SECOND CHANCE: Grandpa's Choice Wife

WEDDINGS

"Wedding. That's the last thing Grandpa wanted. Grandpa wants to see you get married."

Almira was dumbfounded, her cries instantly subsided. He stared alternately at the two men before him. Zein who from the beginning had already realized his grandfather's intentions, shrugged both of his shoulders indifferently.

"Zein, come out for a second. Grandpa wants to talk to Mira alone," Grandpa asked.

Zein nodded, saying. "Sure, Grandpa."

He stared briefly at Almira who was still in shock, then got up and left the room.

"Mira ...," call Grandpa.

Grandfather clasped tightly onto the girl's hand that had been gaping, looking at him in disbelief.

"Grandfather ...." Almira breathed. He didn't know how to deal with Hadi's grandfather.

Grandfather realized that this was a heavy choice for the girl before him. However, grandfather could not entrust Zein to another woman. Grandpa was sure Almira was the right woman for Zein. Who was able to love Zein sincerely, who was able to melt her frozen heart.

"Grandfather knows you're surprised, son. Grandpa also knows it's hard for you. Accepting grandfather's wishes, also means that you must bury your dreams to never be restrained. To live freely, like air."

Almira returned to tears.

"But ... Miras. Grandfather can only entrust that brat to you. Since his parents died, the boy has changed. He lost color in his life."

Grandfather looked at the two eyeballs of Almira, expecting understanding from the girl.

"They ... Died, why?"

Actually, Almira didn't want to know. If only grandfather had not asked himself to get involved more deeply, he would have preferred not to know about Zein at all. However ... Now the conditions are different.

"They ...."

Grandfather looked at the ceiling with a sad look. His mind glared at the events of twenty years ago, where the accident changed everything. It was hard to recall the events he had so painstakingly tried to forget. But everything he still had to tell, so that Almira could understand Zein's psychiatric condition which is often unstable. Grandpa really had no choice. The family he had, all of them were unbelievable.

"At that time Zein was only five years old. The accident occurred when the two men came to pick up Zein from school. They're about to celebrate Zein's fifth birthday."

Grandfather momentarily fell silent. He tried to swallow back the pain and tears that almost spilled.

"His parents died in a car accident, right in front of his eyes."

Mata Almira. He didn't expect it to be that tragic. It must have been hard for such a small boy, to witness such a heartbreaking event. Moreover, the victim was his own parents.

'Surely the man is like a polar bear.'

Grandfather continued. "Initially we had trouble investigating the case. After being exposed, it turns out that the accident was caused by his own uncle. Envy blinds the eyes of their hearts." Grandfather's breath and voice began to sound heavy. He paused for a moment his sentence, then wiped the almost straight tears from the eyes.

"Grandfather ...." Almira is not. To think of Grandfather's feelings when telling about his own son's cruelty to his other son must have been very painful. "No need to continue" pinta Almira.

Grandfather raised his right hand, stopping Almira who was about to prevent him from continuing the story.

"Let me say it all, son." Almira fell silent.

"With all these events, the boy changed. He is not easy to believe, easily suspicious, also mature before his time. He had to straighten his back, facing everything by himself when he was only eighteen years old. Despair made the boy bury his fragility deeply. She's very fragile, Mira." Almira looked at the old man, nodding while holding back her cries.

"He became cold, haughty and heartless, except towards grandfather. Circumstances forced him to go on and on to become strong. He's the only male descendant of our family. There's nothing he can do but accept the situation." There was regret in grandfather's tone when he said it all.

"Grandfather also wants him to live the life he wants, Mira. But he has a huge responsibility towards the thousands of people who work for the Adijaya group. So he had to bury his dream." Grandpa started sobbing. He held onto his chest, his face looking even paler.

"Grandfather, enough. Okay. Grandpa should take a break." Almira pleads. The girl's voice sounded hoarse, probably from crying.

"Mira, deep down in the child's heart was actually stored the warmth that only he showed to the person he loved, the person he trusted. And Grandpa was sure you could be that person." Almira.

"Son, promise Grandpa one thing." Almira looked up, looking at the old face.

"Yes, grandpa."

"Marry him and promise me. Whatever happens and whatever the circumstances, you'll never leave Zein."

Grandpa's request which was more like that command made Almira choked. Almira was confused, not knowing how to answer. Marriage is not as easy as just saying the words that are answered with a legitimate speech, is it? It was a future he had to live his whole life. Moreover, Almira had no idea at all about Zein, what kind of inner man he was.

"Grandfather ...." Almira whining. Imagining entering the Adijaya family alone made him unsure. Especially being one of them.

"Grandfather please, Mira. Grandfather can only trust you," said the weak grandfather.

Grandpa clasped Almira's fingers tightly. His weak gaze was filled with pleas as well as helplessness. It was as if if Almira refused, the old man would leave right then and there. Almira could only nod, heartlessly.

"Good .. good."

Grandfather nodded happily.

The originally pale and overcast face instantly became bright, as if the burden he had been carrying had disappeared from his shoulders.

Almira grunts, resignedly. Why did he feel like someone had deliberately set him up?

****

It was a clear weather that morning. The blue sky adds a panorama that looks more beautiful. But unlike the heart of Almira which since last night looks cloudy. He did not expect that he would marry a successor to the Adijaya family. It was never even in his shadow.

"Mother, what should Mira do?" he looked up, staring out there.

Can he escape and become one of the occupants of those passing cars? Thinking of the life he had to live after this, Almira was completely unprepared. But he also knew that fighting Adijaya's forces was impossible. He won't be able to. Moreover, he would not want to hurt Grandpa.

"Lord, is this my destiny?"

Almira closed the window curtain because that morning the wind was colder. He left where he stood, walking slowly towards the bathroom. He washed his face, then looked at his face in the mirror. He looked at his ayu face, looking with a lot of anxiety. Almira closed her eyes, hoping that it would reduce her anxiety.

Chequek!

The door opened from outside. Almira turned off the faucet, wiped her face and left the bathroom.

"I want to talk." The voice shocked Almira who had just opened the bathroom door.

Almira looked at the exasperated man in front of her. "Young Master Adijaya, can't you not surprise people!"

He looked at his grandfather who was still asleep, grasped Almira's hand and pulled her out.

"Let go! I can walk on my own" exasperated Almira after both of them were outside the room. He tried to pull his hand away, but Zein stubbornly refused to let go. Almira could only sigh, resigned to the man's haughty attitude.

"Didn't you want to say something?" Almira opened her voice still in annoyance. They had been sitting on the park bench for a few minutes, but Zein still did not say what he wanted.

"Everything is prepared." Zein paused his words, while Almira looked confusedly at the handsome man's words.

'What does that mean?'

Zein looked at Almira, then continued. "Because Grandpa is sick, the show will only be held simply. Grandfather will be a witness, he cannot be a surrogate guardian because you will marry me."

"Married?! This fast?!"