I'm a Savings Woman

Weddings

Two years later....

"Sheila today you're so pretty. This wedding dress is perfect for you." Marissa.

"really? Do you think Dafa would like it?" Ask me.

"If Sister Dafa doesn't like it, I'll ruin the wedding suit she used. Hurry up, everyone's waiting." Said Amira, the girl who will soon be my sister-in-law.

After that, I walked through the red carpet in the park.

This is the best day of my life so far, my wedding day. I walked on the red carpet with Marissa and Amira holding my dress from behind. Dafa's cousin and some of our classmates were there.

Dafa turned around and looked at me. As we stared at each other, I could clearly see how Dafa's eyes seemed to sparkle and when I was already in front of him, he took my hand and we sat down in front of everyone who was going to witness our marriage.

A few moments later we were both legal to be a husband and wife.

Now I am part of the Vijaya family, where I began to find out that Papa Dafa has a twin sister named Mrs Arsha Wijaya. He asked me to call him Aunt Arsha.

Arsha's aunt had two children, the first was named Denis and was married while the second was named Faradina.

I got used to living in a large Dafa family especially with the affection given by the whole family including Oma and Opanya, Opa Reyhan Wijaya and Oma Izzah Wijaya.

A few months after my marriage to Dafa, it was her sister Amira's turn to marry a man named Ariel. All the families were so happy about the marriage that Faradina, the unmarried daughter of Om Devan and Aunt Arsha, was left.

I heard that the Wijaya family has often betrothed Faradina to several men. But Fara always refused on the grounds that she did not want to get married and wanted to focus on her career.

I became closer to Dafa's cousins because we all often got together with our partners except Faradina who was single.

Just like today, we were all in a park for a picnic together. Denis and his wife Amel, who was two-bodied, seemed busy talking while laughing and eating fruit. While Amira and Ariel who just got married can be seen to choose to sit under the tree together with the position of Ariel who lies her head on the lap of Amira.

While Dafa and I were sitting together on the mat we held in the park with Denis and his wife Faradina.

"Hei Fara, how long are you going to be single?" Ask Dafa who started mocking Faradina again.

"Come on, Sister Dafa, until when did you keep mocking me like that." Said Faradina with pouting lips.

"Are you not envious to see that we all already have a partner, even Amira who is younger than you just a few months ago married to Ariel." Say Dafa again.

"I wouldn't want to get married if I had to be betrothed. You can all get your partner by your own choice, while I, why should I be betrothed?" Faradina protest.

"I also got married because I was betrothed." Said Amira who was suddenly approaching towards all of us.

"Aren't you marrying Ariel because you love her?" Ask Fara to Amira.

"I really liked Ariel and had dated her before our wedding. But Papa, Mama and the rest of the family did not know that and still wanted to match me with a man they thought was so good for me and our family. Who would have thought, it turns out that the man I'm dating is Ariel herself." Amira explained her love story to Faradina.

I just kept listening to their conversation because I didn't know what to say.

"What about Denis and Dafa? Didn't you marry the one you love and not because you were betrothed?" Say Fara again.

"We were also set up." Amel Denis's wife.

"Oh yeah? As far as I know you're both being kicked." Said Fara who looked curious.

Amel then explained how the story of his romance began with Denis, Fara's sister, where in fact they were also introduced by both their parents with the intention to match them. But their parents do not want to force if they do not want to marry each other.

"What about Dafa?" Ask Fara again.

"Let Sister Sheila explain it to you." Dafa Say.

I was surprised when Dafa asked me to explain how our love journey was going.

Fara looked at me and with a face that seemed to ask me to explain everything. I explained everything that we were not being betrothed because we met at the same college. But even so, we also went through a stage where the family had to see us, whether we were a good fit together or not.

"I don't think our family will force us if the person they agreed to marry is not a good person. But if they think that the couple we are going to marry is good, that's why they insist on matching us just as it did for Amira and Ariel, so did Dennis and Amel." I said to Fara hoping that she would understand.

Fara remained silent trying to digest all my words.

"You know Fara, if Om Devan and Aunt Arsha want to match you up with someone, at least you try to see and get to know the guy they want to be with you. I'm sure your parents won't be able to give you a bad mate or husband for you." I said to Fara again.

"Don't forget to ask for guidance and pray to Almighty God. Whether the man you're betrothed to is worthy of you or not. God will show you everything. If he wasn't meant for you, then God would have given you the best way out and would have kept you away from that guy." Denis said to connect what I said to Fara while rubbing his sister's head.

Fara is still young, now 21 years old. But Wijaya's family continued to try to urge him to get married because it was a request from Opa Reyhan and Oma Izzah who was elderly. They both always hoped that before they were called by God, they could see all their grandchildren were married and even they could have a great-grandson who would soon be born from the womb of Amel, the wife of Denis.

