Galak's Fiancee

Chapter 67

Tonight Argantara took Shelina to her house for dinner. Actually, who had this idea at the beginning was his mother Argantara. And Argantara agreed. Because he thought it was fun to also invite Shelina to eat at his house. So that Shelina can meet the mother and get closer. Dealing with insecure is also possible, considering Shelina never had the confidence to meet with her family during arisan. This time Argantara hopes Shelina is not insecure anymore. Only her mother was also found so why should she be embarrassed? Why insecure lahaddah Shelina there is no reason for that.

“Shel, if gulai like ‘kan?”

“Like, Aunt. Whatever food I like,” replied Shelina with a smile.

“Hopefully this auntie dish fits yes on her tongue Shelina,”

The dinner menu made by Mama Argantara is chicken gulai, balado shrimp, and fried tempeh tofu. This home-cooked food menu that Shelina often eats also when at home.

“Often-often here play same Aunt, same Arga. Let's not be so quiet actually,”

“Lain time invite Aunt Shefia also dong, Ga,” Tina said to her only child who tonight invited a woman to come home to dinner with her. This woman Tina had known even since childhood. And will be his son's wife in the future.

“I was ajakin, Ma. But Aunt Shefia can't, because there want to be an event at the neighboring house and Aunt Shefia want to attend,”

“Oalah, that. Kirain that you invite is just Kia aja,”

“Ngak, Mom. I know mama would be very happy if Aunt Shefia came along so I ajakin only Aunt Shefia want to be present at the neighboring event,”

“Mama forgot a message to you to invite Aunt Shefia, luckily you remember yes,”

“Remember, Ma. Time yes I just ngajakin his son doang, I ajakin mama too, because this wants there mama too, uh but dear Aunt Shefia want to be present at her neighbor's event,”

“Iya mom apologizes for not being able to join she said, Auntie. You see, the neighbor who is two houses away, did not show his son aqiqah. Mom invited. Mama doesn't feel good if you don't come,”

“Ih can fit really well, yesterday also Aunty new abis invited same neighbor to aqiqah event,”

“Cuit udah,” said Argantara while chuckling. Her mother and mother Shelina were both invited to the aqiqah event by their respective neighbors. Tina was invited yesterday, while Shefia is today.

“What match? Suitable as besan? Oh if that's a long time ago realize anyway,”

Shelina and Argantara chuckled. Suddenly Kia became nervous when ejected from Tina's mouth about besan. Honestly, it's wrong. “Why talk about besan nih?”

“How was college, son? Smoothly just ‘kan?”

“Iya smoothly, Aunt, Thank you,”

“Where are you with Arga? Any problem? If there is, don't tell a story. How was Arga so close to you? Is he bummering? Or—“

“Ngak, Aunt. Arga is good, not bummer,”

“Nyaman Sama Arga, Shel? If something makes you uncomfortable, or how-to, talk to Auntie, we share the story about Arga, no problem. Aunty wants to know how she is with you,”

“Good, Aunt, so good even,”

“Mama is suspicious of her son. People say the same Shelina. I'm good, mama can't believe it,”

“Not believe it. So that Shelina does not hesitate if you want to tell her about you. Anyway any story to Auntie yeah, Shel. Eh do not call Auntie deh, have long known when still a stranger huh? Call your mom if you want,”

“Iya, Aunt, uh Ma. But I was confused to call mom to both. My mother is Argantar's mother. How is it different?”

Shelina's innocent question certainly made Tina laugh. True too, the call of mama for his own mother and his mother Argantara makes him so confused, because there is no difference when their status is different. The one is biological mom, the other one is—“

“Ya have called my mother-in-law if you go to auntie yes,”

“Jeez, yes, I called you that. What's not strange ‘kan not married,” said Shelina in heart. It seems that the call is too presumptuous according to Shelin, he did not call Tina with the title ‘mama-in-law’ even though Tina asked.

“Call Aunty first, Ma. Later if Kia was really a son-in-law then the call happened, okay?”

