[42]

The next morning, it was clear that Mrs. Kasih was excited about the whole village. Just about yesterday's proposal, Kasih was asked a lot about this and that because everything was so sudden. Usually if there is a proposal event, especially this in the village, almost most of the guests who come in droves from anywhere. he said also wanted to see, what kind of man proposed to the girl in the village.

Also... usually, it's interspersed with gossip. Indeed, that's how it ends.

Just like when Kasih, who had been busy all morning, started doing this and that even though Arini said to wait for the WO to come so it would be easier to organize. But the name is a mother and will welcome the arrival of moment to release her daughter to someone, there will be nothing simple that can be done. Everything needs to be perfect.

“Is it true that Arini wants to get married next week? How sudden?” said one of the neighbors. If I remember correctly, Arini's name is Mrs. Parmin. Every morning, she sold breakfast on the side of the road and was quite crowded with visitors because besides being cheap it was also delicious.

“Yes, ma'am.” Arini smiled. She had been dragged around the village by her mother to give the news of their upcoming wedding. Her mother invited them directly, not using the invitation line anymore. She said that in Arini's village, it would be a gathering. What Arini could say was that she would be questioned as much as possible.

Questions like; which person did you marry, what do you do, what do you have, what is your religion, not to mention all the questions about why did you get pregnant so quickly? Gosh there are no more weighty questions, are there?

“Don't forget to come, ma'am. See Arini's contract.” Arini said simply, a question she didn't need to answer, just a smile. Whatever people want to say. After all, she wasn't pregnant or anything suspicious. 

That was just one person. Several other people also asked similar questions. It was still safe for Arini. But ... when her mother's footsteps arrived near Seno's house, it seemed like Arini had prepared a lot of ammunition.

“Mom, why are we here anyway? Have the neighbors over there been told?”

“That's easy.” Kasih immediately took Arini's hand. “There's Mrs. Marni over there. She's the one I asked to help me tell you about your event on Sunday.”

“Well Mrs. Marni can spread the news that I want to get married, why do I have to come too? What if there are WO people coming, mom?” asked Arini in surprise. “Anyway, there's no need to invite a lot, during the reception we just spread a lot of invitations, ma'am. I told you that last night, didn't I?”

“Ih, you don't understand. If there's a tent at home, especially if you're a mother's only child, a girl too, many must know. So not many people ask too. Besides, you're making my mom dizzy.”

“Marrying quickly is wrong, not marrying immediately is considered an old maid, marrying because you are already pregnant is also wrong, so what do you want? I know I'm in a normal condition, I'm not doing anything. I'm still being blamed.” Arini frowned. “Mom, why is it getting less and less fun.”

“Which language is that? You've been in the city for so long that your speech is strange. Where are the fun parents?” her mother glared unacceptably. “Come on, after Seno's mom's house, we'll go to the market. Mom has to order chicken and all kinds of things so that it won't be a hassle later.”

“Mom,” said Arini with a half-frustrated sigh. “For catering issues, banquets for guests, as well as all the trivial things during the marriage ceremony, you don't need to bother. Everything is handled by the WO.”

Kasih gave Arini a displeased look. “What if it's not enough? You know there are many villagers here. Most of them also know your father. It would be rude not to be invited or to miss the invitation even if it's just through the mouth. Your mother and father's mouths are still used by the villagers, rin. I don't want to entertain people who count their food. I want an abundance of food. So that if they want to bring it, they can bring it. Let it be a blessing for you too. Is it wrong for you to have such thoughts?”

Arini lost her words. The look in her mother's eyes was no longer angry but disappointed. “Yes, but before we go shopping, let's go home first. After all, we'll just meet up with mom's customers, right? It can still be tomorrow mom. We'll talk about the catering business later. We'll agree on the menu and approximately how many guests to invite. Arini doesn't want mom to be too bothered. Even though it's just a contract, I want you to always be by my side. Not running here and there because of consumption.”

“Yes, I know,” her mother said curtly. “Let's go to Seno's house. After all, Seno's mother has been good to us. We still have to respect her.”

Arini relented.

Fortunately, when they visited, there was only Seno's mother and father. Seno wasn't there, he said he had left for work. He also had no business with Seno anyway. 

“Well, I don't know what to say?” said Seno's mother while looking at Arini closely. “Hopefully the event will go well.”

“Yes, thank you mom.” Arini said with a small smile. “I hope you can come to witness our wedding.”

“But why do we have to separate the events? Is there a certain problem?”

Arini blinked in confusion.

“Arini's future husband suddenly made a wish like that. He said why delay the wedding for so long. The reception can be held in three months according to the plan.”

Seno's mother nodded as if she understood. “I think when you are proposed to by a man who is far older than you, there is an element of force or you are pretending, rin.”

“Pretending how?”

“Yes, pretending as if you were the one who proposed to reject Seno. What is the lack of a mother's child?”

Arini was stunned. “I have no intention of lying to my mother and father, Mom.”

