THE BARA OF THE PAST

Marriage Plan Run

"Married is not just living together in one house, say love and then you call happy. Happy it takes capital, it costs! Happiness always comes with problems.  Mama doesn't want you to spend time making a fuss with your husband because of economic problems!"

That high-pitched sentence still ringed in Liodra's ears. The woman in white shook her head vigorously to repel the voices that perched in her ears. For weeks the twenty-three-year-old girl struggled with her own feelings. Her slender body stood on the edge of the window of the study on the second floor. His eyes were staring at the busy streets.

Something was troubling his mind. He pensively as occasionally his hands tidied up the hair that fell on the temple.  It seemed like Liodra had to choose the path he had been avoiding all along. His desire to soon marry Devano Pramudya, the lover of hearts is already unanimous. If you can't get married in a good way, it seems like only this way can melt the heart of her mother. If she's lucky, maybe her mom's gonna give up. Otherwise, Liodra is ready with all the risks.

Getting married to Devano is the thing she dreams about the most. Two years is enough to explore each other's feelings. It didn't take much longer to realize that Devano was the man he needed in his life. Hardworking man who understands responsibility as a man. Only Devano is able to make him understand life is not only about receiving but also ready to give.

"Hi Princess, sorry I knocked on the door but you didn't hear. Here I make a budget report for the sponsorship of the event at the Bangrilla hotel." Liodra was aghast when he realized that Ela, his best friend and partner, was standing behind him. Ela always called her 'princess'.

"Ela, sorry I didn't hear you knocking on the door. Lately I've been thinking too much. Thanks for making RAB for our sponsorship." Liodra rubbed his face which was still fretting.

"What are you worried about, Princess?" Ela looked into the eyes of her best friend. It's been two months Liodra hasn't focused on his job. His body was indeed in the boutique, but his mind was like in the air.

"I'll have to take the last step if Mama still doesn't agree with my marriage."

Liodra pulled out his swivel chair and immediately occupied it. Ela followed by sitting in front of Liodra. Their bodies just stymied the work desk.

"Married run."

Liodra said his wish firmly. Ela's eyes widened at the plan of her best friend. This is the craziest plan he's heard from his best friend and boss at the 'Liodra Moda' boutique'. Ela has always supported Liodra's decisions. Does this include crazy plans?

Ela initially thought Liodra would only spend Sunday nights with Devano. The young man with a 'good' face who turned out to be a good man. As far as Ela knows Devano, the young man can be in the category of ideal husband.

As far as Ela is concerned, Devano is a hard worker, much like himself. The man with the look of a Korean oppa struggled to become the backbone of the family.  Her mother is ill, and Devano is an only child. Once again the story of Devano's life is similar to his. Hard workers often have no place in the hearts of the rich. So did Devano in the eyes of Mama Dewanti, Liodra's mother.

"Devano is not the right man for you!" It was always that sentence that came out of Dewanti's mouth every quarrel with Liodra. Not at home, not in boutiques, Dewanti and Liodra often fuss over the same issue. Caste difference. In a sense, Ela understood the pressure Liodra was feeling.

"What kind of question is that? Of course I'll be the first to support you." Liodra smiled at the support of his brother's best friend.

"I'm down first, there's material coming from the factory today, and it's all in a new catalog. We'll talk again." Liodra nodded, his mind again busy with plans arranged in the head.

Ela came out of Liodra's room. For a moment he looked at Liodra before closing the glass door. Sometimes there is a feeling of wanting to exchange places with Liodra who is always accompanied by luck. Born into a rich family, living well, having a lover who loves with all his heart. All Liodra's wishes were always in plain sight. And himself? Ah already. Ela immediately dismissed the discomfort that came to ambush him.

*

In the afternoon when she got home, her words still ringed in Liodra's ears. In fact, if you think about it, it is true what was conveyed by my mother. Devano is two years older than him, his job as a car salesman is also arguably not a promising job.

Slowly Liodra opened the stillto shoe that wrapped his leg. Then his hand grabbed the zipper on his back, pulling it down. The knee-length blue dongker dress slid down on the padded carpet. The liodra rotates the hot water faucet, then regulates the desired temperature. After feeling fit, he entered into a bath up.  His mind wandered back, palpating the one name that made his life colorful. Devano.

The man with the alluring smile was from another city. In this town, he's boarding at a male employee-only boarding house. Of course, there are parents who want their children to live hard.  Liodra knew his mother wanted the best for him. But isn't this his life? Liodra has every right to rule things, to plan for the future, to build the household he dreams of, right?

Liodra closed his eyes while lying down feeling the warm water that began to creep up into his stomach.

The girl is like a rose in bloom, of course the attention of many beetles. Not only one man wants it. Amongst the many men, there was one name tucked in the hope of mama.  The most powerful candidate is Rio Gibran. The young man was the son of the oil king, the owner of the SPBU which was spread almost throughout the province.

In addition to SPBU owned by his extended family, Rio also has a rapidly growing restaurant business.  Rio's age is approaching thirty years.  His face was handsome, although still less handsome than Devano.  Many times Mama invited Liodra to a dinner invitation from the office where her mother worked, but the girl refused. Mama is one of the staff at the SPBU headquarters owned by Papa Rio.

Liodra.  His heart was already attached to Devano. Liodra knows Mama cares about her future. Mama doesn't want Liodra to live a hard life. Liodra was determined to fight with Revano through all the hardships his mother feared.

"Mama, please, this is Liodra's life. All my life, Liodra just wants to be with the people I love. Liodra wanted to build a household based on love, not on treasure. If you want Riva to be happy, our marriage blessing, Ma. Liodra won't ask for anything else."  The girl still stood on her firm opinion.

Tonight Liodra will determine the attitude, again asking for good permission to marry Devano. If his mother persists in his stance, the next plan is ready. Instead of not being able to live with Devano, he better leave home, step away to pursue his dreams with his heart.