“Ah is okay, it's up to Shelina how to call it. Or mama has more suggestions call ‘mama Tina’ also can, no ribet ‘kan?”

“Well yes already, that's it,” Shel said with a smile. That's more natural according to Shelina. Instead of calling her mother-in-law, or mother-in-law who even makes her confused because she calls her biological mother aka Shefia with the name of mother as well.

Finished eating, Shelina was still engaged in chatter with Argantara especially her mother. Until then Shelina was repatriated by Argantara at half-nine p.m.

“Sorry yes if if there is less aunt cuisine, do not kapok ya eat here, anyway must often if you can, continue not to forget to invite mama, okay?”

“Sip, Aunt, uh Mama Tina. Hehehe I'm still not ordinary,”

“Nothing, Babe,”

“I say goodbye first, thank you so much for bringing me dinner here, all the cooking is delicious and I love it,”

“Yes, be careful you guys yes, send greetings to your mama yes, Shel,”

“Later to tell you. Assalamualaikum,”

“Waalaikumsalam,”

Shelina got into the Argantara car that was ready behind the wheel. After having dinner together at her house with her mother too, it was time for Argantara to take Shelina back home.

“Shel, happy not?”

“Happy, even very happy,” replied Shelina with a bright smile.

“Thank God, I'm glad to hear that. Next time come to my house, talk to my mom. He talks about the mulu loneliness, besides you let not insecure,”

“Yes is natural, Ga. Mama I am also so, just one child continues to be an adult also so likes to be busy with his own world without realizing it mama feels lonely because of it,”

“Mama you also often talk like that?”

“Yes, loneliness mulu. If you have been invited to an aqiqahan kayak event now, like to code when I make an aqiqah event too, like to suppose that you already have a grandson. Ah anyway mama I like that,”

“Hah has grandchild been billed? Marriage hasn't been yes,”

“Well that's it, I get confused sometimes. If you've discussed grandchildren ngode so that I get married soon, maybe that's what mama means,”

“Sama turned out to be like a mama I like to code for marriage. No wonder, mama knows that marriage must be from her own decision. But mama likes to hurtain her daughter marriage continues to have children this way. Maybe it was just a story, huh? But I think it's code,”

“Iya do not know that means the story or even code I also do not understand, mothers are difficult to guess,” said Shelina while chuckling.

When he reached Shelina's house, Argantara would usually go down to open the door of his car to let Shelina down. But this time it's not. Argantara instead held Shelina's arm that was about to open the car door and get out.

“Why, Ga?”

Argantara was silent for a while but her eyes deepened towards Shelina who was frowning in confusion.

“Oh yes, I haven't said thanks. I forgot, sorry. Once again thank you I have dinner, keep me home as usual, thanks ya,”

“Sama-sama, I want to say something so that you do not go out first. The reason is not waiting for you to say thanks, Shel,”

“Oh okay, what do you want to say?” Asked Shel who was really curious. Seeing the look on Argantara's face, he guessed the thing Argantara wanted to talk about seemed important. Argantara wants them to talk in the car.

“Sorry if you think I'm presumptuous of this now. You really want to marry me ’kan? Honestly, I'm more comfortable with you, Shel. If asked what I already have to dare not make sure you marry now. I have income from myself, maybe you do not know, I have a cafe as bakery shop. I'm gonna keep trying to grow, Shel. I'm sure I can meet your needs with my hard work later. I don't know for sure I'm in love or not with you but I'm comfortable, and I'm not happy if you're close to each other. I want to belong to you. Even if we are married yet to love each other, over time the love will come along with the usual we are together, Shel,”

To be honest Shelina was shocked when Argantar spoke like that. He did not expect that Argantara would discuss marriage so soon. I had already agreed when I graduated. Argantara's courage deserves a thumbs up too. When Argantara admitted that he was comfortable being close to Shelina, about what he had, the willingness to work hard to support Shelina, it all left Shelina stunned for a while.

“Udah has been discussed before, after graduating from college it is okay ‘kan if I do not you change your mind?”

