A Handful of Love for You
17. Promotions

Atep POV

“Aras and Aris say anything to you, Tep? Are they talking weird?” the sound of Teh Iyah roused me from the reverie.

“Ah used to talk kids, Tea. Their imaginary power is very high,” I replied.

“What do they imagine? Teteh heard at a glance that they were talking about their aunt.”

“Iya, Tea. They betrothed Atep to their aunt,” I replied with a little laugh.

“Wah a good idea. Looks like it'll be a good fit if you're with Lena. Your age is not far away either. Lena seems to be only 1 year older than you or it could be you in your lifetime.”

“Teteh don't fantasize like Aras and Aris,” my protest.

“Think what? I thought you guys would be suitable to get married. Lena is an independent woman. She's the kind of woman you like, independent, smart, kind and godly. That's all your dream wife's criteria, right? it's all in Lena, you know.” Teh Iyah promoted her sister-in-law with pride.

“Why Teteh so follow Aras and Aris anyway?” I protested with a little annoyance. I can't really be upset at Teh Iyah. He did not know that I was trying very hard to forget and remove his figure from my heart.

“At least just acquaintance first. Who knows it does fit.”

“Atep fear ah, Tea.”

“Fear why?” Teh Iyah scrunched her forehead.

“Fear that his nature is the same as his older brother,” I said teasing Teh Iyah.

“Ish. My husband is no longer happy now. He loves the same little girl and kids. So you don't have to worry anymore if Teteh will be sad again. Lena is very different from her older brother. Lena is so good.”

“Iya deh Tea. Later if we meet, Teteh introduce Atep to Lena,” break me.

“That's dong, Tep. Tete is worried about you because until this age you still have never introduced your candidate to your mother. Tetu is worried.”

“Worried that Atep doesn't like girls huh, Teh?”

“Hehehe..iya anyway. But you still like girls, right? At least you ever like or fall in love with women, right?” teh Iyah asked in a tone that still seemed to doubt my sexual orientation.

“God willing, Tea. Atep still likes women," I replied with an amused laugh.

“Alhamdulillah..Pity your Mother if you mess. Tetang first person who will torture you if you stray.” Iyah tea gave a sharp look.

I grimaced at his sharp eyes.

Ah, if Iyah Tea knew that the woman I love is her. If he had known that I would be so willing to be his life partner until death do. If he knew that I loved him so much even since I was a teenager.

“Atep once fell in love with a woman and until now she is still in the heart,” lirihku slowly.

“What? So you're in love with a girl? Who her? Do you know any? Temen your college or the girl in our village?” Iyah's tea poked me with a few questions.

“Eh astonished ya Tea?”

“Ya is astonished. So who is he?”

“She's already the wife of people?” I answered trying to answer casually.

“What?” yells Tea Iyah.

“Do not shout also Tea time. Atep's ears so ringing hear the cry of Teteh.”

“So you fell in love with someone's wife? Don't do it, Tep. Never break someone else's family and become a bully. There are still many single women for you. You'll hurt a lot of people if that's so. You will also be hurt if you force your love with the woman. There are free women who are good for you. You deserve love.”

“Means you should stop and remove him from your heart. If it is true that you say she loves her husband very much, then there will be no room in her heart for others including you. Later you yourself will be sick if you still keep the love for him. You understand?”

“Iya Tea. Atep was well aware of such a situation. But the heart cannot choose who will fall in love with. Like Teteh who can not choose to love other men besides Teteh's husband even though Teteh suffered because of him.”

I saw Teh Iyah nod.

“Bener, Tep. Sometimes love has no logic. Teteh also feels strange with this love.”

“Tuh right. It must be hard to forget love especially if it's our first love.”

“He's your first love, Tep?”

I nodded weakly.

“Don't be sad, Tep. Not everyone gets his first love.”

“But Teteh gets first love Teteh right? His father Aras and Aris his first love Teteh, right?”

“Iya anyway, Tep. Teteh includes lucky women who get first love, and God willing his last love too,” said Teh Iyah with a smile that can not be separated from her sweet lips.

“Atep not as lucky as Teteh.”

“Don't worry and be sad, Tep. It will help you forget that woman. Teteh so the more eager to match you with Lena.”

“What the hell, Tea?” my protest.

“You don't have to protest much. Anyway Teteh wants to match you with Lena. Our strength is full. There is Aras and Aris who will help Teteh for your soul mate. Teteh will also ask for the support of A Endra. As her older brother Lena, Teteh believes that A Endra will support Teteh.”

“Not necessarily he will want to be the same Atep. Atep knows himself enough. He comes from a rich and respected family whereas Atep is just an orphan who comes from a mediocre family.”

“You don't humble yourself so, Tep. You are like a little sister. Mak Isah is also like the mother. So you are already included in the big family Kartasasmita.” Teh Iyah remained steadfast with her decision.

“But not a younger sibling, Teh.”

“Ah, you are already like Teteh's biological sister. It's been... Not a lot of weird thoughts! The A Endra family is not a petty family that differentiates people from their social status. You have to be sure of that.”

“Tell him his family is so. What if Lena herself sees people from her social status?”

“Gak will. Lena was not educated like that. Lena is good to everyone.”

“He is good with Tetu because you have the same social status. Don't know if it's the same atep.”

“Aw...” I frowned slightly as Iyah Tea pinched my arm hard.

“Teteh gurgles the same attitude you like this. Just follow what Teteh has to offer. Someday you will thank Teteh.”

“Forcer basics.”

Teh Iyah laughed at my frustration.

“Teteh sure later you will thank Teteh.” Teh Iyah said so while laughing happily.

I read leaving Teh Iyah. His laughter still sounded sweet in my ears.

********

to be continued....