LOVE SONGS OF LOLOBATA

WEDDINGS

I walked behind Fifi like a brides maid. The atmosphere on the veranda and the courtyard was already crowded. That's fast. There were tents and chairs out of nowhere. There are also 3 large pots containing roses placed on the table and corner of the room. On the long table lay piles of food boxes and various bridal luggage packed in transparent boxes with a list of green and gold colors that look luxurious.

"The proposal is already underway." whispered Yulia's mother.

I smiled behind the black veil that covered my entire head.

"Miss Afifa Syarif was asked to go out to meet the future husband." The host called and let me into the veranda.

Fifi gave her thumbs up. I'm retreating backwards. While the girl walked gracefully towards the place where Salman, mama and the rest of the family stood.

"Sorry, father and mother all. This is not my future wife."

Ish, Bray protested immediately.

Everyone is shocked. Many whispered to each other guessing what happened.

"My wife-to-be is a little taller and thinner. He also never walked on his tiptoes and raised his chin."

Oops, why would he know me to such a detail? Though our meeting can still be counted with fingers.

"Huh? Is it true that the bride-to-be standing in front of us is not the Miss Fifa we know?"

The audience is busy guessing. Some hold back laughter. Some cheered.

"So the audience and the groom-to-be are not curious. Please miss the bride-to-be opened her veil is it right you Miss Fifa."

Everyone laughed and was stunned by Fifi's beauty as she opened the veil that covered her entire head gracefully. The girl bowed her body and smiled, spreading charm all over the wind.

"Huuuu." the audience cheered.

I am amused as well as dag dig dug. I don't know if this includes the Fifi strategy or if it's part of the entertainment that the event organizers are making.

"I think I saw another girl wearing a Bugis wedding dress. Come on, Miss Fifa. The groom-to-be is impatient."

Fifi who was back next to me pushed me forward.

"It turns out Bray can't be fooled. He has already puffed out the curves of big brother's body. I think she bingit she's the same sister. Maybe the smell from far away is also kissed." whispered Fifi while closing his mouth.

Huh, hick. I wanted to kick my leg but I didn't. My teeth clashed with each other out of anger. This chatty kid why come back here again. He should have stayed there with Mama and Salman. Not making all eyes look at me. I'm shy.

"Let's walk! Go, Brother!" Fifi pushed my body while whispering and smiling. So annoying.

"Come, Miss Fifa. Appear yourself. Pak Penghulu has arrived at your page. Firdaus can't wait to get along." The host is still blaring with a microphone.

Ms. Yulia took me in her arms and accompanied me on my way to mama and Salman. Fifi followed me from behind.

"We're like gonna be in this 'prank' again. About who's now walking here Miss Fifa isn't ya."

The crowd cheered my name. Feels like a village football player who is hailed by his fans.

"This is my future wife, Andi Afifa Syarif bint Andi Ahmad Syarif Syam." Bray introduced me with confidence and pride.

"She often steps in with doubt and embarrassment" he added, accompanied by a burst of laughter in the audience.

Oh gosh. I'm so ashamed. The only people present here are dozens of people. Only the Budhi Sanjaya family, my family, the father of the village head, some PT XY employees and close neighbors of the house. All eyes are looking at me. It felt like I wanted to stay hidden behind this veil that covered my entire head forever. I'm down. Absolutely do not dare to walk gracefully with the chin raised as Fifi.

"May I help you open the head covering? We're all witnesses that our bride-to-be is Miss Afifa."

Mama who opened the black veil of my head cover. While I choose to bow. Unlike what I thought, no one dared to speak. It turned out that I benefited from the arrival of the pengupulu father who brought a large bag with an assistant. Everyone's attention turned to him and the atmosphere turned formal.

I filled my entire marriage procession with an anxious heart. Many times I met Bray who smiled at me. He remains like the handsome handsome male Angel Halmahera. His smile always made me melt. I don't know if I'm still treading the earth or taking it flying over the clouds.

