuse me, Mr. RT, Mr. Amil, Mr. Ustad, please sit here for now..." said Ardan to the three people who came with him.

''It's alright, I understand...'' said Mr Amil in reply.

''Go ahead!'' Mr. RT exclaimed.

''Yeah, Ardan, meet your brother first!'' Mr. Ustad added.

''Yes, thanks everyone, I'll meet him first, just a moment...''

Ardan immediately went into the room, leaving Arun with Mr. RT and the others were waiting in the waiting room.

''Girl, be patient...'' said Mr. RT, supporting Aruna, who was feeling weak for other reasons.

''Accept your mother's death... God willing, therefore, it will make things easier for your mother,'' said Mr. Amil.

AMEN

Mr. RT and Mr. Ustad agreed in unison.

"Aruna must be steadfast, God willing, behind a disaster there is guidance..." Mr. Ustad, who is Aruna's Tausiah teacher at the mosque, also provides moral support to Aruna.

Aruna didn't know what to say to all of them. A bitter smile appeared on her face. Her sadness over the death of her mother, Aisyah, had not yet left her heart. Now, she is faced with a decision that will bind her for the rest of her life.

For the sake of the stepfather she loves so much, should she obey his wishes?

Should she marry a stranger, someone twice her age?!

That question kept ringing over and over in her head.

*****

''Brother!'' Ardan screamed in surprise at Mr. Arga's words when he entered the ICU room where Mr. Arga was being treated, ''Brother, don't be kidding!'' Ardan exclaimed with a serious face, ''Please don't joke about this.''

''Look at my face, do I have energy... for joking with you...'' replied Mr. Arga with a very lean face.

''That...'' Ardan paused in his words and answered his brother awkwardly, ''After all, brother... Just make fun of it. That girl is still too young, she is still at school...'' said Ardan, his face softened again. He also couldn't bear to see the condition of his older brother, who was so exhausted, ''What will people say later, bro?!''

"She's graduated, and... now she's preparing to go to college," said Mr. Arga, confirming this.

''Oh Allah,'' Ardan exasperated in response to his brother's casual words, ''Do you have to correct the words... Yeah, okay, Yeah... Just as like, brother!'' added Ardan in an annoyed tone, but he was also amused himself because his brother was still able to respond casually. In fact, it is clear that Mr. Arga also tried his best to just be able to speak.

"Ardan... You know, even though I've remarried, it's not even a day that I don't remember you... It hurts my heart. When I think you are wandering around without direction, I know that I'm just your older brother... But, since our parents died... I've taken care of you like my own child. I'm sure you also know how I feel seeing you like this... I'm raising you up, not making you a brat, Ardan..." said Mr. Arga, with gentle eyes looking at his beloved little brother.

Ardan's tears fell when he heard the words of his older brother, who had been like a parent, teacher, and friend to him since he was only eight years old. Mr. Arga and Ardan became orphans when Ardan was eight years old and Mr. Arga was 18 years old at that time. Mr. Arga had just graduated from high school when his father died. Because Ardan's mother died shortly after giving birth to Ardan. Since then, the two brothers have lived alone, supporting each other.

''Yes... But, bro... What does this have to do with that girl... Are you sure, don't you feel sorry for her?... Is it true that you want her to marry someone who is not clear like me?!'' Ardan answered. He was still trying to convince his older brother that the decision he made was too hasty.

"Well, it turns out you know that too..." said Mr. Arga to Ardan.

''Brother!'' called Ardan, who was excited at his brother, ''Is it necessary for us to argue like this?!'' said Ardan in an annoyed tone, but his face was pitiful.

"Well, you're the one who invited me to the debate... You already know that I was dying, but you're still asking for a fight..." Mr. Arga answered casually, with his face made as if he were annoyed.

"What a waste... dying where? Just look at that. You still have a lot of energy to argue with me...''

''For you, I can do anything...''

''That's not the case, bro... But why do you have a heart?! That girl is immature, bro, she still has lots of opportunities to get a better man than I am in the future... Not someone who isn't clear like me... Poor her, brother...''

''Ardan... My faith in you is still there. I'm sure you do not like what people say about you... You're my little brother. Since you were still in mother's womb, I've known you. That's why, only with you, I can trust my children... Aruna, I don't want her to be the subject of gossip anymore. I know you'll take care of her too. But, Ardan... Without ties, that girl would be the victim. And I... don't want that to happen... again... Do you understand?!''

Ardan stared silently at his older brother, Mr. Arga. In a way, he actually understood what his brother meant. But still. It was a very difficult decision. How could someone who was 35 years old like him marry a girl who had just graduated from high school? Ardan faces a big dilemma. On the one hand, there is a brother he loves very much dying before his eyes. On the other hand, he has to face the consequences of moral ethics in society. And what is no less important than that, is Aruna's own feelings.

*****

Not long after that, another person followed whom Ardan had already contacted. He was Mang Tatang, the younger brother of the late Aruna's father. Among all Aruna's relatives from her late father, only Mang Tatang is still faithful in maintaining contact with Aruna and her mother. Even though the monthly allowance for Aruna is only 50 thousand rupiah or 100 thousand rupiah a month. He always sets aside his salary with the knowledge of his wife, who supports him to always pay attention to widows and her children, orphaned after the death of his older brother.

''Assalamualaikum...''

Mang Tatang greeted her when he saw Aruna sitting together with three adult men nearby in the waiting room in front of the ICU.

''Wa alaikum salam...''

Everyone sitting there answered Mang Tatang, then Aruna immediately got up and kissed Mang Tatang's hand.

''Runa! Oh Allah, are you okay Runa?" asked Mang Tatang while stroking Aruna's head, which was covered in a white hijab.

''Yes, uncle, I am okay...'' Aruna answered softly, she seemed to be smiling, but an expression of depression could already be seen in her eyes.

''Where is your father?'' asked Mang Tatang.

"It's inside..." answered Aruna.

''Oh! What are you doing outside?'' asked Mang Ardan in surprise.

"I'm waiting... Mang Ardan is inside, talking to Father about something... Wait a minute, Mang, Runa will call him first..." said Aruna after inviting her uncle to sit with the others in the waiting room.

"Okey," answered Mang Tatang, then exchanged pleasantries with the others while waiting for Aruna to enter.