Grandpa's Choice Man

Unwanted Matchmaking

"Tiara, sit here. There's something Grandpa wants to talk about," asked Mr. Tirta, Tiara's grandfather.

Pak Tirta's voice sounded very weak. The hand that pointed at the seat beside his bed also looked limp. Infusion hoses and some medical equipment attached to the chest make the movement of his body very limited. Tiara obeyed what she said.

"Ra, can Grandpa ask you for one thing? Grandpa would love to see Grandpa's granddaughter get married. Look at! Your grandfather is sick. Grandpa was afraid of not being able to see a single granddaughter Grandpa married," said Pak Tirta expectantly.

"I mean Grandpa, Grandpa wants to see Tiara get married?" tanya Tiara sangsi.

"Thank God you understand what Grandpa meant" replied Mr. Tirta with a smile.

"Grandfather, how could Tiara get married? Tiara is only 20 years old and college course is only semester four. There are Mas Riza and Mas Aksa who are older than Tiara. Why Tiara, Cake?" refute the Tiara subtly.

"Nobody forbids college students from getting married before graduation, right? They don't have a candidate yet, while you've Grandpa prepared. Grandfather believes he is the best for you," explained Mr. Tirta more enthusiastically.

Tiara was stunned to the point of being unable to say anything. Hearing Mr. Tirta's request that he get married immediately was surprised, coupled with the candidate who had been prepared. Grief suddenly lingered in his deepest heart. He did not expect Grandpa to have such a big plan without telling him first. This was the first time Tiara felt so disappointed towards her grandfather.

On the other hand, Tiara was confused on how to convey her incompetence without offending Pak Tirta. Refuting it too deeply was afraid that it would make his health decline. Saying it feels too hard to accept.

Tiara's parents, Pak Adi and Bu Lia, who were standing across from Tiara signaled to her by placing their index finger on her lips and winking. The sign tells Tiara to be quiet and not to argue with Pak Tirta anymore.

"Father, our son" whispered Bu Lia nudging her husband's arm.

"Can't, Cake. Tiara could not accept this match. Please don't be like this, Cake. Tiara wants to focus on college first. Marriage is not in Tiara's plans at all. Let Tiara enjoy youth," Tiara protested for Pak Tirta to renounce his intention.

"Tiara, you are Grandpa's only granddaughter so Grandpa wants the best for you," Pak Tirta emphasized his tone.

Witnessing the debate between grandfather and grandson, Adi walked up to Tiara and stood behind him. Pak Adi was very worried about how. Siding with one would certainly offend the other. Neither impartial at all can mediate.

"But right.." denied Tiara was cut off by her father's speech.

"Tiara, enough," Pak Adi whispered.

Mr. Tirta began to get carried away with emotions. Pak Adi immediately anticipated it by calming Tiara down. Tiara was very upset.

Tok tok!

"Mr Tirta, sorry. I'm Bi Darsi" said Bi Darsi softly behind the door.

Mr. Adi immediately stood up to open the door of Pak Tirta's room to meet Bi Darsi, a domestic assistant there. After the door opened, Bi Darsi was seen with two people tailing behind him. One of them is well known for being the wife of the late Pak Arif, a friend of Pak Tirta. The 65-year-old woman was named Bu Ina.

"Good day, Nak Adi," said Bu Ina so kindly with her trademark soothing smile.

Knowing that Bu Ina came, Mr. Adi immediately greeted and kissed her hand. Pak Adi already considers Bu Ina like his own mother because Pak Adi was often invited by Pak Tirta to meet with Bu Ina and Pak Arif as a child.

"Corn, Mrs In. Please come in," said Mr. Adi welcomed Ms. Ina with the man behind her coming in.

Ms. Ina nodded and immediately walked in. Bu Ina's steps were followed by a tall man with long hair that was plucked immediately but looked cool and aesthetic. Although his hair is long, but he looks more masculine and fresh.

Visual Rama (Source: Pinterest)

Ms. Ina also greeted Mr. Tirta, Ms. Lia, and Tiara alternately while smiling kindly. Before greeting the family of Pak Tirta, Rama first put a fruit parcel for Pak Tirta on the table beside his bed. After that, Rama who was no less polite greeted the family of Pak Tirta one by one.

Tiara stood up and invited Bu Ina to sit in the chair that he had occupied. Bu Ina thanked Tiara so kindly and gracefully that he hypnotized Tiara by her charm. The sudden presence of Rama standing behind Bu Ina blew away Tiara's admiration and made her move near her father who was already sitting next to Pak Tirta.

"Yesterday, I got word that Mr. Tirta was sick, but sorry if he didn't come straight away. My son was busy so no one was driving. What pain, sir?" asked Bu Ina softly.

"It's okay, Mom. It's also starting to improve. Just tired, understandably aged. I even thank you for coming all the way here to visit me," replied Pak Tirta lirih but clearly heard.

"Son Adi still lives in Surabaya or has moved here?" tanya Bu Ina turned his gaze to Pak Adi and his wife.

"Still in Surabaya, Mom. My wife and I arrived early this morning. Fortunately, our daughter went to college in Jakarta so when she got the news that she was sick, she could go to Bogor and accompany her, ", Pak Adi replied.

"Well, in Jakarta. One city dong with me," said Bu Ina with a smile sumringah.

Suddenly, Mr. Tirta shifted his gaze from Bu Ina to Tiara. After meeting with Tiara, Pak Tirta swung his hand at him and signaled for Tiara to sit beside him. Tiara obeyed her grandfather's orders, even though she was a manyun and puffed her cheeks in annoyance.

Visual Tiara (Source: Pinterest)

"Bu In, meet. This is Tiara" said Pak Tirta introducing Tiara to Bu Ina.

Bu Ina's eyes twinkled looking at Tiara. A smile grew on her lips wrapped in a brick-red lipstick. Bu Ina stood up and walked over to Tiara. After standing next to Tiara and asking for permission to touch her, Bu Ina rubbed Tiara's hair very gently.

"It's beautiful Pak Adi and Bu Lia's daughter. It's amazing that Mas Arif did not choose wrong," said Bu Ina's admiration for the beauty of Tiara.

Tiara, Mr. Adi, and Bu Lia were silent full of question marks hearing Mas Arif's words were not wrong. Their minds were also uniformly fixed on their chatter that had stopped. Tiara is even more upset that Bu Ina's statement leads to an arranged marriage.

Tiara slightly glanced at Rama who had been silent without expression. He remembered that he had never heard the man speak. Just smile as necessary and there are no pleasantries at all.

"Tiara, Mr. Adi, Ms. Lia, introduce you as well. That's my youngest son. Name's Rama. Tiara can call him Abang Rama," said Bu Ina introduced his son.

"Sir Tirta, do they already know about that?" continued Bu Ina turned to Pak Tirta.

"This was just about to be discussed with them. Even really fitting Bu Ina and Nak Rama come. So, Tiara and Rama can get acquainted. How, Di? Do you agree?" pak Tirta was so excited.

Degs...

Tiara was stunned to learn that Pak Tirta would actually match her. His tongue suddenly locked up unable to say anything so disappointed. He still could not digest all the surprises he received at this time. He felt like he was struck by lightning in broad daylight.

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