Love Zena
Zaka refused to get engaged

Zena's departure made both her parents sad. Zena is their only child. They always lie to their prospective employers that Zena is busy in college and not ready to get engaged.

Sometimes thoughts arise to cancel Zena's engagement plan, but they still hope Zena will come back and accept this engagement. As Zena promised Zaedan, that she would accept this match-making after her affairs were finished. But when should they wait?

***

Zaka was still thinking about Zena's condition last night. Maybe he won't be at work today. But unexpectedly, Zena came on time with a face that still looks bruised.

Of course, that made Zaka anxious. He approached Zena who was busy with her work.

" Zena, you should rest at home for a few days. You don't need permission, I'll give you permission" Zaka said.

" I'm fine Mr. Zaka. Just bruising, no need to rest" Zena said, revealing a bruise on her cheek.

" Let me see" said Zaka.

Zaka brought his face closer to Zena's face to get a closer look at Zena's bruised face from Samuel's punch last night.

Zaka was fascinated with a beautiful face that was so very close to his face. Not only did Zena's cheeks still look bruised, her eyes moved to her pointed nose, her thin lips polished with a thin lipstick anyway but it looked sexy.

Zaka's eyes ended up in Zena's rather wide and sharp eyes. Those eyes looked so deep as if they were harboring a million hidden secrets. Zaka's face was flushed and his heart was beating fast.

Zena returned Zaka's eyes. He didn't want to look weak and bully easily. Zena hears Zaka's heartbeat faster than usual and the blushing face makes Zena sure Zaka is starting to like her.

" How about Mr. Zaka, isn't this okay?" zena asked, awakening Zaka from his admiration.

" Good, work. If it hurts, don't force it. You take it easy," replied Zaka.

" Good Mr. Zaka," said Zena.

Zaka stepped away leaving Zena who was smiling because she felt she had managed to make Zaka pay attention to her.

Without them noticing, Sinta looked at the incident with a feeling of annoyance and anger. Sinta clenched her hands while holding back her anger. Maybe if Zena sees Sinta who is upset Zena must be very happy.

***

Zaka's parents came from abroad. They settled in Singapore since Zaka High School until now. During this time Zaka lived with his grandmother who since 2 years ago died.

Zaka's parents came home to discuss the matter of his engagement to the son of a businessman. Zaka was suddenly confused by his heart.

He used to say yes when his father asked him to be willing to be betrothed to the businessman's son. Besides because Zaka does not have a lover as well because there is no woman who can make him fall in love. So it is better to accept the woman of choice of father and mother.

But after Zaka got to know Zena, Zaka just felt in love and the fear of loss.

That day, Zaka's father and mother invite Zaka to talk seriously with Zaka about his engagement plans.

" Zaka, father and mother return to Indonesia to continue your engagement plan. I hope you are ready as you promised at that time" said the father calmly.

" Father, Zaka did not want to break his promise, but at that time Zaka was willing to accept because Zaka had not found someone who could make Zaka fall in love," Zaka said trying as smoothly as possible in saying.

" What do you mean?!" asked his father a little worried.

" Tell Zaka the truth, I don't understand what you're saying either" said her mother.

" Father, Zaka can't continue with this engagement plan, because Zaka already has his own choice" Zaka said.

" Zaka, does that mean you already have a lover?!" ask the mother.

" Right," Zaka replied briefly.

" If you knew it would be like this, you wouldn't have taken the time to come" said the father, upset and angry at Zaka.

" Dad, stop. Zaka is an adult, he has his own decisions. Dad don't be angry, remember your high blood disease," said his mother muffled his father's anger.

" Well, take the woman to see us. Don't make us think you're just pretending. We won't let you fool your father and mother" said his father.

" Is she Sinta, who she said was your friend from college?" ask mother.

" Not Sinta ma'am, but another woman" Zaka replied.

" Sinta is not. Then which other women do you know that mom and dad don't know?" ask her mother again.

" Good dad, mom. I'll take him to see mom and dad soon" Zaka said.

In his heart Zaka thought hard to realize the wishes of his father and mother carrying Zaka's lover. Zaka does not have a lover yet. How and who will he bring?

Zaka remembered Zena. Maybe this is a chance to get her close to Zena while asking for her help.

***

That day, Maya suddenly came to the house of Barti's grandmother with a bag containing a change of clothes. His face looked sorrowful and his eyes were careless from crying.

" Maya, what's wrong? Why did you bring the bag to Grandma's house, did you run away from home?" ask Zena.

Maya just sat down lethargic while hugging the bag she carried.

" Ma, don't you consider me a brother? You can trust me" Zena said, trying to convince Maya.

" I'm ashamed of you, Zena. When you are in trouble, I cannot help you. You know I'm just a little clerk, can't do anything for you" Maya said sadly.

" Maya, it's all over and I know your hardship. What are you having trouble now? Who knows if I can help you" said Zena.

" My parents wanted to match me to a man of their choice, and I didn't love him. I love others that I haven't been able to get to, yet" Maya said with tears in her eyes.

Zena remembered her story that was almost the same as that of Maya.

" Ma, I'll try to help you. Who is the man you love?" ask Zena.

" He's a minimarket keeper near our workplace. I've known him for almost 3 years, but our relationship is just a friend. He never showed me that he had any taste. Cook me who should shoot first?" ask Maya.

" Maya, it's now the age of female emancipation, so there's no harm in women declaring love first. Not for our own happiness, either" said Zena encouragingly.

" What if you get rejected?!" ask Maya.

" Well, this is called risk. What matters is that we tried. If rejected, consider it not a match. But surely your heart will be relieved because it can express your heart to him" said Zena.

" Maybe I should try, hopefully I can" Maya said.

" You need to be confident and mentally prepared for the worst. If successful, you can be with your loved ones while having a reason to reject your matchmaking. Surely your parents won't force you anymore" Zena said.