The Untouched Heart

Chapter 1 - Bored

~Za~

There was no air conditioning in our house. Both windows have been opened wide to let fresh air in. But still it's not enough. I felt sweat falling down the middle of my back and between my chest.

Both my hands hurt because I squeezed them so hard on my lap. The usually comfortable sofa felt as hard as a rock and made me have to change my sitting position repeatedly. I glanced at the watch, impatient to leave my seat immediately.

The back of my favorite white dress skirt must have been tangled because I sat for too long. I don't have time to change clothes. This conversation will definitely last for hours. I'm even sure my makeup will wear off and I'll have to fix it if I still want to look perfect tonight. My hair needs to be brushed back. I had to roll it up so my body wouldn't sweat too much.

It's been an hour or so my parents have been advising me on the same things I've heard over the past two months. I'm tired of hearing it, aren't they tired of talking about it?

It all started with a proposal I received two months ago. One of the wealthy and well-respected families in our city came home to have dinner together. I was obviously surprised by their arrival.

Without me expecting anything at all, Hendra, their golden son, my friend on campus, proposed to me in front of both of our parents. My younger brother, Zach, just laughed gigglingly at the sight of my face turning pale. We don't have a love affair and he proposed to me?

Hendra was my senior at college. We used to pass each other in the library or in the discussion room during my first year of college. Until finally in the second year, the man started a conversation and asked me to get acquainted.

When the next day we met again, I didn't mind sitting next to him. We were good friends but I didn't let our relationship get too intimate. Talking about personal matters is never allowed to be the topic of our discussion.

When the man graduated and I met him to congratulate him, he said instead that he loved me. Obviously I was surprised. He never showed any signs that he had more feelings than a friend to me. And I had to refuse it.

At first, I thought the rejection would solve everything but I was wrong. Hendra came to me repeatedly. He only stopped when he left to continue his studies abroad. No more phone calls nor was there any more sudden appearance of her on my campus.

When I thought that he had forgotten me and continued his life, he was waiting for me in front of my office when the working hours were over. He invited me to dinner together which I immediately refused. My coworkers teased me for days because they saw me being picked up by a man in his fancy car.

He does not know himself. We were good friends before, but our friendship ended instantly when he first proposed to me. Repeatedly rejected, he tried again and again. His last proposal was one he did in front of both of our parents. Which of course I rejected as well. What a shame.

Later I found out that Hendra and her parents came to dinner at our house not at the invitation of Papa or Mama. But at the desire of the man himself. She called home and claimed to be my best friend and Papa happily invited her to come home for dinner together.

I don't know what Hendra saw for me. He is rich, intelligent, comes from a distinguished family, he can get anyone to be his lover. All those qualities are enough to attract the attention of the most beautiful and best women in the country. Why should I be the one chosen?

I refused it not because I was arrogant or pretentious. I've had a boyfriend since I sat on the High School bench and we love each other. Hendra knows that. We even intend to get married early next year. Our age was enough, so were our savings. There's nothing more we want to wait for, so we're ready to go on to a more serious level.

Aldo had already expressed good intentions to propose to me, but both of my parents refused before my girlfriend could finish her sentence. But we didn't give up and kept trying until my mom and dad gave my blessing.

Until one day, Aldo was afraid and worried that my parents would never approve of our relationship. But I continued to reassure her that we would still be married, with or without my parents' blessing. It made her feel a little calm.

I can understand the fear he felt. Deep down, I was also very worried. But I was determined. We'll get married no matter what. My parents had no right to decide who I would marry.

Our conversation at this point is of no use at all. I won't change my mind, no matter what my parents say. I don't care how rich a man is, how great their family name is in the eyes of society, how high his last education was, or how much he loved her. I'm not marrying Hendra. Point.

“Ara, did you hear?” papa said with annoyance. I sighed softly.

“You till when we discuss this, Pa? I will keep giving the same answer. I don't want to marry Hendra. I already have a girlfriend,” I said firmly.

“You won't have a future with him.” That word again, that again. I'm tired of hearing it. Are those who have a future only those who have a lot of money? Then those who live simply will not be able to survive marriage?

“Because he's not from a wealthy family? Did you forget that we are not from a family? Or Papa started hallucinating because Hendra's parents are now so close to Papa?” pissed me.

We should have met them as soon as we intended to get married. Were it not for Aldo's great fear, he would have come first to make his point rather than Hendra. That way, Papa will see no other choice but to bless our marriage.

The arrival of that shameless man who was faster in proposing to me than Aldo made him earn my parents' hearts without much effort.

Of course the main reason Papa immediately sided with Hendra was his family background. Which father does not want to confuse his daughter with a famous and wealthy man? Moreover, that man had proposed to me politely in front of my family. Marrying him will also help elevate the dignity of our family. An offer that Papa will not refuse.