The Choice of Old Man
Sah!

"Alex!"

"Alex, go! We're going to the field, the ceremony's about to start!"

"Alex! Where are you going?!"

Alexa jerked open her eyes wide, sweat pouring down her head. Looking at the sunlight peeking out from the gap of the curtains, Alexa hurriedly pulled it until the light entered completely, shining all over her body. He daydreamed for a moment, looking out the window while leaning his head against the wall in the pastel pink paint.

"lex ... Where are you now? Your mother said it was my twin."

The dream has continued to appear repeatedly since Alexa had an accident 9 years ago. Doctors say his brain is in recovery. However, for many years, the pain in his head did not improve. In 2017, Athifa took Alexa to a hospital in Australia recommended by her sister. All the hospitals there said the same thing, the symptoms experienced by the girl were just ordinary symptoms that were nothing to worry about.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Non Lexa, there's a guest downstairs. Said Non's husband."

Husband-to-be? Don't-don't ....

Hearing this, Alexa was immediately shocked from her bed. He knew who the guest referred to Mbok Minah, a domestic assistant at the Wijaya residence. The girl was looking for clothes in the closet. After how long it took to tear apart the contents of the closet, he chose a white shirt and dark brown pants with short knee-length.

The single bed that had been neat, was now a mess because of the pile of clothes that Alexa threw earlier. At first, he threw his clothes into the closet. It will take a long time when folded directly.

Alexa clucked a vexed look towards the door. "That crazy why come at this hour, anyway?!"

Fifteen minutes later, Alexa was out of her quarters. Down one by one the stairs to the middle room. The man in a dark green jacket with a layer of black sweatshirt inside, stood looking at the family photo stamped on the wall.

"Kak Keenan, you do it early in the morning to visit people's houses."

As soon as his name was called, the man whose full name was Keenan Pratama turned around. He looked at Alexa's face for a moment, before finally answering. "Gue won't talk anymore. I accept this match."

"WHAT?!"

A month ago, Keenan asked for a recommendation for a cafe at Dimas Alaska, his co-worker at the office. His colleague told the rising cafe in the city, Lexa's Coffee Shop. A few days later, he came there to buy Americano iced coffee. However, Keenan overhears a conversation between Sofyan and Alexa.

At that time, his position was sitting in an empty seat right behind the Alexa seat. He heard that Alexa refused to be arranged. However, Sofyan did not give up until her daughter was willing to accept the match. Alexa chose to leave her father instead of continuing to talk about matchmaking.

Just by looking at Alexa's face from the window glass, Keenan immediately volunteered to be the girl's future husband, on Sofyan. Start telling her life story in front of her future father-in-law. From A to Z.

Strange but real, it was like being in the time of Siti Nurbaya. Did Keenan like Alexa right away after seeing her? Or is there some ulterior intent behind the submission? To be clear, Sofyan accepts Keenan as her daughter's future husband.

Keenan's parents have died since he and his twin brother, Kenzo Pratama, were born. Although identical twins, both have opposite traits and personalities.

From childhood, they were both foster by his uncle to grow up as they are now. His uncle also financed Keenan school from Elementary School until graduation from High School. In 2019, he had to leave his uncle and twin for getting a work call, at one of the West Jakarta Metro Police as a police detective.

****

"Why don't you just refuse, anyway?!" ask Alexa fierce. He glanced sharply at the man before him.

Keenan held his chin, thinking. "Yes ... Karna ... I need a wife who can cook, clean, make me coffee every—"

"Stay in agreement with ribet lo."

"No! That's not gonna happen, okay?! Who wants to marry someone like you."

Keenan put his face closer to Alexa, while the girl rewinded her shoulders. "Unfortunately, you can't do anything but agree to this matchmaking."

"No, no, no!" Alexa's index finger pushed Keenan's chest away from her. "At any time I won't agree."

Keenan's lips lifted, he sat down on the long sofa and grabbed the newspaper lying on the glass table in front of him. "tag. Tomorrow we have to go to KUA."

"KUMA?!"

"Eat him, tomorrow you have to dress up a beautiful one."

****

D-DAY WEDDING'S.

Marriage is a dream of every two people who love each other, women who love their men, and vice versa. It's not just about celebrating a wedding. Not also seen from the high-floor luxury building, classy food and high-official guests. It's all not important to Alexa and Keenan. They say kabul is enough.

The girl looked beautiful wearing a white bridal dress with sheer length of legs. Her long hair was left beautifully undulating. Although only kabul ijab in KUA, Alexa only wants to look unusual. So did Keenan the groom, wearing a dark blue suit. They sat on the same bench, next to each other flaunting their respective marriage books towards the camera.

Is this what we call forced marriage? Just like in novels. Inner Alexa.

After the kabul hijab witnessed by the families of both parties, the newlyweds are now in a studio. They will do a photo session with a plain white background.

Alexa sat in a wooden chair facing the camera while holding a few stalks of white roses. Keenan caught up with Alexa and stood firmly beside her, his hands embracing the girl's friendly upper arms. Keenan clasped his head on Alexa's head. They smile as if they are happy, when in reality they are not. Since then, Athifa and Sofyan have been watching them behind the camera.

"Lo feels depressed, doesn't he?" Keenan whispers.

Spontaneous, Alexa nudged Keenan's arm. His mouth opened while holding a smile in front of his parents. "Don't make my parents suspicious. In front of them we have to look like a couple, don't know lo?"

"That's also me knowing times."

"Well! Come on, try you guys smile."

Reflexes, Alexa and Keenan smile at the camera. After the photo was taken, the photographer gave them instructions to make a free pose. Suddenly, Alexa grabbed Keenan's white shirt collar, and brought the man's face closer to her with a grin.

"okay! Hold on a second, yeah! 1 ... 2 ... 3!"

THE CHUCK!

The last session was a family photo, Athifa and Sofyan standing between Alexa and Keenan. The photographer is looking for the right angle. Before long, the photographer held a thumbs up in the air. The four people smiled, the camera managed to photograph the happy moment.

TBC.