-12-

"Yes, how, he is mature, his job is well established. What are you waiting for? Waiting for someone's daughter to grow up quickly and then be used as a mistress?" said the father, which managed to make the mother glare. I'm sure father was making fun of mom.

"Maybe Arjuna hasn't found his soul mate yet. He, right, in Kemuning wrote. never going anywhere."

"Are you sure that Arjuna's soulmate is out there? Who knows his soul mate in Kemuning? It's just that Arjuna hasn't met her yet."

"You keep denying whatever I say." Now, my mother can't argue anymore. And a smile of victory is printed on the corners of my father's lips.

I exhaled my breath at their behavior. make people jealous.

"When on the sky have stars, right, love.... What's next, eh?", which managed to make my parents immediately look at me.

"asked that song? Times have advanced, how come there are modern youths like you singing Javanese songs? The thing is, later your boyfriend won't understand what you're saying!"

And now, it's my turn to be the target of his ridicule. God, this father is really annoying.

"In the past, mother used to sing that song with Father Adrian," now mother is speaking again. I glanced at Father Nathan because I was so curious about how he would react. Will he be jealous when the woman he loves mentions another man even though it is his brother? "You know, Juna... Father Adrian is the most romantic man in the world. the face of the earth. Even though he is not young, believe me, he can easily make thousands of women fall in love," explained the mother.

"Don't be like Father Adrian. He's a sissy. Soft to be a man. Remember, Jun, love is expressed, fought for, and earned. But you also have to more than understand if you have to let go of love if it already belongs to someone else. Understood?"

"Understood, father," I replied. I saw my father nod.

"Never spoil, if you don't want to ruin your relationship. The law of karma is real, and will definitely happen at any time."

"Yes, father."

"Smart."

*****

"Why don't you go to the tea garden, Juna?"

Manis visited this afternoon because she was worried. It's been five days since I didn't go to the tea garden today. It's not because I'm sick, really. I don't know, as if I want to have a good reason not to go there right now. It feels heavy. And I don't know why.

"I'm not feeling well. Besides, there is the mother at home, and the plantation has been taken care of by father." I answered simply. Manis seemed to hold my forehead.

"I see you are fine, physically and mentally healthy. Is pain just a trick of yours to laze around and be a big baby at home because of Mrs. Larasati?" she guessed. I chuckled at Manis's words.

"No, no...."

"Yes, definitely. Yes, ma'am?" she said again as if asking for approval.

Apparently, mother was already here. She looked at me and Manis folded her arms across her chest. Then, she sat next to Manis.

"I didn't know this was your friend. Never mind going to the garden, I just don't want to leave the room. Like a virgin with a broken heart," replied the mother. Manis laughs.

"Oh, I'm really sorry for this man. Don't just fall in love yet, you're already heartbroken. Hahaha!"

Now it was their turn to laugh. It seems that laughing at me is their new hobby. "You know, Manis, does your friend have a lover here now?" asked the mother after her laughter subsided.

Manis and this mother are good friends. Because Manis is her nephew Aunty Sari--her courtier who always followed her everywhere.

"I don't know either, Madam. Juna doesn't seem to be interacting with any women," Manis replied, remembering. "Unless a while ago."

"a while ago, Manis?" Mom asked curiously. And so What happened with Arni? Because Manis is a typical innocent woman who will say whatever she sees without being filtered.

"Some time ago, Juna had scolded women. Then that woman--"

I hastily covered this annoying woman's mouth. If you find out that I gave money to Arni at that time, surely you will investigate who Arni is. And if you already know Arni, I will definitely be scolded severely. Moreover, if the mother complains about this matter to the father,

"Juna, what are you doing, right? Don't keep the mouths of people's children! Later, Manis can't breathe!" angry mother, she tried to break my silence. But, I hugged Manis tightly.

"Manis... you are really sweet, after all. You don't want to take a trip and then you don't buy new clothes?" I was bribed. But, Manis still looked confused. "Don't tell Mommy that I gave money to Arni. If you don't, you won't make your life miserable every day, Manis."

Manis nodded. I smiled broadly and then let go of my embrace. Then I told mommy to sit back in her place.

"Madam..." Manis said with an innocent face. Arjuna says that at that time he gave a large amount of money to Arni. A woman who already has a husband and children."

"Manis!" I shouted angrily. This woman is really presumptuous. Why did she say that to my mother? It's nothing, I just wanted to help at that time, really. It's just, I'm sure if my intention is that not everyone can understand it.

I saw my mother's eyes looking wide. A blush started to spread on her already blushing face. God, please... don't make mother angry because of this.

"Arni? Mother had also heard it from Romelah's grandmother. So, can you tell mom how it happened before mom and dad found a woman for you to marry so you don't commit sins like your parents did, Juna?"

I lowered my face deeply, for some reason my guts shrunk when mommy said that. How should I begin to tell the story? If I'm honest, will Mommy believe it?"