Aluna was on the way to campus. She was well known as Aluna Mentari, 21 years old, she was a medical student, and she has a friend called Fatma. She was riding her motorcycle that always accompanied her wherever she went.
“Today, there is an exam from Mr Anton. He was known as a ‘killer lecturer.’ He has never killed a student. If he had done that, he would not have been a lecturer now. I wonder why a discipline lecturer, never smiling and strict with the rule, is called a killer lecturer. The killer is someone who kills people. I still don’t understand” Aluna’s inner voice along her way to campus. “That is not my problem.” She continued while watching the red light.
Aluna had arrived at campus at 07.15, which means the exam would begin in fifteen minutes. There was enough time to study, so she had no time to prepare for the exam because she handled the cake shop. Aluna owned a cake shop that was started with Fatma. It had run for five months which was hard for Aluna to make time for her college and work.
“Aluna!” Fatma’s voice suddenly scattered Aluna’s mind.
“Hey!” Replied Aluna and waited for her among the students. “Have you studied for today’s exam? I fell asleep last night, so I had no chance to study” Aluna continued talking while walking with Aluna.
“You don’t need to work hard to answer the questions. You are smart, so it is going to be easy for you. Even though you don’t study, you always get the highest score.” Said Fatma with her shrill voice.
“Huss! Shut up! You’re embarrassing me! It is the last time I am talking to you in a crowded place,” Said Aluna, walking away. All eyes were on her. Fatma looked so happy after embarrassing Aluna.
***
The exam had just finished, Aluna walked to the parking area. She saw three men with black suits from far away were standing next to her motorcycle. She walked slowly while thinking, “Maybe they are waiting for someone else” However, the closer she walked, their eyes kept starring at Aluna.
“Excuse me, can I take that motorcycle?” asked Aluna politely while pointing her finger at the motorcycle. Their big body made her afraid.
“Are you Aluna?” asked one of them, staring at Aluna.
“Yes, I am Aluna. What can I do for you?” asked her carefully.
“We come here to pick you up!” He said firmly.
“Come with us! Don’t worry! We are not bad people!” continued a man on the left.
“Of course, a bad guy won’t tell people that he’s bad. Many bad people pretend to be good people,” Aluna’s inner voice. She didn’t want to move from her place.
“We are Mr Marfel’s bodyguard! He is close to your mother! Mr Marfel wants to give you a testament from your mother before she died. He is being hospitalized in the Hospital,” said them trying to convince Aluna.
Aluna looked at them one by one, trying to determine whether they were lying or not. After making sure for a minute, “Well, I’ll come with you!” said Aluna bravely, convincing herself that they were not bad people.
“Please come with us, and we’ll take you there by car. We will bring your motorcycle.” The man said while starring at the black car near the parking area.
It took them thirty minutes until they arrived at the Hospital. When Aluna entered the room, she saw a completely white room, and there was a sixty-year-old man was lying down weakly with the help of oxygen. He looked at Aluna and tried to smile at her. Aluna was told to come to the room alone. Those three men couldn’t come inside the room. Aluna got closer to Mr. Marfel. She’s been standing for ten minutes, whereas Mr Marfel kept staring at her. Until, with his weak voice, Mr Marfel told Aluna to listen to a recording that had been prepared before. Aluna took the recording and tried to listen to it.
‘Aluna dear, How are you? It’s been a long time since you heard my voice. Mom recorded this in the Hospital. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about this directly. Mom wants you to get married to Mr Marfel’s son. I’m sure he can be the best partner for you in the future. Maybe you haven’t met him yet, but I hope you want to marry him. Mr Marfel is my close friend. Since mom was hospitalized in the Hospital, Mr Marfel had helped mom with the treatment. But it’s not about it; mom wants you to get married! I’m sure he’s the right man for you! Will you marry him, Aluna? I hope you will! Love you, Aluna!’
“What is it, God? How can I marry someone that I don’t know?” Aluna’s inner voice, she started crying.