My marriage was wise and simple. Just like any other village wedding. The procession of marriage contract is carried out in accordance with Islamic law and state regulations. After completion continued the signature of the marriage book and the reading of the pledge sighat taklik talak. There's nothing special to tell. Moreover, my mood is empty.

Walimatul ursy is simple. Everyone comes to congratulate and are welcome to enjoy the box rice dish prepared by Mama Hiya and catering PT XY. That simple. There's no buffet. There's no entertainment.

Throughout the marriage procession my hand was held by my mother. Grandma gave me a smile and a nod of the head. He rubbed my head and said a prayer as I asked for my blessing after the marriage.

"Be the woman who keeps honor and family, dear! Your paradise is on the husband's ridho." said the grandmother with soft language and voice.

A deep and heavy message. I don't know if I can carry out that message.

Mr. Budhi also rubbed my head when sungkem. "Jaga Firdaus yes, Fifa! Understand his flaws and love him with all your heart."

Ah, why order Budhi sir in one go. I couldn't stop my tears. The words of my father-in-law were spoken rather stammeringly. He looks pale. Fatigue lines filled his face. He has not fully recovered from his illness. For the sake of his favorite only child he was willing to travel far to this remote place. How depressing. All because of Bray.

After the wedding and ceremony, Budhi's grandmother, uncle, and sir were immediately taken by car to the PT XY office area. They and their personal assistants will soon be flown to Makassar that afternoon by helicopter. The plan is that Mr. Budhi will stay at a 5-star hotel in Makassar before continuing his journey tomorrow back to Jakarta.

Mama, Fifi and Salman stayed in our house until Monday because they wanted to be friendly with the neighbors who came to our house.

"Tonight Fifa I went straight to the official house, Ma." pinta Bray holding my hand.

I hit him and took my mother's hand for protection. I wish he said no. I still want to be here with my family.

"Fifa is officially the wife of Firdaus. You should go wherever your husband wants you to, son." Like understanding my anxiety, mama comforted with a smile. But my mom couldn't say no.

Mama took Bray's hand and put our two hands together in hers.

"Mas Firdaus will take care of you, Fifa. You are safer in an office area where the guard is tight 24 hours. Never see Arfa again! He's a fugitive cop."

I stared into Bray's eyes. He must have complained nothing to my family until they agreed this marriage was held here and accelerated his time.

"You yourself know the Deya family moved because of Arfa's humiliation. Mas Firdaus was also harvested by Arfa and the arrow contained the same poison as the arrow that took the life of the baba."

I can't argue with what Mom said. I hate the man who is now my husband. He took this opportunity to lock me in his power.

Mama turned her eyes to Bray.

"Jaga Fifa yes! She is not the girl who always obeys. His mentality is still very unstable. Please treat him well. Tell Mama you have a problem."

Bray nodded confidently.

Mama looked back at me. "Your life is on the riddho of the husband, Fifa. As long as it does not violate the law of God, the wife must obey her husband. If there is something to be discussed together and do not walk alone. You are one. The marriage bond has brought you together."

I nodded but was not sure I could fulfill my mother's request. Sometimes I still want to be alone. I love Bray but my heart doesn't yet believe 100% that he didn't take my life. I doubt his sincerity. I fear his love is meant to lock me up in his great arena of power. Like the Angel of Halmahera, all its charms look beautiful from any angle. Everyone is stuck on their charm. But his love easily faded and will turn away after the female subdued in his power.

I am not a lover of love, but only a connoisseur of love songs. Again, I doubt whether it will be possible to maintain love until death do us part. I honestly never wanted to be his wife. He's like a fantasy that doesn't have to be real. This marriage is the beginning of our life story that still holds a lot of mystery. We don't understand each other yet.

Mama took her hand and asked Bray to hold mine. "Always remember, you are one! We have to be honest and open."

We both nodded.