ENDLESS HALLWAY
CHAPTER 23: THE BETROTHAL OF ZAHRA

Cindy lay down her tired body next to the bodies of her two children, who in a short time had slept.

Ah, how tired her body was not yet last night she had to stay up late waiting for her husband's body in the hospital. Tightness and pain felt hitting his mind.

Indeed, she did not expect until here finally the story of love and life with Rangga, her husband.

Cindy slowly closed her eyes to meet her unbearable sleepiness. Not long after, he fell asleep with a dream of his past.

Cindy never forgot the first beginning of her departure from Lampung to Jakarta at that time. It still crossed his head how he hated his father's colossal attitude after living a life for five years in the cell and when he returned to his father's house who wanted to match his sister Zahra with Mr. Ruslan, rich men in his village. There was a commotion between Cindy and Hendry's father because frankly Cindy did not agree with his father's wishes.

"Just Cindy disagrees, Dad! If Zahra's father was a match with Mr. Ruslan" he said at that time when his father expressed his opinion would match and marry his sister with a lawyer who had more wives than that.

"Don't agree how, Cindy?" The father looked at him inside. "You know. I've already accepted Juragan Ruslan's proposal for your sister. Don't be embarrassed by your influence on Zahra, he can finally reject this father's plan, son." Hendry was upset.

"Dad!" pekik. "Why don't you compromise that first on Cindy? Why do you just accept that proposal?"

"Cindy," her mother interceded. "Sir Ruslan was so forced to marry your sister. So without any more grace, he immediately decided to propose and marry Zahra, son..."

"ancient mind! Colot!" quickly serge. "Do you think happiness can be bought with treasure? Do you think with treasure we can live happily and love each other?"

"Love can grow later, Cindy! So also with your brother Zahra slow or fast surely he can love Mr. Ruslan," his father who had been silent since then now opened his voice. "Look at us. Your mom and dad, son. In the past, when we were married there was also no love in each other's hearts. However, time is that

bring love slowly."

"Cindy understands that, Dad," she argued. But, do you not see and feel that Dad and Mom have never been married when they were betrothed first? Don't you feel how Dad and Mom were still teenagers when they got married? So, what about Zahra?"

Both of his parents just took a breath to hear the words thrown by his son. Indeed, what Cindy said is not contradictory and true. They were still young when they were married. Maybe that's why they can build and weave the rope of love until now. But what about Zahra? The no-younger Ruslan had even three wives.

Is it the situation of those who are poor and to make a living on a daily basis that is difficult, which has inspired their minds by taking the proposal of the master without considering it first?

Now, the two parents are silent a thousand languages with a mind of fear. How best? What path to take?

***

All the conversations and thoughts about the match between Zahra and Juragan Ruslan were heard clearly by Zahra from behind the walls of his room and it had indeed stopped in Zahra's head, what she heard from both her parents as well as her sister Cindy. But more dominating Zahra's feelings, how does Fadly feel? Is she angry that her lover will be married to another man? Wouldn't he be offended, knowing his heart's adoration would be betrothed to an old man who had abundant possessions?

Various feelings raged in Zahra's heart. He was really confused, should he tell Fadly about it or just hide it?

Zahra finally decided to tell Fadly everything. Instead of the news coming from another mouth that is not necessarily all true, it is better that He put it first. Anyway, sooner or later Fadly will find out, too.

That night secretly and lying to his parents and saying that he would visit his good friend Febrina's house, Zahra went to meet Fadly where they used to meet.

"What's bad news, Ra? About the coach?" ask Fadly slowly.

"Yes, Dly." Zahra nodded her head.

"My parents told me last night that they had accepted the old man's proposal..."

"Huh?! So..," Fadly gasped. Zahra looked deeply.

"I regret this decision, Dly unbeknownst to me, they just accepted the proposal.

For a moment they were silent, busy with their own thoughts. Not that Fadly did not know that Juragan Ruslan was indeed eyeing Zahra and was so eager to make the girl his wife. In their village, Juragan Ruslan was famous as a rich man. The saw is hectares, the garden is wide, even the house he lived in was so luxurious and bright. Not only was his first wife's house built so magnificent and beautiful, the second and third wife's house was no less good. With his three wives, Juragan Ruslan had six children.

In silence Fadly could only sigh. Squeeze his head with a troubled mind. What is missing from Juragan Ruslan? Treasures abound, wives of more than one and children of nearly a dozen, was that not enough to satisfy him? Now, the old man who was forty years old was secretly editing his beloved heart.

What's he supposed to do? Should he defend Zahra, the girl he loved so much, or let Zahra, just fall into the arms of the man who deserved to be his uncle?

Fadly swallowed his bitter saliva. Can he keep his heart lover? Can he compete with Juragan Ruslan in fighting over the beautiful girl?

"Dly...," Zahra's gentle call reawakened the man from his branch.

Immediately Fadly corrected his seat and looked at the face of the girl before him deeply.

"What should we do, Dly? Really, I don't want to be married to a married man" Zahra said in a trembling voice.

Back Fadly was stunned to hear the words Zahra made. Well, what's he supposed to do? Defend the girl or...

"Fadly..," Zahra sighed again.near to be heard. "What should we do dong? Help me... I. I don't want to be separated from you, Dly."

"Never me, Ra," Fadly immediately grabbed the girl by the shoulder and carried her into his arms. "But I'm confused, what should I do about this case"

"You must have a stand, Dly," Zahra quickly replied.

"Well," Fadly nodded weakly. "But how can I compete with Juragan Ruslan? You know, my family's just a poor family that's nothing compared to that guy. Wherever possible

your parents want to accept me?"

Back they were silent. Zahra knew what Fadly said had a point. Cow's family is indeed a poor family, but maybe both parents who crave it live well enough to accept himself as a daughter-in-law?

Both are swept away with their own minds. Zahra tried to think deeply to find a way out.