That afternoon, Zolan got the news that his father was hospitalized. He led a meeting to talk about building a new hotel in Bali. He immediately left the meeting after hearing the news. He didn’t care about the meeting anymore, and all his thoughts were full of his Father. He was apprehensive about his Father’s condition. Zolan had arrived at the Hospital; he stood for a moment, took a deep breath, and strengthened his mind. He saw his Father lying weakly on the bed, he stared at the pale face, and it looked like his Father was sleeping soundly. Zolan knew that his Father had kidney disease. He would be despondent if his Father left him because her mother had passed away since he was a kid. Zolan got so scared if his father was hospitalized in the Hospital. He couldn’t just calm down that he always wanted to be on his Father’s side. Zolan held his Father’s hand that was wrinkled and felt so cold. Before meeting his Father, he met the doctor first to ask about
Aluna was in her tiny room. She was still thinking about the testament because her mother had never talked about it before. She’s not ready yet to get married to someone she didn’t know. It was a testament from her mother, but she had to live her life with a stranger on the other side. Aluna was standing in front of the picture of her mother, which was hung on the wall. She took the picture, “Why did mom choose him as my partner? I don’t even know him. I just want to get married to someone I love, mom”. Aluna was crying in front of her mother’s picture. Aluna’s phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Fatma. “Hallo, Fatma!” Aluna picked up the call. She tried to calm down before talking to Fatma. “Aluna, where are you now? We have many orders. I need your help.” Said Fatma in a rush. “Ok, I’ll be there soon!” said Aluna. She wiped her tears. “You have to be strong, Aluna. Don’t be sad because you have so many things to do today.” Aluna tried to
After spending more than thirty minutes at Pelita Bunda High School, Zolan drove back to the Hospital. His mind was still thinking about Sindy. That night was Zolan’s birthday, and it coincided with graduation day. Zolan was waiting for Sindy outside the gate. He had been waiting for an hour, but Sindy had not come yet. Zolan had called her several times, but she didn’t answer. Her phone number was not active anymore. He then opened the gate and came into her house. However, it looked like nobody’s home. He was standing in front of the door, calling out her name, but she was not at home. Zolan had been waiting for Sindy to come until now. He even asked many people to find her, but he couldn’t make it. “Beib, I am getting married to a woman that my father had chosen. I love you, and I’ll keep this feeling only for you.” Zolan was so sad. *** “Fatma, can you check the cake in the oven? I am still packaging the order!” Aluna shouted to F
*** Today, Aluna woke up earlier because she had to prepare all the things that she need. Not much, it’s just a suitcase, and a box of books. Aluna was looking at her room, “I won’t leave this room, there are so many memories I spent with mom in this room. I won’t bring all my staff.” Yesterday, when Aluna got the message from Mr Marfel, she tried to wake up and convince herself that everything was going to be fine. She realized maybe it was the best for her. Maybe after the marriage she will love him. Aluna also had told Fatma that today the cake shop was close. She couldn’t work in this situation. Aluna didn’t forget to bring her special gift from her Mother, “I will always bring this necklace with me because this is the only thing I have.” Aluna says while looking at her necklace. It was a gift from her father before he died. In a different place, Zolan was holding his Father’s hand in the Hospital. He’s consoling his father by tell
Aluna finally met Zolan for the first time. She was surprised because Zolan was handsome and it was beyond her expectation. Zolan has white skin, round eyes, sharp nose, and beard. Aluna still didn’t believe that the handsome man would be her husband. Beside the bed Mr. Marfel, there had been tables and chairs for the marriage. Aluna and Zolan then stepped toward the chair and sit down. Mr Rozi and Zomi had prepared all the marriage document. “Are you ready, Zolan?” “Yes, I’m ready! We can start now.” Zolan says firmly. The situation was very tense. Aluna was so nervous; she was holding her dress tightly. “Ok, Mr Zolan!” Rozi says “Mr Zolan son of Mr Marfel, I marry off Aluna Mentari to you with the dowry a ring in cash”. “I accept her marriage Aluna Mentari the daughter of Roslan with the dowry a ring in cash” “How is it? Legal?” “Legal” Zomi says firmly. Mr Marfel smiled Today, Aluna and Zolan ha
Aluna folded the white paper in her hand. She was shocked after reading five points that welcome her arrival in this magnificent house. The room was too big for her to occupy alone. But what could she do, Aluna had to sleep here alone. "Alone again, it seems I was created to always be alone," Aluna thought, folding a small piece of paper and storing it in a ring box. Aluna stepped to sit in front of the mirror. Taking off the glasses she was wearing, freeing his hair from the tie, let it fall straight. Her eyes were closed, feeling the wind blowing against his body. He wanted a moment not to see the world. It's sad that fate had scratched it, it's not enough for a day to become a wife, and she had been shocked by the marriage rules made by Zolan. "Always alone, I've been alone since I was little! Mom is busy working to support me, until I can't fully get Mom's love. I'm not angry mom does it to make me happy with an affluent life. But as a child, I also need love!" A
