PRETEND POOR

ARDI DECISION

"Ardi ... What are you talking about?" ask Mr. Raharja.

He was not told in advance by Ardi when he would come there. Ardi said he wanted to discuss the continuation of the wedding preparations that were automatically delayed due to the death of Aunt Sukma.

"Sorry, Pa. I haven't had time to tell you about this. But, I don't want to marry Ruby." Ardi spoke very calmly. After three weeks of mourning, he had already begun to accept the reality.

"You don't remember your mother's message?" Mr. Raharja smiled wryly. He felt awkward in front of Mr. Wijaya.

"Mama's dead, Pa. And I can't seem to fulfill my mother's wish to marry Ruby. I'm sorry if I let you guys down."

"What's the reason, Ardi? Did Ruby make a mistake?" ask Mr. Wijaya.

Ruby lowered. He played his fingers because he was uncomfortable with the discussion. Indeed, Ardi was willing to let go because he could not be with Ardi.

"No, Om. I was wrong. I like other women. I'm sorry."

Mr. Wijaya was surprised by Ardi's honesty. Especially Mr. Raharja, he was surprised and disappointed his son like that.

"Ardi, how dare you ... "so upset, Mr. Raharja was unable to continue his sentence. He was ashamed of Ruby and Mr. Wijaya.

"I feel like I wouldn't be able to build a household if this heart was somewhere else. I hope Ruby can also meet people who are better than me and can make her happy."

"Ardi, can't you consider it anymore? It could be that after marriage love will grow between you." Mr. Wijaya tried to give advice. In the past, he could not love his wife. But, after marriage the love slowly grows.

"I don't dare speculate, Om. Ruby is Om's son, I wouldn't marry her if I couldn't guarantee I could love her."

Of course Mr. Wijaya was disappointed with Ardi's decision. He glanced at his daughter who had been silent since. Perhaps also at this time his heart was injured because of Ardi's decision.

"Ruby, what do you think?" Mr. Wijaya asked for a response.

"I'm also not too sure I can marry Ardi's sister, Pa." replied Ruby.

Making Ardi say the opposite has made Ruby feel guilty. Ardi did it for his own good. She would rather be the one who looks wrong than see Ruby being blamed.

Ruby likes other people, not Ardi. Ruby cannot marry because her heart is with someone else. Ardi took his place and took the risk of his words getting hate.

"We met because of the match. It is natural that there is a sense of incompatibility. I'm not angry that Ardi's sister canceled the wedding, Pa." Ruby tried to cool the atmosphere.

Mr. Raharja seemed to hold his head. There are many things he thinks about if the marriage fails, including making Ardi acceptable to his family.

"Ruby hopes that Om Raharja and Papa's relationship can be maintained well even though we are not married. Me and Brother Ardi will also remain friends."

Mr. Wijaya sighed, "Alright, if that is your decision. Actually, we as parents are disappointed. But, if you have decided like that, there is nothing we can do" he said wisely.

"Thank you, Om for understanding."

After the conversation, Ardi and his father returned home.

"Sir, thank you" Ruby said before Ardi got into the car.

Ardi flashed a smile as he patted Ruby's head. He said nothing after that. Ardi got back in the car with his father.

"Papa still doesn't understand your decision." Mr. Raharja began to open his voice when the car they were riding in had left the Wijaya family residence.

Ardi fell silent. Every time he remembered his mother, he was sad. Even though he had grown up, as the youngest child, he had always been a child who loved to pamper with his mother. He wanted to make the woman he loved happy, besides his mother, the woman was Ruby. No matter how much she loves him, Ruby won't be happy with him.

"Your mother at the end of her life spent a lot of time to realize your marriage. But, you easily canceled that." Mr. Raharja continued to nag along the way.

"Pa, I'm going to marry the woman I love."

"Well!" Mr. Raharja wants to laugh with a childish love story.

For him, marriage is not just a matter of the heart, but also there are many other things to consider, including the issue of seeds, bebet, and weights. It's clear that if Ardi marries Ruby, his business trip will get easier. But, casually, he canceled the wedding.

"Father wants to know what kind of woman you want until you dare to let go of Ruby."

"You should feel lucky, get a future wife like Ruby. She is beautiful, intelligent, and comes from a distinguished family. Equivalent to you. Where else would you find such a perfect person."

Ardi knew that. If the goal was only for business, he would have continued the marriage. But, Ardi loved her. He did not want to make his loved ones feel miserable just for his happiness.

"Do you not care about your business career?"

"Pa, I'm old enough to decide my future. I'm sure I won't regret my decision. Even if the big family is going to get rid of me, I'm ready. I'm gonna try to get as far downstairs as I can, Pa."

"I didn't expect to have a child as stupid as you." Mr. Raharja threw his gaze aside, looking at the ranks of trees along the roadside.

"I've decided not to get involved in the fight for inheritance, Pa."

Mr. Raharja sighed, "What use have I been educating you all this time if it ends up being this way? How will I explain it to your mother? I'm getting old and I'm going to die one day after your mother. If you can't be a successful businessman yet, it doesn't seem like I'll be able to die peacefully."

"Quiet, Sir. Ardi is sure to succeed. Just give Papa's trust to Ardi."

"Hah .. I don't know! Decisions like this will also affect the company. I will definitely be raided by questions by your uncle and aunt."

"Not to mention, the news of your marriage's failure will definitely appear."

"Just like this I don't feel able to keep working with Haidar. I'm too ashamed of what you've done."

"I don't think Om Wijaya is that kind of person."

"Yes, papa knows. Considering you're the one who canceled the match, papa just feels guilty. Haidar's other business associates will also definitely wonder about this."

"Get yourself a better woman than Ruby if you want to save papa's face."

*****

While waiting for the next update, stop here ya 😘

Title: Friends to be Married

Author: Dora