[43]

Since the guest from the WO came, Rusdi had to be patient to know what exactly Arini was hiding. Especially since her arrival yesterday all used bodyguards, indeed the impression is that the prospective son-in-law from the middle of nowhere is serious and doesn't want Arini to get into trouble but ...

“It turns out they have something to hide. But what is it?” Rusdi repeatedly glanced at his son who was busy talking about the problem of tents, other equipment, and anything needed by the WO including the mother's desire to bother preparing treats for the guests.

“If I may know approximately how many invited guests will come? Let us prepare.” Rani handed over a booklet of catering package menus that the mother and daughter in front of her could choose from. even though it was a bit troublesome, Rani still smiled kindly at their request. for Rani, the size of the order, especially this one until later to handle the reception, it must not cost a little.

And that benefits Rani, right?

“Mom, let's see what kind of menu you want.” Arini said which made her mother a little confused. 

“Which one, rin? Let it be appropriate to entertain the guests who come. I'll provide for the other parts.”

“Make a special food booth like that, mom?” asked Rani emphasizing. “So that later the dishes from mom, are in a separate place. We just provide the main food? Is that what you think?”

“That's fine then. It will take about three booths.”

“Mom,” Arini interrupted. “This is just the blessing, you know. Not yet the reception.”

“Let's do it all at once.”

Arini scowled. “Yes, don't. I want the reception later, mom.”

“You'll make all the hassle. Instead of going back and forth? You'll end up making a hassle when you go to the reception.”

“Richard just said that it's just a commitment. Invite accordingly. Let people know I'm married. When it's time for the reception, then I'll invite as many people as I want, no problem. But the invitation alone gives you full power.”

Arini received a small punch in her shoulder.

“Already ah, obey mom like that. This isn't just any party. Let me take care of it with Rani. You just keep quiet.”

“I still want a reception. Period. Don't bother.”

Kasih looked at her son with a look of disbelief. 

“Already mom, give in to the child. he wants what he wants, just let it go. After all, after the contract, we treat the guests as well as possible. There is no lack of food. That's enough for you.” Rusdi interjected. “The most important thing is that the event goes well. Has Yono heard from you yet? He's the one you asked for help to take care of Arini's filing for marriage later.”

“Oiya, sir, our side will also help, really. It seems like you were with Mr. Yono earlier, right?”

Rusdi nodded in understanding. “That's more important. It's okay to get married without any documents and other papers. If anything happens, we'll be the ones in trouble.”

Arini agreed with her father's words. She slightly teased her mother who was still looking at Arini with annoyance. 

“Yes, mom relented. Just provide one booth for our regional specialties. It will be prepared by the women's family. The rest I rely on Miss Rani to provide. The delicious ones, you know.”

“Okay mom.” Rani smiled widely. “Has it been decided now? If possible, the menu has been decided immediately so that we prepare it not in a hurry. You can also taste the sample cuisine if you wish.”

“That's fine. when can I taste it?” asked love immediately. 

“Tomorrow is also possible, because we have an event tomorrow in the malioboro area.”

“Please send it here later, Miss. I can't go out anymore I think.” Arini said while thinking hard. “For the event organizer, is it okay, Miss?”

“It's done. The kebaya for the bleesing is also on its way here. Hopefully it doesn't need to be shrunk or fit to be worn by Mba Arini. To set up the tent also tomorrow night can be done. Have you agreed on the design and decoration for this one?” asked Rani to make sure the details and what would be done in the near future.

“Yes, Miss. Just simple but memorable. And not too many decorations to make it look simple but elegant.”

Rani nodded immediately. “Miss Arini's choice is good. I can already feel that the event will take place with the right shades of white.”

Arini laughed. “Mom, which one do you prefer?” she asked once again.

Kasih finally showed the menu that she thought was most suitable and acceptable to the neighbors in her neighborhood. “Just this one, Miss Rani.”

Rani immediately took note of the necessary additions as well as the options regarding the treats. Including the number of invited guests who were expected to come. The rest she arranged for the party where she worked to immediately organize and prepare everything.

Their discussion took a little longer because it would also involve some of the neighbors around Arini's house. Rusdi didn't really interfere because besides his situation he couldn't help much, he had left it to Yono. He knew his brother was reliable because it involved the marriage of his own niece. There was no way Yono would do anything strange.

Not long after, Rani said goodbye while her mother prepared to go to Marni's house. She said she had something to talk about. But that didn't happen when she saw the car entering the yard of Arini's house. Even though they lived on the edge of the village road, if a car pulled up to the house, it would certainly look like a distant guest was visiting.

“Who is it Rin?” asked her mother innocently. 

“Mostly Richard. He told me this morning that his meeting was moved up and he could go straight to Jogja.”

And sure enough, the man who would soon become her husband got out of the car. Ugh! Don't ask how the people gathered around Arini's house looked. It's understandable that if there's a party, whether it's a wedding, circumcision, or something that invites a lot of people to come together, the host must be crowded.

They began to get busy preparing several things and the most important thing was the food. Because it has become a common habit, food if there is a party in the village, abundant. So that no one is lacking, everyone gets it, and usually there are many specialties that make Arini like it.

“Uh is that arini's future husband?”

“Ih I just saw clearly.”

“Indeed handsome too huh? He said he was an old man but how come he doesn't look old? In fact, if I say it like a doctor who just practiced in that public hospital.”

“Yes, you know he doesn't look old.”

“Arini is really lucky to have a future husband like that, isn't she?”

“What does her future husband do?”

“He said he has a business, but it looks like he has a business, which means he's rich, right?”

“Could be a lie, his name is also living in the city. Having a chicken stall in the market is also a business.”