*** Aluna entered the lecture hall, "This morning begins with Mr. Anton's course. He is a surgeon. However, he doesn't want us to call him Dr. Anton, he prefers to be called Mr. Anton. Strange, why do you want to be a doctor? If you don't like being called doctor," she thought. Fatma was already in class. Almost all the seats were occupied. Aluna sat in the front, opposite to the lecturer's desk. The seats were always empty if it was not Aluna who occupied. "Let's watch a movie tonight!" said Fatma while sitting in the back seat of Aluna. "I can't Fatma!" said Aluna briefly. "We rarely go out together, Aluna! You are always busy, every time you are asked to go out, you always can't," said Fatma, annoyed at Aluna. "Hehehe, we'll take a walk later," replied Aluna, turning her head to look at Fatma. "How's the cake shop, Aluna? We've been closed for a week. The customers will run away, if it's always closed," said Fatma. T
"Miss Aluna, are you okay?" asked Aunt Sarti. She saw Aluna who kept looking at the floor. Food and plates were not formed."Yes, aunt, I'm fine!" said Aluna, wiping away tears. She was silent for a few minutes. Aunt Sarti had not moved from her place.Taking a breath, Aluna continued to say to Aunt Sarti, "Please, please clean everything, aunt!" She ran leaving aunt Sarti in the dining room. Sounds faint in the ears, Aunt Sarti replied, "Yes, Miss Aluna!" Aluna ran to the room.Aluna stood looking out the window, "Zolan, can't you treat me like a friend? I know you have to accept this arranged marriage! But this is not how you treat me!" softly. Tears kept rolling down her cheeks."Zolan, I won't just give up. I'll fight for you to be my friend. Don't think of me as a wife. I'm just a friend, that's enough for me," continued Aluna, not moving."I will try! Don't call me Aluna, if I give up easily!" she said encouragingly.***"Starti
"Young Master used to have a relationship with his school friend. When he was in high school, Young Master loved her very much. Her name is Sindy. Young Master often invites her here. She is a very cheerful girl. Miss Sindy is good at cooking and also easy to get along with. Even though she loves Young Master, she never treats us like assistants. She is also very gorgeous. If we look closely, Miss Sindy is a bit like Miss Aluna. It's just that your appearance is different." There was a pause in her speech. "Sorry, Miss!" Aunt Sarti said with an uncomfortable face. "Just keep going. It's ok," said Aluna with a smile, still wanting to listen. "Miss Sindy also loves Young Master very much. However, Miss Sindy disappeared out of nowhere. Since then, Young Master has changed a lot." Aunt Sarti was silent. Her movements seemed to be waiting for a response from Aluna. Aluna smiled. "Thank you, Aunt Sarti. Oh, don't forget to prepare chicken porridge for Dad. The doc
Aluna took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, "Fatma, thank you!" she said, Aluna's feeling was better. "You're welcome! You should always tell me when there's a problem. Don't keep it to yourself! What's the point of our friendship?" Fatma said with a gentle smile and held Aluna's hand. "Hahaha," Aluna laughed softly, "if there's something wrong, I'll definitely tell you!" she continued. "Ha ha ha!" their soft laughter wiped the remaining tears on the face. "I'm sorry Fatma, I can't tell you about my marriage, it's about other people's live," Aluna thought. *** Mr Marfel had been allowed to go home this afternoon. Even so, he had to do hemodialysis regularly. Even though the kidneys could not function properly, they could still be helped through dialysis. The treatment to replace kidney function used an artificial kidney in a dialysis machine. Aluna had to picked him up, because Zolan couldn’t go to the Hospital. On the way home, Marfel c
***Today the cake shop was not taking orders. Aluna and Fatma were busy cleaning the dust. A lot of cakes that couldn’t be sold anymore were thrown away. In the midst of cleaning, Aluna was surprised by Fatma's question."Aluna, do you want me to introduce you to my sister's best friend?" asked Fatma."What did you say?" said Aluna, she was surprised. She turned to Fatma."I want you to have a boyfriend, Aluna! She is Fahmi's best friend! He is not married yet because he said he is still waiting for her ex-lover. He is so handsome Alunaa! It suits you very well. He is handsome and you are beautiful. He is a businessman who has many businesses. He shut himself off from all women who approach him," said Fatma."What do you mean anyway? Who says I'm beautiful. Can't you see the big glasses perched on top of my nose? Can't you see the two hairs tied around my head? Where can a handsome boy look at a girl like me? A girl with two braids!" said Al
"Miss Aluna, are you okay?" asked Aunt Sarti. She saw Aluna who kept looking at the floor. Food and plates were not formed."Yes, aunt, I'm fine!" said Aluna, wiping away tears. She was silent for a few minutes. Aunt Sarti had not moved from her place.Taking a breath, Aluna continued to say to Aunt Sarti, "Please, please clean everything, aunt!" She ran leaving aunt Sarti in the dining room. Sounds faint in the ears, Aunt Sarti replied, "Yes, Miss Aluna!" Aluna ran to the room.Aluna stood looking out the window, "Zolan, can't you treat me like a friend? I know you have to accept this arranged marriage! But this is not how you treat me!" softly. Tears kept rolling down her cheeks."Zolan, I won't just give up. I'll fight for you to be my friend. Don't think of me as a wife. I'm just a friend, that's enough for me," continued Aluna, not moving."I will try! Don't call me Aluna, if I give up easily!" she said encouragingly.***"Starti
