Prison of Love
Applause and Surprise

84

The silence of the night always managed to fascinate me. The mood that had been mixed since this afternoon became calmer after waking up and complaining to Him, asking for His blessing. This peace I can only feel after ‘meet’ with Him in a third of the night.

Any feeling that dominates the heart, but when it starts to enter the stage that makes footsteps, eyes, and hands that will always be ‘ bound’ on a relationship called marriage, makes me worried. It's weird, I always wanted this final relationship. Why am I doubting now?

Will I be able to be a good wife? Being a good mother to our children?

Slowly the memory rolled me back to the moment where Hengky came forward to give a welcome word as well as a moment of ribbon scissors as a sign of the official opening of his ninth White Cat Resto branch last afternoon.

It was not his good looks that troubled me tonight, nor the adoring gazes full of admiration towards him, I could not move on to his welcome sentence that afternoon,

“To be honest, this is the first time I have come forward to give a welcome word as Owner and President Director. Previously always represented by my brother who also served as Director. Later, my ideals and my brother, we want White Cat Resto will be able to open wide opportunities for others to open our branches in a franchise way. Thank God some offers have been entered and are being processed by franchise division,”

“I have been waiting for this moment to come into my life. It took me up to five years to be able to establish myself and give a word of welcome to our ninth branch grand opening today,”

“The location of the restaurant and the City we choose, if I can be honest, is the first location that ranks first as my priority. However, because this is the most important, it requires several processes until finally it can be realized,”

“In this City I will put the finish line. Not as the end of our resto development, but for me personally, this city will be the last place for me to go home. This city, in addition to storing various natural beauties, also saved someone very special for my life. A woman, whose name is even just called, made me unable to stop the smile on my lips,”

Hengky was silent for a moment. He lowered his head for a while then raised his head, focusing his eyes on the guests at the second VIP table, “Sorry to Mr. Regent, please, Regent Mother who has taken the time to be present at our Grand Opening Resto, VIP guests whom I respect, I ask permission, to directly apply for a woman who will be my life travel companion in the future.”

I suddenly turned pale.

Wh-what? Apply? Apply who?

Being happy, surprised and embarrassed made me feel wrong. Father and Mother Regent who immediately gave the gesture agreed and also the boisterous sound and clapping of the guests made me more pale.

My eye motion followed the direction of Hengky's eyes that focused his gaze in the other direction, he nodded politely then smiled, “Change..

Huh huh? Abah's?

On the middle side of the venue walking towards the stage, Abah stood there. Suddenly I turned to Hengky, asking him through the eyes,

What the hell is going on? What's the matter?

Hengky smiled sweetly at me. He got off the stage, walked confidently towards Abah, then stopped right in front of him,

“That, may I ask for the blessing of Abah, officially, to propose to Abah's only daughter, Naya Khairunnisa as a partner of joy and sorrow for the rest of my life.”

A man in a black suit ran towards Abah and handed her a microphone.

Abah cleared his throat slowly, he turned to me and smiled, “You got my permission, Nak.”

God, this is crazy! Hengky is proposing to me now? In front of a lot of people??

As I focused my gaze towards the invited guests, I only realized, I had missed many answers from my question earlier. Look, Uwak, Uncle Kasim, and some of the other brothers at the two tables behind me were smiling widely while waving their hands.

Gosh... Why didn't I realize that from earlier?

I shouldn't have worn this dress!

A beautiful, straight-haired woman walked up to me, smiled gently and raised her hand, led me out of the table and walked forward,

I seem to remember, this woman...

“Naya Khairunnisa,” Hengky walked towards us, he put his left hand in his pants pocket,” most people say that the medicine of falling in love is getting married. From the past until now you always managed to make me fall in love, you always managed to realize that life is not just about waiting for tomorrow,”

“Naya Khairunnisa, will you be the medicine for my love? Not just for today, but until the end when God calls us back.”

All eyes were focused on me. The sweat had wetted my forehead from the beginning, my feet and hands were cold and my heartbeat was still hunting.

I looked towards Abah and Mom. Confusion must answer what. But when they gently smiled while nodding their heads making me sure, they had already accepted Hengky completely.

I breathe deeply and then I exhale slowly, “In shaa Allah, with the permission of Allah and the blessing of Abah and Mother, Hengky proposal I accept.”

The ending of my sentence brought great relief to the heart. The cheers of the guests' voices and the accompaniment of romantic music made me instantly drift into an atmosphere of joy and happiness that I had never felt before.

The woman beside me greeted the little box from Hengky, still with her dazzling smile, she took out a very beautiful diamond-eyed ring, which was very beautiful,

“Mami represent Hengky put on her ring yes, dear.” said the woman as she grabbed my hand.

Oh God, this woman is Hengky's mom! Gosh... How could I possibly forget??

The sound of applause, whistling to boisterous happy laughter was immediately heard when Mami finished pinning the ring on my ring finger. Warm embrace and gentle whisper, “Welcome to the Widiyanto family, dear..” makes my eyes automatically immediately look towards the guest for the second time.

Ah, right, the Hengky brothers are there. Strikingly with their monolid eye shape, white skin and high posture made it easy to recognize them.

Hengky managed to surprise me. He managed to bring such sudden happiness. Even in my dreams, I never expected this to happen in my life.

When Abah and a middle-aged man whose face I memorized were laughing together while shaking hands made my eyes look foggy, haru.

Abah and Papi. The only one we were worried about met.

“Please sit back to our family and bride-to-be today. Give a standing ovation and also cheers for the couple who are being hit by this romance...!! Well, I should be given a double wage, sir. I lead two events at once nih.”

The laughter of the MCs and the invited guests made me realize. Hengky who had not averted his eyes from me immediately smiled gently when our eyes met.

I don't know why I wanted to hide from him at the moment, I didn't want him to see my face flushed with shame and my misbehavior as we sat facing each other.

“Nak Hengky so stay at Hotel Naviera? What time is it going to the house tomorrow?”

Mother's voice asking Hengky once again made my eyeballs round in shock, “Eh, you want to go home? Tomorrow?”

“Do we not have to start preparing for our wedding, Naya?”