Kasih did not believe what Seno's mother just said. “How come you talk like that, huh?

“When we had the intention to propose to Arini, suddenly Arini brought another man. It seems really impossible to propose to Arini. Like father and son, right?”

Arini's hands were clenched tightly.

“Who knows, it could have been someone she sent to play a prank.” Seno's mother smiled slightly. Ignoring the annoyed look from her husband. Her husband wouldn't have been able to say much if she had said anything. Understandably, the one who had a lot of power was Seno's mother. So his father only obeyed like a cow poked in the nose.

“If you really want to reject Seno, you don't have to lie like that. I don't have a problem. Besides, I'm sure Seno will be matched with a much better girl.”

“Amen,” said Arini quickly. “Hopefully, Seno's candidate also knows what his future in-laws look like. So he can be mentally prepared.” Arini smiled broadly. “To deceive or reject Seno because of other people, I never had that intention, sir. I really want to marry the person I like. And coincidentally, the person I like is far above me in age. It's good that he pays so much attention to me, so to speak. I'm a strange person, I'm stubborn too, if you're both stubborn who will give in? If I marry an old man like Richard, I'm sure I'll be the one who gets spoiled.”

Seno's mother looked at Arini with a displeased look. “Usually when you grow up like that, the relationship style is not healthy. Do you believe, Mrs. Kasih, that your daughter is really not pregnant? Don't let you know nothing now, a few months later Arini comes with a baby.”

“Mom, why are you talking like that?” asked love incredulously. “I still have a lot of trust in Arini. If you say it like that, then you're accusing my daughter of getting pregnant out of wedlock? They hurriedly got married to cover up the disgrace?”

“That's true. Most of them are like that. Married in a hurry and got pregnant first. It brings shame to the family.”

Arini smiled cheerfully. “Yes, it's okay, mom, the accusation. Thank you. Remember, the one who got pregnant was the man, right mom? Although the woman can flirt with the man's faith, but still if there is no man, a woman will not get pregnant.”

Seno's mother looked down at Arini who had just spoken. “What do you mean?”

“Yes.. just in case, not long after I got married, ehhh Seno came with his pregnant girlfriend. Who knows, right?”

***

“What's wrong with your mom?” asked Rusdi who was surprised because his wife's face looked angry and furious.

“Just found out the real face of the person who is adored, sir.” Arini sat next to her father. Her hand lightly massaged the old man she loved. “Sir, don't be too tired. I've done my best to make sure you're not exhausted when we hold the event. I don't want you not to be beside me.”

“Still spoiled. Do you want to be a wife? How will your husband be, rin, rin.” RUSDI laughed. “But has your mother told everyone? She said you were going to the market? Is it settled?”

“What's settled,” Arini laughed. Then she told me everything that happened earlier. Complete with no exceptions. Anyway, up to the point, Arini also told her father. Mr. Rusdi's response? Yes, he laughed too.

But Arini got a jolt too. He said, “You shouldn't respond. After all, you have to respect and honor him.”

“Ah, really?” Arini frowned. “Eh, my phone is ringing.” That's right, Arini wasn't making excuses. For the problem of news to Richard, it has been since the morning when she opened her eyes she gave news. In the evening, she also took the time to talk about what she had done and what she would do the next day. It's like saying, report to the main division commander in the household. So that there are no quarrels and so that we can trust each other.

Arini also listens to Richard's many stories about his work. No, Arini is not bored or tired of listening to complaints that she doesn't really understand. They say that if you listen to people who are venting, especially about work problems, at least you can alleviate their stress levels. Although he doesn't help much, at least Richard wants to talk to Arini about his world. A world that Arini doesn't know about and he's not in it. 

As much as he likes it, it's from such trivial things that Arini knows and understands what it's like to be appreciated. How can I not be more in love?

The cell phone was immediately taken out of her pocket. Rina's name appeared on the screen and gave the news that it would be arriving soon. So Arini got ready. Because there are also some things that she will talk about, especially about catering and venues.

“Rin, from what you've said, it seems like this isn't just a contract, is it?” asked Rusdi with a slightly confused look. 

“Let me tell you, sir. I want the reception to be like a palace. It can't be prepared quickly. Richard also doesn't mind if the party is separated, after all, it's his fault why he asked permission from the father to get married first.”

Rusdi felt like biting Arini. but he didn't have the heart. Arini was his only treasure. “Even though Richard's intentions are good, you know. You always blame him.”

“Let me see, he's basically afraid that there's no one to take care of me when I'm in Jakarta. Afraid that what happened yesterday will happen again. You don't know, what is called revenge can be fulfilled at any time, especially if there is a lot of money. If that person gets out quickly, how will it endanger me?”

Rusdi gaped. “What are you talking about, Rin?”

“Eh?” Arini immediately shut up. “No, sir.”

“Is there anything you don't know?”

“Nothing.” Arini tried to run away. Rather than being pressured by her father to tell her? How could she lie?”

“Rin, I'm waiting for you to talk.”

That's bad.