A Piece Of Memory

Storia 12 : No Longer A Secret

Life, when people think back to the past, I think what will be more memorable are childhood memories. Grow up in a family, following all rules of life in it, until at a stage called maturity. Marriage, building a family, always seems to be a separate limitation in the cycle of life. Friends talk a lot about marriage, their wife or husband being their life partner, or the experience of raising children. After all, women always have a certain biological time in their life. Which makes them have to be careful in determining life plans. Simply put, 25 years is the optimal limit before moving on to a new life. But humans always develop with a mind of their own, right? My friend Melia, she was even 28 years old when Erik got married her. The news even just spread a few weeks ago. And if you still don't get what I mean, just imagine what someone like Sarah goes through when she sees her friends getting married early. Especially when you think about her being a little late.

But for a moment, the story returns to Erik's story. Actually, I was also planning to attend his wedding. Though there was another purpose to it, and that was of course thinking about Sarah's gift. I don't know if Sarah wants to attend the wedding. But if you follow her habits, it's not something that piques her interest. And if there's a wind that makes her want to comes, I think it's going to take a huge amount of influence for her to do that. That's why I then came to her with the plan in my head.

As I expected, her first response was that she felt like she couldn't come. But I persuaded her to talk to his dad, and when I mentioned her birthday present again, I think it started to change how she felt about me.

We bought its wedding gifts online. And almost spent Rp. 300,000, - to buy their gifts. A black and gold photo album, which Sarah thought looked very modern. But that's when I found something that might be perfect for her birthday. Of course, I kept it a secret. At least until the time is right.

I didn't say anything to my friends. Which I think is the latest thing if they ever find out. Sarah even asked me how they would react. Although I'd rather tell her not to care too much.

But their wedding really looks very luxurious. It was already crowded when we just arrived. They rent a building, along with a number of hotel rooms for invited guests, which of course also at a fantastic price. All male families wear suits, while girls wear kebaya. In fact, there is hardly any space to park a motorbike outside. Because most of it is only filled by four-wheeled vehicles.

Inside, almost the entire room is blue, black and white, and gold. While the red carpet continues to extend from the main entrance. Here are fresh flowers neatly arranged in the room. Which makes the air more fragrant. Meanwhile in front of everyone, there was Erik and Melia sitting on their throne chairs. I could see Melia wearing her white silk dress. Everything shown seems to be about money. Then how long do they spend. But after knowing Erik and Melia for the past three years, I have come to understand a lot about their lives. Who has a very light consideration in spending money.

"What an amazing wedding," Sarah began to comment as we were just filling out the guest book. I think she also admired the decorations attached. Her eyes grew wider each time we continued step by step. Even the ceiling of the room gets a very festive treatment.

"Yes, that is so." I said and I nodded. "Have you ever dreamed of a wedding like this, Sarah?" Then I continued. And Sarah's eyes immediately narrowed as she looked at me.

"No kidding." she said, and he laughed. "Of course, it's impossible."

"Do not be like that. You never know what will happen in the future."

We walked, took another step towards Erik and Melia, to then congratulate and deliver the gifts. I could also see that both of them were very happy with our arrival. Although I can still catch the mischievous hint from the smiles of the two. A long-standing ignorance can't seem to be changed.

All around us, the music kept playing. The situation is also very busy with various conversations. By the way, I've put on my best clothes. While Sarah wore her batik shirt. I have to admit, her appearance is still too simple this time. But it looks like she put even more make up on her face. Which further emphasizes her feminine side. But just as I imagined, she really looks as beautiful as I've ever remembered.

"I haven't seen the other friends?" She whispered to me.

And it's as she said, if most of the guests seen seemed to be only old friends of Erik and Melia. Then of course friends off their parents. Moreover, I am quite unfamiliar with the environment here. In fact, I never knew anyone other than the people within the 25 square kilometer. Because Welmina's area is never more than that size. But I know, if my friends would have been among this crowd. So, I guess it's only a matter of time until they find us.

"I don't know. Maybe it's not time for them to come." Then I replied, before changing the subject a bit. "But you know, if Melia was a little older than Erik when she got married?"

"Yeah, so why?"

"It's nothing, it's just the story sounds interesting, isn't it? After all, it was usually if the male who was supposed to be older. Moreover, Melia is a doctor, while Erik is a nurse like me." I said, hoping her attention would turn to me.

But apparently Sarah did not catch my pleasantries before this.

"You seem to like comparing them. After all, if they love each other, it doesn't matter, does it?" she said later.

I don't know why, but sometimes Sarah doesn't really understand the situation around her. which makes my chit-chat sometimes end up being useless. So I can't help but tell her the truth.

"No, it's not that. I'm talking about the age of the two. If Melia is older than Erik. U see it?" I talk to her, make her to face me, before going on. "And if that's you, if your partner was a little younger and wants to marry you, will you accept him, Sarah?"

But again, Sarah doesn't answer my question here. She just glanced at me for a moment. Before showing his mischievous smile. And like I said, she really likes to tug at my feelings here. But earlier, I also thought that we would only spend the time alone during the remaining time. Before I saw my friends came with another group. Even I was never told if they made a group together. Which somehow made me feel like I wasn't part of them anymore. That fact made my feelings even worse than Sarah's continued to ignore. They approached Erik and Melia when they got there, before looking for their seats. I even had time to hide my face so they wouldn't see me. But Sarah, who suddenly thought about it too late, immediately waved her hand, until they noticed our presence. And you don't have to think about it over and over again to know if they actually walked here.

"Wow, see the new surprises here?" Eddie began.

Like I said, they would never waste an opportunity without cornering me. Maybe it was because of my situation that it seemed like I was caught red-handed at that time. Which makes them bolder. Then without our consent, they immediately sat down between the two of us.

They never stop boasting word for word. With a topic that is not far from Erik and Melia's wedding. Even Sarah could look familiar with them. I could see her looking at me once in a while, before smiling to herself. Obviously hoping for a miracle or whatever where I say something, though I don't do it either.

But still there is good news from this whole story. And the good news is that my friends have finally figured it all out. Which will make it easier to assess the situation that I was doing at that time. But the challenge turned out to be even more difficult than now. Even after I showed our relationship clearly. I'm not saying that my friends are the reason. But about my family. And this is the first time I've heard from them in three years. Though I didn't expect to hear it like this.