“Iya I say kayak gini is not for your purpose so that you want to marry me in the near future. I will not make meaning. The marriage ‘kan should be completely from the heart. If you are not ready it is okay,” said Argantara while smiling thinly looking into the jet black bead belonging to Shelina who looked at him expressionlessly, but his heart was insecure, and his heart warmed.

“Honestly I am still not sure for marriage in actu near I want to be free first. I'm really comfortable with you but if marriage bum now yes,”

“Yes, and now I'm also very comfortable, seriously. The sense of wanting to have you is also huge,” Argantara said to Shelina in a straightforward tone. That was his desire to have Shelina. Although He has just admitted that He does not know whether He really loves Shelina but Argantara believes that someday will come when He can really love Shelina, and vice versa. That love will come with time, and with their togetherness.

“What matters is that I have heard once again from your mouth if you want to marry me, Shel,”

Shelina nodded her head. If you refuse, it's hard to do that. Because he admitted that he was also comfortable being close to Argantar, and there was also a desire to fulfill the wishes of their parents. It has also started even though it is just an engagement.

“But you are sure I married because there is a desire of our parents yes?”

“Honestly I thought that too. But actually I've been thinking more about the comfort of it anyway, and the desire of parents to be number two. So I'm sure you're married just not because our parents want it, but because I feel connected, I feel like you're clop, I feel the point,”

“Yes, I'm in first. I hope you can understand,”

“Yes, hopefully everything is done by graduating from college we can unite. May we be more and more given the confidence to live together yes, Shel,”

“Okay, if so I enter the house, you go home carefully,”

“Sip,”

Shelina almost grabbed the car door lever but Argantara forbade. “Bentar, I'm a bukain,” said the man while smiling sweetly until his eyes pulled each other which finally looked squinty.

Argantara opened the car door and let Shelina out of the car. Then He led Shelina to the door of the house and Argantara pressed the bell to open from the inside.

“Assalamualaikum,”

Argantara kissed the hand of Shefia whose clothes had not changed after attending an event held by her neighbor.

“Waalaikumsalam,”

“Sorry yes, Tan, if long,”

“No, how was dinner?”

“Ashik, mom really wants Aunt join just now I've told you that aunt wants to attend a neighbor's event. Mama send greetings,”

“Iya next time follow me. Let's go in first,”

“As usual, Aunt. The important thing is that I've anterin Shelina to the house safely, and I've found Aunt. I want to go straight home, Tan,”

“Yes, go straight home yes you if already anterin Shelina home,”

Argantara. How else would you like? He felt calm after delivering Shelina to his home safely. He wanted to go straight home, so that Shelina and her mother could also rest, not having to serve guests that is him.

“Sorry yes, Aunt. Next time I'll sit back,”

“It is, sit down first, drink first, chat first, ‘kan kelau so,”

“Udah, before I take Shelina away for sure I sit down first ‘kan, Tan. There's aja Aante adang, well if it fits Shelina anter back, I sit again ya ngerepotin,”

“Ih I said that anyway. No, it's like who the hell you are. There is no ngerepotin,”

“Tante always receive guests well, I never disappointed if you have come home, served with a friendly. Told to sit, given a meal,”

“To the guest it should be, Ga. Moreover, you are already like a Aunt's own son,”

“Other times Aunt join ya eat together me, Shelina, and mama,”

“Iya Insha Allah,”

“Okay if that's what I say, thank you for permission to bring Kia, Tan. Good night, Assalamualaikum,”

Shefia rubbed Argantara's short shoulder that kissed her hand again before rushing into the car.

“Waalaikumsalam, be careful yes,”

“Iya, Tan,”

Argantara lowered the window so he could avenge the hand of Shelina and her mother. He drove his car away from the Shelina residence at a normal speed while turning on the playlist of songs so as not to be too quiet in the car. There was Shelina next to her, now she was alone in the car, and she was afraid she was sleepy. If you are with Shelina, it is difficult to get sleepy because they will occasionally chat.

