Home For My Soul

57|Mama's Choice

~Altheo~

I've made a big mistake. Mama must have known about my relationship with Amarilis. Somehow, but what he did to make me and the girl rarely meet, was not because anyone whispered our closeness to him.

Maybe I did too much when we had dinner together. It could be, I gave the hint when I drove him home after teaching Matt. I don't know. Or there was my special act to Amarylis on the celebration of our family he attended.

First, Mama had booked an ojek online to drive Amarilis home. He cares deeply about the girl's safety because it requires him to teach Matt. Why did he not hesitate to order the services of a stranger to drive him home? If Mama doesn't like us being close, she can get our driver to drive Amarylis home.

A few days later, his actions became more extreme. Matt moved to study outside the home. Mom's actions made me hate Chika even more. Because my good mama, just being evil just to keep me away from other girls and bring me closer to the woman of her choice.

“Well, the awaited ones have come!” mama shouted as I entered the dining room.

Papa, who usually has business with his colleagues, invited me to dinner at home, apparently because Mama had invited guests. There was no Matt, so they purposely arranged the seats for me and Chika to be side by side.

“Wah! They really are a matching couple, yes!” puji Aunty Winara's. “It's a shame we have to wait until they finish college to see their wedding.”

That topic again. It seems like this woman deliberately kept talking about it so that my parents changed their minds. The plan to force them to announce our engagement without any discussion with me first could work. But not for anything related to education.

“Education is paramount,” says Om Winara. A word I'm sure he heard from my papa. “They are young, there is still plenty of time to be together later. I heard, Theo will continue his studies after undergraduate graduation.”

“True,” timpal Papa friendly. “It was the best time so that he would not be distracted by household affairs. Ruth and I were like that. Married at the age of twenty-seven or eight, no problem.”

“Don't that long, Azarya,” persuade Aunt Winara. “I cannot guarantee my daughter is still willing to wait that Theo does not marry her past the age of twenty-five.”

“Ma, twenty-five is a very young age for a man. I have no problem with Theo's plan. Whenever she is ready to get married, then I am ready,” said Chika, mediating.

“Not married just one heart, that's great,” flatter Mama.

They kept talking and I just stared at the food that was served in front of us. I was hungry, but they seemed to be full by continuing to praise Chika and our relationship from just one of the girl's words.

Papa finally broke them up and led a meal prayer. They were still continuing the conversation, whereas I ate as fast as I could to leave the room. Our usually delicious chef's cuisine, tasted bland this time. Moreover, Chika did not stop glancing at me.

After eating, I asked for permission to do the task. They can't ban it, especially since today is college day. I don't know what reason to run for the weekend. Fortunately, they were invited to eat always on a normal day.

I intend to submit a proposal next semester. So, I should be able to find a suitable problem for my research later. Papa and Mama have already given some suggestions, but I have not been interested in taking their idea.

The door opened, I frowned. The servants will not enter my room without knocking first. Even my own family never sassy it. Even though I was fully dressed, that attitude was very disrespectful.

“Wah!! Your room is great!” chika exclaimed as she closed the door to my room again. “Do you choose all the furniture and colors?”

I could see from the corner of my eye, she was unknowingly sitting on the edge of my bed. She wouldn't have been this brave if it wasn't for Mama to give me permission and tell me the exact location of my room. I can't believe my mom let a girl do this. We've just been engaged, not officially married.

“What don't you see what I'm doing?” my question is, restrain emotions.

“Take it easy. I won't bother,” he said casually, as if this room belonged to him.

Since there were no words I could say anymore, then I reassembled all my books and writing utensils slowly. Everything I neatly arranged on my study table. Then I walked to the door.

“Lo, Theo? Where are you going?” ask Chika who is following me from behind.

I did not answer and stepped up to the stairs. If a room that is very private can be entered by foreigners as they please, then there is no place that can be used as an escape again. So I chose to leave the house. I can't believe Mama did this to me. Why did she choose this impolite girl to be my wife?

Driving aimlessly for a few minutes, I decided to take a look at the state of Amarylis. He came home as usual after teaching my sister. Looking at the bike he was using, I sighed softly. Because of Mama, she had to throw away her college money to buy that thing.

Getting involved in your business is not wise. Matt's education was my parents' responsibility, not mine. So, what she decided on my sister's extra lesson and her private tutor, I can't intervene.

Amaryllis also gave me heavy conditions to fulfill. We can't be together anymore. Even though I wanted to be around her, I wasn't ready to take the plunge by announcing our relationship to my parents. My feelings for her are not that big.

“We go Christmas and New Year holidays to Europe, yuk. What do you think?” ask Mama enthusiastically.

We had breakfast together that morning. Papa smiled looking at me and Matt, while my sister just kept quiet. I never cared about the activities they chose for us, as long as my studies were not interrupted. But a vacation to Europe at the end of the year is not an option I like.

“It seems they don't mind,” said Papa, looking at me and Matt in turn.

“Then, I'll book our tickets immediately and find a hotel room!” cheers Mama who soon busy herself with her phone.

I thought we were just the four of us. Never in my mind, the Winara Family will also be on vacation with us. Papa and Mama were happy with the trip, except me and Matt. We felt cheated, because they let us think we were just on a family vacation.

But we didn't put on a sullen face during the holiday. We still respect both of our parents by being polite. I also did not protest while sitting next to Chika, either on flights or trains from one city to another while in Europe.

Winter is not the best time to travel to this country, because I have to wear layered clothes. I prefer to come in the spring or the heat, which still feels cool. But I can wear two layers of clothes.

Katelya often goes on vacation to Europe with her family. Does he miss a trip like this? All I know is, he only works every time he doesn't go to college. If it wasn't for keeping his pride from getting hurt, I would've helped pay his tuition.

Of all the scholarships he applied for, which company would be kind enough to help him? I don't know what's next, because we're not together. I was too busy accompanying Papa until I forgot to ask him about it.

“What are you thinking?” matt asked, closing the door and sitting on the balcony with me. He put two bags of chips on the table. “We've been around for a week and you're busy with your thoughts. Any girl you like?” He fiddled with his eyebrows, teasing me.

“Lo UN preparation focus only. Don't talk about girls,” reply me, attack by a landslide.

He snorted loudly. “Can, no, empathy be a little like me? During the holidays you even discuss that, anyway?”

“Let me not eat my heart alone in this beautiful country.” I took a bag of chips, then opened it. I was suddenly hungry to talk about this.

He patted my shoulder. “Gue is sorry, Bro. I can't imagine having a wife like her. You better talk seriously to Papa. Mama will not be easily conquered.”

“Then you think Papa won't melt with Mama's tears?” my challenge.

He sighed loudly. “Gue doesn't want to have a sister-in-law like her. Mending you with Amarylis.”

“Lo is not polite with me. He's called Sister, why am I not?”

“Unfortunately lo my teacher?” taunted. I also ruffled her hair.

The last breakfast at the hotel was not rushed as usual. We ate and they didn't stop talking. Only Matt and I were quiet, but we ate quickly so we could go back to the room to pack.

The reason we deliberately made so as not to sit long with them. Unfortunately, Chika also came back to her room with us. Everything went well, until he sprained on our destination floor. I was forced to help him, because he refused Matt's hand.

He and his parents rented a two-room suite, so we drove him there. I intended to leave him in the front room, but he asked to be swept into his room. A very troublesome woman.

When we were near the bed and I helped him to sit down, he suddenly pulled my shirt collar and brought my face closer to him.