Towards A good Day

My marriage with Axel is only a few days away. I still think that my marriage is just a mere dream. Getting involved with a man I met on a dating app has made my life seem different, like riding a roller coaster—thrilling and adrenaline-pumping. I still wonder if I'm dreaming.

My mother has been busy preparing everything, as have I. Even Axel just sent me the address of the bridal boutique where I will have my gown fitting. Of course, I will do it alone without him. He's too busy, and I even forgot to tell my friend Emil about my marriage.

After the fitting, I visited Emil's house not far from mine. Upon arriving, it seemed empty and uninhabited. Emil has been away for a while. I took out my phone and tried to contact him, but unfortunately, his number couldn't be reached. It seems like Emil might be on vacation with his partner or visiting his parents in his hometown, Padang.

I couldn't tell Emil what I was about to do, which was sad. But what can I do? It seems like I'm too late to inform him. I decided to send him a message about my marriage, even attaching an invitation in case he could come later. Since I couldn't meet Emil, I decided to go back. I didn't know where Emil went, and he didn't give any news. I was a bit annoyed, but what can I do? He's used to disappearing suddenly. Maybe he just got a new girlfriend.

As the big day approaches, I become more nervous. I imagine how I have to behave in front of Axel's parents, especially considering the unpleasant incident that happened between us before. What makes me angry is how Axel never apologized for his father's disrespectful behavior. Even though we will get married with a contract, I will be with him and his parents until our contract is over.

I want to renegotiate with Axel, but unfortunately, he doesn't want to meet until our wedding day. So, I decided to draft it myself and give it to Axel before our wedding starts. This way, there will be an additional agreement in our previous arrangement.

The current challenge is my brother. He still hasn't accepted my marriage. He doesn't approve of my relationship with Axel, claiming that Axel is not a good man as his parents say. I agree with my brother, but we are bound by a contract, so I have to do it, whether I like it or not.

Perhaps my brother thinks that I have feelings for Axel, unfortunately, I don't. I'm not interested in that arrogant old man. As the wedding day approaches, invitations have been distributed, and Axel says the preparations are 90% complete. I become more nervous and anxious. What saddens me is that my best friend Emil probably won't be able to attend my wedding.

That night, my father came home with suits—one for him and another for my brother. They will wear them at the reception. My father asked me to call the judge to meet him in the living room, our usual gathering place. I went to Hakim's room, knocked on the door, and called him. With a sulky face, he opened the door.

"Dad asked you to come downstairs," I said briefly.

"For what?" he asked curiously.

"Just come down, you'll find out yourself," I said again, leaving him and returning to my parents.

As Hakim descended the stairs, his face looked upset. It seemed like another argument was about to happen, I thought. Seeing Hakim approach, my father quickly grabbed the suit and tried to put it on him.

"What's this? Why is Dad putting on this suit for me?" Hakim asked.

"This is for you to wear at your sister's reception," Dad explained.

Hakim immediately pushed the suit away from him. "I'm not going! Dad can wear it!" he said bluntly and left.

I could only stay silent. My tongue felt tied, and I couldn't say anything. I didn't expect my brother to behave like this. If I had the option to cancel it, maybe I would. But it would involve our parents, and I had to continue the contract with Axel. I feared that my father's heart condition would worsen if he heard the truth about my relationship with Axel.

It wasn't the parents but a brother who didn't approve of his sister's marriage. I hope my brother will return to being the supportive brother he used to be. I understand he's worried about me. But this time, I can't tell him the truth because Hakim would go crazy if he knew.

As the wedding day approached, I felt more troubled. My friend Emil might not attend the event, and I didn't know where he was. Meanwhile, my only brother didn't come because he didn't approve of the marriage. How could I make him come? Even if I begged on my knees, I didn't think he would pay attention. I needed Emil right now.

When I returned to my room, I received a message. I checked who sent me a message this late at night. It was Axel telling me that our wedding preparations were 100% complete. I wasn't happy about it because I was going through with this marriage Reluctantly. Before, I hoped that something would happen to cancel our wedding. Now, it's just wishful thinking. There's nothing I can do but follow where my life's destiny takes me.

Morning approached again, and a new day began. I still couldn't convince my brother. Tomorrow is my wedding day. I tried to contact Axel to discuss a new contract. I wanted to propose again. As usual, Axel was difficult to reach.

"Why is this person so hard to contact?" I grumbled in frustration. By the way, I had already taken a leave from work, so I had plenty of time. Finally, I sent a message to Axel to meet this afternoon at a cafe near my house. I threatened him a little. And I think he would come this Time.