The next day.
The clock showed 9 AM. Fiya and Ardi were in Mr. Hendra's office, their lawyer.
The room was large and felt formal. The walls were gray. The desk was neat. Law books lined from floor to ceiling.
Mr. Hendra sat behind his desk. He looked at Fiya and Ardi who sat next to each other but didn't touch. Two people who would follow this crazy contract.
"Well," said Mr. Hendra. "Before we sign, I want to make sure you both really understand what you're doing."
Fiya and Ardi nodded.
"This marriage is legal in the eyes of Indonesian law," continued Mr. Hendra. "This means Fiya and Ardi officially become a married couple. They will receive a marriage certificate from the civil registration office."
"However," Mr. Hendra continued, "there is a separate contract that I prepared. This contract explains that this marriage is a business contract. Duration 1 year. After 1 year, they can divorce easily."
Fiya felt her heart beating fast.
This was really going to happen.
"The contract also regulates payment," said Mr. Hendra while pointing to the document. "Ardi will give 300 million to Fiya when the marriage is legal. Then another 200 million when they divorce. Total 500 million."
"Additionally," Mr. Hendra continued, "all medical costs for Desi—Fiya's sister—will be fully covered by Ardi. Including heart surgery."
"This is the first time I've seen a contract like this," said Mr. Hendra with a slight smile. "But the law allows it. Nothing violates the law."
Ardi nodded. He had already talked about this with Mr. Hendra before.
But Fiya felt she was only now fully understanding what was about to happen.
"Now," said Mr. Hendra, "I want you both to read the contract one more time. Every page. Make sure you agree with every sentence."
Fiya and Ardi read.
Fiya read with full concentration. Every line. Every word.
"Article 1: Both parties agree to marry legally according to Indonesian law."
"Article 2: The duration of the marriage is 1 year from the date of legal marriage."
"Article 3: After the duration ends, both parties agree to divorce through a smooth legal process."
"Article 4: The first party (Ardi) will provide financial payment to the second party (Fiya) of 300 million rupiah at the time of legal marriage, and 200 million rupiah when the divorce process is completed."
"Article 5: The first party (Ardi) will cover all costs for heart surgery for Desi (Fiya's sister) conducted at the hospital."
"Article 6: Both parties are committed to keeping this contract confidential. They may not inform anyone about the nature of this contract to any third party without mutual consent."
"Article 7: During the marriage, both parties do not need to perform the duties of husband and wife like a real marriage. They can live in separate rooms."
"Article 8: Any changes to the contract must be done with written approval from both parties and witnessed by a lawyer."
Fiya read Article 8 over and over.
This article meant that both of them could change the contract if there was agreement. But the agreement had to be written and formal.
Fiya raised her head.
"I've read everything," said Fiya.
"Ardi?" asked Mr. Hendra.
"Done," answered Ardi briefly.
"Is there anything you want to ask before signing?"
Fiya wanted to ask. But she didn't know what to ask.
She thought for a moment.
"Mr. Hendra," said Fiya. "If I or Ardi change our mind before 1 year is finished... what will happen?"
Mr. Hendra smiled. "This contract cannot be canceled easily. If one party wants to cancel, then that party must pay a penalty of 50 million rupiah."
Fiya nodded. The penalty was quite large. This meant Ardi and Fiya were really serious about this contract.
"But," Mr. Hendra continued, "if both parties agree to cancel, then there is no penalty. They can agree to cancel the contract."
"Okay," said Fiya. "I understand."
"Now," said Mr. Hendra, "we are ready to sign."
Mr. Hendra took out three copies of the contract. Everything was ready.
He gave one copy to Fiya, one copy to Ardi, and one copy for himself.
"Fiya, you sign here," pointed Mr. Hendra. He pointed to the bottom of the first page.
Fiya took a pen. Her hand trembled slightly.
She pressed the pen to the paper.
Fiya Nuriyah Dewi.
