Restore Your Smile

The Day before the Blessing

On Friday, after dinner, the Wijaya family boarded a car to go to church according to the agreement. After receiving confirmation from Cindy about the meeting time on Wednesday night, James' replacement confirmed to his parents. Everything went well as expected.

At 18:50 they arrived at the church. They had to wait for a while because the worship room was still quite crowded. It seems like the Women's Guild worship is finished, only the mothers are still in touch with each other.

Luke's pastor came out of the room and met them. They were invited to enter and sit first while waiting for Cindy's family who had not arrived.

Until finally slowly the space becomes quiet and lives 2-3 mothers who are still going back and forth whether to take care of what. Cindy was followed by her parents.

They were also invited to enter by the priest Luke and were invited to sit in a chair next to the Vijaya family. In silence the Prawira family took positions in their respective seats.

Madam Prawira's eyes glanced with a stern look at the chair next to her. "Oh .... This is the parent of the b*jat teacher who desecrated you? Do you know how to educate a child anyway?" insinuations.

"Mama!" Cindy rebukes her mother.

James and Papa Heru could only bow withholding feelings. Only Mama Ratna who still ventured to face her face and looked back at Madam Prawira. "We still lack experience in educating children. Maybe sometime you can share your experience to add to my insight?" he said with a smile.

Hearing such a reply, Madam Prawira threw a face while grumbling. Whether the words he said, the Wijaya family did not want to know.

Soon enough, the Reverend Luke appeared and immediately took a position before them. "Good night Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters in Christ. If I may open a little reason we are here, it is to invite you to open a new chapter in the Lord.

It started with bitterness and hurt. But at this time, let us both bury the past and pray for the happiness of these two young people. Because marriage is not a marriage between 2 people, but 2 families. And there is nothing better than working for a family that is harmonious and peaceful. Hows it? Do we agree?" he opened the meeting while smiling peacefully.

The two families answered forcefully, more like muttering, "Agujuuuu ...." There was a great lack of clarity in their answers.

Pastor Luke, who saw and heard such an attitude and way of answering, could only smile with understanding. Opening a new sheet is difficult, not as easy as saying it. The shadow of the past must always haunt as long as the memory is still there. But he was quite satisfied, at least these two families had tried to answer.

"At this meeting I will give a briefing on the blessing event. Initially both the bride and the family lined up in front of the door of the worship room to undergo the entrance procession.

The front row sequence is the parents of the groom, followed by the parents of the bride, then the two brides, the new family. After that the bride and groom will sit in the bridal seat in the front area, while the family will sit in the front row on the church seat.

Then, there will be a short service. As always, we will praise God and then listen to the Word of God. Only then will we carry out the service of marriage blessing. Have you memorized the wedding vows?" Luke asked James and Cindy.

"Already, sir." Both answered briefly.

"Good then. So, do we need to stand up and practice for a moment? Or was that briefing enough?" ask both families present.

"I think it's clear from the Pastor's direction. No need for any line-up exercises. Later on his H day, there is a host who leads the worship, right?" ask Mr. Prawira.

"There, Sir. There will be a worship leader who directs the event. We just follow him. The reason I gather the family first, so as not to be confused when the event takes place later. Because not all are directed by the leader of worship from the pulpit, for example, such as the sequence of rows when the procession enters or the family seat of the bride and groom, "Reverend Luke replied.

"Yes. I've understood. From our family, it is quite clear, sir, " said Mr. Prawira.

"What about the Wijaya Family?" ask Pastor Luke to face Papa Heru.

"We are quite clear, too, " replied Papa Heru representing his family.

"All right then. So for tomorrow, it is expected that at 9:30 all the bride and the family are present in the church. Son James, do not forget that the wedding ring is brought tomorrow, ", said Pastor Luke reminded.

"Yes, sir, " replied James.

"alright. For the blessing event tomorrow seems to be quite ready. Is there anything else you want to ask?" ask the Reverend Lukas.

"Nothing, Pastor, " replied Mr. Prawira.

"We are also not there, sir, " continued Papa Heru.

"alright. What about the preparation of the heart? Are you ready too?" Pastor Luke asked.

"That's ...." All answered almost simultaneously with facial features that did not match the answer. There is no face full of joy or enthusiasm as is common in couples or families who will hold a wedding tomorrow.

The Reverend Luke slowly sighed. He could not expect too much from a family that had to hold a wedding like this. They have agreed to follow each stage has shown their sincerity. He could only pray that things would go well in the sovereignty of God.

"Alright then, we'll end the meeting tonight. Before we part with each other, let us stand up and pray, "pastor Luke.

All family members stood up. They prayed led by the priest Luke. After the prayer closed, the two families returned to their homes to rest.

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

On the way home, the Wijaya family spent time in silence. Until arriving home, Papa Heru directly entered the bathroom to clean up. After that, he went into his room and did not come out again.

"Ma, Papa's still mad huh?" ask James.

Mama Ratna could only smile bitterly while stroking the head of her son who was taller than her.

"Papa still can't fully recapitulate, Son .... Especially after the incident, his pride was again offended. Give it time well.." persuade Mama softly.

James remained silent. He really understands the character of his father who is rather quiet and tends to hold feelings in the heart.

"Abang and his family have been told, haven't you, Ma?" ask James later.

"It has. Tomorrow at 9 a.m., he said he would be here to go to church together, " replied Mama Ratna.

