MY UNCLE MY HUSBAND

Aruna's dilemma

014 Aruna's dilemma

''I'm sorry, Runa... I actually don't want to bring up that incident... But, you have to know. If the woman is vulnerable to slander, and you don't want it, your self-esteem will be damaged once again because of things like that... do you understand what I mean?" asked Mr. Arga, in response to a nod from Aruna, who was still sobbing.

Aruna didn't understand what Mr. Arga had just said. What does this have to do with his two younger twin siblings now? Why did Mr Arga have to mention this? However, Aruna could only surrender because there was no way she would have to argue with someone who was having so much difficulty even just talking. Aruna could only remain focused on looking at Mr. Arga with a sad face that had a surprised expression full of questions.

"Runa... I'm sorry... But, you know what it's like to be wasted by that so-called family... your biological father's family didn't want to take care of you after your father died... am I right?!'' Mr. Arga exclaimed. He emphasized that even though he knew that it would hurt his daughter's feelings, he felt that Aruna should be able to understand what Mr. Arga wanted to say.

Aruna's eyebrows rose when she heard Mr. Arga bring up the story of her sad past when she was gently kicked out by her father's family. Even so, there was one person, only one person from Aruna's biological father's family line, who cared about her and her mother.

Mang Tatang, the younger brother of Aruna's biological father who still maintains his friendship. Even Mang Tatang, who is just an ordinary factory worker, with a small salary, still sets aside a small amount of his income for Aruna and her mother, regularly, every month. It's a shame that Tatang is only the youngest child and doesn't have the strength to argue with his eldest brother, who had the heart to throw Aisyah and Aruna out, who at that time had the status of a widow and an orphan.

(Note:

Widows and orphans (children who no longer have a father) have a special position in Indonesian society, which is predominantly Muslim. They will be protected and prioritized, especially by their closest family (even neighbors who have no blood ties will look after them to the extent of their ability. Because the male figure who is the head of the family is no longer there to look after and protect them. Just ignoring them can be said to be evil or inhumane. What's more, if they rebuke them, or even hurt them physically or mentally when they have done nothing wrong within the norms of society.)

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Mang Tatang was in a dilemma at that time. If he responded to Hasyim, his eldest brother, he would also hurt his very old parents. As a result, Mang Tatang could only remain silent and help Aisyah and Aruna as best he could.

Not only Mang Tatang, but Mang Tatang's parents, who are also Aruna's grandparents, are also in the same position. They sympathized with the situation of Aisyah and her grandchildren. But, what can they do? Just sympathy, but not empathy. The fear that there was no one to take care of them and feed them was greater than the pity of the two elderly people. In the end, they could only close their eyes to the actions of their eldest son, Hasyim, who was united with his wife.

Mang Tatang is very lucky because he has a pious wife who is willing to support her husband in helping Aruna and Aisyah. Farah patiently and gently reminded her husband about how widows and orphans are mentioned in the Qur'an. What's more, Aisyah and Aruna are close relatives of Mang Tatang.

Mang Tatang's wife Farah quoted a proposition she had learned while reciting the Qur'an. Proposition regarding the obligation of a Muslim to take care of widows and orphans.

From Umm Said bint Murrah Al-Fihri, from her father, from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, she said,

God willing َذِهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ -شَكَّ سُفْيَانُ فِي الْوُسْطَى أَوِ الَّتِيْ يَل ِيْ الإِبْهَامُ

"My position and that of those who care for orphans in heaven are like these two fingers or like this and this." {One of Sufyan's narrators doubts whether the prophet put his middle finger together with his index finger or his index finger with his thumb.}

(HR. Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad no. 133, this hadith is valid as said by Shaykh Al-Albani in Silsilah Al-Ahadith Ash-Sahihah, no. 800)

From Abu Ad-Darda' radhiyallahu 'anhu, he said that the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam was once visited by someone who complained about his hard heart. The Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam then suggested,