Fiya signed on all pages that needed a signature. Page 1, page 3, page 5.
Every page she signed felt like one step taking her further from her old life.
That was not Fiya's usual name.
Her full name was Fiya. Her middle name was Nuriyah. Her last name was Dewi.
Now, after this signature, Fiya would become Ardi's wife. Fiya would have a new name: Fiya Nuriyah Ardi (or Fiya Ardi Sutrisno, depending on what they chose later).
Fiya signed on every page that needed a signature. Page 1, page 3, page 5.
Every page she signed felt like one step taking her further from her old life.
Then, Ardi signed.
Ardi also signed on every page.
When Ardi finished signing the last page, Mr. Hendra took all the documents.
"Done," said Mr. Hendra. "The contract is now valid. You both are now bound by this contract."
Fiya felt her life had just changed. But she wasn't yet officially married to Ardi. Signing the contract wasn't marriage. The marriage would happen tomorrow at the civil registration office.
But this signature... this meant Fiya was already committed.
Fiya couldn't go back now.
After leaving Mr. Hendra's office, Ardi and Fiya walked toward the elevator.
The atmosphere between them felt awkward. Awkward like two strangers who had just made a business agreement.
"Tomorrow at 10 AM we go to the civil registration office," said Ardi. "Do you need anyone to be a witness?"
"Huh?" asked Fiya.
"A witness. For the marriage. Usually there are two witnesses from the groom's side, and two witnesses from the bride's side."
Fiya hadn't thought about this.
She couldn't tell her friends. Because they would ask why Fiya was marrying the cold Ardi.
She couldn't tell her neighbor. Because her neighbor loved to gossip.
Fiya only had one family. Desi. And Desi was a child. Desi couldn't be a witness for a marriage.
"I... I don't know," said Fiya.
"Just ask Mr. Hendra and his secretary. They can be witnesses," suggested Ardi. "Lawyers usually act as witnesses for cases like this."
"Okay," said Fiya. "I will contact Mr. Hendra."
They reached the elevator. The elevator was empty.
They entered. The door closed.
"Ardi," said Fiya. She dared to ask because they were in the elevator. Alone. No one could hear.
"Yes?" answered Ardi.
"Are you serious about this contract?"
Ardi looked at Fiya. "What do you mean?"
"I mean... are you really willing to pay 500 million? Really willing to cover all of Desi's surgery costs?"
Ardi was silent. He looked at the elevator door.
"Yes," Ardi finally answered. "I'm serious."
"But... why, Ardi? What's this about?"
Ardi didn't answer directly. He waited until the elevator reached the first floor.
The elevator opened.
"That's not your concern," said Ardi. His voice sounded cold again. "What matters, Fiya, is that I will keep my promise. And you must keep yours too."
Fiya nodded.
"We will get married tomorrow. Officially. In the eyes of the law. That means we will live together. We will pretend to be happy in front of others. But at home, we can be ourselves. Okay?"
"Okay," said Fiya.
They left the elevator.
Ardi went to his car. Fiya went toward the station.
Fiya arrived home at 1 PM.
Desi was still at home. Desi hadn't gone to school because Fiya had already told the school that Desi would be frequently absent due to surgery preparation.
"Sister!" Desi shouted from the room.
Fiya went into Desi's room.
Desi was lying on the bed reading a comic.
"Sister is home?" asked Desi.
"Yes, sweetie," answered Fiya while sitting on the edge of the bed.
"What news from the hospital?" asked Desi with worry.
Fiya smiled. "Everything is arranged. Desi's surgery will be next week."
"Really, Sister?" asked Desi with shining eyes.
"Yes. Everything is ready."
"Sister got money, Sister?"
"Yes. Sister got money."
Desi immediately hugged Fiya.
Fiya felt happy. But also sad.
Because Fiya knew that starting tomorrow, her life would change. Her life would become complicated. Her life would be full of lies.
But all of this was for Desi. Everything was for Desi.