BLESSINGS OF LOVE
Mario and Soraya That Time

Hansen Maliangkay has three sons as a result of his love for Regina Van Koenraad, a beautiful woman whose grandparents are of Dutch descent.

Robert, Mario and Jimmy are the names of their three children.

Robert the quiet, Mario the playboy and a little muddle, while Jimmy who is adrift with Mario is a child who idolizes Mario's brother.

Regina at the age of forty years was given the trust again by God to pregnant and give birth to Jimmy, so the age gap Jimmy with Mario is almost nine years.

That year, Mario was twenty-seven years old, and had set up his own contractor company even though he was a child.

While Robert the older brother who is a specialist in internal medicine or internist, has a family and has one son.

Mr. Hansen and Regina's mother wanted Mario to get married too, because they were uncomfortable seeing him, almost every day there were young women who came looking for Mario and claimed to be his lover.

"Flame, I'm dizzy to see Mario. Come home in the middle of the night, sometimes while smelling alcohol, then every day there are women here looking for him. Don't say if the one who calls home and looks for him, almost every hour I pick up the phone and must be from a woman looking for Mario," complained Regina's mother who was inexhaustible with the behavior of her second child.

"That's our one child, stubborn and unruly, whatever he wants. It's a good thing he graduated from college too even though it's too late, hopefully the business he pioneered now does not make a problem," said the same Mr. Hansen felt dizzy with Mario's behavior.

"Hansen's...Yesterday Sunday at church, I saw a sweet little girl, her name was Soraya. I was told by Ms. Wawolangi that she was the son of the late Mr. Wongso whose business was destroyed during the May riots a few years ago," suddenly, Oma Elisabeth Maliangkay, her mother, Mr. Hansen, entered the room.

"Mama, please sit over here" said Regina's mother-in-law, inviting her new mother-in-law to come and sit down together.

Most people call her as Madam Maliangkay but young people call her Oma Maliangkay.

Manado culture always calls with his surname to parents.

"Wawolangi's mother was a good friend of mine, she said that Soraya was a good girl whose life was concerned. Wongso's mother is now walking is also difficult, after falling into an accident when she wants to dry clothes," continued Oma Elisabeth Maliangkay continued her story.

"Pak Wongso died first after the store and his business were burned by the masses, and went back into debt to the bank. Fortunately it was paid off because there was insurance, but now the life of his wife and child is very concerned".

"Wife Wongso has been a daily helper in several homes and has also been a laundry iron worker. Well, Soraya's son works at the store what well I forgot, and the night the boy went to college," Oma Elisabeth was excited to tell about a girl named Soraya.

"So what does Mama mean about Mr Wongso's family?" asked Mr. Hansen, he didn't seem to understand.

"Mama wants to match the girl named Soraya with Mario" said Oma Elisabeth steadily.

Regina's mother sighed and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry about Regina but I also know how that kid is, where it's possible to match her to such a good girl".

Mr. Hansen can also only shake his head, not happy but afraid that his son will even hurt people's children.

"Mama, they are incapable people, then we will try to match with Mario, which there will be even the girl will be sad. It is not able even later will only be used as game material by Mario," said Mr. Hansen who felt it was impossible to do.

"Mama will move, Mama will set. Because Mama is convinced that the girl will melt my grandson Mario's heart," back Oma Elisabeth asserted with passion.

"Robert does not follow well, if until Mario makes it later," said Robert who turned out to have come with Oma Elisabeth.

"Of course, how your Oma Robert, Papih and Mamih are also worried that later Mario will even tarnish the family name," complained Mr. Hansen with a long sigh.

But Oma Elisabeth was different, she was very eager to match Mario with the girl named Soraya.

One afternoon, Oma Elisabeth asked Mario to come to her house.

Oma lives in her own house only accompanied by a maid, she does not want to live with her son and daughter-in-law.

His hobby is gardening and baking, even in his old age is still making cakes to share in the church.

"Oma, what's wrong? How come tumben wants to go with Rio?"asked Mario while hugging and kissing his grandmother's forehead.

"Oma kangen, it's been a long time since I went with you. During this time always Robert who drove Oma while all the way to the hospital, or Papih and Mamihmu who drove Oma to seek treatment," said Oma Elisabeth while stroking the face of her second most recalcitrant grandson.

"Where is Oma going to Rio? Come on Rio inter, forgive Rio yah Oma if you rarely accompany Oma".

"It's okay, Oma understands you're busy, only now Oma wants to be escorted to an old friend's house. Her name is Mum Wongso, she said she was sick and had trouble walking" said Oma Elisabeth asking Mario to accompany her.

