The Marriage Order

Repeated Debate

I faintly heard the voices of two men who were speaking seriously. It was so real and made me want to know what they were talking about. The more I tried to concentrate on listening to their words, the heavier my head became. What are they actually talking about? Am I dreaming? But if it's a dream, I also feel like it's too real. My fingers alone felt warm as if they were being tightly grasped by someone.

I opened my eyes slowly. In front of my eyes was a ceiling with beautiful carvings. I looked to my left side. Brother Baruna and Om Anton stopped talking when they realized I was just conscious. Aunt Meri who was standing next to her husband smiled at me. I just remembered I had experienced something shocking and cried sobbing that I lost consciousness.

"At last you woke up too" said Kak Baruna. The chocolate beads sparkle to describe the excitement.

"Darling, are you okay? Does it hurt so much?" I pointed at the corner of her slightly blue lips.

"I'm fine. It's nothing" replied Kak Baruna holding the corner of her lips.

I look around. Waking up in a room I didn't know. I turned to look at Brother Baruna who was beside me. He still held my hand tightly.

"Where am I?"

"You're still in my house. This is my room" explained Baruna.

I tried to get up and sit on the bed. Brother Baruna's hands quickly propped my body from behind helped me sit up straight.

"Thank God you've woken up, Sher." Aunt Meri smiled.

"Is anyone sick?" ask Mr. Anton.

I shook my head and said, "I'm fine. Thank you for worrying about me."

I rolled my eyes at Grandpa Awan who was sitting looking at me on the sofa. He got up from his seat and walked out of Kak Baruna's room without saying anything. I don't know what he's thinking. He's a little mysterious old man even though I admit he's a good guy.

"Aunte's gonna get you something." Aunty Meri turned out of the room.

"Om stay first, son." Mr. Anton left me and Mr. Baruna in the room.

"What's really going on?"

I was silent not wanting to remember the events that left me claustrophobic. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly then looked at Kak Baruna.

"I'm okay hon."

"Can you say that now?" Brother Baruna looked annoyed, then said, "How can you and him ...." Baruna did not continue his words.

"I'm sorry. It is my fault for meddling too much in your family affairs and daring to face it alone when he is angry" I replied.

Brother Baruna took his finger out of my hand and stood up from his seat walking back and forth in front of me. His face looked serious.

"I can't accept him doing that to you!"

"Darling, you beat him up already." I tried to calm down.

"Yes, but still I get angry if I remember that. Whereas before I didn't even care what he would do to get his wish. But when he kisses you in front of my eyes, I want to kill him."

I lowered my head not knowing what else to say. It was all my fault that the relationship between the half-brothers became more complicated.

"From Monday tomorrow you don't have to work with him anymore." Suddenly Baruna asked for something surprising.

"We've talked about this before. Wouldn't it be that if I retreated, you'd be afraid and avoid it?"

"I just want you not to get into this, baby. Please understand," said Kak Baruna pleading. His face that turned shady made me a little pity.

"I'll think about it."

"Sheryl what's your head made of? The rocks? It's hard to break your weird thinking. It's obvious you can't protect yourself" said Kak Baruna staring intently at me. His face turned angry again.

"All right, I'll obey you, baby. But give me until we finish our engagement next week. I'll prove that I'm not a rock like you said."

"Hey I told you not to work with him from Monday tomorrow and I didn't say you could bargain for my words. You think I haven't thought you were near her all this time? The proud man could treat my future wife like babu," cried Kak Baruna still fiery.

I laughed and then laughed out loud. Brother Baruna who was talking and angry in front of me then silent immediately looked at me and frowned in wonder. He stepped closer towards me. His face was so close and serious.

"I'm not joking, baby" he said.

"Yes I know. I'm glad you're worried about me. I promise nothing like this will happen again." I put my lips over her lips quickly.

Brother Baruna was shocked by my sudden attitude. His face instantly blushed red. He then looked down for a moment and looked me in the eye.

"You're so smart to make me stop talking" she smiled.

"Yes I'm dizzy listening to the same rant every time we meet. My head is still heavy and you make it even heavier. You don't have to worry about me like that. I know when it's time to walk, rest and stop. If I can I'll help you reconcile."

"peacefully? Haha .... Do what you want, even if it is impossible. But remember your promise." Baruna looked at me with a smile.

"Yes, my dear" I replied, peeping at her cheek. He went back to shame.

"God you did it again, huh." Brother Baruna smiled and then frowned in front of me.

I laughed, as she sat down beside me and hugged my body tightly. He said softly, "Today you can melt my heart again. Whatever it is you have to tell me." he said softly

I just nodded then glanced at the wall clock attached to the wall of the room, showing at half-three. Not long after that Aunt Meri came in carrying a large box package. He's walking towards us.

"Seryl's sister, this is Auntie bringing you a dress that you'll wear next week at your engagement party. Yesterday Melani came to bring it."

"Yesterday has been fitting Auntie," I said

"Yes anyway. But this is a dress that is ready to wear. There is no harm in trying again" replied Aunt Meri.

I grabbed the big box and opened it. A light brown dress that I chose yesterday is completely ready to wear. I brought the dress and tried it in a walk in closet where Kak Baruna used to store her clothes and personal belongings.

The room was not too big but quite a lot of the surrounding items were arranged in such a way that it looked neat. It is quite regular for its arrangement considering the owner is a man.

"How can I live with such a slick man? Even my own room is never neat if the housekeeper doesn't clean it up" I thought.

I shook my head violently to get rid of that thought and started to change clothes. A few minutes later I was standing looking at my own reflection in front of the mirror. A very elegant dress that stuck perfectly with my body. Melani is a genius. He did not disappoint his customers.

I came out of the room and stood showing my appearance in front of Aunt Meri and Sister Baruna.

"Perfect darling. You look beautiful wearing anything." Brother Baruna's eyes are not separated from my appearance.

"Pretty. You can take it and wear it later. The preparation is ninety-nine percent. Just wait for the day H course," explained Aunt Meri.

"Yes Aunt. Thank you for taking care of everything."

"No need to talk to Aunt. Aunt lives first. Oh yes, you have not eaten. Bi Rindang cooks a lot today," said Aunt Meri reminded and then stepped out of Kak Baruna's room.

"Let's go to the dining room dear," asked Kak Baruna.

"Wait a minute I'll have to take this dress off first."

"It seems hard to let go. You need my help?" god while laughing.

I was shocked by his words. The teaser is real. My face reddened, hurriedly leaving Kak Baruna who was laughing into the changing room.