*****

“You're the same aunt Tina must have a lot of conversation huh? If you can know, what chat, Shel?”

After Shelina changed clothes, suddenly her bedroom door was knocked. And as soon as he opened the door it turned out his mother was standing in front of the door of the room with clothes that had changed as well.

“Mama would want to hear the stories of me who finished eating together with Argantara and his mother huh? Okay, I'll tell you a story. Come mama sit on my mattress,” said Shelina while holding her hand and taking her to bed.

“Mama was curious what are you guys chatting about? Anything important is that not?”

“Hmm nothing, Ma. Just a casual conversation, Ma. But Aunt Tina asked me to call her Mama Tina. Because he said that aunty kayak is still foreign,”

“Oh yes? Then what else?”

“Then I was told to call her mother-in-law, in my heart I immediately refused. Yes, when I call him mother-in-law, my man is not yet his daughter, is it not strange if I call my mother-in-law? Not necessarily so, Ma,” said Shelina who invited her mother's laughter.

“Hahahahah you are very, dear. Aunty Tina was joking, but maybe it was code too. Thank goodness if you are nurutin, if not yes it is okay too,”

“But I'm surprised, Ma. Suddenly he said he could call my mother-in-law. Lah, my people are the same Arga aja not yet anything ‘kan. Uh yeah I want to tell you about Arga, too,”

“Why?”

Shefia immediately folded her legs and held the doll of the child, She seemed ready to hear the story of her son about Argantara. Just now about Tina alone was fun enough to be heard, now Shelina wants to tell me about Argantara. It seems more fun.

“Tadi, before getting off the car. Argantara ngajakin I talked,”

“By what?”

“He's convinced I'm married, Ma. Didn't think he'd talk about it again,”

“Lah ‘kan emang already fiancee? Then what do you say?”

Not only Shelina, Shefia was also surprised to hear Argantara invite Shelina to marry again even though she was engaged. Unexpectedly, Argantara will dare to ask Shelina again to be his wife.

“I told you, I explained again that I wanted to after graduation. He doesn't mind. He understands, he gives me time,”

“Marriage is not easy, but it is not difficult also if it is not lived with enjoy. Enjoy every phase, surely marriage so it feels fun,”

“He loves you? And how do you feel about him?”

“Ma, honestly I feel confused already love or not the same Arga, but I am comfortable with him, close to him. Well, Arga was talking like that. He told me that he was confused or not in love with me, Ma. But he said, love will come with time, as I am with him,”

“Hmm apparently you guys still do not love each other yes,”

“It looks like yes, that's one of the reasons I'm considering. Can you marry without love? Just rely on convenient, can you, Ma?”

Shefia smiled as her son asked for an opinion. He immediately rubbed the soft cheek of Shelina who looked at him questioningly. Shelina is still naive about love, her experience about love or men is still minimal.

“Can only, Son. If it is comfortable, equally willing and ready for marriage, yes it can be a marriage,” said Shefia.

“But it will be fine, Ma?”

“Yes that was, mama said. Everything will feel easy, it feels fun if enjoyed every phase. There are many marriages that start without love but eventually love each other and last, it is true, love can come because it is used to being together. But in reality, many marriages do not work because they start without love. How your heart chooses. Follow what your heart says, son,”

“Iya, Mother. I will think carefully, I will understand what my heart says,”

“Yes, do not make the wrong decision, and later even regret. Mama papa did want you to marry Arga. But do not make our parents' wishes as the things you have to fulfill, and finally there is no long thought or consideration before making a decision. You have the right to go where you live, who you marry, you have the right to choose. ‘Kan indeed from the beginning, we also do not maksa, do not want to be selfish,”

“Iya I know, Ma. If you are selfish maybe now I am the same Argantara already husband and wife, we are not given the freedom to choose,”

“Yes because we know you have the right to your own future including the affairs of a mate,”

“Thank you for understanding, Ma. I'll think before I actually make a decision,”

“Iya, mom support whatever you later choose. Marriage is either Argantara or not. May Allah lead you to make the best decision, yes,”

“But if I married Argantara, would my mom be happy?” Shelina asked Shefia.

