Reaching Surgaku
Like Being Stuck in a Devil

After last night's impromptu engagement was completed, the Bram family prepared to return to Jakarta this morning using jetpri. The two friends who soon became besan were also hugging each other. Not to forget the elma who also hugged and kissed the forehead of his daughter-in-law's alma.

" Mama came home first, baby, see you later on your wedding day. Take good care of yourself."

Alma just nodded her head. Without replying to the words of his future father-in-law.

While El who had been staring at Alma with a sharp gaze filled with hatred that seemed to want to swallow Alma alive. Making Alma lower her head back not daring to look at him.

Now all the Bram's extended family are in the car that will take them to the airport. Farewell was the conclusion of the meeting of the prospective family.

.

.

.

Dr... Dr.... Dr...

alma's phone vibrates the incoming message's notifications.

" The Assalamualikum, Nduk."

" Mrs Walaikumsalam, Mas."

" How is Nduk? Ummi said that when is the day you go to the cottage. Kok did not tell you that Mas will not participate in nganter son santri hadrah race."

" Alhamdulillah, Well mas. Yes Alma there to nganter children mondok. Oh yes, I have no time?"

" If you always have Nduk, why?"

" Well, I'll see you this week."

" Can, If so tomorrow we will go to Surabaya. Anybody wants to tell you the same family."

" Yes already Mas, If it has arrived in Surabaya Mas kabari. We'll meet him outside."

****

Alma stared at the ring that was coiled on her ring finger, the ring that tied her to a man she had just met. The man whom Abah chose to be his companion, became a priest in his household. Alma was so confused in her little heart that she actually expected someone else to be her husband. But it seems like fate says something else, which is why there is a term humans can plan but God determines.

El was arguing with his mom and dad, which was like trapping him in this fucking matchmaking.

But whatever El said still can not change the situation that he is now engaged and soon to be married. He was really stuck in a difficult situation, El was confused to explain what to Sandra later and how she should behave to the woman who would later become his wife.

.

.

.

This afternoon alma was planning to go to the orphanage, there were some files that she had to check.

Dr... Dr... Dr...

Alma picked up her mobile phone vibrating on the nightstand, she saw a short message from Abhi.

" Nduk Assalamualikum."

" Walaikumsalam Mas."

" I've arrived in Surabaya, on my way to your house Nduk."

" No, we meet outside. Mas to the visit road later there is a visit market we meet there."

" Nduk Market? You nyuru Mas far away here just want to take Mas to the market?"

" No Mas, this market is different from most markets. This market is a place where young people can hang out if in surabaya, visit malioboro surabaya version."

" Oh.. Would you like that?!"

*****

As agreed we met at the tunjungan market, precisely in one of the cafes there, somehow my mouth feels like in the silence. Nyaliku who had been passionate about telling everything now shriveled after seeing Mas Abhi. Guilt is now lodged in my mind, I know for sure this will be very painful for Mas Abhi maybe even himself will hate me after this, but whatever I have to be honest. It's not fair that I hid this from Mas Abhi because sooner or later he will know too.

Abhi broke the awkwardness between the two. By asking the real news the question is too cliche.

" What's up Nduk? Tumben met here."

" Someone wants to tell me." I hesitated, confused as to where this story should start.

" What's up, nduk?? Seems like there's something serious to say?? Say no doubt."

Alma was afraid, but she had to speak truthfully even though there was no connection between the two but Alma felt that she had to pass on this news to Abhi, given their closeness will be very outrageous if later Abhi will know from others not from Alma.

" Abah had a guest from Jakarta yesterday. He was Abah's friend when Abah was a child, He came with his son and wife. His arrival here was to. Alma stopped her words hesitating to resume her story.

" What is Nduk for?"

" For..." Alma was silent again.

" For what? Don't make Mas gemes yes, half story."

" For... Applying to Alma and being made a future wife for his son later."

" Apaaa... Abhi who had been calm so jolted because of hearing Alma's explanation."

" Alma will marry Mas, Abah and Ummi arrange Alma's betrothal with the son of one of Abah's friends."

" How about you Nduk? Do you agree."

" Alma ndak iso nolak Mas. No way Alma refused Abah's word."

" What about us Nduk? Mas think you also know that Mas has the same feeling you, Mas will ask you later. I'm just waiting for the right time to go to your house to see Abah."

" Amafin Alma Mas. Alma really can't resist Abah."

" Father, after this let's take you home and Mas will meet Abah and Ummi. Someone wants to tell you the same."

I just kept quiet and lowered my head, looking Mas Abhi who was looking at me sharply made me lower my face even more.

" I know you don't want to find your family!! Are you sure of what you chose? Otherwise Mas will come to see your family to ask you right now, but if this is your choice, Mas will step down." Abhi tried to remain calm even though in his heart a terrible storm that could explode at any time destroy anything that hindered him, how could not someone she cared for who she had been guarding all this time would leave her and marry another man.

" Sorry... Excuse me... Forgive me, Mas."

" No Nduk... Whatever Mas will do as long as you are happy including letting you marry another man. But promise me that you'll be fine and not hurt." He smiled at Alma.

" Mad say yes Nduk, Take good care of yourself. Greetings to Abah Ummi." Abhi stepped away without turning his head in the slightest leaving the alma still sitting in its place.

After Abhi died from there somehow alma tears flowed just like that without being able to be dammed. A feeling of guilt and loss lodged in his heart, he knew there must be something in his heart that bound him to Abhi but he also realized something on his finger bound him to someone else. That helplessness made him even more sick as to why he should feel this way, why God chose his way of life like this. Tears increasingly flowing, Alma did not care anymore about the surrounding who had been staring to pay attention to him.

Long alma was in that position to rearrange her raging feelings until finally she decided to return home, she forgot that she still had to do some work in the orphanage.