Getting Married through Tradition

5. Who Are the Guys I'm Going to Match Up With?

Darma, Hana's father sighed, and then grabbed her daughter's shoulder.

"Before we get to the point, we need to make it clear that, in fact, the purpose of this tradition is for our good, for our future. It feels difficult, and difficult to accept, but the ending, allah masya, brings happiness, Cherry!" bright Darma while smiling and stroking Hana's long hair.

"Unfortunately what–an tradition anyway, Mah, Pah! Hana was curious!"

Mama and her father Hana looked back, they nodded at each other, making Hana grow curious and nervous.

"Mama and Papa are only the best for you, and hopefully, you will live this tradition, Cer!" his mother then sat down next to the Cherries.

"Yes, by the way, Mah! If it is for the good of Cherries, Cherries agree. Cherry sure, what Mama and Papa have planned for Cherry, must have been thought out carefully, and full of consideration," replied Hana accompanied by a smile.

Mr. Darma smiled happily at Hana's reply. Same with Miss Darma.

"Honey, actually this hereditary family tradition, is done when our children have entered high school or SMK education. Our children will be betrothed to each other, with families who share this tradition ...."

Hearing the word matchmaking, Hana's eyes rounded, she cut off her Papa's sentence, "Huh! So you mean, Mama and Papa, the Cherries will be arranged that way?"

Papa and Mama Cherries, nodding simultaneously. Cherry immediately changed his expression, he rose from the clap of his parents, he was silent for a moment with his mouth gaping, then he sat on the sofa in front of his parents.

"Whoa! Cherries aren't wrong, are they? You two are kidding, right?" asked Cherry with a shocked expression.

Both parents cherries shake simultaneously. Cherry looked frustrated, she threw her body on the back of the sofa. Then sit down again.

"Oh, Cherries don't stop thinking, Mah, Pah! Just be right! Cherry is still in school, just entered SMK, but already want to be betrothed? The fate of school, how about Cherries?" Cherry asked in annoyance.

"Dear, Papa is not finished explaining, please do not cut it first! Let you understand and not misunderstand" said Bu Darma subtly.

"Yes sorry, Mah, Pah!" replied Cherry.

"You know, you might be surprised. Just like, Papa, it used to be a shock like yours. And after the match, you will also be immediately married and ...."

"Whataaaa! Marry!" exclaim Cherries with high notes.

"Gold! Papa's not done talking, just listen, don't cut!" Miss Darma snapped.

"Well that's it, Cherry, because of a young age, you'll only marry siri. This marriage will be witnessed by your parents and your future in-laws, as well as witnesses only. The intention of getting married young here, to avoid things that are not desirable at the age of school children, who are still unstable. And also to strengthen the relationship between our families to fellow adherents of this tradition. The close relationship between you and your partner later, no one should know. Unless we're involved. And you'll stay in school and take lessons as usual. And you can't have any intimate contact before you graduate school. But you have to stay in one house" said Mr. Darma.

Cherry doesn't know what to say. Want to answer it too, would have lost, if it had been said about tradition.

"Let's not know, Pah, what else to answer. It felt like the head of the Cherry was about to break! Cherries don't know whether or not they will be able to practice this tradition" Cherry replied while twitching her head.

"Papa knows, you must be hard to accept. In the past, Mama and Papa also knew the same thing as you. But, after we had it together, we were so grateful, Cer! It's beautiful to know, dating after marriage. In fact, we haven't had the same feeling in years, we're still silent to each other. But, we know, what our shortcomings and advantages are, we then complement each other, we feel pain if one of us is injured. Until we realized that we loved each other ...."

"Good life, Pah, dating after marriage, Cherries agree. Just how about education, Cherry, Pah!"

"Ceri, you can still go to school as high as possible, what you want, still will be realized. It all depends on yourself. This tradition is really only a matter of matchmaking at a young age. Our ancestors knew education was number one. And they forbid their children to date. So by way of early matchmaking, they are not worried about their children. If there is an accident unintentionally. Because in fact, their children already have status," said Mr. Darma again.

"But, what if for example their children are dating other people, without their knowledge, Pah!" ask Cherry back.

"You know how Papa and Mama educated you! Why until now you never think about dating! Though we know, many like you, in fact, you like someone, but you never want to deletin the guy, and you choose to stay away from him and focus on your school, he said, you know the reason–nya right, Cherry!" his father said again.

Cherries just nod their heads. Educated his parents all this time was good, his life, Cherry became a dutiful child, he always obeyed the advice of his parents and never dissented. He always got happiness from his parents' blessing. So, if he now refused his parents' request, would it be appropriate? While all this time his wish was always granted by his parents. He himself was afraid to fight his parents, let alone make his parents sad.

"Our education, just like our ancestors, Cherries. In addition to children provided with education, they are also equipped with religious knowledge, and devoted to their parents. You understand, don't you, baby?" Mr. Darma approached Cherry and stroked her hair.

Cherry felt moved and sad because she could not accept the tradition in her family, Cherry then embraced her Papa and shed tears there.

Cherie knows what her parents mean. Just that, he did not stop thinking, his asthma destiny should be like this, with matchmaking. Cherries want to find their own love, not by matchmaking. But cherries are unlikely to also go against her parents, who have taken care of her until now.

"Thank you, baby! Because you already understand Papa and Mama," said Mr. Darma while stroking his son's hair.

Ms. Darma is happy to see her son and husband. Although he knows that his son may not have fully accepted the tradition in his family.

"If there's anything else you want to ask, please, Cer!" said Ms. Darma.

"Nobody, Mah, Cherry already understands. Who will be the man to be betrothed to Cherry, Mah, Pah!" Cherry let go of her embrace, and looked at Papa and Mama in turn.