[46]

Since there is nothing else that needs extra attention, it has been handled by a WO who is quite professional and responsive in working, so the two of them don't need to struggle much with the level of stress facing the day before the wedding.

"But you don't have a problem if the reception is in three months? You don't mind?" asked Arini in their spare time. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, the wedding vows will take place. This was Arini's last afternoon before she changed her status.

No problem, really, she was enjoying everything. 

"I should have asked you, dear." he lovingly picked the tip of Arini's nose. "You don't mind if it's postponed?"

"The important thing is that the reception will make me look like a palace princess."

Richard laughed. "It's okay. I'll fulfill what you want. But looking at the decorations in your house, it seems like this is the contract following the reception, right?"

"I think so. It's all because of mom. Did you invite almost all the villagers? Word of mouth invitations are more exciting than invitations. You know that my father is well known and respected."

Richard agreed with that. "Yes, let it be. I already told Rani that I should prepare everything a little more, especially the portion of food. Don't skimp so mom doesn't worry during the event."

Arini nodded happily. "I told mom and Miss Rani about that problem."

"Considering the reception in three months, I think it's appropriate from my personal perspective. I have a lot to tell, especially clients and coworkers, right? They all have a relationship with me, don't they need to know about such a happy day? Not to mention my family in Surabaya. I only ask for their blessing, but at the reception they must be present."

"Will we go there, dear?"

Richard looked at Arini closely. "Yes. After we get married, maybe Monday or Tuesday we'll fly straight to Surabaya. After that, we will go to Kalimantan because my business there is not one hundred percent done. When we return from Kalimantan, we'll meet Rieka."

"Oh my, my husband is really busy." Arini laughed. "But for Rieka's business, I want to talk to her first."

"It's up to you, dear. most importantly, let me know if you're uncomfortable seeing her. I can ask someone else to confirm whether rieka is really pregnant with reyhan's child or not. That can be arranged."

Arini was silent for a moment. "It's okay, I don't have a problem. If I'm lazy to meet Rieka, it means she feels that I still remember Reyhan. Ew, no. I don't remember how he behaved with me during our courtship. My feelings for him are gone. What's left is hate and resentment for how he behaved with me back then." Arini folded her arms across her chest. Her breathing was ragged and her face was slightly flushed with anger.

"I can't say anything about what you're feeling right now. because it's Reyhan who's wrong. I just hope that while Reyhan is undergoing the legal process, he realizes that his actions were wrong. It doesn't rule out the possibility that he can change, right?"

Actually, Arini didn't deny that. But this is Reyhan, you know. The one who has been close to Arini's heart for the past three years. You could say, the man was hard to tell and give advice to. Always acting according to his wishes. And more often than not, those desires were too forced. When they were still dating, Arini sometimes gave in sometimes she didn't. If she didn't give in, she was prepared to fight for the next few days.

Then Reyhan persuaded Arini. And so it went on and on for the next three years of their relationship.

"Yes, anyway," said Arini quietly. "What is clear is that if it does happen, I don't want to see your son Richard too much."

"Yes, dear." Once again, the tip of Arini's nose was gently tweaked. "That's why it's better for us to get married first, the reception later. Let me calm down and not always think about you in Jakarta. I don't know how Reyhan will move, ah not Reyhan. But Alex. I'm more worried about Alex's behavior than my own child. Not what, according to the report I received, Alex met several times with foreigners. Which he said was related to his drug business. In prison, Alex was normal, relaxed, like he wasn't in trouble."

Arini nodded in understanding. "Yes, dear, I know you're worried. I won't refuse either, right? In fact, if I get married first, I can seduce you quickly."

"You are this!" Richard laughed. "Now you're good at flirting, huh. Where did the innocent Arini go who often had to be seduced by me first?"

Arini joined in the laughter.

"Then, I'll go back to the hotel first. I can't stay here for too long. I'm afraid your mother will scold you again." Richard laughed.

"Ih, it's also your fault. Why did you kiss me suddenly?"

"It's still good to kiss on the cheek, not on the lips."

Arini frowned. "You always make me nervous. Can't you just be normal for once?"

"Not around you." Richard laughed. "Anyway, yesterday I met Susi. Looks like she's busy helping her mom make what's that? It smells really good."

"Oh, dodol. Mrs. Marni's is the best here. I'm always addicted to Mrs. Marni's dodol. Do you want to make a snack at the hotel? If so, I'll ask mom to prepare it."

"How come you're the one who prepared it? Why don't you?"

Arini chuckled. "Yes, yes. But first, tell me how is Susi? I haven't met her yet, we haven't talked about Richard's offer."

"She still can't make a decision. Maybe it's because her parents are busy, right? Don't have time for them to talk."

