Cah Ayu
Their Weddings

Lieve rushed into the car.

He sits in the steering position.

"I'm the one driving. My stomach is full, I have to do something. If you sit still, I could throw up!" brightest.

Edgar nodded and smiled.

"Just like before" he said.

Lieve smiled mischievously, "Need to stop by the clothes shop?"

"Ah. You still remember what he looked like" said Edgar pinching his wife's nose.

They went back on their journey. Passing the streets that evoke memories.

There is a sense of haru at once bitter.

Haru because in the end their love is united, bitter because a lot has happened and sacrificed a few years ago.

Two years ago, the two men prepared their simple wedding. Do not invite neighbors, extended family, or colleagues. Only parents and siblings.

Compared to their marriage, the management of documents is even more complicated.

For the wife who is Indonesian citizen, she must prepare a photocopy of a resident certificate, family card, birth certificate, fill in N1 and N3 documents, respectively, pass photos of blue background with all kinds of sizes - 6 sheets each.

For Edgar himself, he only needed two requirements, namely, a religious certificate and a certificate allowed to marry or a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry. Do not miss the photo pass with a blue background.

Taking care of the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry is a fairly complicated stage. There are several documents that must be legalized, such as single letters, domiciles, and birth certificates.

The documents were translated into English and legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta.

If so, all requirements are sent to the Netherlands and wait a few weeks.

Once all is ready, all documents are put together and can immediately register a marriage in KUA.

The marriage was both held in Indonesia. Located in the bride's residence. A sacred event attended by fewer than ten people.

Every woman must crave a wedding like a fairyland.

Perfect location, full of fresh fragrant flowers. The crystal hanging lights dangled sparkly. Five-level cake made by the famous Patissier. Soft music from a local band. Lastly, the bride's wedding dress is specially designed for her because she is the queen of the night.

However, their marriage at that time was far from all manifestations of the imagination of women in general.

Edgar had a neat white shirt, while his wife wore a sheath dress paired with sneakers. After a kabul and legal ijab procession as husband and wife, at Lieve's house, the two newlyweds enjoy fast food ordered through an online ojek. So simple.

Although far from being fancy, they were both very happy. The love of Edgar and his wife was not easy. Too complicated, full of drama, and intrigue. In secret.

The union of the two as husband and wife is a gift that is so grateful, so for them, luxury parties are not important.

"Are you happy, Lieve?" asked Edgar to throw out the daydream.

His wife's eyes focused on the street.

"You mean?"

Edgar looked at the woman's face, repeating the question, "Are you happy?"

"Withyou?" Lieve turned around to ask.

"Everything. With me, our lives, our marriages" Edgar explained.

"Why do you suddenly ask that?"

Edgar smelled a smile. His wife is an attractive woman, she will not immediately answer the questions given, but investigate the purpose of the question first.

"I just feel like I never gave you anything. Different from you, who gave me so much. Our marriage is not celebrated. All for the sake of privacy considerations for the scandal of my past" Edgar recalls.

Lieve clucked, "I'm happy, Ed. The life we're living is both wild and incredible!" chortled.

In his heart, he still felt guilty.

"After marriage, we also have to find a house far from your settlement first. I'm really sorry," Edgar continued.

"Baby! What's the matter? We're on vacation, why are you even a sorry session, anyway? Lebaran is long!"

Edgar turned to the side and stroked his wife's cheek.

"You're too good, Lieverd. Thank you," he said.

"Thank you it's not enough. Arriving at the beach, you'll have to spoil me. You know what I mean, you know?" he rolled his eyes.

...***...

It's a lie that Edgar's wife doesn't have a dream wedding.

She wanted a white dress with a long tail dangling. Bouquets of flowers strung from white roses and soft-pink, hand-tied type, equipped with small flowers, such as baby's breath, or leaf plants, such as eucalyptus.

For the theme of marriage, Edgar's wife envisioned a rustic marriage. The event was held outdoor, wood elements will dominate, sweetened with a touch of nature, for example, reeds, various kinds of flowers, or roots of synthetic trees.

Small lights and lanterns hang in the corner of the venue to give a warm impression. Not to forget, lace or ribbon knots are pinned behind the seats for guests. What a sweet atmosphere.

He did not want to sit quietly shaking hands with guests at the pelaminan, but mingle¹ who was free to walk then approached the invited guests.

The atmosphere is more relaxed and not bound by tradition or customs.

Then the last, 'first dance' as a husband and wife couple is also on Lieve's agenda. He and Edgar did not have any special songs. However, the woman was obsessed with the old El Mondo song sung by Jimmi Fontana after watching the movie About Time. He imagined dancing with Edgar accompanied by the song. Must be romantic and cool, her inner.

But that's how life is.

Sometimes dreams don't match reality. Lieve could only put the wedding of her dreams on hold in wishful thinking. Not daring to tell his imagination to Edgar, worried that his husband was feeling guilty or thinking about it until a headache.

Their marriage has passed.

It can't be repeated.

For him now is how to maintain their household until death separates. Always be happy without feeling overwhelmed by each other. Forever.

"Do we have to find an inn?" ask Edgar.

"You think?"

"I think we should stay a day here. How, you want to?" bargain Edgar.

"Could only. I'm still on holiday tomorrow."

"Where do you want to stay? Right here or in the city?" ask Edgar again.

"Whatever. Just don't stay where we used to be" said Lieve.

Edgar was stunned, old memories twinkled.

"Why? You don't like our old togetherness?"

"I love our company, Ed. In fact, that's where our first kiss was. Yeah, right?" Lieve smiled shyly, "but, there's also where we parted."

Edgar smiled bitterly.

"You're right. We need to find a new place. Making new memories beautiful, so that bad memories in the past can be replaced with good memories," he said.

The wife nodded.

He then observed the street in front of him, "A little while to come" he explained.

--

¹ mingle : wedding mingle concept is bride mingle with the invitees. Approaching guests and not just sitting quietly in the room.