THE HEART IS BROKEN
WHAT TO EAT
After the prayer of Isya congregated, Rama approached the papa who had just ended mingling sentences that were written in his presumption to the universal Plumbing.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Ardi, may I speak" said Rama awkwardly.
Papa turned his head and nodded, presumably papa already understood where the direction of the conversation that will be thrown Rama. Papa shifted his seat slightly and changed the way he sat to make it more comfortable.
"Hmmm, look sir, I want to ask the question that I discussed at the time at the Father's house," asked Rama a little hesitating.
"Which one is it? So much about what we discussed, about the construction of musholla? filial work?" papa pretended not to understand.
"Not that sir, hmm.how ya", Rama scratched his head that was not itchy.
"Well, which one",
"Emmm.. About me who wants to propose to the Father's daughter" said Rama lirih.
"What did I not hear Rama say? Can it be repeated?", papa pretended.
Rama took a deep breath so that his heartbeat could be normal again.
"On me who wants to propose to your child, how is the decision?" resolute Rama.
"Well, that's dong. Clear"
Papa told all the things that happened to Rama, after telling me papa gave a little advice about marriage matters to Rama, so that later he would not go wrong when he was married. Rama listened to the words and advice of the father with solemn, occasionally he nodded his head sign that he agreed and understood with what papa said.
"Well, now you, are you capable of being responsible? That's the picture of a real marriage, not just bringing you two together. But two big families. Not only limited to love but there are needs that must be met" explained papa back.
Rama nodded and looked down. Not a single word he uttered from his mouth. Occasionally he swallowed his saliva to moisten the esophagus that felt suffocated.
"Arla did accept you, she wanted to get married at a young age. But like I said, marriage is not just about you and her. But there we as his parents", continued papa.
"Sir, I understand, then what should I do", asked Rama.
"You meet Arla's father, tell him your good intentions, ask for his blessing. Because it was the youth who had full rights over Arla as his biological parents"
Rama nodded again. This time Rama answered in a steady tone.
"Okay sir, I'll see his father".
"That's good" said papa while patting Rama's shoulder. Then stand up and prepare to go home. Rama was still sitting, until finally running small chasing papa.
"Sir, one second"
Papa stopped his steps and looked back
"Yes there is more? You doubt?" ask papa.
"Don't you sir, you suggested to me to see Arla's father, didn't you?"
"Yes, right, so what's the problem? You scared?" ask papa
"No sir, but where should I meet sir? I don't know", explained Rama plain.
"Oalaaah.. say it frankly if you want to ask my management, it's just a bother" continued Papa.
"hehehehe, yes if you don't mind", replied Rama embarrassed.
"OK, tomorrow afternoon after Ashar we go to Arla's father's house",
***
After Ashar Rama has stood in front of the musholla with light brown material pants, plain white shirt shirt with black trim is very harmonious wrapped his high body with yellow skin. Rama awaits Mr. Ardi who is chatting with other pilgrims in the musholla.
I silently looked at my future priest from behind the window of my house. "Ah very handsome, may your business meet my father be launched" I murmured.
My heart always beats when it looks at Rama. There was a sense of happiness and disbelief, that I would marry him.
***
Papa's white sedan glides casually towards a cafe around Jalan Sudirman. Papa deliberately invited to meet outside, to be more relaxed, would-wanti if the father's emotions suddenly uncontrolled. Because it is impossible for my father to go berserk in a public place.
"Eh.. No sir", Rama was nervous.
"You're nervous about seeing a camer? Or again trying to arrange the words that will be delivered later", as long as papa.
Rama just nodded asserting papa's guess. Rama was nervous and nervous. This was the first time he had discussed something quite serious like this. His mind was filled with rhetorical questions. What if his father is angry? What if they get rejected?
Papa's white sedan kept on going without thinking about the confusion and nervousness that was raging in Rama's mind. Until finally the white sedan stops in front of a cafe that is quite cool, because as a place to hang out young free wifi hunters who only capitalize a glass of coffee or maybe juice and a plate of sandwiches.
I had waited a few minutes before.
Papa and Rama meet him at a table in a private room. There were only two tables there consisting of four chairs at each table. Air-conditioned rooms, walls with black doodles and graffiti and relaxing jazz music. Father deliberately ordered this room, to be more relaxed and not disturbed by the noise of young laughter that was chatting outside.
"Eh Bang, it's been a long time" papa greeted dad as soon as he entered the room.
"Oh no, just now", welcome father.
Rama greeted the father with courtesy while saying his name.
"Sir, I'm Rama"
"Oh.. I'm Roy", greet my father and let them sit down.
Papa starts the conversation, and explains to the father about the purpose and purpose of their arrival to see the father. Rama was silent, and occasionally tried to look at father's face. Father was so, sometimes he looked at the face of Rama stick.
"So what are you doing now? How dare you go to bed with my son? ask dad.
Rama was nervous, he took a deep breath trying to calm his racing heart.
"I.. I. have not worked sir", answered Rama nervously.
Papa and father were shocked by Rama's reply. They look at each other. Papa had not thought all this time to ask this to Rama.
"Then after marriage, what will our children wear?" ask dad.
"I will try to be responsible for anything about the Father's son" replied Rama steady.
"We are realistic, now life is more difficult, especially our child is in college. If the marriage is only limited to justify "one thing" it is better not", asserted the father.
Rama was silent and downcast.
"If you would like to see what our children will eat after marriage, we are not unable to finance you. It's just that your responsibilities as a man and husband will not only be limited to inner living, but also born", explained the father to Rama.
"But I'm sure sir, the sustenance after marriage must be there", Rama tried to convince the father.
"Right sustenance after marriage must exist. But yes, logic. What might be the sustenance coming from under the sky while you're not working" Dad started burning with emotion.
"I will try before the wedding, I have obtained a job, if you give my blessing to marry your daughter" replied Rama steady.
"Alaaah, no need to promise. Prove it first" chirped dad.
Papa who had been listening to their chat trying to find a middle point. Because papa has started to smell less delicious gelagat than father. Like I was holding back his emotions.
"What Mr. Roy said is true Rama. I have told you that marriage is not about love. But there is a stomach to be filled every day. Just like. You assured us first, that you can take full responsibility for our child, both inwardly and at birth. Only then did you come again", explained papa to Rama.
"Yes right that. No grip dare to propose to people's children" ketus father.
Rama was completely silent and downcast. His lips were locked hearing my father's words. His mind is getting worse. His heart beat even louder as if there was a great war in his chest.
"Hows it? You ready?" ask Rama.
"I'm ready sir" replied Rama.
Papa and Rama asked for permission to go home first, because Papa still had some business outside after Magrib.
The streets of Pekanbaru City seemed empty that afternoon, although filled with the hustle and bustle of motor vehicles. Rama can only look blankly at every car and motorcycle that passes before the car he rides. His mind is buana. His brain kept turning to find a way to get a job as soon as possible. Finding a job in the present is not an easy thing, especially if there is no one inside.
...****...
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