Lu[C]Ka Love
2. REJECTING MATCHMAKING

"What does Mom mean?" I asked Mom with trembling lips.

Mom held both my hands.

"Sir, you were asked by Mr. Jansen to be his son-in-law's grandson."

I took off Mom's hand.

"Why should I? I'm only 17, Mom. Can you let me get married at such a young age?"

"That bill, Deck Inah. Si Nduk Cinta has just graduated from High School, the time immediately wants to be married. Like the old people, graduated from school straight to marriage. But, by the way, Mr Jansen-Jansen who is that? Do you know him? Why would he hand over his only daughter to her?" the Timpal Bude Sri.

Mother sighed. We all kept waiting for my answer.

"Mbak Sri .. do you remember? Fourteen years ago, when the construction of luxury housing behind our home complex. Mr. Jansen was the owner of the company that used to build luxury housing. He owns JB Group. In the past, Mr. Jansen was friendly with my late father-in-law, his grandfather Cinta. According to Mr. Teddy who came here earlier, they both promised to match their grandchildren when they grew up. That is precisely when Love has reached the age of 17 years. So now Mr. Jansen will keep the promise they made 14 years ago." explained Mother at length.

"Mother! What kind of shit is this?" I'm getting angry.

"Love... You know who your husband is. When you were little, you always played together. Mr. Jansen always brings his granddaughter with him when reviewing the housing development project there." continued Mother.

I'm starting to shut up now. Did I really know the man I was going to be betrothed to?

"Hmm, what can you answer to his assistant Mr Jansen? Did you accept the match?" bude Sri asked.

"Yes, Mother. I accepted. What can I do. Father-in-law and Mr. Jansen actually made the letter of agreement. There's even a picture of the two of them in the letter."

"Didn't Teteh think of Neng Love's feelings? Why did Tea Haha agree to it? Should ask first or to Neng Cinta, would not be betrothed to his grandson Pak Jansen?" Imbuh Rina Tea.

Mom's staring. Back to her both hands.

"Mother... To carry out the will of a deceased person, it is an obligation to the living. Moreover, Mr. Jansen's family was a distinguished family. You must be very lucky to be part of that family. Honestly, I was sad to hear all this. But, after I thought, it was the right decision to accept your matchmaking."

"No! Love won't, Mom!" I stood looking at Mother who was sitting in a row asking me to obey my grandfather's wishes.

"Love doesn't want to be matched! If you want, you'll marry your grandson, Mr. Jansen!" my annoyance.

And I stepped out of the living room and into my room. I slammed the door hard, then locked it from the inside. I'm upset.

Today is a happy day for me. But it instantly turned into the most dreadful day. Why would you do this to me?

I slammed my body into the bed. And I put my face in the pillow. I was crying there. I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed in my mom.

...***...

I haven't talked to Mom in a few days. I'm still pissed at him. Although Bude Sri, Bulik Tati and Teh Rina always calmed me down and asked me to talk nicely with Mom, I still couldn't do it. It feels heavy. I don't understand Mom's mind.

Until finally, Mr. Teddy came back home. And I met him.

"How are you Miss Love? It was nice to meet Miss in person. Miss has grown up now." said Mr. Teddy to me.

Okay fine! Mr. Teddy is a good person, and friendly. He always smiles when he talks to me. I can't ignore it. He was too friendly and polite. How could I be so mean to him?

"Do you know me?" tanyaku plain.

"of course. I've known Miss since she was a child" she replied with a smile.

"Wait a minute! Don't call me Miss. Sounds weird in my ear. Call it Love." I said.

"I used to call Miss Miss. Maybe Miss forgot because it was so small."

"I'm not here to see Inah's mother. But to see Miss."

"Eh?" I'm dumbfounded.

"Let's come with me Miss. I'll take Miss somewhere," take Mr. Teddy.

"Eh, wait a minute! I have to get Mom's permission first" I'm quick. I can't go with him without my mother's permission.

"Just calm. I've asked Mother Inah for permission, and she's agreed to it."

"Huh?" And once again I was dumbfounded.

I don't know why Mr. Teddy's warm attitude makes me feel comfortable. I agreed to go with him. I still don't know where he's going. I dare not ask.

When we finally arrived at a place, Mr. Teddy asked me to come down.

"Please come down, Miss! It's over."

"It's not...?" I scrunched my forehead. We arrived at the largest shopping mall in the city. For the third time, I was shocked.

...***...

I looked at all my groceries that filled the room. There is a perplexity. Why would I want to do this? Am I ready to be betrothed to Mr. Jansen's grandson? I still don't know the answer.

"Sir...." Mom entered my room.

"There are so many things you buy. Don't you love the money?"

"I don't know, Mom. Mr. Teddy said he was given a list by Mr. Jansen's wife and had to buy all the items on that list. I didn't expect this much."

"So ... did you accept this match?"

"Mother! That's not it!" Feelings of regret began to creep over me.

"You've received all these things, of course you have to accept their proposal" said Mother.

"Mother, we can return it if we refuse. Aye right?" lightly spoken.

"It's not that easy, Nduk. They will definitely make this matter so long if you suddenly return all of these items. Mr. Jansen is a powerful man."

"Mother! I don't want to be betrothed..."

My tears suddenly flowed down my cheeks. "Hiks, I don't want to get married, Mom... Hiks hyks, I want to go to college, hiks hyks."

I hugged my body and cried there.

"Mom knows, Nduk. But how did you get to college? Where's the money, Nduk?"

I tightened my crying voice. I knew that Mom wouldn't be able to pay for my college. Even though I got a scholarship. I don't necessarily agree I'm going to college.

I cried all over her in Mom's arms. I want to let out all my sadness. And again I screamed, I,

"I don't want to be matched!"

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