Between Love and Traditional Java

Danial's House

The awkwardness still passed some time until finally my mother came.

"Eh, son Danial, it's been a while?" greet my mother and Danial regret it.

"Not yet buk, minal aidzin wal faidzin ya buk," said Danial friendly.

"Together, let's eat what's there, don't be ashamed" my mother offered.

"Son Azam works where he is now," my mother changed to say hello to Azam. I've known Azam since we were in High School. Because my family's relationship with Azam's family is very close.

"I work in a pawn shop's office" Azam smiled.

"Le, let's go home, I'm waiting for Om Hendra at home," Azam's father asked.

"Pamit first yes," Azam's father greeted my mother and father. I regretted it too.

After Azam and his father came home. Danial asked my mother for permission to take me to his house.

"Buk I'm leaving, yes" I say goodbye.

"Don't come home very late, be careful on the road" my mother told me.

"We're saying yes ma'am," Danial greeted my parents.

"Look, our son is all grown up" the mother told my father, who only smiled back when I left the courtyard.

"It's a lot, yeah," I opened the conversation. Danial just silently stroked my hand that was on his waist. Vehicles passing by break the glitter of street lights. There are many decorations around him. Janur, ketupat, and various eid al-fitri greeting banners stand firm.

"Hopefully my father would soon be devastated if I would bring Dyana home often," Danial deepened in his heart.

"What's the matter?" I'm resuscitating Danial.

"No papa, I'm happy this time I'm with you," Danial drove his bike slowly, enjoying the wind to get rid of his bumps.

"Actually I know what you're thinking and, I'm actually afraid, when I should not be accepted by your family, what should I do," I'm troubled in my heart.

"Stop at the park Sekartaji yuk," I took Danial, because his house passed through the park.

"Byeah," Before long Danial's motorbike had stopped in the parking lot. I took off my helmet and so did Danial.

"What's bothering you?" I asked Danial.

"There's nothing, you're calm, yeah" Danial cupped my face between his hands.

"You're being honest with me, I don't know how embarrassed you are, knowing your parents haven't agreed to our relationship, but I've been to your house" I took Danial's hand off my face.

I looked deep into the bottom of the pool depicting my shadow and Danial. Seemed so close reflected in the calm water. But there is a long, invisible distance between us.

"Shhtt. You don't say that," Danial put his index finger on my lips.

"I'm the one who asked you to meet my parents, I'll protect you, to melt my father's heart. I want to fight for our relationship. Don't you worry about it."

"I should have just rejected your invitation." I'm upset at the moment. I doubt I can't handle the Danial family's response.

"Yuk, walk, you don't have to think about anything." Danial kissed my forehead slowly. I hugged him too.

I had arrived at the carved wooden door, it felt like my steps were very heavy to enter the Danial house. My feelings were running around overthinking something.

"Eh. son Dyana, come in," Danial's mother welcomed me kindly. I smiled and regretted it.

"Sit here," Danial's mother pointed to the empty seat before him.

"Thank you, buk" I sat down, trying to get rid of the groggy feeling that made my heart beat faster.

Danial's father came out from inside, he smiled at me. I also repaid and regretted it. He sits in front of me. A little fear faded on its own when Danial's father greeted me.

Some small talk calmed me down a bit along with Danial's mother who served me warm tea. Soon Danial's father came inside, leaving me and Danial in the white-painted living room.

"And, could it be that your father started accepting me?" I was confused thinking about it.

"I hope so," Danial held my hand with a face full of hope.

Every now and then we capture a moment of togetherness while tasting the nastar made by Danial's own mother.

"Your mother is very smart to make cakes, it's good to know, I have to learn from her." I enjoyed bite after bite of sweet nastar.

"No, you learn to love me" Danial put my nose on.

"It doesn't have to study, I've graduated," we joked until we forgot the time.

"Udah isa nih, anterin go home," I asked Danial. I finally say goodbye to Danial's parents. At least I feel a little more relieved now.

****

Danial Pov's,

"You are yes, you say parents never want to recede," said father when I just parked my bike.

"What the hell did dad mean?" i'm rattled.

"You know you're the same she couldn't possibly get married?" my father's voice echoed through the corners of the house.

"Sir, our son just came home, we'll talk about it tomorrow," my mother stroked my father's hand to ease his emotions.

"Well, there's a way out" I'm still chuckling.

"It's better that you break up now than it will be more hurtful later," said the father who really touched my feelings.

"Based on a stubborn child" he continued.

"I'm gonna fight Dyana until dad's out, or you don't like Dyana?" I have emotions too.

"It's not like it or not, but your problem is whether he has an invisible boundary."

"Don't connect the actual tradition now also began to shift with the modern thing," Finally I can express my argument.

"As far as you are," father walked into his room leaving me disappointed with his attitude.

He stopped at the door and looked at me,

"I don't forbid you from making friends with him, but never once do you bring up marriage." Dad closed the door.

"I respect custom, but God determines, right? I'm sure if we don't believe bad things will happen, only good things will come. Is not speech a prayer?" I am still sure of my thoughts.

"Whatever the way, I have to fight for Dyana," I entered my room and laid down my body. Trying to relax thoughts that seem to only find a dead end.

"Sister, I'm now confused, on the other hand I don't want to disappoint my father, but I also really want Dyana, want only she will accompany me later. He wanted to be the only woman in my life. I've lost so much, should I also be willing to let go this time?" I thought big brother, he hasn't called me in a long time.

"How I explained to Dyana, I couldn't possibly give her too high of a hope if I wasn't able to make it happen. I can't have a relationship that won't make it to marriage."

"In every relationship, there is only one final goal: separation. Either as good as any relationship, never quarrel though. They're all going to separate, it's just different times and ways."

"Either good or bad, everyone still has their pain."

"In this world there are no two people who will continue to be together, I understand, but what's wrong if I want to be right now, he will be by my side,"

"huuuaahhhh.." I growled in anger.

"Is there really nothing I can do?" I looked at the sky of my room, which was as dense as what was in my heart. Worryingly.