"Alana, I beg you, please be a second wife to my husband."
Alana blinked her eyes a few times. She wasn't prepared for a question like this.
"Vivian, you're still sane, right? How can I become your husband's honey?"
The woman shook her head in disbelief. Long time no see each other, suddenly his best friend called. Invited to meet at a restaurant with the reason to let go of homesickness. There was another purpose to this meeting. Yes, Vivian suddenly asked her to become her husband's second wife.
"I know, you used to like and love Elbarack, right? You two were even close." Vivian said softly and confidently. "In the past, you deliberately gave in so I could be close to him. That's why, I feel you're the only one who deserves to be his second wife."
Alana grinned. What Vivian said was true. In the past, they both liked Elbarack Knight. A handsome man from medical school who was indeed the target of women when they were both in college. The man who incidentally is now Vivian's husband, her best friend.
For reasons of maintaining a friendship, Alana sacrificed her feelings. She was deliberately choosing to give in and even trying to bury his deep love. This was all done so that Vivian could get close to the man she also has a crush on.
"Vivian ... To be honest, I used to like Elbarack. But that doesn't mean that now I want to be his second wife. Don't be crazy!" reject the woman outright.
Vivian immediately grabbed Alana's wrist. With a begging look on her face, she spoke softly. She was trying to win the sympathy of his best friend.
"Lana, I can't have children. Whereas El has always wanted to have many children in our small family."
Alana shot a sharp glare.
"Yes, what does that have to do with me?" Seconds later, he immediately brushed off Vivian's wrist.
"Because you're the only one who deserves to be Elbarack's wife," Vivian muttered. "I know your family and even know what your character and personality are like. Even so with El, he also knows you well. And most importantly, we are both Ba'alawi Arab descendants. So I don't have to bother thinking about lineage. I I'm sure Elbarack will be fair with both of us later."
Alana could only stare. It was so lovely that his friend spoke. Where has he thought, let alone aspire to be someone else's husband's honey? Especially the husband of his best friend.
"No, I don't want to! I also have no interest in being a thorn in the flesh of your household. Anyway, I don't want to!"
Vivian took a deep breath. She was thinking hard about how to convince his best friend. He couldn't give up. He must get what he has wanted for a long time. Of all the criteria, according to him, only Alana was suitable to accompany her husband.
"For God's sake, Alana. I beg for your help. Or, if you don't want to be bound by this marriage for a long time, just until you get pregnant and give birth to El's child. After that, I leave you to make a decision. Do you want to continue to be his wife or separate. Please I."
"You can try other women, Vivian. Not me."
"At least I'm more sincere if you become Elbarack's wife." Vivian spoke softly again.
While Alana continued to persist in her stance, keep shaking his head as a form of rejection of his best friend's crazy request.
However, Vivian got up from where she sat instead of giving up. Alana thought the woman would leave. Not. His best friend looked closer. She was deliberately sitting cross-legged while begging.
"I will not wake up before you accept my request."
Alana glared back. She was surprised by what Vivian did. At the same time, everyone in the restaurant could be heard starting to whisper while watching what happened between him and Vivian.
"Vivian, you're being watched by many people!"
Vivian doesn't care. The woman just kept doing what she was doing.
"Please, Lana...." The woman kept begging. Even now, to sob. Alana could see how her best friend's tears had spilt down her smooth cheeks.
Then what should he do now? Just accept Vivian's request. Seriously! Why can God be this joking in his life? He used to have a hard time forgetting Elbarack. Why now he has to deal with it again?
Alana was silent for a moment. She may be considering what answer is appropriate for him to give. Pray that the decision will not be detrimental to both parties. Then not long after, the woman spoke again.
"Fine... I will accept your request, but on condition that Elbarack himself will come to the house and propose directly to my parents. If Elbarack is able to convince my parents, I promise to comply with your request."
Vivian smiled. While nodding happily, the woman answered Alana's request.
"I'll make sure El proposes to you soon. I believe that he can convince your parents. Just wait for us to come to your house. But, before proposing, can I ask you for one more wish?"
"What request?"
"I apologize beforehand, don't be offended. I want you to come with me to the obstetrician to check the condition of your uterus first."
Alana took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The beautiful woman chose to nod after that.
"Fine, I'll follow your request on this one."
***
"What's this, honey?"
Elbarack looked closely at a folder that had just been given to him by Vivian, his wife. The beautiful woman put her chin forward, indicating for her husband to immediately open it and then check for himself what was in the object.
"The obstetrician's diagnosis?" Elbarack asked again. "But for what?" repeated the man once again.
Vivian took a deep breath. With a sparkling face, she looked impatient to explain the happy news to her husband.
"I have met the right candidate for a wife. And that is the result of her obstetric examination. The woman is healthy and ready to bear your child. Ah... no... no," he corrected quickly. "Our child means."
"What?!"
Elbarack immediately looked up. He was shaking his head repeatedly. He was surprised to hear what his wife had just said.
"We have agreed that we will not discuss this again, Vivian. I have repeatedly emphasized this to you. I don't want to get married again just for the sake of having children."
Vivian once again sighed. She realized that her actions must have aroused her husband's emotions as they had before. But he couldn't just give up. His wish has always been able to come true. Vivian has long wanted a baby in her household.
"But I want to carry a child, El. I also want you to have children ---"
"Stop it Vivian!" Elbarack interrupted. "You can ask me anything, as long as you don't marry another woman. I don't want to!"
Elbarack's voice is getting higher. It's like a loud rumble. This finally made Vivian can't help but cry.
Having abnormal uterine conditions made this beautiful woman of Arab blood have to give up her uterus to be removed immediately. For this reason, she could not give her husband any offspring. Even though the man, since he was not married, wanted many children in their household.
Out of deep love, Vivian decided to find her husband a substitute wife. And Alana was the woman he chose. Vivian hopes her best friend will someday produce many offspring to complete their small family. He doesn't have a problem if he has to share a husband.
"I'm sorry...." Elbarack said softly while hugging his wife's body. "But I really can't marry another woman. I only love you, Vivian. Only you!"
In Elbarack's arms, Vivian could be heard sobbing. It took a few minutes before the woman could be heard speaking again.
"This is the only way we can have children, El. After all, you also know your future wife."
Elbarack loosened his grip. It reconfirmed what he had just heard.
"Know you? You mean?"
"Yeah..." Vivian nodded. I've met Alana. And she is willing to be the wife who bears your child."
"Alana?" Elbarack repeated with a shocked expression. The name Vivian had just mentioned was no stranger to his ears.
"Yeah, you know her, right? After all, she's also Syarifah like me. So for the matter of bebet seeds, weight is guaranteed."
"But Vivian-"
"El..." the woman interrupted. "I beg you. All my life I have known each other, I have never asked for anything from you. So, this time, I beg you to grant my wish."
Elbarack was silent. How can his wife make a decision? This is more about a life companion. Running a household by way of polygamy never crossed his mind. Then, what should he do now? Was it still sticking to his stance? Or grant the request of his beloved wife.