The Marriage Order

Reception

That afternoon it was eleven o'clock when Kak Baruna and I had just arrived at the Delrain hotel. Brother Baruna stretched out his hand before me and without hesitation I greeted him. He clasped my hand tightly and we walked along in awkward steps. I looked towards him smiling. Remembering the incident made us nervous about each other.

Five-star hotel is nuanced renaissance era in European style. It looks very interesting with antique carvings and paintings on the interior. The courtyard is spacious with a slightly cool air because it is close to the atmosphere of the mountains. Those of us who enjoyed the place continued to walk hand in hand into the ballroom where Nesya's wedding party was held.

We went into the ballroom, wrote our names on the guest list at the reception desk. The music sounds soft. The atmosphere of the wedding reception has been crowded with guests who are enjoying the party dishes and guests who will shake hands with the two happy brides on top of the guarantee. My eyes caught the figure of Kak Reza and his lover who were busy laughing together. I also invited Baruna to approach them.

"Sister," I said spoiled as I patted her on the back.

"Dear brother, why just came? Just look at the food without rest," he laughed.

"Dwelling .... I'm in no mood to joke, brother. Where are Mom and Dad?"

"That's sitting there, the family table." Brother Reza pointed with his lips raised.

"How are you doing, Bro?" Baruna hugged Reza for a long time. Maybe he missed not seeing you face to face last night.

"Ah crazy lo. This is rame's place. My hug time is like this? Don't you want to ever be labeled a gay couple on campus first?" kak Reza's protest is still in the arms of his best friend.

Brother Baruna then took off his embrace, "I thought so. This lo friend loves you and your response is like that."

"Geez, we just met yesterday Bar. God, fucked up son."

"But I didn't see you last night. I miss my own friends. My heart is sad this. Yes not Dit?" Baruna laughed as she turned towards Kak Dita.

"May be sad but Reza already likes women. Hahaha," said Kak Dita laughing.

"What?? So you believe I was ever a fag?" Reza was shocked and protested that the woman he loved said so.

"Dear, I'm just kidding." Brother Dita gently stroked my brother's soothing back.

"The drama?" manyu laugh.

"Yes there you meet Nesya. He asked you about that." Reza pointed towards Nesya and her husband who were busy greeting the guests on the lap.

Nesya Anugerah Pratiwi, my cousin from Mama's side. Her beautiful face coupled with makeup that made me pangling to see her because we had not met for a long time. She was wearing a matching colored dress in our family uniform. Her name is Aditya Pratama Mahardika. He looks handsome in a matching color suit. The matching couple kept smiling throughout the show.

"Let's go baby." I took Kak Baruna to walk to the pelaminan whose queue looks long.

"Honey, if we get married later are you able to stand like that throughout the event? Look at this queue, surely we won't have time to just sit." Suddenly Baruna said something I had never thought of.

"Yes too? I never thought about it at all" I said.

"I actually want a private one where there are only guests from the family and closest friends, but it doesn't seem to be."

"Dear, I want something like that, too. But it's just a dream considering you're an only child."

"Yes my mother has prepared three thousand invitations for us."

"What?!!" I gasped at the words of Kak Baruna. I can't hide my outrageous shock.

"Three grand? Means I have to shake hands with six thousand people if they come in pairs. Okay I'll assume that Kak Baruna's words were just a joke so I don't think about it too much" my mind calmed down.

"I'm serious dear," added Kak Baruna.

"Damn it!" mummy's upset.

"What do you have to say?" Baruna looked at me.

"That's okay, baby," I said with a big smile hiding my frustration.

We continued talking to each other until we finally arrived in front of Nesya and her husband. The two happy people greeted us with smiles that were like flowers that had just bloomed in the morning. So beautiful to the eye.

"Sheryl, you're finally here. I've been looking for you since, "welcome Nesya.

"It's okay, Sher. This is my husband Adit. Adit's my cousin I tell you about a lot and he's getting married next month." Me and Brother Baruna then shook hands with Nesya and her husband.

"Thank you for coming" Adit welcomed us.

"May you always be happy" I said.

"Oh this handsome guy must be your future husband. What's name?" ask Nesya

"Baruna," I answered briefly.

"Baruna, please pick up my cousin. He's a bit stupid in love" Nesya laughed.

The deg!

"Nesya, you dropped my pride in front of my future husband. What you did was evil Nes. I was stupid to date the same person for too long, but I've moved on" my mind was in revolt.

Brother Baruna just laughed at Nesya's words. I put on a sour face making Nesya a little guilty.

"Sheryl are you angry? Sorry, I'm just kidding," she asked sincerely, "Baruna too, I'm just kidding don't take my words too seriously. Okay?"

"OKAY. Because you're my dear cousin I'm sorry but not next time" I said.

Brother Baruna just nodded smilingly assuring that he did not take Nesya's words seriously. We've been on the lap for too long making the queue shake for the bride and groom grow longer. I pulled Kak Baruna's arm and took her down quickly after earlier shaking hands congratulating Aunt Ratih and Om Bayu who were Nesya's parents. They just smiled and thanked me for coming to congratulate them.

"Honey we go to the table Mama and Papa first yes," I said.

"Come," said Baruna.

We walked to the family table where my parents were chatting with my extended family while enjoying a party meal.

"Our mother is coming." I smiled broadly.

"This kid, just arrived. You missed the family picture."

"Let Ma, the important thing is that we come."

Me and Baruna then approached other family members while experiencing it and did not forget to keep smiling in front of them. I think my teeth have dried up enough to keep smiling since.

"Any new guy, Brother Sher?" ask my cousin Ali. He was three years below me.

"Whisper!" sahutku whispered.

"It is good that there is progress rather than being courted but not married." Ali mocked.

"Ali don't be so like your cousin sister. That next month he's married." Aunt Adel defended me.

My cousin's sister was just grinning at her mother's advice. I turned to Brother Baruna who was just smiling incessantly from earlier.

"Be careful sister can crazy smile continues. Your teeth must be as dry as I am now."

My family members are so many that I can't mention them one by one. The big families are all gathered here.

"I go to the toilet first, baby," I said to Kak Baruna followed by a nod of his head. Brother Baruna then sat down to mingle with my family.

I walked to the toilet not far from the ballroom. Suddenly my body was hit by a man carrying a glass of drink.

Prangs!

A dropped glass broke, its contents splattering out soaking the dress on my wrist. Everyone looked at us who were in the crowd. I raised my head to look at the man. Satya stood before me.