General Bratha Yudistira’s stride was firm as he left the garden terrace. The soldier reporting to him followed a few paces behind, almost at a jog to keep up. Yet, behind that mask of stern authority, the General’s heart was far from settled.
He glanced at his wife walking beside him. She offered a faint smile, as if she could read the turbulent thoughts swirling in his mind.
"You terrified that poor boy a bit too much," she said softly.
"I only wanted to see the strength of his resolve," the General replied flatly, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"He was honest. Just look at the way he looks at Alma—that’s the look of someone who is truly sincere."
The General remained silent for a moment. He recalled Barra’s nervous yet determined expression. The simple phrase, “Alma makes me happy,” still echoed in his ears. It wasn't a sophisticated answer, nor was it filled with ambition. Yet, it was the very simplicity of it that cut deep.
"I don't care if that boy is happy or not. What matters is that Alma does not suffer." His voice remained harsh, though deep down, he knew Barra’s words carried a truth that was hard to deny.
***
Meanwhile, Barra sat motionless in his chair. The tea in front of him had gone cold, but his hands gripped the cup tightly, as if searching for something to hold onto. Questions swirled in his head: did he have enough "evidence" to convince the giant wall known as General Bratha?
But when Alma leaned her head on his shoulder with a gentle smile, his anxiety receded. For him, Alma was the reason to endure, no matter how heavy the trials ahead might be.
Night had begun to fall by the time Barra reached home. The quiet atmosphere of his narrow alleyway felt peaceful—a world away from the vast, rigid courtyard of Alma’s estate. As soon as he opened the door, the aroma of sautéed garlic and soy sauce greeted him—the scent of home that always brought him back to earth.
In the dining room, his mother sat in a simple housecoat, busy preparing dinner. Her face looked weary after a long day of work, but her smile brightened the moment she saw him.
“How did it go?” she asked simply.
Barra dropped his bag, sat down, and let out a long sigh that made his shoulders slump. “Exhausting, Mom…” he replied, resting his head on the dining table.
His mother chuckled softly. “Tired from meeting the future father-in-law?”
Barra looked up, surprised. “You knew?”
“Of course. The look on your face since this afternoon told me everything. You were incredibly nervous.”
Barra gave a bitter smile. “You’re right. It felt like being interrogated by an expert witness.”
His mother scooped rice onto his plate. “That is a father’s job. To test how worthy the man approaching his daughter is. Worthiness doesn't come from a title, Bar. It comes from your intention to protect her. If your heart is honest, the rest will follow.”
Barra looked at his mother’s aging face. His main struggle wasn't just convincing the General; it was ensuring his mother wouldn't be dragged into trouble if his relationship with the "General's daughter" ever went south.
***
In her spacious bedroom, Alma sat leaning against the headboard. The stack of medical books on her desk remained untouched. Her mind was still trapped in that afternoon's meeting.
She smiled to herself, remembering Barra’s pale face as he sat before her father. His fingers had trembled slightly, but his answers were unwavering. Barra wasn't the type to use sweet talk, and that was exactly why Alma knew he wasn't faking anything.
A soft knock came at the door. Her mother entered. “Still thinking about Barra?”
Alma nodded, her face scrunched in a pout. “Papa was too hard on him, Ma.”
“Your father is just worried. You are his whole world. He just wants to make sure the person by your side is truly sincere.”
“I don't care that Barra is a nobody, Ma. I’m happy with him. Papa has to understand that.”
Her mother stroked Alma’s hair. “Patience, dear. Time will help him understand. The important thing is that you stay by Barra’s side and support him.”
***
General Bratha Yudistira’s study was silent that night, illuminated only by a desk lamp shining on thick files. He opened a brown folder just delivered by his aide. Barra Mahendra’s complete background check was there.
The lack of a father's name in the records made his brow furrow. No major notes. Just one brief detail: his father had abandoned the family when Barra was still an infant.
“Why leave?” the General murmured, staring at Barra’s photo in the file. The young man’s gaze was awkward, but honest.
His aide entered with an additional report. Bratha scanned it quickly: Barra’s mother worked as an administrative clerk at a private firm, living a simple life of hard work, and Barra himself was a high-achieving student.
Bratha grew silent. On one hand, he admired the struggle of a woman who raised such a bright son alone. On the other, he worried—could Barra handle Alma’s world? His daughter was used to protocol and luxury, while Barra came from a world vastly different.
He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. He remembered Alma’s look that afternoon—the look of a girl truly in love.
“Barra…” he whispered the name. “Young man, are you strong enough to stand beside her? Or will you be the one to drag her down with you?”
YOU ARE READING
Kidnapping the General's Daughter
Romance"He thought he was rescuing their love. He didn't know he was just driving her escape." Barra is a brilliant law student, a high-achiever who built his future on a prestigious scholarship. He plays by the rules and carries the weight of his mother's...
