[47]

Arini didn't stop wiping her tears that were still melting. His eyes but looked at his interlocutor with annoyance also his mouth did not stop muttering.

"Already, dear," Richard said with a chuckle. "It's nothing wrong with me."

"What's wrong?" snapped Arini unacceptably. "You know what's wrong. The car entered a rather deep plantation. I also got stitches on my head. Fortunately, I didn't get pinched by the car."

"You're talking more and more creepy," said Richard unhappily. "If I'm pinned by the car and can't get out, how can I?"

"That's it!" screeched Arini who couldn't stand it either. Let it be. The doctors and nurses at the hospital will also warn him. After all, it was the man's own fault for not being careful. But this was not purely Richard's fault or the driver's fault.

"Never mind," Rusdi mediated what was happening with Arini and Richard. "The most important thing is that you are under the doctor's care and it is certain that there is nothing to be afraid of."

"It's true what you said," Richard said as he tried to get up from his bed. His body was starting to feel sore and a bit stiff. But what felt the most this time was the head. Obviously, someone had three stitches. Fortunately, it didn't cause a concussion or amnesia.

But still, if Richard remembers what almost made his life leave his body, it's horrifying. The truck swerved toward the car he was riding in. It wasn't speeding or reckless because Richard understood one thing; he was in a foreign village. He must have his own manners and politeness. Don't act carelessly and recklessly.

But from the opposite direction, the big truck lost control. To avoid a much bigger accident, the driver of Richard's car swerved to the right. He entered a rice field that was quite steep from the edge of the road. Since the steering wheel slam was quite sudden, the car's speed was also uneven. The big tree that was there was also hit, making the windshield shatter and injuring Richard's head. while the driver suffered serious hand injuries. 

As for the truck? Well ... that involved a long accident in a place not far from where Richard's car entered the rice field. Two motorcycles were hit, two cars carrying agricultural products were also victims. The last thing Richard heard was that the truck had failed to brake and lost control. 

"But I'm still worried," said Arini as she helped Richard to sit on his bed. 

"Yes, I'm sorry to worry you." Richard rubbed Arini's head affectionately. "My wife is no longer pretty."

Arini pouted. 

"You should have gone to the hospital earlier, Richard," Rusdi said with a long sigh. "If you really need a doctor's care, don't delay it. Who knows, it could be something much more worrying."

"I'm sure it's not a problem with this injury, sir. the proof is also that the doctor said I only have a head injury. there's nothing to be afraid of."

Rusdi shook his head in surprise at his son-in-law's boldness. 

After the incident, Richard did not want to be taken to the doctor first. Just to check how he was doing, he refused. It was enough to clean the wound that had already dripped onto his blazer, as well as around the temple. Then covered up as usual. After doing what he wanted and not making Arini worry, he went to the hospital.

God must know his good intentions should not be hindered just like that. he was also sure that he could still be sane until the event was over. No, not the event but their marriage contract. his cell phone has been ringing for who knows how many times. All from Arini's number and several unknown numbers. Surely the call was to inquire about his whereabouts.

That's why he had to get to Arini's house quickly. Don't let them all be disappointed, although after later knowing what happened it can be understood but ... no, Richard still has to come immediately.

Half an hour before the accident.

Arini was ready with her mother's white kebaya and batik cloth. She said she wanted something memorial at her wedding this time. don't ask the invited guests who had come and enlivened Arini's yard. Full. And couldn't wait for the groom to arrive and fulfill their vows.

Not what, the news about arini's marriage became a byword that stirred up the rural universe where this jet-black haired girl was born. apart from marrying a man who is much older, most of them also don't believe that arini married a widower. They all felt - for the most part - that Arini and her family were being tricked into letting her go to this man. In fact, there were rumors that Arini's future husband already had three wives.

Arini was the fourth wife.

And another one that is no less excited; Arini is after wealth. Because her future husband is said to have a lot of business and money everywhere. The proof is that for the reception class of the house alone, the event is like a two-day and two-night wedding party. Eh, no, it's just a big and magnificent tarub, and there is a stage for music events that is deliberately held there. There will be a reception in three months.

"Ih, such a waste of money," they said, heating up the situation.

"That's right, ma'am. I'm sure the reception will be canceled because even now, the party has run out of money. They use catering, they don't cook their own food from home."

"The food must not be too good. I want to eat the food provided by the one who owns the house. I'm afraid I'll be disappointed with the taste."