“Ih, let it go, the important thing is to have activities, money, and work. I would also like to marry a man modeled after Arini's husband.”

“Nonsense!”

“But I still believe that Arini is being used. Even though her future husband is handsome, he's still insincere.”

“Having a handsome husband must also be careful. Many women are itchy and tempting. Moreover, they will live in Jakarta, right? Wow, it's dangerous for Arini if she's not strong enough to serve.”

Arini just rolled her eyes lazily listening to the whispers that actually sounded really good to Arini's ears. She would rather welcome Richard who smiled slightly while greeting them all. But Richard's destination was Arini's parents, who were waiting in the living room.

“Hi dear,” greeted Richard who was actually homesick. “You look upset? Why?”

“No.” Arini smiled broadly. She clung to Richard and tried not to respond to what they were saying. It was annoying but they were helping her mother who would be bothered before. So it's okay, it's like she has to refrain from joining in the jokes.

Even though he wanted to.

Especially if you remember Seno's mother earlier. Duh, it feels like it won't be satisfied if it just talks like that. and because of that too, finally Arini opened her voice. What kind of treatment did Arini get when she was about to graduate from high school. 

“How come you didn't tell mom?” asked love with a look of dislike. “If there's anything, you tell mom. Don't let me know later and make me feel bad.”

“Why all the heartache?” chuckled Arini. She was already half lying down in her room. Before going to bed last night, her mother came into the room and asked about Arini's attitude which she thought was beyond normal. Usually, Arini didn't want to pay attention to other people's words but why was it only her mother Seno's words that were actually served. Which way of speaking could be said to hurt other people's hearts.

“If mom knew from the start, she wouldn't want you to be used as a ball by them.” she sighed. “It must have been really unpleasant for you since then, huh?”

“I see.” Arini laughed. “but actually I also want to thank Seno's mother. because if it weren't for her words too, I wouldn't have more enthusiasm to prove that I can't be underestimated that easily. indeed I have high spirits in the overseas land, especially since I know that my father and mother are working hard to make me a graduate. So that I could have a good job or at least make you proud. But being underestimated just because I was born into a simple family, where Seno's mother thinks that she is much higher than all of us, makes me really not going to give up easily.”

Love's smile began to form. “That's good. I'm sorry that I don't know how you feel, son. I should have understood why you refused.” Kasih spread her arms so that Arini would enter the embrace.

Was it rejected by Arini?

Yes, no. Arini entered and held her mother tightly. Receiving affectionate strokes and soothing words. Even though sometimes her mother's behavior was annoying, but still this woman was the person Arini loved the most. 

“But that doesn't mean mom has given her blessing right away.” Love gave a little distance. “He has to prove to mom first, whether he really loves you or not. Marriage is not just about saying let's get married, being married by a priest, then living together intimately. In fact, there will be found out which one is sincerely affectionate, which one is only in the mouth. I'm waiting for Richard to prove that he really loves you.”

Arini just nodded.

“Even though I still don't believe that he doesn't have a wife.”

“Ih, this mother has negative thoughts, don't you think? If what you think comes true, what will happen to me? Will I become the second wife? No, I don't want to.” Arini immediately made a panicked face. “But I've confirmed that Richard doesn't have a wife. Even though he has never visited his wife's grave, but right...”

“Yes, yes, mom was just joking.”

“Ih, I'm joking, mom has a very dark aura. Goosebumps know mom imagine it.”

Kasih chuckled. “Yes, you are so tired that once you bring a lover who wants to be serious, it's not about it. Do you think your mom doesn't get goosebumps?”

Arini couldn't help but laugh. “But I'm sure Richard isn't like that, mom. Even if he does, I can repay him much more sadistically later.”

“Your style, rin.” Her mother scoffed. “You go to bed already. Don't stay up too late on the phone with Richard. Do you think your mom doesn't know you often talk on the phone until late?”

Arini gaped but then got scared. “Seriously mom?” Not what, if her mom heard that she had... sex calls? God, she would hang herself on a bean sprout tree!

“Isn't that the proof? You call for a long time if mom doesn't come in, it must be even longer. Right?”

Arini prayed that her mother would only hear her when she called with a normal conversation. The problem is that her mother's look is still relaxed, not in a state of anger or annoyance. So Arini could conclude, she was still at a safe level.

Back to the situation where Richard entered with Arini. Which has been welcomed by Arini's parents in a friendly manner. Make small talk for a moment before getting to the point. No, really. RUSDI is not a problem if he has to get married and make an event like this. the problem is ...

“Now can you talk, Richard?”

Richard, who had just finished sipping his future wife's homemade coffee, was silent. He put down the cup just now while looking at his future father-in-law questioningly. “For the matter of the ceremony, is there anything else missing? I haven't gotten any report from Arini. She said she wanted to discuss it directly.”

RUSDI shook his head quickly. “I don't think so. since I was also watching and thinking, about which parts are missing, I don't think so. if there is a slight shortage, it can be resolved immediately.”

“Thank goodness then.” Richard was relieved. Don't let the event he wanted with Arini fall apart. But later he will definitely ask for all the reports of what is missing and which ones have been started. For Richard, money was not a problem. He had also told Arini, use the money he gave her without hesitation. As for the reception, that was a different matter from this week's event. 

“So what do you want to ask?” asked Richard a little nervously. It was nothing, his future father-in-law's look was a bit creepy.

“Can you tell me what happened to Arini when she was in Jakarta? When she returned from Jakarta not long ago, I felt something was strange. Everyone used bodyguards to follow Arini wherever she went. What's the matter? Is it related to how quickly you asked to marry arini?”