God willing ليَتِيْمَ وَامْسَحْ رَأْسَهُ وَأَطْعِمْهُ مِنْ طَعَامِكَ يَلِنُ ق َلْبُكَ وَتُدْرِكُ حَاجَتُكَ

“Do you like that your heart becomes soft and you get your hajat (your needs)? "Bless the orphan, stroke their head, and feed them from your food, your heart will become soft and you will surely get your wish." (HR. 'Abdurrazaq in his mushannaf, 11:97. Shaykh Al-Albani stated that this hadith is Hasan, as in Sahih At-Targhib wa At-Tarhib, 2544)

Therefore, even though Mang Tatang's income is not much, he can still set aside the good fortune he gets for Aruna and her mother. Even though the amount is not much more than material things, it is Mang Tatang's presence that maintains the relationship between these two mothers and children. It could be an effective solace to ward off their feelings of sadness because they feel lonely being abandoned by their own family. Even though life is hard, there are still people who want to pay attention. At least because of that, unlike Aisyah, Aruna's mother, who married the guardian judge alone without relatives. Aruna still has Mang Tatang as her legal marriage guardian from her biological father.

*****

"Runa... I'm not just asking you to marry Ardan... Runa, your mother is no longer there. Dad will leave you soon, too. You also know what your biological father's family is like, as well as your own father's family. Even if there is a slight mistake, it is not impossible for the past that has long been over to be mentioned again. You are a woman. The amazing creatures created by God are vulnerable to being hurt by those arrogant evil creatures. Your future could be ruined because of this problem. Runa also knows what gossip is. A could become B... B could become C... Then it's so hard to break up if you're already hanging out, that's gossip...''

Aruna gasped when she heard that. She remembered the bad past that she really wanted to forget. The past that made her mother cry regretting herself because of her poverty, the past that made her last year of middle school full of drama.

"You understand what I mean, right?" asked Mr. Arga with his face as calm as possible so that Aruna wouldn't be even sadder.

Aruna nodded in answer to Mr. Arga's question, but deep inside her heart she still strongly disapproved of her stepfather's plan. Aruna had only graduated from high school in one week. She was only nineteen years old. How could she get married when she had just graduated from school.

"Runa... I don't just want to keep you. But, I also want to entrust Ardan to you. My dear little brother to you... You know it, right?! You have heard a lot of crooked things about Ardan... But, Runa... I can't believe those rumors. I still believe in Ardan. I have known him since he was a child. I am also the closest to Ardan compared to other relatives. Because it was just us, two brothers. Our parents died when Ardan was only eight years old. Since that time, I have been a parent to Ardan... But... even if he is like the people said about him. It is even true that Ardan will do all the things that people have been gossiping about... I ask you, Runa... please return Ardan to the right path!"

Mr. Arga spoke at length and with difficulty to Aruna, who was trying to be patient, listening to every word that came out of the mouth of the dying old man.

''Dad... Can I do it? I am still a child, I am not mature yet..." Aruna answered, still with doubt in her heart.

"There's nothing that you can't... just like I believed in Ardan. I also believe in you," said Mr. Arga, continuing to persuade Aruna.

"This is a heavy burden, Dad..." said Aruna with a sad face.

''Runa, you have father and mother's blessings... we sincerely want Runa to be happy... God willing, there will be God's blessings there. As long as Runa is sure..." replied Mr. Arga, not giving up on persuading Aruna.

''I don't know, sir. I am confused...'' Aruna answered resignedly. She didn't know how to argue with her father, who was already exhausted.

"You think about it first... While waiting for Ardan and Gavin..." said Mr. Arga, who also gave in, gave Aruna a chance to think about it.

"Yes, father..." Aruna answered briefly, looking down tiredly.

Even so, when he looked at his stepfather he tried to keep smiling and steadfast. Even though he stumbled in a low voice. Pak Arga has slowly but surely expressed his feelings and desires.

*****