At the moment, both Amira and Ariel are still busy with their college affairs and Ariel is given responsibility by her parents to take care of her own company as a guarantee for her parents later and also to support her wife and childrenson someday.

Another week the wedding anniversary of Opa and Oma will be held at the main residence of the Wijaya family. Their marriage is already in its 45th year, while both are almost 70 years old now.

I was so amazed by how physically those who still look fit at the same age are not young anymore.

We all the grandchildren of the Wijaya family began to prepare for the wedding anniversary of Oma and Opa so festively because we wanted this day to be a special day that they will remember throughout their lives both of them.

I am so happy and also lucky to be part of this great Vijaya family.

...****************...

PoV Faradina's....

Today is the anniversary of the wedding of Opa Reyhan and Oma Izzah. I would love to have a love story like them where it lasts for decades even though it seems only death will be able to separate the two of them.

My parents were eager to see me get married soon. But to be honest, I've never thought about it. Although I knew that I was one year older than Amira who decided to marry young.

Although Amira was married to a man who was betrothed by Om Arka and Aunt Alia, but at least they both did love each other before. Then what about me who has to be betrothed to someone I don't love at all.

I was quite dizzy thinking about everything. Is not now no longer the time of Siti Nurbaya where marriage should be because betrothed. I really want to marry a man I love and make me feel happy. But until now, I have not been able to find a man who can attract my heart.

Ever since High School, I've never even been so close to a man. Either because I was too unattractive or they were inferior because of my family status especially because of Brother Denis who had been so possessive of me since long ago and did not allow me to be close to any young man.

I shook my head thinking about everything. I then decided to go inside the room of Opa and Oma's wedding anniversary party together with my parents and also Denis and my sister-in-law. We and our family had gathered there including Om Arka, Aunt Alia, as well as their two children and daughter-in-law.

There are many other invited guests who are also there to celebrate the happiness of my Opa and Oma wedding anniversary.

Not long ago, though, the two couples who always look romantic even at their twilight age came down from the top floor slowly to be greeted by boisterous applause from the invited guests and us their grandchildren these.

The smiles on Oma and Opa's faces made my heart feel so happy and relieved. I wish I could marry the man I love with both of them in attendance. May they always be given health and long life by Almighty God so that they may witness me one day.

Oma and Opa's wedding anniversary begins. We all approached the two of them and congratulated them. Just when it was my turn to arrive Oma and Opa held my hand and said there was only one wish they both wanted to have on their wedding anniversary today that was on me.

"Tell me, Opa, Oma. What do you guys want? As much as I can do." I said to the two couples who inspired me.

"Did you love Oma and Opa?" Ask Oma Izzah.

.

"Of course." Reply me.

"Married." Said Opa who smiled at me.

I immediately fell silent. I don't know what to say. This is what they always wanted me to do. But how else, I haven't been able to get the man I want.

"Opa and Oma are old. We don't know when our age will last. But we can only hope that you get married soon so that we can see all the weddings of our grandchildren. If you don't have a man close to you yet, then allow Opa to introduce you to a young man who is the grandson of Opa's best friend." Opa Reyhan.

"We're not going to force you baby, we just want to introduce you to that nice young man. If you agree the marriage can take place as soon as possible. But if you don't feel right for him, then we won't force you Oma Izzah told me.

I became confused as to what to answer to both my Opa and Oma. From behind Papa held my shoulder which made me turn and look towards Papa and also Mama who was standing next to Papa.

"Honey, at least this time just follow your Opa and Oma requests. You just need to get to know the guy. If you feel fit then you can get married. If not, you can refuse. We won't force you, we just want to see you get acquainted with him. Who knows if you're a good fit." Papa.

"One thing Oma suggested to you dear. Pray and ask the Lord for guidance on whether the young man we have betrothed to you is the right young man for you or not. God will give you an answer." Oma said to me.

I could only sigh and think for a moment. Then I nodded as a sign of agreeing with the wishes of those who wanted to introduce me and match me with a young man who turned out to be at the Opa and Oma wedding anniversary party today.

I was quite nervous when Mama and Papa said that the young man was already here and would introduce me to him soon. Moreover, Brother Denis and also my two cousins continue to mock me by teasing me saying that I will soon meet my future husband.

"Ciyeee will meet her future husband." Saying Sister Dafa.

I did not agree with the marriage yet but why did they mention the young man as my future husband.

Papa and Mama then pointed towards a young man who was wearing a white shirt and black jeans. From far away I saw him, he was quite handsome and somehow caught my attention.

'Lord, give me a hint whether he is my soul mate or not. Even if I agree with this marriage, what about her? Whether he has accepted this match or not, I said in my heart.

Seriate....