My Mom Wants to Mate
7. Hi World, I Can Find a Mate

Tora returned to the room sooner than Karen had expected. Not yet had he returned the Microhard Word window, the man was already beside him.

Both looking at the photos of the two of them on the computer made both of them misbehave. Tora was silent with awkward behavior. His hands were busy holding his nape in embarrassment. The young man's face was as crimson as Karen's.

"Sorry, I just wanted to ehm .. browsing." Karen gave her a chain alibi.

"It's okay, Ren."

They immediately exchanged positions. Karen moved up and gave her seat to Tora. The computer wallpaper was still plastered in front of them.

"I'm sorry, Ren, I'm posting this photo. If you don't like it, I'll change."

"Don't, let it be! I like it."

They smile at each other in shame. Karen was silent as if waiting for Tora to speak. But the man busied himself with the revision of his script.

If you're interested, why don't you say love anyway? Hello, Mom, am I invisible? Or, should I first say it? All my years, I've never said love first. Is it time to change history? (Karen).

Karen closed her eyes and gathered all the courage she had. Why hesitate? Did Tora like him too? He breathed many times.

"Torra." Karen started slowly.

The owner of the name looked. "Yes ... Why, Ren?"

"I ... um.. I su-" Karen's throat choked. "I'm su-"

"Why you?"

Just saying "i like you" is hard. Come on Ren, let's just imagine you're having a casual conversation. I like you, I like you. Done, right? (Karen).

Many times Karen practiced in the heart. But the tongue never uttered sweet words. He tried to repeat again because he saw Tora who was waiting for his sentence.

"Tora, I'm su- um .. I'm su-" Still Karen can't say.

Tora began to impatiently look at the stuttering Karen.

"Ehm, Tora .. I'm su-"

"You su-? What, Ren?"

"I-I-I-I want to go home." Finally, Karen's mouth was not strong chanting that declaration of love. "I'm going back to the office."

"Oh, kirain what. Go home and say stammer."

"Hehehem, maybe the gurgling hasn't eaten yet," said Karen accompanied by an awkward laugh.

"Not eaten? Let's eat yuk!"

They also went out for lunch.

~

Upon her return from the cost of Tora, Karen continued to curse herself. He did not think on his cowardly tongue.

But come to think of it, is this how it used to be? Pity also he again wants a thesis trial, later so burden him if I talk now. (Karen).

The afternoon after work, Karen went home. The phone rings, Tora calls.

📞"Hello, Ren. I want to tell you something."

📞"A-what, Tor?" Karen's heart is racing. Will Tora express love over the phone?

📞"So after we ate, I went to college. My script has been acc. I'm in court next month on the 1st."

📞"Wah, congratulations Tor, I'm so happy." Though Karen actually prefers to hear Tora declare her love.

📞"You can come, right?"

📞"Yes, I'm definitely coming."

Today is the 29th. The 1st of next month is just a few days away. He marked his calendar with a red marker and glared at another red circle in the same month.

Oh, my God, Sunday the 7th, MILA WEDDING! (Karen).

Karen is confused. Is it possible to bring Tora in this floating state of status? Later he introduced Tora to the family as what? If the brother asked the man to marry him immediately, he would be scared.

Karen called Tora again.

📞"Why Ren? Who's kangen?"

Hearing that sentence, Karen flew even higher.

The kangen? He just said I miss you, right? (Karen).

📞"Ren, hello, why? What's up?" Tora could not wait for her interlocutor to be silent on the phone.

📞"Oh, sorry. Gini, Sunday taggal 7 you have no event? Brother's wedding. If you have time, you want me?"

📞"Sunday 7th huh?" Tora sounded like she was weighing. "Yes, could. I'll get you."

They ended the phone call.

He wanted to be invited to my brother's wedding, meaning he wasn't afraid to meet my brothers. A good sign? (Karen).

Karen breathed a sigh of relief. His relationship with Tora will be used to prove many things to people who have been doubting him. The evidence that he is able to find a partner will be dedicated to Mila. While the age difference between Tora with him will he use to prove to Kendrik that love is not age-independent.

Karen smiled satisfied with her life's destiny and gave thanks many times.

Hahahah, while diving, drinking water. (Karen).

***

The 1st of the next month

Karen is well dressed. Not forgetting, she had bought flowers to give to Tora. He arrived in the courtroom and filled out the attendance list. Outsiders are allowed to witness the thesis. Tora's roommates were there, too.

He recognized one of them, Robie. Although they have not yet met, but they have seen each other's photos so that Karen feel they already know Robie.

"Hi, Robie," said Karen.

"Hi too, Karen," replied Robie, kindly. "Nervous?"

"No, I'm not the court." Karen lied, actually she was very nervous about worrying about Tora. "I'm not worried either, afraid he can't answer questions from the examiner's lecturer."

The thesis trial went well. Although Tora had trouble answering a few questions, she finally found the answers as well. Tora graduated with a good predicate.

Tora taking pictures with her roommates and colleagues. Then take a picture with Karen in front of the courtroom with a bouquet of flowers that Karen brought. Happiness enveloped Karen's heart. One of Tora's burdens is gone, Karen wishes the man could focus more on her.

~

In the afternoon at 3 o'clock, Tora asked for company to check in at the Happy Family hospital.

"Do you check what? What are you sick with?"

"Not sick, just ask for a healthy certificate. There's a recruitment drive at an international company next month."

"No, the arts used to be the same?"

"That could be followed by malem."

Karen is getting happier because Tora will soon have a job. Whether accepted or not at the big company, but Karen sees Tora's enormous work ethic.

***

Sunday the 7th

Karen had told Mama Puri that she was going to Mila's wedding with someone.

📞"Hello, Karen, meet the Mama first the man you want to invite!"

📞"No need, Ma, later in the location of the wedding just acquaintance. All of you."

Her mother reluctantly agrees to get acquainted at Mila's wedding site. He wanted to meet Tora.

Karen and Tora go to Mila's wedding. The man who had just graduated from college was wearing a black suit and looked very handsome. Karen wore a very calm sea blue dress to impress her elegantly.

They went into the party room. All who looked on would be envious to see Karen and Tora who looked incompatible.

To be continued...

Jogja, April 8th 2021

***