Our Love Among Corona

Fiancee Between Jakarta & Germany

After getting the blessing of both families more officially in the previous application process, we are more eager to prepare for our marriage. We are busy surfing the internet looking for information, if there may be a change in regulation or hope we find a gap to meet in Germany or Indonesia. We are preparing to get married either in Indonesia with my family or in Germany accompanied by her family. But our hope is far from hope.

Genk Gepuk also did not stop helping to find information and has joined the Love is not Tourism campaign. But even many countries are tightening their regulations. I saw some posts from couples who eventually had to end their relationship because they could not face the pain of separation. It also added to the pain and despair we had.

"What should we do?" Luky sounded sad over the phone.

"I don't know" I answered short.

"Every night I saw a lot of excitement in the media. The couple, separated by the pandemic, fired slider lights into the walls of a government building with the giant inscription Love is not Tourism. The colorful lights made a pretty big impact, they managed to grab the attention of the media. That's one of the protests I've done in my country. Because the government still hasn't responded to this issue" Luky told me about the struggles of the people there.

"They haven't given up, and neither should we. Unite with the spirit of other separated couples" I said later.

"How about we get engaged first?" Luky proposed his idea.

"How's? online?" ask again.

"Why not?" it was like finding his spirit back.

We then devised a strategy to hold our engagement online. My mentor is a very helpful person. We discuss this online ceremony by involving friends, as well as family. Compile an event rundown, define its moderator and online zoom operator. Thank goodness I have Genk Gepuk and my friends in the organization Mari Berbagi Movement. The friends in this organization were my family during my life in Jakarta. They swiftly took on the role and became this online engagement team.

3 Days before the engagement, Livi and I went to buy a ring. Luky has sent me some money and he asked Livi to accompany me to choose his ring. Livi is happy to do so, even he gets another assignment from Luky to pin the ring on my finger as his replacement.

I never imagined, that my engagement would take place virtually. 3 years of virtual friendship, months of virtual relationship during Corona, now the fiancee so. Our love permeates space and time. Today two families meet. In the presence of these people we again commit one step toward our marriage.

This is certainly history for our relationship. Pandemics have changed the situation. This engagement will be a story for our children later. Not giving up in the pandemic. Not yet able to hold a face-to-face engagement, then online so. Here we all are, cheering ourselves intoxicated in love.

"I know my heart, always Luky there. I have chosen him now and forever, as my best friend, my fiance and my future husband" my words have moved those present.

Our friend Nadhil, who was the moderator of our engagement, went in tears. He then let Luky give his closing words.

"Our introduction and our days were once very pleasant but also very chaotic in the beginning. But I have chosen him using my logic and my heart, he as my best friend, my fiance and my future wife" Luky concluded at the end of his sentence.

My mentor gave us a good message to remember after this historic day.

Torstin, Luke's biological father also conveyed a good message to us. He who specifically dress up neatly, using a suit and tie has prepared himself well in this engagement process.

"Today, you have decided to take your relationship more seriously. You will live together, which means you now have a great responsibility to always take care of each other. You are a good couple, who have given your heart in love. I believe you will live happily".

Similarly, the support of Luky's stepmother, stepfather and also his friends who were present, all felt very warm. While from my side, some close friends gave their testimonies to our engagement.

"You're lucky Luky, Vashla always knows what he wants and if he says he wants it, he'll be loyal to his cause. Equally, when she chose you, she would fight with all her heart" Tika one of the friends who also knew me very well, gave her testimony seriously.

"Eh uh for a second. I forgot, which ring? It has not been mounted on Vashla's finger" said Nadhil, the moderator, who was greeted by the laughter of other friends. Everyone is busy with watching expressions of love and warm chats from the family, until almost forget one agenda that has not been.

"Here the ring is the same as me. Luke has given me the word to put this ring on Vashla's finger" said Livi who immediately pulled out the ring.

Livi joined one screen with me to make it easier for others to see this ring embed procession. Mauli also docked and sat between us. Alif that acts as an operator has turned on the spotlight.

"Vashla, accept your lover's ring. I'm honored to have this job" Livi then pinned the ring on my finger.

Everyone cheered happily and happily after the ring stuck on my finger. Luky smiled happily as I waved to the camera and gave him a kiss through the screen. Today, our engagement has taken place virtually. Really, something I can't imagine in my life. Usually the shadows about the engagement event always occur directly at home. Where men will ask permission to ask the woman to bring her family with her. However, my story was different from what I imagined. Still beautiful and just as happy as I imagined.

The night crept slowly as the engagement ended. Mauli out of the apartment buying food. Livi and I lay in bed. Then I saw Livi sending love icons through messages on whatsapp to someone.

"Who is that?" I asked curious.

"He who I love" she replied quickly.

"Don't tell Vavan?" my insistence on Livi. I saw his face embarrassed.

"What?" I called out full of happiness.

Then busy teasing him while poking his whole body forcing him to tell stories. Untold happiness, the love story I am celebrating is not only mine, but also that of my best friend. There's nothing better than this. We both joked around and laughed freely.