A Handful of Love for You
67. One Month

Alena POV's

“What...one more month?” I was shocked to the point of almost yelling when Aki proposed our wedding date and day.

“Change, that one month is in a moment. Lena feels not ready to get married within a month.” I whispered to Abah who was sitting next to me.

“How long do you need until you're finally ready to get married?” My brother asked in a whisper.

“One more year deh,” my proposal.

I forced myself to raise my face and look at him. He was looking at me with a sweet smile to make my heart go back to acting. Ah, you little guy. It was as if he had entered the recesses of my heart until it made me uneasy like this.

“Lateness. You'll be old if you wait another year. It's not good if you're engaged too long. Good intentions should be implemented immediately. What are you waiting for again? Your age is enough and you are already working, so Atep is also working and earning. Abah thinks he can replace Abah to look after and feed you.”

“Ih, Abah! Lena must be fed to everyone else. Lena can buy her own food.”

Abah giggled at my protest.

“Change mah nyebelin. Even ngetawain Lena. Yes it's been half a year.” I revised my proposal.

“Still too long,” says Abah.

I pinched my arm because I was upset. Instead of being in pain, Abah laughed even louder.

“What's Lena doing? You are not happy with the day and date Aki proposed?” aki asked me.

“Eh, not so Aki. But Lena thought….

“What do you think?”

“One month it was too soon. Lena also needs careful preparation. Can't grusuk grasak like this,” I said trying to convince Aki to change her decision.

“Aki is old. I don't know how much longer Aki's in this world. Aki wants to watch you get married. The sooner the better. Suppose your future husband is able to marry you today, Aki even more happy. How's Atep? Can you marry Lena today?”

I saw Aki staring intently at Atep and intimidatingly.

Screaming him and his facial expression looked bright, it seemed like he would agree to Aki's request. Loincloth…

“One more month. Lena agrees one more month, Aki.”

Before he responded to Aki's request, I immediately grabbed. I'd rather have my heart ready for a month than get shot today. I can't imagine how my heart would be fine if today I were his.

I saw him lip-raising. Looks very handsome. Oh, my God, am I really in love with her? I never thought that my heart would love him like this.

If you remember our early meetings that were always bickering like Tom and Jerry, it would be unbelievable if now our hearts are linked like this. I hope he loves me as much as I love him.

I put my right hand over my chest and felt my heartbeat. Ah, the rhythm is not as tight as it was, but the beat still feels strange. This feeling still feels strange. The feeling that for months I was pushed aside and crushed with all my strength and heart but still persisted and even swallowed and rested in the heart deeper and deeper.

Basic gondrong nyebelin. Uh, now he's not fucking around anymore. Today he appeared very formal and neat. His hair was combed neatly and there was no impression of a delinquent that I often saw first when he was still my student status.

Atep, you've taken my heart without permission. But that was my assumption then, now it seems that I will consciously give up my heart just for you. I hope you don't disappoint me.

*******

Atep POV

It's been decided, one more month we're getting married. All matters related to the wedding party have been done by the Wedding Organizer hired by Teh Iyah.

Yeah, that's right. Teh Iyah insisted on taking care of all the details of my and Alena's wedding. At first I refused because I didn't want Teh Iyah exhausted from taking care of her reception, but Teh Iyah threatened that she wouldn't acknowledge me as her sister if I didn't let her get involved.

I had asked Teh Iyah's husband to ban his wife but it turns out that Teh Iyah also threatened her husband if it was to prohibit him from taking care of my marriage and Alena.

So here I was after I finished taking care of the requirements for marriage, I sat down in front of my laptop, checking all the reports for a month. Oh yes, we decided to get married in Bandung because most of our brothers and friends are in this city.

The wedding venue has been determined, Alena wants our wedding reception to take place simply with the concept of a garden party. Rather than looking for other places that might be difficult to get because of the limited preparation time, I proposed the place of the recipe in my cafe.

The cafe is quite spacious and can accommodate many guests. The view is also very good. Alena must be happy with my proposal. I went to the cafe and liked it very much.

Impatiently, I contacted him.

First call, he didn't pick up his phone. I sent him a message asking if he was busy teaching or relaxed.

“What's up?”

“Greetings first, Len.”

Uh yeah, forgot. Assalamu’alaikum.”

“Wa’alaikumsalam.”

“What's the phone?” the question is still ketus. Ah, her tight voice will always be my favorite.

“If the prospective husband calls it, ask first the news. Don't ask that.”

“We met tonight. What is the news this morning as well. If a week does not meet new ask news.”

Ah, you son of a bitch. My woman who never speaks stale.

“Why silence? If there's nothing to talk about, I'll just hang up. I'm going to class soon.”

“Wait, Len. Don't play close first dong. I'd like to talk about our wedding reception. I proposed at the cafe where we had lunch first. Hows it? You agree?”

“Agree. I liked. The place is cozy and it looks like it would be nice if we make it a place for the reception.”

“So you like my idea?”

“Like. Really like. To be honest, the first time I came to that cafe, I was already in love with the view. I love the interior design of the cafe. I like the view that can be enjoyed at the cafe while sipping a warm drink. I used to imagine my marriage would take place in a place like that. Now, it looks like my dream will come true.”

“You like it so much with the cafe?”

“Very like.”

I'm happy because Alena likes her cafe. I hope he likes the owner too.

“You guys have the deal there too. How?” my proposal.

“I agree. Later I said the same Teh Iyah if the place is fixed in the cafe. What's the cafe's name? I forgot.”

“Namina New.”

“OK. After this I want to directly call Teh Iyah.”

“Let me say the same Tea Iyah.” I offered myself.

“OK. Oh yes, do not forget later during the day your schedule to make a wedding dress fitting.”

“Hm...Len.

“What?”

“You sure about this?” many doubt.

“What does your question mean?”

“Hmm...are you sure about this wedding? Are you sure you love me? Do you love me?”

“Why are you asking like that? Maybe you are not sure about our wedding plans. Has your heart moved? Are you in love with another woman? You want to cancel our wedding plans because of that woman? If that's what you want, we'll cancel our wedding plans. The problem with my family is my business. You don't have to interfere.”

He was angry and hung up his phone. I could only look blankly at the phone screen in front of me.

My wedding plans are off. These words keep ringing in my ears. I was stupid. Why would I ask Alena a stupid question? I shouldn't have asked like that. I should have believed in a character like Alena, she wouldn't have hesitated if she had already decided.

Canceled?

I can't let this happen. After waking up from my stupidity I immediately contacted my grumpy future wife again.

As I expected. He didn't take a phone call from me. Looks like I have to go back to bothering Teh Iyah.

******

to be continued...