Arini nodded. "I'll ask her again when I have more time. I think she's really interested in Richard."

"Don't force her, dear. Let her decide for herself. Susi is also a big girl, right? She can think about the good and the bad."

"Yes."

It wasn't long before her mother showed up with a large paper bag. "Are you still talking to Arini? When are you going back to the hotel? Don't stay here too long."

Arini was the one who spluttered. "The one you kicked out is my future husband, mom."

"That's right. Let your future husband rest. Just don't get the name wrong tomorrow. I'll be very disappointed later."

Richard couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, no ma'am. I've memorized it since I made the decision."

Arini's mother kept looking sarcastically at Richard. "This is for your food while in the hotel. You don't need to buy anything. You'll be in trouble."

"Wow, this is irresistible." Richard immediately took the paper bag. "Thank you, ma'am. I'll definitely finish it."

"Yes, go already. Don't take too long. Don't be late tomorrow. Watch out for you."

Yes, even though it looks creepy and annoying, a mother still worries about her child. It was implied in her words just now that Arini's mother had a sense of worry for Richard. perhaps the biggest concern was clearly because her son's marriage could be canceled because Richard didn't come.

"Take it easy mom, I'll be there on time." Richard said with earnest words. "I'll take my leave then, mom."

***

Arini was getting ready for bed, after making sure her last message was replied to by Richard. informing her that he was also going to bed even though it was a bit difficult to close his eyes. Tomorrow was their big day; it was natural that they were a bit nervous about it. Even though this was Richard's second time getting married, the tension was still the same. 

If it wasn't Arini who ended their call, it's certain that their conversation would have ended by midnight.

But just as Arini was getting into her blanket, there was a knock on her bedroom door. 

"Who the hell is knocking at night?" asked Arini grumpily but still opened the door. Her mother's figure appeared in front of the room while bringing a glass of milk.

"Not going to bed yet, are you?"

"Actually, I'm going to bed soon. Why aren't you sleeping yet? It's already late. I'll get tired."

Kasih sighed softly. "I can't sleep."

"Who is this milk for?"

"You."

Arini gaped. "I haven't had milk for a long time mom. I drink milk like a child anyway."

Arini's ears were pricked. "You've gone to the trouble of making it for me and you say that."

Arini frowned but then said, "Mom, the initiative is too big." But then she opened the door to her room wide. "Come in mom. You must have something to talk about, right?"

Her mother grinned. But the glass of milk wasn't rejected by Arini anymore. It was only her mouth that refused but her heart warmed. her mother's attention to Arini hadn't diminished at all even though the girl was now an adult. Getting married too.

"Mom, you still can't imagine that tomorrow your daughter will marry someone else."

Arini scowled in displeasure. "Don't say that mom. That's what it looks like."

"That's right rin." Her mother sat on the edge of the bed and sighed softly. "A mother's worry will not stop until it is enough. You're in my belly, I'm already worried that you won't get enough love. You're born and grow up, and I'm also worried that I won't be able to feed you, your schooling, your education, not to mention all the other stuff. Already so, our situation makes you have to adjust. I'm actually sad, Rin."

Arini became mellow. "But I'm grateful to be mom and dad's daughter. You both love me."

"You don't love your own child," she chuckled.

"There are some moms who are too much loved to the point of misunderstanding. The wrong is defended, the right is defended even more. Can't be told what is wrong and right. Everything is passed as long as the child is happy."

Kasih laughed softly. "So much affection can be misguided."

"That's what I'm saying, you two love me. Within the limits of the face, within the limits that I can digest if you two don't want me to get hurt a lot. Love that teaches me to fight more and not be easily underestimated by people out there. I am truly grateful."

Arini hugged her mother tightly. "I'm sorry mom, I haven't been able to be the daughter you're proud of."

Tears of love fell. "You're my proudest child forever. Just be yourself and face your life now well too, it's already a pride and happiness that you can pass that phase well."

"Yes, mom."

They hugged each other for a while. Sharing tears because soon, love realized that Arini would have her own life later. A life that actually made her a little worried but was then eliminated with one conviction. "I can't not approve of you now. I'm starting to believe that Richard can make you happy."

"It's good that you can feel that way." Arini broke their embrace. "I'm really waiting for you to say this. so I'm light on my feet mom."

Love smiled slightly. "You have the right to be happy, if you are happy because of Richard? Are you forbidden by mom?"

"Thank you mom." Arini hugged her mother tightly again.

"I hope the event goes well tomorrow. Don't let Richard not show up on time. Just watch out if that happens."

Arini laughed. "Not at all. Richard will keep his word."

"I hope so," said love rather softly. I don't know why she suddenly felt bad. But no, don't let anything bad come to Arini.