"What about Celine?" james asked doubtfully.

Mama Ratna sighed. It is hard to answer this question. "My mom told me everything a few days ago. Including your blessing tomorrow, "he replied.

"Certainly? How's the response, Ma? What say?" james asked curiously and worriedly.

"Honest .... When I told you, Mama ga baga .... That's why Mama cried when she explained what happened to you. The boy was crying. He said nothing but 'Don't cry, Ma .... Don't cry .... Mama's not wrong, don't cry ....' As he said, James .." reported his mother.

Replace James who sighed. That's Celine. He could imagine the scene clearly as if he could see for himself the incident.

The child must have put forward his mother's feelings more than his own. Celine must have hidden her feelings and held her tightly in her heart. James can only pray that Celine will be strong and will be happy with other men who are better than him.

"So .... Is he coming tomorrow?" ask James again.

"Mama doesn't know. I didn't ask you that, James. But it doesn't seem to. Saturdays he usually just visited us by afternoon flight, right? Especially tomorrow? To attend your blessing event that breaks her heart? Mama is not sure, "my mother replied sadly.

James was silent. Yeah, maybe it's better that Celine doesn't come. He himself was not sure what to look like if he saw Celine. They need time to take care of each other's hearts.

"Yes, Ma .... Let's go to bed. I still want to wake up tomorrow morning. Mama's going to the salon, right?" james turned the focus of the conversation.

"Yes, Son. Let's get some rest. Tomorrow is a hard and heavy day, " replied his mother in a lamentation.

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

That night, it wasn't just the two families meeting to discuss something. There are four girls who also hold remote meetings using their respective gadgets.

"So what about tomorrow? We're going to the blessing of Mr James?" ask Priscillia who was the initiator of Video Call tonight.

"Too me so! I still want to see that female snake!" answer Rebecca.

"If I'm there, I'll come too! I am not willing to accept this situation like this! Although it's impossible to destroy the show, at least I still want to terrorize the Cindy! Vice me yes, Bec!" added Cecilia who is still abroad.

"Ready, bestie !" rebecca replied to Cecilia's request.

Only Priscillia and Sharon remained who had not argued.

"To be honest .. I think ... our arrival will be free anyway. Even if we find Cindy again and terrorize her, then what happens? If he still insists on continuing this marriage, what can we do? Are you gonna ruin the show, Bec? Or vice versa, you can accept it and turn to congratulate sincerely to Mr James and Cindy?" ask Sharon.

"Ga I'll be able to say congratulations to both of them. I'm more likely to ruin the show anyway .." Rebecca replied.

"But this would be like 2 sides of a sword, Bec .... Our actions are too meddling, can harm ourselves, even Mr. James who really wants us to help, " Sharon explained.

Things were quiet for a moment. Everyone was forced to acknowledge the truth in Sharon's speech.

"Madr .... How do you think?" rebecca asked in despair. Only Priscillia was her friend whom she admitted to be the wisest and most reliable in this sort of all-rounded situation.

Priscillia was still silent and seemed to be thinking hard. Before long he finally opened his mouth, "True Sharon said, we must be careful in calculating the possibility. If we make a wrong move, things can turn around to harm us. We could ruin the school's good name. Don't forget, we represent the foundation!"

"So ... Do you think .. should we give up?" asked Rebecca softly.

"How many percent do you think we've won this case?" priscillia asked still in her thinking position.

"Depends on what the definition of 'win' is. If our goal is to suspend the blessing event, I think the success rate can reach 80%. But if you win in court, maybe only about 40-50%, " replied Sharon.

"OKAY. Change question. How many percent of us believe Cindy's lying?" ask Priscillia again.

"70-80%, " replied Sharon.

"90% based on your story!" answer Cecilia.

"1000% sure to wear thumbprints!" rebecca.

Priscillia smiled at the answers of her friends. "alright. This is in my opinion. Please help correct me if I'm wrong. If we still want to terrorize him, for me it doesn't matter. Whether it's useful or not, it's better to try. But, if you make a fuss to ruin the show, the answer is definitely no! Because it can damage the image of the school.

I'm taking us to bet. Sometimes at a wedding will be asked whether the parties object or not. If the pastor asks that, we'll take the opportunity to find something suspicious on Cindy.

At least it could create a situation that forces Cindy to undergo an examination. Just like you, in my opinion Cindy's attitude that rejected yesterday's examination proposal was very suspicious and made me believe that she was lying.

But if the opportunity does not exist, consider it indeed the fate of Mr. James to marry Cindy. Because it is useless against destiny, if the sky does not side with us. Hows it? You agree?" Priscilla asked back.

"agree! I understand your way of mind. As such, what was feared by Mr. James did not happen, right? Because he is not the one who objected to this marriage. In addition, we keep the good name of the school because what we want is the enforcement of truth. If Cindy's side can prove that they're right, yes we should just apologize for delaying the event" Cecilia added.

"I also agree. I believe in destiny and there is no such thing as coincidence. Because as human beings, we must acknowledge that there is an absolute power that cannot be resisted by man, "Sharon said.

"agree! Whatever we can do to catch the Snake's tail, I'll definitely support it!" Rebecca didn't want to lose.

They laughed, hearing the conclusion of their conversation. As the night grew late, they stopped talking to welcome tomorrow with a fresh body.

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