"Anyways, mom, does it really cost that much to have a reception? We can already call a blessing at home like that a reception. It's obvious, isn't it, that many people say that Arini is greedy."

"Yes, obviously, people want to be the fourth wife. The most beloved wife. I'm afraid that when the blessing is about to take place, Arini will be scolded by the other wives. I shudder to think about it."

"That's why we should not arrive late so that we don't miss the drama."

"That's right."

And there were many more discordant voices in the background who looked down on Arini. Fortunately, Arini and her mother didn't hear, or maybe they heard but didn't want to take it to heart. If Arini responded, it could have been a war, right? Even though the event was about to start. Don't let her anger create a bad atmosphere.

"Let people say what they want behind your back, Rin," said her mother while rubbing Arini's shoulder. Even though she also didn't really accept all the remarks that weren't really pleasant to hear. But because she had learned to believe that Richard wasn't what he was accused of being-especially the part about having many wives-Kasih tried to remain calm.

The problem of the reception that will be held in three months, love cannot refute at all, especially when Richard says. "Mom and Dad don't need to worry about the funds. I just want you to accompany us during the party. Because this event is also intended to entertain my clients and colleagues. They want to know what the woman who is my companion is like now. just think of the reception as a big meal together."

"But isn't it a waste of money, Richard?" asked Rusdi at last.

"Why waste money? No, it's not. I have plenty of money. In fact, if Arini wants to spend it she can, it's just a shame that she's the type of woman who is calculating when it comes to spending. So I won't be afraid of running out of money if Arini does the shopping. It's with the right person. After all, isn't it the husband who isn't stingy and lets his wife manage the money, that actually gets his blessings many times over? Let it go, consider this reception as a manifestation of my love for Arini."

So ... nothing can break that wish, right?

Back to Arini who had finished her makeup and was talking to her mother. 

"Yes, ma'am." Arini sighed softly. "I'll call Richard first. He's on the road yet." She took out her cell phone. The message from this morning had still been replied to which made Arini smile strangely. Yes, how could it not be if the content of the chat led to a hot night that they had actually been through.

Not hot again, but burning them both.

There was no response to the first call. Arini frowned but didn't want to give up. She called Richard again. same. There was no response again, instead it was connected to a voice mail indicating that his cell phone was inactive.

Arini immediately sent a message. Who knows, Richard was a bit busy on the road so he couldn't pick up the phone. Twenty minutes passed, no reply was received on Arini's cell phone.

The girl began to panic.

And the panic intensified because the groomsmen had arrived, while the main group was absent. they all began to panic. One of them took the initiative to catch up in case something happened. 

"Yes, that's right, try to catch up in case there's a problem," said RUSDI trying to calm down. beside him, his wife, instead of calming down, became even more panicked. 

Plus the discordant voices from the invited guests began to make Rusdi a little angry. Fortunately, he still has patience. Try if his mouth is not held back, everything can be hit by his anger.

"That, I also said what. Surely Arini's husband-to-be is running away from his responsibilities. It's useless to hold a big party like this if the bride runs away."

"Yes, you know. Must be afraid of his old wife. Besides, she's very confident that her future husband doesn't have a wife."

"Next time if you choose a prospective husband, you should also look at his status and really find out. If it's like this, it's embarrassing."

"Yes, you know."

Rusdi cleared his throat rather loudly to keep them all quiet. It was not a matter of whether Richard had a wife or not, RUSDI was certain that the man was really divorced. Somehow that conviction was great. But this was a matter of responsibility and also Richard's seriousness towards what the man wanted. 

Who asked for this wedding to be moved forward?

Richard Alexander.

But why did it turn out like this.

"Sir, how come Richard hasn't come yet. What's wrong, sir?" asked Arini with a frantic face. She didn't really care about his appearance, which was starting to bring tears to her eyes. She also didn't care about the makeup that she had praised for making her look different.

In the words of the make-up artist, Arini's face dazzled the people around her. If Arini was allowed to argue, this was all because of the hands of the make-up artist who skillfully played all the make-up tools on Arini's face.

"I'm patient, I don't know why Richard hasn't come yet."

Arini understood that she wasn't the only one worried about this until...

"Oh my God, what happened?" Rusdi greeted Richard who had just gotten off the pick-up car. His head had been hit with a weight. As well as looking disheveled but Richard tried to cover it up with a smile.

"Later, sir, I will explain. I don't want to delay any longer, because it looks like my future wife is so worried that I won't come and fulfill all my promises. Let's start the blessing, sir."