In his heart Mario felt it would be boring to take his grandmother to his friend's house, imagined he had to listen to the chatter of grandmothers.

But it has been promised to his grandmother, so it is impossible to refuse him because the grandmother really hopes to be delivered by him.

While feeling reluctant, he finally drove his grandmother to his old friend's house.

Towards his friend's house it must be parked on a road that is not too big but enough for the track of two vehicles.

Then they had to walk again down a small, crowded alley and a little shabby.

The grandmother's old friend's house is quite far from the road ahead, after winding up twice just met.

A house whose walls have been peeling here and there, the front roof almost collapsed because it was forged by heat and rain.

Oma knocked on the door of the house, and soon the door opened with a ringing sound as the door began to decay.

"Jeez Maliangkay, how are you? what kind of wind has brought Madam all the way here?" greet a mother whose path is dragged because her left leg looks swollen.

"Mother Wongso how are you? I haven't seen her in church for a long time, so yesterday I asked Ms. Wawolangi and she said Ms. Wongso had a sore leg, " said Oma Elisabeth while hugging Ms. Wongso.

"Please enter Madam, sorry our hut is so dirty. But is this our situation, Madam and young master want to drink some warm tea?" welcome Mrs Wongso while offering warm drinks to both guests.

"Not bother, sit here, I just want to see. I'm sorry who Wongso's mother lives with in this house?"asked Oma Elisabeth who felt sorry to see the condition of Mother Wongso.

"Oh, I live with my daughter, her name is Soraya. He's coming home soon, working at a grocery store near the market. She's part of the warehouse, so after the store closed at four o'clock it still has to dwell in the warehouse checking the goods that come out and in today" Wongso's mother explained her daughter's work.

"Oh your daughter hasn't been in college all this time?"ask Oma Elisabeth.

"Madam's lecture, it's over, just make a thesis. But he asked for a leave of absence this year, want to collect money first for his thesis and graduation later. While part of his salary he used to buy medicine for my feet," replied Wongso's mother as she was.

Suddenly there was a thunderous sound, a sign that it was going to rain.

"Sorry Madam Maliangkay, I want to lift the clothesline first in the back. Afraid of being doused in rain again" Wongso's mother said as she walked slowly to her backyard to lift a clothesline.

"Rio, let's help Wongso's mother, pity her feet hurt so much to lift clothes clothes clothes clothes clothes clothes clothes clothes," Oma Elisabeth ordered when she knew the clothes clothes clothes clothes to be taken by Wongso's mother were very much at all.

Mario immediately got up and ran to help Wongso's mother straddle the clothes clothesline in the backyard.

It's a pleasure Oma to Mario, even though his son is wayward but if Oma asks for help something he will certainly do immediately and whatever Oma asks he will definitely follow.

For that Oma also knows and will always try to give the best for Mario his favorite grandson.

"I keep where Bu Wongso is all these clothes?" ask Mario.

"Sorry young master so troublesome well, just here at this table, let my son will tidy it up. Thank you so much young master for helping" said Wongso's mother felt bad to have been helped by Mario.

"It's okay Mom, while I can help," said Mario with a smile but his heart felt sad to see the condition of Mother Wongso.

"Mom's feet why is that?"mario asked as he squatted down and looked at Mom Wongso's swollen legs.

"I crashed yesterday, there was about two months ago. His bones may have been fractured, doctors at Puskemas suggested that he be taken to a bone specialist" Wongso's mother explained.

"Then why haven't you been to that bone specialist?" ask Mario again.

"We have nothing to pay, sorry Soraya she had to work desperately to heal my legs," Wongso's mother began to tear.

"Patient mother well, who knows there will be a way to treat the legs of the mother," said Mario along sad while patting the upper arm of Mother Wongso.

Then they went back to the living room in front, and Oma Elisabeth heard her granddaughter talking to Wongso's mother.

"Mama....Aya go home!!!"shouted a girl as she entered the house, her entire body and clothes were soaked in rain.

"God there's a guest, I'm sorry Madam, I'm sorry sir," Soraya said, bowing to Oma Elisabeth and Mario.

"This is my daughter Madam, her name is Soraya" Wongso's mother said.

"Yes I know, pity you, have been there bathing later sick, you are soaked in rain," said Oma Elisabeth felt sorry to see Soraya.

Then Soraya stepped back to take a shower to clean her body.

Mario was quite surprised when he saw the girl who looked innocent and innocent, rarely did he see such a girl.

Before long Soraya finished her bath, her hair was still wet after shampooing and she brought warm sweet tea for guests and also her mother.

"Beautiful is also this child, the girl is fine tapi, where can I be tempted," said Mario in his heart.

