Italicized Before 24 Hours
ONE STEP AHEAD

Satrio stared at Septian and Nara who had just entered the house. As he was carrying, the man looked calm, but his eyes were glaring sharply at Septian.

Contrary to Septian, he was trembling. Cold sweat began to wash over his body. Not daring to look at papa Nara's eyes because the gaze of those eyes seemed to be able to split her body.

Tiur noticed Nara's appearance. What he is wearing right now is not his shirt. It's not Nara's style at all.

"Sit down." Satrio's word was firm.

Septian nodded then sat down on the sofa seat opposite Satrio. While Nara, the woman was sitting next to her mother. He held his mother's hand while praying in his heart that this matter could be resolved.

"Where are you guys?"

"Da, from my house o'm." Answer the Septian with the body trembling.

"Whose clothes are you wearing Ra? What are you guys doing?"

Nara swallowed her own saliva so nervously. His father was a person who was rarely angry. But it is precisely people who are rarely angry, will be very scary when angry.

"Nara's clothes are wet from the rain of Pah. I, this is Septian's sister's shirt." Nara replied while trembling.

Satrio walked up to Septian. Makes the atmosphere more stressful. "Stand up to you." He clenched both hands.

bugh

"Father." Nara and Tiur shouted together as Satrio punched Septian in the face. Septian who just stood up, immediately fell back to the sofa.

"illness?" Satrio asked with a slanted smile.

"My heart hurts so much more than that." Said Satrio while holding his chest that felt tight. "The daughter I've kept dead since childhood. I love you and I'm proud you've been broken." Continue while pushing Septian chest with his index finger.

Septian could only remain silent. While Nara, she cried because she felt that she had disappointed her father.

"It hasn't healed my heartache because Nara was betrayed by that jerk guy. Now you have added to my heart. Even worse." Press it with a hardened jaw.

"I can still save Nara from the bad luck that befell her 4 months ago. I fought for the annulment of the marriage so that Nara's status was not a widow. But now? Whatever you do to him. Do you think I can help my daughter again? Is this old man still able to save his daughter?" Shouted Satrio with breath up and down.

"I will be responsible. I'm going to marry Nara." Septian.

Satrio smiled absurdly at it.

"Do you think all these problems will end with you marrying Nara?"

"No." Satrio. "That's where it all started. Responsibility is not just about marrying."

"I promise to make Nara happy."

Satrio laughed at hearing that. After Tiur tells her about Nara's pregnancy and who did it, Satrio soon finds out everything about Septian.

"How?"

The throat is like the nearest septian. His tongue feels ugly. Honestly, he was also still in doubt, whether it could make Nara happy. Nara and herself are very different. Maybe another term, different caste. Obviously, if they were to get married, everything would not be as easy as turning the palm of the hand.

"Can't answer?" Syndic Satrio.

"Maybe it hasn't been able to make Nara financially happy. But I promise, I will always look after Nara. Protect him, and be a standby husband. I will finish the thesis soon. After graduation, will find a better job."

"How old are you?"

"23 years."

"Maybe by age, Nara is older than you. But Nara is the youngest child. He's been used to being pampered since childhood. He's not used to living hard."

"Then?"

"I'll try to solidify myself for Nara. I will try to give him a decent living, so that he will not lack one."

"I don't need an appointment, but proof."

"Give me time to prove it."

"When will your family come to propose to Nara?"

Nara who had been crying while looking down, immediately looked up to hear his papa's words.

"When you want. My family is ready whenever I have to propose to Nara."

"Alright, have your family come to propose to Nara tomorrow. I want you to be married next week. Nara's stomach will grow. Time will only add to the problem."

Septian looked at Nara for a moment with a smile. His heart was relieved.

"Well, tomorrow my family will be here to propose to Nara."

"Don't be happy yet." Said Satrio who saw a smile on Septian's face. "I bless you for being forced. And I will also always win your promise that will make Nara happy."

"I know om. I will try not to disappoint Om, Aunt, and Nara for sure." Septian and Nara looked at each other, then both smiled.

...*****...

After both of his parents went inside. Nara delivered Septian to the front when the man was going home.

"It hurts?" Nara touched the slightly bruised septian jaw.

Septian hissing withstanding pain. It didn't hurt much, but because Nara touched it, it hurt again.

"Sorry." Nara realized that her touch actually made her sicker.

"No papa. Luka gini mah cemen. Guys have to hold. I want to be a dad." Kill Septian.

Nara laughed when she heard it.

"Ra, what dowry are you asking for?"

"All you can do."

"Gue is afraid of not being able to give as you expect."

"Gue will accept whatever it is."

Septian scratched his nape. He preferred if Nara asked for a dowry that was clear in number. So if he doesn't exist yet, can immediately work on it. If this is the case, he gets confused himself. Afraid of too little, who would later be mistaken for looking down on Nara.

"What do you want gold?"

"Well, it'll be more expensive if I sell."

Septian immediately laughed. "It's hard to fight a maths scholar. Everything is counted." Ledek.

"That's what school is for. Science should be used. If I have to count, I have to use that advantage."

"You are the same as the lecturer." Canda Septian while chuckling.