Chapter 4 –  Family Gathering

All the members of July's family have gathered, and they are connected in a group video call. The meeting via long-distance is to negotiate July's decision, which will eventually marry but with prior conditions. The problem then arises, why does she have to mention the conditions, even more so, it is very unreasonable to be accepted by the rest family member.

"Mary said you put a condition on us about your wedding plan July, what is that condition?" Asked her uncle from father side. Compared to other members who are elder in July's family, he is the youngest and thinks rationally in dealing with problems.

"What does it mean?" The reactions of the elders were different.

"Condition? Is Mary getting senile to talk like that?" While this time, July's paternal aunt does tend to make harsh comments, even though it's not the intention, just that her genuine way of speaking and attitude.

"Everyone calm down, please speak one by one." Asked the youngest uncle earlier. Indeed, when there is a family discussion, for some reason, he acts like a moderator.

"Can you make it easier for us now July? What do you mean by conditions?" This time it was July's maternal uncle who spoke and was the elder of them all.

Many other members of family were also at their respective locations when the video call occurred. It's just that they are curious and care but do not have the right to vote or have an opinion at the meeting. Including July's grandparents or great-grandparents from the parents' side who only chose the role of observer, along with July's cousins and relatives. This video connection is like a gathering of their whole big family from all over the country across the continent.

"What aunty Mary said about the conditions, it's true that I asked for it. I want you all to listen to me until I'm done talking. Can you do that?" Asked July about the commitment of the elders.

They all agreed by nodding their heads. July could see the other young family members who were in the background moving closer to hear clearly.

And the details of the requirements as stated by July was, "The first point! I will only marry a man of my own choice. Without accepting complaints, rejections, or interference from anyone in my decision. Second! I also don't want you to participate in the process of preparing for my wedding. It's not necessary, because I plan to leave all of that to WO. And the third! I will not introduce or meet you with the future husband of my choice until the wedding is held later. Then I will only marry if you agree to accept my terms."

"W-What?" 

Shout reactions of those who participated witnessed the course of this discussion. Even some people immediately stayed away from each other, exchanging confused looks. While the others kept their mouths shut to resist the urge to interrupt the negotiations, one of them was, Salo.

After a moment of silence, one finally spoke. "Are you serious about all your terms, July?" Mary's husband asked a question whose answer was obvious because he still couldn't believe what he had just heard with the others. 

While Mary remained silent, she did not make a sound, feeling dizzy and her head was drooping deeply. Seeing Mary's family members who are closest to her gathered sitting on the sofa in the living room on the screen, July feels guilty.

"I can understand the second one because yeah, a lot of young people are doing that nowadays. But what's with your last condition? I can't understand it at all!" Said the youngest uncle who was initially calm began to get carried away with emotion.

"You are going to marry him but we are not allowed to meet your mate until the wedding day? Do you think that makes sense, July? How can we recognize and judge the man of your choice!" The criticism came from the second Aunt of July, who had a slightly spicy mouth.

"I put the condition that you can't judge, or accept whatever protests you say like now. The choice is whether you accept my terms or not?" 

If they don't accept when will July get married? This is the first time that she brings up herself that she will marry after so many years. Various reactions re-emerged, but most of them showed the same expression of silence without a word and in awe. Lost for words after hearing July's terms. Others were still feeling the direction of the conversation, trying to grasp the situation.

"How it is?" Urged, July wanting to end the meeting immediately.

It was enough to limit maintain her tough and persistent attitude in front of the whole family. Appear with a braze-faced and cold-blooded mentality, because she knows very well that no one will take her side. More than this she could lose confidence. 

"Or would you rather choose and watch me spend the rest of my life being single to old age alone without getting married?"

"July! Watch the way you talk." This time Mary felt angry because this meeting gathered all the elders and should be respected as a substitute for July's parents who had passed away. Moreover, Mary was not happy with July's choice of words to threaten them.

"My dear July… What is the reason that you put this condition on us?" Uncle Paul said, felt very sad, what other trials came to him in his old age awaiting his death. 

As the elder in this meeting forum, one of Paul's biggest hopes at the end of his life is only to see his beloved nephew live happily with her life partner within the journey of marriage.

July was silent for a long time, she didn't want to say anything wrong and looked frontal with an aggressive impression or a barbaric nature like she had never received a proper and good education from her family. It's not that she can't feel the heavy pressure and sadness that consciously spreads on her family members. She had to do that even though it was forced to hurt. Because July wanted the plan to convince the whole family to accept her terms it worked. 

"I don't want to make excuses or defend myself. I'm sorry… I just don't want to fail again." 

Then the silence after July's words spread to all participants who were connected via video call. Once again she deliberately used her words to hurt her whole family,

"Give us some time before giving you an answer, dear..."

Then the video call ended with the disconnection one by one from the participants. Except for one person, Mary. 

"July, Aunty hope you can revoke your decision on that condition. And, I'm sorry I shouting at you earlier in front of the others..."

"No Aunty, I'm the one who is at fault..." 

How will July explain herself later to the big family after knowing that the man she married was Argus, a person who had cut a wound in the hearts of all members of her  family in the past.

When the video connection completely ends. July bewailed for all the words, attitudes, and decisions she took. Whether she is not sure whether this great sacrifice is fully worth fighting for Argus to be by her side... Is there love without sacrificing the path for July in her destiny?