Childhood Match
Worry and Doubt

"Tok... tok..."

There was the sound of the bedroom door on tap, and then a voice called out the name of Gendhis who was tidying up his wardrobe.

"Have you slept, Nduk? Can you come in?" ask Ms. Sari from behind the door.

"No, ma'am, just go in, the door is not locked" replied Gendhis.

The middle-aged woman opened the door and walked over to Gendhis bed and sat there. He seemed a little anxious, how to begin his conversation with Gendhis.

"What's up, Mom? Is there anything important?" gendhis asked to look at his mother who looked nervous.

Finally, by gathering all the courage, Ms. Sari tried to speak from heart to heart with her only daughter.

"Look, Nduk. was the same father Mother has said. about..." Ms. Sari was still a little hesitant, afraid of offending Gendhis.

"What's the matter, Mom?" gendhis asked, beginning to be curious.

"On... Riko's son?" ahirnya Bu Sari mentioned that name.

"Mas Riko? What happened to Mas Riko?" Gendhis felt that something had gone wrong since Riko's arrival, and it seemed that the puzzle would be answered soon.

"Look... actually, said the father, the arrival of Nak Riko here is. asking permission to propose you" said Bu Sari with a thumping chest. He understood very well, since the failure of Gendhis relationship with Lintang, never once did they talk about other men. Although not a few from the village next door that since the news spread of the cancellation of the marriage of Gendhis made them want to make Gendhis son-in-law. Even not infrequently they met directly Bu Sari or Mr. Ratno, only they still keep it secret from Gendhis. They felt that Gendhis was not ready to accept anyone other than Latitude.

But when he saw Riko, especially the man was already very familiar with Gendhis and vice versa, making Mr. Ratno and Bu Sari ventured to persuade Gendhis. They wanted Gendhis to immediately get the happiness he deserved and remove the name Lintang from his heart.

"Applying???" Gendhis was surprised not to play.

"Yes, apply." replied Ms. Sari.

"Certainly, what did you say to me?" Gendhis was curious about the slightly reddened hue of the cheeks because of the emotions with the man who always acted rashly without telling him first. Ahirnya answered already the question of Gendhis that appeared since the arrival of Riko, and it turned out to be true.

"Mother and Mother.Yaa.we just said that everything is in your hands! We used to make one mistake by setting you up with Lintang without even asking that first, but now we want to correct our mistake. Gende... I understand, it is not easy to remove old wounds, but.do not you should try to open your heart to Nak Riko." persuaded Bu Sari.

Gendhis was stunned to hear his mother's words. He then put the clothes he was folding on his lap while sitting next to Bu Sari.

"Gendhis can't be Ma'am...! answer's short.

"But why, Nduk...? Riko's son is a good man, and he's serious about asking for you. Otherwise, where might have met your father for the first time, he would have proposed to you." continued Ms. Sari.

"Mas Riko is like that, Mom...! Don't be swayed by Mas Riko's attitude." Gendhis tried to explain.

"We are not affected, and you do not misunderstand Nduk. if indeed you can not accept him yes do not be forced. All parents want to see their children happy. We just want you to be able to escape the shackles of your past, Nduk." said Bu Sari trying to explain.

Genphis was still down.

"If you're not ready right now, you're not forcing, but trying to open your heart to someone else who you feel is right, it doesn't hurt either. All right. Now you just rest. If you're ready to talk about this, don't hesitate to tell mom" said Ms. Sari as her right finger held her daughter's chin which looked down due to the anxiety in her heart.

Ms. Sari then walked out and closed the door to Gendhis's room. While in his room, Gendhis was still sitting dumbstruck.

"Huuuffft..." Genphis took a deep breath.

"What more trials have you put down for me, Robb... How in one week do I have to answer two applications at once? Yesterday Mr. Gala and that alone was enough to make me upset not knowing what to decide, then now. Worse yet...he didn't ask me at all? Uuuhh.. the basic of the child has never changed, from the very first time to add to the burden of my problems.." said Gendhis among worried also furious. Soon Gendhis took his phone and called Riko's name through his Whatsapp call.

👇Riko

"Assalamu'alaikum's chat... Hayy... Dis... What's up?"

👇Gendhis

"Waalaikum... Mas Riko's...! I don't want to talk at length anymore. Now also Mas Riko explain, why Mom said that Mas Riko had proposed to me. Is that true? Mas Riko could not, any want to do something permission first, let alone related to me? Mas Riko promised, won't make me angry, but now?"

Riko thought this would happen. He smiled, imagining, at this time Gendhis must be very beautiful when again angry, talking without spaces without dots, without commas. Let's try if they're officially married. When he found out that Gendhis was angry like this, without a second thought Riko would immediately embrace his body and gently cover the sweet mouth of Gendhis with her fingers, so that the anger would instantly disappear. But unfortunately it is only Riko's wish at this time 🤭.

👇Riko

"Gendhis... if you ask one-on-one dong.. how do you want to answer if in an instant, your question is so much?"

👇Gendhis

"Udah. deh, Mas Riko don't be convoluted. Just answer me!"

👇Riko

"Well..if you make it, I'll answer now?"

👇Gendhis

"Yes..hunt! Answer that for a long time!"

👇Riko

"Okeyy... Gendhis... Would you marry me?"

👇Gendhis

"I asked Mas Riko for an answer instead of asking yes!"

👇Riko

"That's the answer to all your questions, Gendhis. Will you marry me? I am serious and not kidding. I did ask your father for permission, if you want, I'll go to your house with my parents."

👇Gendhis

"I can't!"

👇Riko

"Why? Is it because there is someone else in your heart? If the ales are just because you haven't moved on from your past, that excuse doesn't apply to me, Dis. Just so you know, until whenever I will continue waiting until your heart is open to me, until you can completely forget the traitor. But if your reason is because in your heart there is someone else, God willing."

What should Gendish do? Will he speak honestly that there are other men who are also waiting for a proposal from him? Or, he will hang two men who love him so much. Gendhis felt that it was not good to give false hope to others. But until this moment, honestly.... in the heart of Gendhis.. have not been able to choose whether to accept the proposal from Riko then ignore Gala, or vice versa? Or even... stay comfortable in his solitude? It is still an unsolved mystery.

*****