“If you ask about it, of course my mom is happy. ‘Kan was indeed the wish of mama as well so that Argantara and you marry,”

“But if I refused, would my mom be disappointed?”

“No, God willing, I sincerely accept whatever your decision,”, Shefia said confidently while smiling sweetly. Although there was a desire for Shelina and Argantara to get married, but if Shelina did not want to be with Arga and God also approved of it, He could not say anything. He tried to accept that and was convinced that it meant God had prepared another man better for his daughter.

“Mama, thank you so much for being by my side, you always understand me. I love you,”

Shelina hugged her mother tightly. Fashion is often coming especially in moments like this.

“Yes, now you rest yes. Mama also wants a break,”

“Tonight sleep with me yuk, Ma,”

“Hmm? Really?”

Kia nodded her head. He misses the habit of sleeping with his mother. When he was a child, he often slept between his mother and his father. Treading teenagers to adulthood mother who sleeps in her room. Especially when Tama, the precious men in their lives no longer exist, Shefia more often sleep with her only daughter. Sometimes without being asked by Kia, Beautiful is coming alone.

“Okay, let's sleep,”

“Goodnight dear mama,”

“Night too, Son,”

“Eh I haven't used skin care, please, Ma. Just jerking around,”

“Yes, long time is fine too. ‘Kan mama did not wait, mama brushed aja,” said Shelina while laughing. He let his son take care of himself.

Shelina sat in front of the mirror, and then she started using less facial care products. When he took a shower, he cleaned his face. Now he just uses toner, serum, and moisturizer. After that he rushed to the bed.

“Lho, mama said he wants to brim, how not yet?”

“Pengen together with a new mama's son abis taught to marry,”

“Mama, don't say that, I'm ashamed of it,”

“Lho, how embarrassed? It's even a sign you're an adult, Shel. The proof is already there is with a gentle ngajakin you are married, stay you think again deh it, would agree or even refuse me all? Yes it's okay even if it's fiancee,”

“I again want to weigh-in first, again want to ask for instructions also the same above,”

“Iya, Darling. Now get a good night's sleep, okay? Forget for a moment his marriage invitation Argantara,”

Shefia rubbed her son's head gently, then grabbed Shelina tightly. “I love you, darling,” she said gently and ended with a kiss on Shelina's forehead.

“I love you too, beautiful mom,”

Tonight they slept hugging each other. Shelina felt calm after telling her mother, and heard the words that were thrown from her mother.

******

“Ah already, why should there be any jammed everything?! I'm late for this. I am crazy to sleep. Though the alarm has been on still bad luck,”

Argantara was endlessly grumbling in annoyance. He was upset at himself who woke up late to finally fail to pick up Shelina at home, even though his intention wanted to go together to campus.

“Padahan was this morning I want to be with Shelin, uh even bad luck. Finally he left alone, I left alone. Fortunately, he was not with me. If together, really kasian he will be late,”

Argantara is jammed around the railway station area. He was sick of the traffic jam he had to face right now but what else? It's his fault that he woke up late.

“Yeah, really melt this vehicle on the road! Jeez, I want to fly it,”

He stared at the circular watch on his wrist and became more and more agitated. I can be sure he was late for class.

“I am rarely late. Hopefully the lecturer did not enter, or if I enter yes maklumin this bad luck,”

The vehicle in front of him started moving again. Every time there is a little pace, it will be happy. Even though his heart was not calm.

His eyes focused on looking forward, then staring around. Traffic is really heavy at an hour like this.

********

“Ryan, it's a good idea to meet you here. Arga late in class?”

Shelina with one of her friends to the campus cafe, and accidentally cross paths with Ryan who was about to get out of the cafe. He asked about something that made him curious.

“He's really late,”

“Oh, but has come means yes?”

“Udah, Shel. But it's late. He's bad luck he said,”

“Yes, he told me, tell me to go first. Okay, thanks yes, Yan,”

Ryan nodded his head and hurried to leave the cafe while Shelina and Dara, his friend, chose to occupy a round table close to the cafe door.

