Sephia's Deceptions

Forced to Marry

"So Lidya had to marry a man Lidya didn't know before, Pa?" asked Lidya while staring in disbelief Pramana Syarif, the figure of his father who he loved so much.

"Yes, you have to do it, son," answered Pramana.

Lidya shook her head in a huff. "No, Pa. Lidya didn't want to do it," she refused for a moment.

"Why did you refuse, dear? It's for your future" riled Pramana.

Lidya chuckles. "Papa's future or Lidya's future?"

"Of course your future. Papa's future is with you, Lidya" Pramana said.

Lidya snorted in annoyance. "What's the future of this loveless matchmaking, Pa?"

This time Pramana laughed at the words of her only daughter. The middle-aged man then sat on his throne of pride, on an elegant chair, a fairly comfortable workspace, in a large company of his own. The two eyes of the eagle then stared intently at the princess with great demands.

"There are many couples whose lives are happy, my son," he said. "You haven't lived it yet but you've already sentenced your future. At least you should try it first."

Lidya laughed. "Tried? Is there a marriage trial and error, Pa? There will be a loss Lidya, "slow protest.

"Loss how? In fact, it will have many benefits, you will," said Pramana still insisted.

"Good in what way? There's no guarantee of happiness in a marriage trial, Pa. Lidya will lose her virginity and be left alone if Papa's daughter-in-law later turns out to be unable to love Lidya, and vice versa" Lidya replied straightforwardly.

Pramana was silent to Lidya's words. The man took a sip of his cigar and then let out smoke from his mouth that formed a circle, towards the top. Both of his eyes looked at the ceiling of his work room which was quite luxurious.

"That's just a negative shadow, Lidya," answered Pramana. "Remain assured, papa's choice is good enough for you later" he added.

"Pa, what else does Lidya have to say? Lidya doesn't want to be forced." Lidya dropped her body on the sofa. He lowered his head and covered his face with both hands. Why was her father so determined to match her?

"Or do you prefer papa broke and we live poor, son?" pramana asked with a trembling voice.

"But is there no other way, other than marrying Lidya to a man I don't know, Pa?"

"If that's the case, papa will consider and will talk to papa's friend, your future father-in-law," said Pramana.

"Actually what happened, to make Papa so determined to match Lidya?"

"Papa's business collapses. Papa needs a lot of injections of funds, and the amount is not small, Lidya. This also concerns Mama's dead life" explained Pramana with a sad face.

"Mama? What is your relationship to this problem?"

Pramana rubbed her face rough. He then got up from his seat, stepped into the window and stared into the distance with nanar. "Mama volunteered to be a guarantee, that papa will soon pay off the debt of papa's business," he replied slowly.

Lidya was surprised to hear that. "guarantee? Didn't you say Mama was still accompanying Opa in the Netherlands?" tanyanya.

Pramono shook his head. "Mama is in the big house belonging to the Teddy family" answered Pramana sadly.

"That infamous Teddy family?" Lidya widened her eyes. "Why did you let Mama just like that?"

"Papa was forced, because it was your Mama who urged him to give up Mama as a guarantee, for your safety, because what they asked for was you, Lidya," Pramana explained. This time his eyes water, he painstakingly hides it from Lidya, but it turns out that the girl is able to see it clearly. His heart suddenly fell. He could not bear to see his father hurt.

"What does this have to do with marriage?" urged Lidya who still did not understand the true condition.

"Om Arman, papa's best friend, wants to give an injection of funds for papa as long as you want to marry Alex, his son," explained Pramana while rubbing the corner of her eyes wet.

"But, Lidya doesn't want if_"

"I'm sorry Lidya, Pa. Lidya just wants this matchmaking to go naturally and Lidya knows her first, that's all."

"Is that all?" tanya Pramana. Lidya nodded slowly even though it was actually very heavy. He felt there was little hope that his wish would be fulfilled.

"Wait a minute."

"Why what?"

"Begging for a bit of time, so that the two of you can meet and get to know each other, before you get married later" answered Pramana.

Lidya sneaked. Even if they met, it would not guarantee that the two would fit in a very short time. His father has said that he must get married soon, within two weeks. "Well how long do we have to get to know each other and get closer, Papa's not kidding, is he?" dumal Lidya in his heart.

"How, you agreed to meet your future husband, didn't you?" tanya Pramana who just contacted Arman, his friend and also his candidate for the besi. Lidya was about to deny but Pramana first raised one hand, preventing Lidya from speaking. He pressed Arman's contact, then activated the loudspeaker mode on his phone.

"Hi, Man! How, you got a minute?"

"Let's just say, I only have five minutes before leaving for the airport."

Pramana glanced at his watch. "Look, the matter of our children's marriage, may I ask if the wedding date is pushed back by another week?"

A moment of silence, before then Arman replied, "Why retreat? I've already ordered the invitations and others as per the date we agreed. Don't tell me you want to change it."

"It's not just that Lidya asked for time to get to know Alex before marriage" Pramana replied.

There was laughter at the end of there. Pramana frowned, not understanding the laughter of her best friend, was her speech too funny in the conglomerate's ears?

"No need, they can get to know each other after the wedding. You just show me to my son-in-law, how the real face of Alex, my son, is" replied Arman.

Pramana was only able to sigh deeply. He understands exactly how Arman if he has made a decision.

"Okay, deal yes! The date of the wedding remains in line with what we agreed upon" Arman said. "I'm leaving first for the airport, we'll meet in three days at the usual place to talk about the next plan." Arman closed the talks unilaterally. It was obvious that he was in a hurry.

Lidya closed her eyes and shook her head many times. His father was apparently unable to be firm, against the decision that had been taken by Arman. The corner of his eyes looks watery. Lidya was desperate and could no longer resist, especially when her father's eyes were now looking at her expectantly.

***

2 Weeks later

Lidya looked at the reflection of her face on the mirror with a feeling of disbelief. In an instant, her single status had changed to that of a Mistress.

Today, she is married to the only son of a businessman, Alex Pradana, the CEO of Pradana Group. One of the largest companies in the Asian region, located in Indonesia.

With slow steps he approached his mother who was standing waiting for him in front of the door of the bridal dressing room, one of the five-star hotel rooms in the city area.

Lidya looked at her mother's tired face. A slightly fattened healthy body owned by her mother, has now changed thin dry, as if her mother was malnourished, even though her husband is a respected businessman. What a reality of life they have to go through at this time.

Without feeling a clear circle just decayed on the beautiful face of Lidya, making the heart of Mary melt instantly. She knew her daughter was forced to accept the match, not realizing that Lidya was so sad to see her mother's physical condition.

"Good news, the storm must pass and you will find happiness with your future husband" said Maria who then guided her daughter to step into the hotel ballroom, where the wedding reception will be held.

"Mama's right, Lidya will change our destiny for the better" Lidya replied. "Lidya will return Mama as before."

"You mean?"