The Widow's Second Marriage: Love after loss

The year 2020 is a year of downturn for all humans. Not one or two countries felt the impact, almost the whole world felt it. The sharp economic downturn, the rising unemployment rate, the inescapable poverty and other cases that support it.

Covid-19 greeted Indonesia in the third month of this year-March. For some people, those who are office employees will use the work from home time as a means to strengthen family ties or replace their wheel time to exchange stories. While for the subordinates, babu let's say so, will cry tears, legowo lan nerimo because they lost their jobs. No matter how hard they try, if the boss has put their name on the list of being laid off, they still say good bye.

Pulung Rinjani is one of them. A 26-year-old woman who had to sigh many times. The capital city is so cruel to her who only graduated from high school. She was very lucky to have gotten an education up to high school. In her village, Garut, school is not that important. As long as a man was already sold, marriage was a race. Working for women in mountainous areas is not a necessity.

Unfortunately, Pulung did not have the privilege of relaxing after school.

In the years since graduating, Jakarta has become his best friend. He turned his job into a home where he could eat rice twice a day, at least. And send some of his salary to his mother and father in the village. From there, Pulung was able to raise the status of his family with the youngest entering university.

Unfortunately, this pandemic destroyed the dreams of some people who had initially lived peacefully.

This fact was accompanied by a divorce letter sent by her husband. The handsome man Pulung married two years ago apparently chose to end their relationship.

He said:

"This year is difficult. The economy has also dropped dramatically. If I have to support you, I can die standing up."

Arga Brasta said his sentence smoothly. Pulung accepted it. If you have to divorce, it means you are not a match. That day Pulung also put his signature. That sign, the journey of his domestic life was over.

Right, fast marriage, young marriage to finally become a widow. Isn't it funny to be played with life under the guise of destiny?

"Sorry. If my service was unsatisfactory."

"Lucky you didn't get pregnant."

Pulung didn't listen. His two feet stepped steadily out of the house that sheltered his body from the heat and rain during his marriage. Pulung dragged his suitcase to the online taxi that had been ordered.

Arga's words were enough to hurt Pulung's heart even though he ignored them. After a year of marriage and living with the man, Pulung was always urged by his in-laws to get pregnant. But his own son wanted to enjoy a period of togetherness and deliberately delayed it. Pulung became confused and felt fooled.

"Where to, Neng?" The driver quickly put Pulung's luggage into the trunk and asked his destination.

"Fatmawati, sir." Pulung's brother was there. Maybe he could give himself a job.

After being laid off from the factory where he made his fortune, Pulung had to look extra hard. Three months at home, Pulung thought her husband - her ex - was the perfect man considering his responsible tracking. They always work together in matters of home needs ranging from water, electricity, monthly shopping, to motorcycle and car installments. Which can be resolved easily. Once Pulung was unemployed, he was dumped because he had no income.

"Jakarta is cruel, Neng." Mr. Driver's vocals filled the air. Splitting the silence of the car and being carried away by the crowd outside. "Corona makes the poor poorer. The rich are getting rich." Pulung said to himself. "Finding a job is difficult. The government can't provide security for its people."

This is one example of a mistake where people are keen to blame the government. Even though the government has the authority to act, they still have considerations to carry out every policy. Whether the regulations they issue have an impact on the good or even make the atmosphere heated.

"Maybe it's not fortune yet, sir." Pulung returned his smile.

His heart ached. Not at the divorce he had just started. But on how society views her as a widow, especially without children. Netizens' judgment must be on the element of ugliness.

Like:

"Barren."

"Not good in bed."

"If you have a husband, you must be good at taking care of yourself."

"Being beautiful doesn't guarantee it."

"Like a cat given rendang, how can you refuse!"

Pulung's eyes closed. Fear that he had never imagined suddenly loomed. His widow status must have a very bad image.

"There, Neng."

Pulung handed over a note according to the amount on the application.

"Just take the change, sir. Take care of your health. Don't forget the mask and hand sanitizer."

"Thank you, Neng. Sami-sami buat, Neng too and the best prayers are always with you, Neng."

The luxurious boarding house in front of Pulung illustrates how much his brother earns. And explained what his job was like. Will Pulung participate?

For the sake of his sister's college. For the sake of his mother and father. For the sake of his survival. After all, hasn't he been damaged since a few hours ago. So, it will not cause complicated problems as long as the carcass is kept tight.

Okay. No problem.

But Pulung shook his head once again. Trying to make himself realize that failure is a delayed success. Being a widow is not as bad as others make it out to be. Being a widow is not a bad thing.

No! Pulung must rise from his slump and fix himself. There are still many that Pulung can bear including his parents and sister.

Pulung exhaled along with his eyes circulating. The condition of the boarding house owned by Dante - his cousin's younger brother was quite beautiful with plants lined up neatly as decoration and a large shady tree. The evening breeze caressed Pulung's cheeks. It was rare for Jakarta to be this cool at a time when pollution was difficult to overcome.

"Looking for who, Tea?" The security guard greeted Pulung kindly. "Let me help you."

"Dante." Pulung replied with an equally friendly smile.

"Oh Mbak Dante. Come."

Pulung followed where the security guard led him. Pulung must be amazed by the quiet and clean atmosphere of the boarding house. Not noisy in general or is it like this adequate facilities at a price that suits the pocket?

"But I don't think he's home yet, Tea." The security guard only gave information. "Do you have the access code that was given to you by Ms. Dante? Let me help you if you haven't given it to me yet."

Now here's another uniqueness that makes Pulung flabbergasted. He was too ndeso or indeed a lack of socialization so that only the world of work that Pulung knew. Now the boarding house is already using a code like an apartment that is usually in dramas. No more old-fashioned keys.

"Already, sir. But if you want to help, I don't mind."

The security guard nodded and immediately pressed the numbers of the buttons according to the instructions Dante had left a few hours ago.

"Go ahead, Tea. If you need anything, you can call the security post number listed here." She pointed to the paper near the phone. "Have a good rest, Tea."

Pulung nodded and smiled. Letting the security guard retreat and returning Pulung circulated his gaze into Dante's room.

Luxury, that was the first impression Pulung had. Not only was the building luxurious and the facilities were adequate. The contents of Dante's room are really luxurious like a real rich man.

The bed is king size, there is a dining table that doubles with the kitchen. Everything looked neat and Pulung was even more amazed by the success of his younger cousin.

Pulung was happy and hopefully after the test that greeted him there will be other happiness that Pulung did not expect to come.