Between Love and Religion

chapter 35 good intentions

After dinner together, Papa opened the topic, "Dear Aera, papa asked Kiai Abdullah to come visit today."

"Hmmm, would you like a business collaboration with Mr. Kiai?" ask Aera lugu.

"You're all there is Ra! Where there is a collaboration business, you think this is BTS ft Halsey!" ledek Valero's.

"I just asked, brother," explained Aera.

"Husshhh, already! Papa asked Pak Kiai to come because there is something you want to talk about, Ra. It's also about you" Papa explained.

"Huh? How me?" ask Aera confused.

"Papa is planning to match you with Gus Faizar, Ra," Papa explained.

"HUH? Wh-what does that mean? How's it? Try to explain what he means, Pah. This is too sudden," asked Aera in surprise.

"Papa wants you to marry Gus Faizar, son," Papa explained.

"What the hell, this is all too fast. Why all of a sudden?" said Aera who was confused by the situation she was experiencing.

"Son, I mean dear Papa. The more you grow up, the more people want to know your identity" explains Mama Theva who tries to give understanding to Aera.

"I know that, Mah, but this is too soon for Aera. Gus Faizar isn't too close to me either, is he? We don't know each other personally at all, Mah" explained Aera.

"Therefore, Papa wants you to share with Gus Faizar because he believes Gus Faizar can guide and protect you, Ra," said Mama Theva.

"But, Mah, I..." Aera was unable to finish her words because Papa asked her to return to her room.

Without answering Papa, Aera went to her room with firm steps like an angry person.

Tok tok...

"Ra, can papa come in?" papa said from outside the door.

"Yes," Aera answered briefly.

"Here, sit beside papa," said Papa who Aera advised to sit beside him.

"But, Pah. Aera had not thought about this serious thing at all," Aera complained.

"Yes, papa knows. Papa will postpone the marriage until you pass S1, but before that, you are engaged first" Papa explained.

"Well, I really don't understand what papa's plan means to involve me in this situation. Why should I go first? Brother Val should have married too, why didn't he go first?" ask Aera.

"Aera, papa just wants someone to protect you more intensely, son," Papa said.

"It's not like this, Pah! What reason? I also did not choose to be the child that parents hide like this" Aera said, holding back her tears.

"Aera, don't talk like that!" reproof Papa.

"I don't know why my mom and dad hid my birth and growth from people. Not even everyone knows who I am. Now I have to get engaged to a man of papa's choice? What else are you gonna do to me, Pah?" said Aera who began to shed tears on her cheeks.

"Maybe it's time to explain to you, son," said Papa. Aera just kept quiet, not answering.

"When you were two years old, you were kidnapped by Surya Atmojo, Papa's business rival. You're Papa and Mama's only child. We are very happy to welcome your birth to the time of your development. We never thought that you would be kidnapped. The security at our home was not strict. Mama is depressed about losing her only daughter. Papa tried to find you and set you free so Mama would eat just once out of my hand. But, no. As long as you're gone, Mama doesn't eat anything at all. Papa searched wherever Atmojo's trail went, and after three months of searching, papa almost gave up. Papa told Kiai Abdullah everything, and he advised him to ask Allah for guidance. Papa followed his advice. He also helped to find you. That night, papa wakes up for tahajud prayers and really begs to be reunited with you immediately. Not long after that, Kiai Abdullah told me that his student son who he asked to help look for you had found your place and that is where we found you" explained Papa Aera, it tells the story of the incident that made Mama Aera hospital because of the loss of Aera.

"Why is papa telling a story now?" ask Aera.

"Because Papa is afraid you're still feeling the trauma, Ra," Papa explained.

"But, Pah, this is very sudden for Aera. Papa doesn't ask Aera for her opinion, papa doesn't ask her, does Aera have a close friend or someone Aera likes?" said Aera.

"I'm sorry, son. Now you ask me, do you have someone you like?" ask Papa.

"If Aera answered yes, would Papa accept it?" ask Aera again.

"Raa, Papa is deeply indebted to Kiai Abdullah, you are here because of his help too, Ra," Papa explained.

"I know it's Dad, but I really need time. Please give me a minute" said Aera, who was tired of the debate. Aera was sad, not because she had to accept an arranged marriage, but she was sad because she had just learned the facts and the reason she was hidden.

After hearing Aera's request, Papa Joaan came out of his room to give Aera time to think more about Papa's decision. It was difficult for him, but it was for his own good. In business, many rivals are always envious of the success of his family who are notoriously generous and honest. Their families always put honesty as number one. Decisions made with God involved must be the best decision. However, at this moment what Aera was thinking was Kenzo's feelings if she knew the news of Aera's engagement. True, Kenzo and Aera are only close friends, but they love each other and always pay attention to each other.

Because there is a difference between Aera and Kenzo, which is bounded by a wall that is quite high and difficult to break down, the two just keep each other without any serious relationship. Aera also knew that her father would not approve if she had to be in a relationship with someone who had different beliefs from her.