LOVE SONGS OF LOLOBATA

EASY

Fifi deliberately walked beside Bray when entering the intended room. While I chose to be between mama and Salman. Maybe the scenario of the bride's story being switched still fills Fifi's mind. Hoping there was a scene "prank" Mr. Budhi wrongly pointed to the prospective daughter-in-law.

Inside the large, minimalist-designed room was an old man lying on a bed with his head half-seated. In front of him was a large television screen that aired films in foreign languages.

"Assalamu'alaikum's chat. We really have a special guest today, Pa."

In a soft voice the old man answered his greetings. There was another man's voice answering greetings. I saw a man in a nurse's uniform who was cleaning up some large indoor equipment that had fresh air and smelled of sandalwood.

The old man stopped the television show he was watching before speaking in a calm, quiet tone and accompanied with a friendly smile, "Welcome to our house. Thank you for coming to visit from far away. How's Arifah's mom doing?"

I observed the face of the man whose face resembled that of Bray. You can imagine most likely like that when Bray was in his 60s. He still looks handsome and authoritative even though his hair is gray.

"Grandmother sends her regards, Mr. Budhi. May it heal soon. Grandma could not travel far. Already old. He's also had heart ring surgery." Salman said he represented the family.

Mr. Budhi nodded with a smile. His eyes immediately turned to me. "What's your wound, Fifa?"

It turns out that the old man really knew and cared about the wounds on my face. I replied with a shy look, "Alhamdulillah has improved."

Instantly Fifi moved to a standing position next to mom with a bent face. I hold back a smile. The scenario of the bride-to-be swapped did not go smoothly. Fifi is less clever. Not thinking about the possibility that Mr. Budhi recognized me precisely because he remembered the wound on my cheek due to Maudy's claw. The man is not amnesiac.

"What older sister said, the quiet and mysterious girl was more interesting." Salman whispered in the back as he moved position to the other side of the bed. He took the initiative to accompany Bray who moved to stand there. We looked like a television quiz team where a team of girls and boys standing face-to-face were confined to a modern patient bed occupied by Mr. Budhi.

Not only was it Salman's fad, he nudged the waist of our youngest brother. Fifi looked over while glaring annoyed. Striking his feet slowly to the floor with a sharp glint threatening Salman. Again, I just smiled at the sight.

"I'm sorry! We're the ones with them, so you're the one with the stone."

I nodded slowly while smiling. There was no word in my head that could be used to answer. Blank. My brain has been hijacked by the mixed feelings of uncertainty facing the prospective in-laws. My mouth's locked.

Mr. Budhi looks healthier than I thought. His memory is still good.

Seeing my nervousness, Bray took over the conversation. "They're all this Fifa nuclear family, Pa. This is Mala's mother, Fifa's mother. Next to him was Fifi, his youngest brother and who stood next to Paradise his name was Salman, Fifa's older brother." Bray introduced my family one by one while pointing to the person introduced. At Salman he patted the shoulder with a familiar smile. This time they met.

Mr. Budhi smiled. His eyes rolled towards us one by one.

"It's nice to have a lot of brothers" commented Mr. Budhi who sounded bitter in my ear.

"We're 5 brothers, Budhi sir. Two of my brothers died as children. Having lots of brothers is fun but in reality circumstances do not allow us to continue together. I have been away from home for school in Bogor. Just met the family a few weeks ago" replied Salman.

"Salman is a graduate of applied bachelor of agriculture, Pa. Now contracted to become agricultural extension. He will inherit the management of the heritage plantation business daeng Syam." added Bray.

"Ohya? Pepper and cocoa plantations daeng Syam that was not sold the other day apparently now managed by Salman. Goody. The prospects of the plantation business are never lonely. Throughout life humans need food and plantation commodities. But why not focus on managing the plantation? Even double by contracting to be agricultural extension."

"Call of heart, sir. As my thanks to the state-funded school." Salman replied while showing a proud smile.

"What area is it in?"

"Jailolo."