"Please drink the tea, while it's raining like this, drink warm" Soraya said with a sweet smile.

"Crazy.., that's really sweet smile, baby original stuff I can't do anything, '" Mario screamed in his heart.

"Why don't you continue your studies, son Soraya ?" ask Oma Elisabeth.

"I take a leave of absence madam, next year I will just finish the thesis. Because the cost of thesis and graduation is quite expensive. Not to mention the medicine for mama, I have to save first," she replied lightly and kept smiling.

"Sorry Madam, sambi chatting me ironing clothes well. So that tomorrow can be given to the person who will use it," Soraya said while inserting an electrical cable to iron the clothes earlier.

"Who's clothes are there?" ask Mario to wonder.

"Oh this is the clothes of the master, I am a laborer washing clothes and ironing clothes as well, good enough for daily meals. It just so happens that near here there is an employee boarding house, so we wash and iron their clothes" Soraya explained.

Mario Manggut-mangut understand the economic situation of Mother Wongso's family.

"Aren't you eating Soraya's son?" ask Oma Elisabeth who feels strange because people go home from work immediately work again ironing clothes.

Usually in the family of Oma Elisabeth, his children and grandchildren come home from work or school must immediately eat because there is food available at the dinner table.

"Later on, I'm not hungry yet" said Soraya lying when her stomach was rumbling.

"The rain has subsided, Mario let's go home" asked Oma Elisabeth.

Mario nodded his head.

Oma took something from inside her bag.

Seeing that Soraya immediately grabbed the thick envelope and rested in front of Oma Elisabeth.

"Madam, forgive us, it looks like we can't take this much money. Not that we are arrogant but we will not be able to return the favor of the Lady for this help later," Soraya said as she carried the envelope to return it to Oma Elisabeth.

"Soraya, take. This is a favor for you, indeed one day you will have to pay me this help. But not with money" Oma Elisabeth said with a smile.

"Miss with what I have to pay, I want to work at the hostess' house. I want to be a maid in the hostess' house, for it has helped us like this" Soraya said excitedly.

"Later I'll tell you, you don't have to be a maid in my house. Just wait for me to come back here again to ask you to pay for what I've done to you guys" Oma said with a smile.

"Thank you madam, once again thank you and I promise to accept whatever the lady asks for in payment for this favor".

Then Oma Elisabeth and Mario went home to Wongso and Soraya's mother.

In the car Mario asked his grandmother.

"Oma, what to charge them. I'm sure they won't be able to pay that kind of money to Oma".

"I will not charge the money, but its ability to fulfill whatever I want" Oma said with a big smile.

"What would Oma ask him?".

"Oma wants to keep her with the girl, the two are suitable to be husband and wife".

(Oma wants to marry you to the girl, you two are fit to be husband and wife)

Mario's eyes were round in shock at what Oma said, he didn't expect that his grandmother would say that.

While at home Soraya and her mother were crying cuddles, both were happy to get the unexpected windfall so as to take her mother to a bone specialist.

A week later Soraya took her mother to church, this time Wongso's mother was able to worship in a wheelchair by her son.

His feet are also wrapped in casts, a sign that has been handled by a bone specialist correctly.

After the service, Soraya encouraged her mother to meet the Maliangkay family who were talking with the church elders.

"Sorry Mrs and Mrs, we would like to thank you for the help of Mrs Maliangkay. My mother has been treated by an expert doctor, once again we are very grateful," Soraya said while bowing her body like a Japanese.

Both of Mario's parents agreed and then invited Wongso's mother and the church elders to speak.

Mario and his sister were there, both of them sitting not far from their parents.

"Bang, swear Bang..white is smooth so, if I really want to. Steady Bang, it must be sexy to undress like this anyway" Jimmy said, staring at Soraya.

"Stupid you, high school kid a lot of whims. So you know, you sure love watching adult movies," said Mario while pinching his sister's head.

"Ah, I'll just see a little on my brother's laptop," said Jimmy who made Mario surprised.

"Your leak is, it's good to see people's laptops. Watch out for you to square Papih and Mamih," said Mario annoyed.

"Please, later you will also be affected, because it stores the film so on the laptop..wew...".

"Well, you can open my laptop again, I'll kick you".

Jimmy just giggled to see his brother, and he knew that his brother was secretly watching the girl named Soraya.

So Jimmy went on a whim and approached Soraya, then said, "Soraya, meet me Jimmy's brother Bang Mario. Said Brother sweet greeting to Brother".

"Hi, nice to know you. Sweet greetings again for you and your brother also well," Soraya said innocently.

Both his parents and Wongso's mother looked at Jimmy who was talking to Soraya.