*** Aluna entered the lecture hall, "This morning begins with Mr. Anton's course. He is a surgeon. However, he doesn't want us to call him Dr. Anton, he prefers to be called Mr. Anton. Strange, why do you want to be a doctor? If you don't like being called doctor," she thought. Fatma was already in class. Almost all the seats were occupied. Aluna sat in the front, opposite to the lecturer's desk. The seats were always empty if it was not Aluna who occupied. "Let's watch a movie tonight!" said Fatma while sitting in the back seat of Aluna. "I can't Fatma!" said Aluna briefly. "We rarely go out together, Aluna! You are always busy, every time you are asked to go out, you always can't," said Fatma, annoyed at Aluna. "Hehehe, we'll take a walk later," replied Aluna, turning her head to look at Fatma. "How's the cake shop, Aluna? We've been closed for a week. The customers will run away, if it's always closed," said Fatma. T
Aluna folded the white paper in her hand. She was shocked after reading five points that welcome her arrival in this magnificent house. The room was too big for her to occupy alone. But what could she do, Aluna had to sleep here alone. "Alone again, it seems I was created to always be alone," Aluna thought, folding a small piece of paper and storing it in a ring box. Aluna stepped to sit in front of the mirror. Taking off the glasses she was wearing, freeing his hair from the tie, let it fall straight. Her eyes were closed, feeling the wind blowing against his body. He wanted a moment not to see the world. It's sad that fate had scratched it, it's not enough for a day to become a wife, and she had been shocked by the marriage rules made by Zolan. "Always alone, I've been alone since I was little! Mom is busy working to support me, until I can't fully get Mom's love. I'm not angry mom does it to make me happy with an affluent life. But as a child, I also need love!" A
Aluna finally met Zolan for the first time. She was surprised because Zolan was handsome and it was beyond her expectation. Zolan has white skin, round eyes, sharp nose, and beard. Aluna still didn’t believe that the handsome man would be her husband. Beside the bed Mr. Marfel, there had been tables and chairs for the marriage. Aluna and Zolan then stepped toward the chair and sit down. Mr Rozi and Zomi had prepared all the marriage document. “Are you ready, Zolan?” “Yes, I’m ready! We can start now.” Zolan says firmly. The situation was very tense. Aluna was so nervous; she was holding her dress tightly. “Ok, Mr Zolan!” Rozi says “Mr Zolan son of Mr Marfel, I marry off Aluna Mentari to you with the dowry a ring in cash”. “I accept her marriage Aluna Mentari the daughter of Roslan with the dowry a ring in cash” “How is it? Legal?” “Legal” Zomi says firmly. Mr Marfel smiled Today, Aluna and Zolan ha
*** Today, Aluna woke up earlier because she had to prepare all the things that she need. Not much, it’s just a suitcase, and a box of books. Aluna was looking at her room, “I won’t leave this room, there are so many memories I spent with mom in this room. I won’t bring all my staff.” Yesterday, when Aluna got the message from Mr Marfel, she tried to wake up and convince herself that everything was going to be fine. She realized maybe it was the best for her. Maybe after the marriage she will love him. Aluna also had told Fatma that today the cake shop was close. She couldn’t work in this situation. Aluna didn’t forget to bring her special gift from her Mother, “I will always bring this necklace with me because this is the only thing I have.” Aluna says while looking at her necklace. It was a gift from her father before he died. In a different place, Zolan was holding his Father’s hand in the Hospital. He’s consoling his father by tell
After spending more than thirty minutes at Pelita Bunda High School, Zolan drove back to the Hospital. His mind was still thinking about Sindy. That night was Zolan’s birthday, and it coincided with graduation day. Zolan was waiting for Sindy outside the gate. He had been waiting for an hour, but Sindy had not come yet. Zolan had called her several times, but she didn’t answer. Her phone number was not active anymore. He then opened the gate and came into her house. However, it looked like nobody’s home. He was standing in front of the door, calling out her name, but she was not at home. Zolan had been waiting for Sindy to come until now. He even asked many people to find her, but he couldn’t make it. “Beib, I am getting married to a woman that my father had chosen. I love you, and I’ll keep this feeling only for you.” Zolan was so sad. *** “Fatma, can you check the cake in the oven? I am still packaging the order!” Aluna shouted to F