“Lo why suddenly nanya Argantara?”

“Nothing, just curious. Turns out he's really late, God. Could've been late. Good thing I'm not with him anyway,”

“If you are with him, you can be late together,” said Dara while laughing.

Shelina asked Ryan, because he wanted to make sure Argantara stayed in, even though it was too late.

Shelina felt a tremor in her pants pocket. His phone shook and there was a message coming in from Argantara.

I'm in class again, what are you doing? Don't forget to eat if you haven't eaten, Shel-

Shelina shook her head slowly. Argantara still took the time to send a message, in between He focused on listening to the material presented by the lecturer.

I was in the cafe. Thanks for ingetin. Focused on lecturer ya-

-Ok sip's. Who's the same cafe, Shel?-

my friend, Ga-

Shelina almost kept her phone. He thought the answer was enough for Argantara but Argantara sent a message with a question again.

-class management? Who?- who?

-ara

oh, don't know. Hehe. Ok, yeah-it was

Shelina grunted softly. He knew nothing of his friends, but still asked.

“Shel, are you the same Arga really not dating?”

“Truly, Dar. Does it look like dating? That feeling you have had time to,”

“Original, I'm hard to believe anyway. You see you look deket, often leave together, go home also together,”

“Yes it's because I was invited by Arga, just so happened to be his class together, continue abis class also together,”

“But you guys fit tau,”

“Hadeh, don't start yet. What does it mean?”

“Suitable, like a mate,”

Shelina smiled in response to Dara's words. According to people who often see the togetherness of Argantara and Shelina, must have been to believe that they are not lovers.

“I must be Aamiin, or what?”

“Aamiin is, he ‘kan handsome, it looks good too. How'd he go to lo? You must have your own judgment,”

“Yes he is kind, friendly, diligent saving, and not arrogant,”

Hearing Shelina's reply which was certainly joking, immediately invited a sniff of annoyance from Dara's mouth. He asked seriously, but Shslina replied with her candlestick.

“Heh, I really asked!”

“He's real, he's good,”

“Continue talking about diligent saving, and not arrogant all? Huh huh?  Your answer is strange indeed,”

“Hahah sorry-sorry, I deliberately joked so we relax a little first,”

“Looking, Shel. Stay answered doang ribet very ah,”

“Iya, Arga good, Dar,”

“Udah ever ngajakin lo dating? Time yes have gone home often together but do not want more than friends,”

Kia massaged her forehead for a while before replying. Not just asking for a date, Argantara even invited him to track the life of marriage.

“Eh why not answer? Well, maybe you guys are actually dating, right? Still not publishing?”

“Ih, what's the secret? Not dating, Dar,”

“Yes, dating dong,”

Shelina sighed softly. Instead of responding to Dara's words, Shelina instead ordered a meal as well as a drink.

“If you are dating, let alone marrying, don't forget to invite me yes, Ki,”

“Iya, relax. Your name will not be missed,”

“Yeayyy okay, can't wait,”

“What's impatient?”

“Patiently invited by lo, Ki,”

“I invite to my birthday show later,”

“Erghh is not that! Invited to wedding event,”

“My wedding?”

“Yes, She. Time to the wedding of our lecturer Mr Bastian? ‘Can not be possible. By the way our handsome and young lecturer wants to marry noh,”

“Iya I've heard the news. You invited?”

“No, I don't think he's a student,”

“Yes upset, find another one, Dar,”

Shelina meredek Dara who put a sense of admiration for their lecturer who was still relatively young and had a handsome face. They heard that soon the lecturer was getting married. Shelina didn't want Dara to get upset. That's why he told me to find another one.

“Iya, no more demen-demen me the same lecturer. I want to marry you because, horrified all kinds of people. When did Mr Bastian arrive?”

“Ih Dara's. What the hell are you talking about? Not yet, now,”

“Ya tomorrow,”

“Main tomorrow-tomorrow, thought married game time yes,“