"Soraya's sister is beautiful, it's nice to have a sister-in-law like a sister," continued Jimmy who certainly made Mario glare at her.

"Ipar.hahaha.joke," said Soraya who was uneasy to hear the word.

"Jimmy..sini," Regina's mother called him and Jimmy told Soraya.

Then Jimmy got a jewel in his ear by his mamihnya.

Mr. Hansen's family church home visited Oma's house, which he said was not feeling well.

There was Robert who was checking the condition of Oma Elisabeth.

Everyone sat around Oma Elisabeth's bed, which was very weak at the time.

"It's a heart symptom again, Oma is thinking about what the hell?"ask Robert to his grandmother.

Oma Elisabeth sighed, then looked at Mario.

"Oma wants Rio to get married, maybe the age of Oma soon, how happy it would be if given the chance to see Rio get married".

All eyes immediately looked at Mario, and of course he became unwell.

"Yes Oma, but Soraya's sister is beautiful. Jimmy also if his age is a little bigger, would want to be the same brother Soraya".

Mario just shut up and said nothing.

"Yes the pretty girl, and Oma asks you to marry her. Stop playing with women's hearts, enough you have to marry Soraya".

"Atau ngana wants to see ngana pe oma become curious hoga because of death before seeing ngana kaweng," continued Oma while staring intently at Mario.

(Or do you want to see Grandma become a curious ghost because she died of curiosity before seeing you get married)

Mario was silent, so were his parents, because seeing Oma's condition was so alarming then Mario said.

"Well, Rio wants to marry Soraya, because Rio believes she is a good woman".

Everyone in the room heaved a sigh of relief, finally there was such a sentence sliding from Mario's lips.

Soraya and her mother were shocked when Oma Elisabeth, along with the entire family of Hansen Maliangkay, came to their home.

And even more surprised when Oma said to collect his promise to Soraya to pay for what had been given by Oma.

"Not that I ask for money back, but I ask for your ability to fulfill my request" Oma Elisabeth told Soraya.

"Okay, my mistress is ready".

"Don't call me madam, call me Oma".

"Well Oma, what Oma wants from me then I'm ready to do it".

"Married to my grandson Mario".

Soraya's eyes widened, her hands and feet trembling.

"But I'm sorry Oma, isn't it for a marriage that there must be love. I may be a woman, but men can't. Pity young master Mario if you have to impose feelings on me," Soraya said while feeling confused by this request.

Here the surprised Mario, from earlier he thought that poor women like Soraya would be happy when he heard that they would be betrothed to him.

But this other woman, she wanted to refuse even with a very wise sentence.

"What do you think of Mario?" ask Oma Elisabeth again.

"Sorry Oma, a man would definitely be happier living with a woman of his heart's choice. It would be a pity for young master Mario to marry me and it turns out that I cannot give him happiness".

Mario was amazed to hear what Soraya said.

"Honestly, Soraya, do you have a boyfriend?"

ask Regina's mother while looking at Soraya's face.

"Sorry Mrs Regina, I don't have a boyfriend yet. It's just that yesterday we got help from Oma so that my mother can go to an expert doctor who we previously could not afford to pay for the medical expenses".

"I promised Oma, if I suppose I have to be a maid in the house of the Maliangkay family also I am willing".

"But when I was asked to be part of the Maliangkay family, it was certainly very excessive for me. I'm sorry I didn't deserve this offer. I don't want young master Mario to suffer if he marries me".

Mario sat down while folding his hands over his chest, then smiled to himself while looking at everyone in the room.

Robert as the eldest brother felt sure Mario would be happy with Soraya's rejection, because in his eyes a woman as good as Soraya was not his sister's taste.

Mario held his chin with his left hand as if thinking something, while the atmosphere of the room was silent no one spoke.

Then Mario looked at Soraya and said, "If I asked you to be my wife how?".

Soraya was surprised, then looked at Mario as her eyes rounded a sign of disbelief.

What is certain is that three months since the incident, precisely on January eleven of the year two thousand and one is a happy day.

Mario and Soraya's wedding day, wedding blessings and receptions are held at their church.

And that day also Soraya's friend Nania whispered something to him.

"Raya, I'm pregnant".

Nania was a friend of Soraya since school, both have long since estimated to Joseph, his son Reverend Lukas Pontoh.

But apparently Joseph Piloh prefers Nania, and currently Yosep is in the process of becoming a priest to replace his elderly father and must retire.

Both friends embrace, Nania is happy because Soraya finally got the best mate, and Soraya is also happy because Nania finally got pregnant after two years of marriage.

Their story will continue later in the next chapter.