"Must fight back and forth Makassar-Jailolo dong."

"Not as far as Jakarta-Lolobata, sir." replied Salman, smiling widely and twitching his eyes at Bray.

Mr. Budhi smiled faintly as he turned his gaze to the only child of his puppet that was insinuated by Salman.

"That's what I often worry about. My only child chose to focus on managing PT XY and planned to live in the mining area. Though here more convenient and more business opportunities."

Mr. Budhi, Bray and Salman laughed together. I saw Bray steal a glance at me.

Sucks. Though what Bray said was true, I was ashamed to hear it. Men prefer to express things openly and casually. While we women are silent. Confused to stop their conversation. Fifi looked bored and agitated. I twisted the end of my shirt to drive away the fret. Only my mother seemed patient to be a listener.

"Pardon my condition like this, Salman. Though we have intended to come directly to propose to grandchildren daeng Syam to Makassar this week. Fir wants to quickly justify your sister."

The words of Mr. Budhi who called my grandfather's name made my confidence weak. He sees me not as Fifa, but as the grandson of Sham. It's a heavy burden. To bear the name of a grandfather I've never met is not easy. People may have high expectations about a grandchild and I can't fulfill it.

"Personally I have asked Arifah's mother. We want the marriage of Fifa and Firdaus to be held in the near future. Good intentions should not be delayed. I as a parent was relieved when I saw my son happily married to the girl of his choice. If anything happens to me, he has a family that supports and loves him."

"Don't say that, Pa. Papa should optimistically heal."

"Papa's old, Fir."

"Many people who are in their 80s and pairs of heart rings can still live a happy healthy life. Papa's health development is very good. The important thing is that papa is diligent in light exercise, his mind is calm, and a low fat diet. God can live like us."

"Papa fought for you. Seeing you happy is the biggest diamond you meet !in this world. Papa will always support whatever makes you happy."

Bray grabbed his father's hand and grabbed it.

"Fight also for papa's own happiness dong." pinta Bray in a soft voice.

Mr. Budhi smiled. He clasped his son's hand.

"Sir Budhi must be uplifting. Must be a lot of people who depend on the livelihood of the business you manage."

"Part of business is no longer ours" said Mr. Budhi with a disappointed look.

"Papa is already old. Maybe the verdict is God's way of reducing papa's responsibilities. Let me not be too tired and focus more on the afterlife. Must be removed, Pa. May the angel record the gift and sincerity of the father as charity of good."

Mr. Budhi nodded. Again he looked expectantly. "You want to marry Firdaus?"

I glanced at Bray before replying with a nod and a shy smile.

All agreed to approve our wedding plans. The process to the wedding feels too easy. Not like most people's love stories. There is no drama of rejection. My grandmother and family are supportive. Mr. Budhi as the only close family Bray also supports the choice of his son. What I fear about this ease is precisely the life after we get married later. We haven't had many problems because our relationship is still very distant. Bray doesn't know my habits yet. Vice versa. We grew up in an environment that was as different as heaven and earth. Bray is the only son of a wealthy businessman who has lived in a big city for the rest of his life. I am a farm boy who lives in the countryside.

There is not much time you can spend chatting with Mr. Budhi. Just less than an hour. The nurse told me the bezuk time was up. Pdk Budhi still needs more rest to recover his condition.

Fifi was just glad the nurse kicked out uh asked us to leave the room. He immediately took my mother to the mall. Bray ordered one of their family drivers to drive the two to the mall. Me and Salman plan to return to the hotel to finish our work. Bray drove us both.

"Next week representatives of the American company will conduct a survey to the mine site and review our conservation activities, Fifa. I plan to stay on site."

"Sir Budhi?"

"The condition is starting to improve. It can be kept under surveillance from a distance. I'm still going home to Jakarta on holiday."

"From here I will also go home with brother Salman. What should I be prepared for?"

"Ready to be my wife" she replied casually followed by Salman's small laugh.

Being asked seriously was joking. Though I really want to play a role in the process of exploring foreign investment.