Ariana looked at Trisya, who was sitting in front of her.
"Long time no see. You look even more beautiful, honey."
"Of course, I have to always look beautiful so that Papa sees me more often than Mama."
"You don't need to compete with me, honey. Even though we're not officially divorced, I don't want to be touched by a man who has slept with my daughter."
"He doesn't want to touch you either! Besides, you deliberately don't want to let go of your marriage. You said I'm always covered in sin. Forget it! Don't waste time! What's up, you want to meet? You said we wouldn't bother each other again, right?" Trisya asked.
"You're getting more and more disrespectful!"
"You taught me that!"
Ariana sighed.
"I heard from Richard that you're pregnant."
Ariana slapped Trisya's cheeks twice.
"Why did you slap me?" Trisya was angry.
"That's all I can do because I can't bring myself to kill you! I know I was wrong in the past! I never even wanted to change it! Because I have to admit, I've hated you since you were born into this world!"
"I hate you too!" Trisya said flatly. "My life wouldn't be like this if I hadn't been born from your womb!"
Ariana was silent.
Tears flowed down her face.
"In a few months. You'll become a mother. You'll be a mother who can't tell her child who the father is, just like what happened to me. You're a single mom like me, but a different version."
"I'll go to England and probably give birth to Richard's child there."
"You're not scared at all?"
"Scared of what?"
"It's not easy being a mother, honey."
"It's okay, as long as the father doesn't run away... it will be easy, of course," Trisya argued.
Ariana smiled faintly.
"But I'm proud... You don't intend to get rid of your child."
"Of course not! Should I throw away the result of my love with Papa?"
Ariana wiped away her tears. She reached for her bag, taking an envelope from inside.
"In this envelope is money, and an ATM card for you. I made a savings account for your wedding gift. Regardless of our incompatibility, I still want the best party for your special day. Go far away, don't come back."
"You're chasing me away? You don't want me in this city that badly?"
"Don't do anything stupid! That savings might not be enough for you and your child. But I believe you're a strong woman!"
"I don't want your money!"
"If you meet a man who loves you, don't reject him again! Don't let your foolishness be nurtured. It's useless to have a high education but be stupid in life! Robby is the only one you should reject!"
Ariana stood up.
"Take care of yourself. Tomorrow I'll take Aldo to you. Please take care of him. Maybe this is the only time I can save your life!"
"What do you mean?"
"Your revenge is over, Miss. That's enough."
"Why ask me to take care of Aldo?"
"So you can learn to take care of each other. That in this world, if your parents are gone, you have your younger sibling's hand to hold, and your younger sibling has your shoulder to lean on."
"What?"
"Be a good older sister."
"No need to do anything. I'm getting married. Just wait at home. Bang Ardi will meet Mama and Papa to propose to me."
Ariana looked at Trisya.
"What do you mean? Wait... Is this your plan with Richard? Are you using Ardi as a scapegoat for your shameful actions?"
"No. This child is Ardi's child. I'm pregnant, and he's taking responsibility. I already talked to dad at his office."
"Really?"
"Just wait at home. Tonight, Ardi and I will meet you."
"Are you serious?"
"You can laugh happily. This child is not your husband's flesh and blood, even though he once slept with me."
Those words kept playing in Ariana's head until night. She couldn't even say anything when Ardi came to see her and Richard that night to discuss the wedding plans concerning Trisya's pregnancy, which was already eight weeks along.
Ariana looked at Trisya. That night, Trisya looked very beautiful in the baby pink dress she was wearing. Next to her sat Ardi, who seemed to be talking to Richard. The man held Trisya's finger tightly.
Ariana's tears fell, unable to believe what she was experiencing that night. Eighteen years ago, Trisya was a little girl who was forced not to cry even though she had to stay home alone. A little girl who, when her house was dark because of a power outage, just sat quietly hugging her knees, waiting for her mother to come home from work. A mother who often forgot to prepare everything for her only daughter when she was picked up by her boyfriend and often spent time until midnight just having fun and forgetting what the little girl did to fill her empty stomach.
Ariana wiped away her tears.
"I can't believe I'll be able to see you at the altar, honey. I never imagined that my little daughter would arrive at the day that all women on earth long for. Forget your past. Including the time when you became a victim of my selfishness. Forgive your mother for throwing you into the dark world and never caring how you came home," Ariana thought.
She looked at Ardi. The man had finished talking to Richard.
"I entrust my only daughter to your protection. Please treat her well..." Ariana requested.
"Insha Allah, Ma.."
***
And until the wedding day, Ariana couldn't shake off the emotion she felt throughout the wedding ceremony. Gazing at Trisya's beautiful face, adorned in a white wedding dress.
The guests who came to the party also seemed to admire the harmony of the bridal couple.
Renata walked towards Ariana. She hugged the woman.
"Congratulations, Aunt," said Renata.
"Thank you, dear... I hope you can follow Trisya soon, okay?"
"Aamiin."
Renata left Ariana. She walked towards Trisya. She looked at Trisya's face.
"You're so beautiful, Sya," Renata praised. "I haven't seen you since our last fight. Suddenly I received your wedding invitation."
"Thank you for coming," Trisya said.
Renata hugged Trisya.
"I'm sorry I ignored you when I knew you made a mistake. We've been friends since childhood. Instead of supporting you, I left you."
Trisya patted Renata's back.
"It's okay. I'm also sorry for ignoring you. But I took the lesson. When I was alone, God introduced me to the man I hoped could make me a better woman."
Renata released her hug. She kissed Trisya's cheek.
"Pray for me to find a life partner chosen by God, okay?"
"Yes. We're friends again, right?"
"Definitely. You're always my best friend."
Trisya smiled.
Renata turned her gaze to Ardi.
"I entrust Trisya to you, Sir. Please take care of her and love her well. My best friend... I've hardly ever seen her happy. Hopefully, with you beside Trisya, she will be happy forever."
"Aamiin. Insha Allah."