Behind All Changes

Chapter 15

"Come, come in" Kelvin took Lidya's hand to the receptionist's desk.

"Welcome Mr. Kelvin" Sapa Receptionist.

"Yes" said Kelvin.

"Can I help you, sir?" Ask the receptionist.

"I need an apartment" Kelvin replied.

"For whom, sir?" Ask the receptionist.

"For him" answered Kelvin.

The receptionist sees Lidya being held by Kelvin.

"Wait a minute, sir, I'll get the key card" said the receptionist.

Not how long the receptionist came with a key card in his hand.

"This is Miss, apartment no 1120" said the receptionist.

Lidya received the key card.

"Thank you" said Kelvin representing Lidya.

Kelvin holds Lidya's hand and takes her to the elevator to get to apartment no 1120.

Arriving at the apartment, Lidya opened the door using the key card in his hand.

After the door opened Lidya went inside followed by Kelvin.

"For a while stay here first" said Kelvin.

"Until when?" Ask Lidya.

"Until I'm sure you'll be fine living with your father and stepmother" Kelvin replied.

"Whatever," replied Lidya.

"All right, I'll go first" said Kelvin.

After Kelvin leaves, Lidya closes the door to her apartment.

***

1 week later.

Night of saturday.

Now Lidya is in the guest room of Kelvin's house. There are two MUA who are applying Lidya.

Lidya who wears a red dress with knee length and hair braided on two sides and then put together in the middle decorated with small gemstones.

"Done," said one MUA while finishing his makeup.

"Well, Lidya. Look at your face, you're so beautiful" Mommy Kelvin said.

"It's a tip for you guys" Mommy Kelvin gave some money as a tip to both MUA's.

"Thank you, Madam" said the two MUA while accepting the tips that Mommy Kelvin gave.

"Come on Lidya, we're out. The others must have been waiting for you" said Mommy Kelvin as she led Lidya to the garden behind Kelvin's house. The garden has been decorated in such a way as to look beautiful.

Lidya and Kelvin's engagement is done outdoors with the family alone attending. As per Lidya's request who does not want this relationship to be known to the public.

Lidya sees her maternal grandmother coming to attend her engagement.

Lidya walked away from Mommy Kelvin to go to her Grandma. The only person she loves.

"Grandmother," Lidya hugged her Grandma very tightly. Last time he met his Grandma was at Lidya's mother's funeral.

"Grandmother, Lidya misses Grandma," said Lidya crying while hugging her Grandma.

"Grandmother also misses the granddaughter of the other Grandmother," said Grandma Lidya.

Lidya's mother was the only child of a married couple. So no wonder Grandma Lidya says that Lidya is her only grandchild.

Lidya's grandmother released Lidya's embrace and wiped away Lidya's tears as she said,

"Grandmother do not cry, later her makeup is destroyed," said Grandma Lidya.

"Grandmother can do it" said Lidya.

"Lidya, let's go ahead" Mommy Kelvin led Lidya back to the front.

"Let's talk again, Grandma" said Lidya.

Mommy Kelvin leads Lidya to Kelvin's side. After that Mommy Kelvin left Lidya who was beside Kelvin.

"Who invited Grandma?" Ask Lidya.

"Me" answered Kelvin.

"Thank you" said Lidya.

"It's my duty to make you happy today" Kelvin said.

Lidya glanced at her ring finger that was still adorned with rings.

"If you want me to be happy. Please do not remove this ring from my hand" said Lidya lirih.

Even though it was spoken slowly, Kelvin could still hear it.

"What did you say?" Ask Kelvin.

Lidya.

"Tell me, I promise to obey" said Kelvin.

"Can you.. Don't take this ring off my finger?" Lidya asked while pointing at the ring on her ring finger.

"the ring? Where'd you get it?" Ask Kelvin.

"Please don't tell me to let go" Lidya said with a pleading gaze.

"Tell me where did you get it?" Ask Kelvin.

"From my best friend" replied Lidya.

Lidya is afraid Kelvin will throw the ring away if he finds out that it was a gift from his lover.

"Friendly only?" Kelvin asked with a probing look.

"No, more than friends" Lidya replied.

"If I could keep the ring on your finger, what would you give me in return?" Ask Kelvin.

"Whatever you want as long as this ring stays in my day" replied Lidya.

"I want you to keep calling me like you're calling right now. Me and you. Not me and you" Kelvin said.

Lidya was silent for a moment. Then he breathed heavily.

"Well, I'll try" Lidya replied.

"Not me but me. And don't try but it has to be done" Kelvin said.

"Whatever," replied Lidya.

Lidya glanced at the clock in her hand which showed at 19:55 that means the event will start in 5 minutes.

"What An, are you happy with this engagement?" Ask Lidya without seeing her interlocutor.

"I'm happy. Very," answered Kelvin.

From the tone of his voice alone Lidya already knew Kelvin was happy, not seemed to feel very heavy to undergo this engagement procession.

"What about yourself?" Ask Kelvin.

"This marriage took place because of the will of Mother. Not because of my will. So how could I be happy," Lidya replied.

"Have I not gotten into your heart yet?" Ask Kelvin.

"Not yet" Lidya replied with her head.

"What do I have to do to get into your heart?" Ask Kelvin.

"You ha-" Lidya had not yet finished her sentence, a voice of the operator signaling the engagement would soon begin stopping Lidya.

"Lidya, here is your ring" said Kelvin, pointing to Lidya's ring.

"For what?" Ask Lidya.

"From now on," said Kelvin, who did not want to answer Lidya's question.

Because Lidya still did not want to give her the ring, Kelvin was forced to take the ring by force. Even to the point of making a red mark on Lidya's smooth finger.

"Kelvin want you to do my ring?" Lidya asked fearing that Kelvin would throw away his ring.

"Sit was sitting well. Don't make everyone suspicious of your attitude" Kelvin said, reprimanding Lidya.

Lidya looked at Kelvin with a sharp gaze and her breathing was also hunting trying to hold back the anger within her.

Both parents took to the stage with each in their hands a small box containing Lidya and Kelvin's engagement ring.

Both of Kelvin's parents stand beside Kelvin and Lidya's parents stand beside Lidya.

Kelvin's father and Lidya's father give the ring to Kelvin as well as Lidya.

Lidya received the ring her father gave her with a slightly trembling hand. Unable to face the reality that says she will soon be engaged to a stranger.