[The Legacy Series] REDAMANCY - Love's Timeless Path

1st Note

(Rajendra)

—

"So, when do you want to get married?"

I set down my cutlery after giving Mama a quick glance. She gave me a serious, strong gaze in return and arched an eyebrow. Expressing her interest in my reply. The morning sun spilled through large windows, casting a warm glow on the sleek, clean lines that defined our living space.

I just shrugged my shoulders before answering, "That's up to Haira."

She exhaled roughly. "Jendra, as you know, I am not an old fuddy-duddy like other parents. You don't have to get married if you don't want to." The middle-aged woman crossed her arms. "You always say it's up to Haira, but Mama is starting to think you're playing a ruse. Haira is a woman—,"

"Mama, you can stop there." I cut her off while wiping my mouth with the napkin I had been holding. "Whether we get married quickly or not has nothing to do with the fact that Haira is a woman."

I gave her a sign not to interrupt me before she could say anything.

"We promised to remove that variable from the reason why I'm not married yet, right?"

She nodded reluctantly. "Mama just thinks about Haira. Mama knows what you mean when you say not to describe Haira's condition as a woman, but out there, people might look down on her, Jen. You have been dating for nearly a decade, but you have not tied the knot. Luckily, you are finally officially engaged."

She gently stroked her temples. I was aware of the concerns she had. If Haira asked me to marry her, I would happily say yes right away. But I knew Haira was not a woman like that. There were things she had to fight for as the only heir of the Darmana family.

I understood that having a big name does not always translate into a lovely existence. Not to mention patriarchy, which is still deeply ingrained in the society in which we live.

"Yes, I know, Ma."

"You know, if your older sister wants to, Papa can just give her what our family has built for her, but she doesn't want to." Papa, who was sitting across from me, responded to my and Mama's conversation. I knew what he meant—that they never underestimate women in the slightest. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the aroma of breakfast, enticing us to the dining area, adorned with a sleek wooden table and contemporary chairs.

I saw my older sister, who was busy shoveling a piece of chicken into her mouth before kissing my cheek. "Thank you, little brother."

I hurriedly wiped my cheeks, which felt oily while grumbling.

"You need to be successful in the international fashion industry." I looked at my sister's face while sighing softly. "You did great, sis."

Rajini Dinata. The only sister I have. Who firmly wants to start her own business line in the world of fashion. Which made Papa and Mama have to hand over all the assets we have to me.

Being rich with several lines of business made my parents sort and divide fairly what their children would get in the future. But sometimes reality loves to joke. Although it does not rule out the possibility that she would still get some parts that are not related to her business activities.

I was very aware of how worried my family was about how other people would look at Haira. Who has vision, ambition, and strength. A great figure who sadly still has to receive protection from a competent male figure to safeguard her in public settings simply because she is a woman.

In the tranquil embrace of our modern minimalist haven, the simplicity of the surroundings amplified the richness of our family bonds. Each breakfast became a ritual, a daily affirmation of togetherness, and a place where we could enjoy every bit of our food with a plethora of emotions that added spice and spark to our mornings.

"Whatever you and Haira decide, I will agree, as long as you also promise me that you will always accompany her, no matter what she faces later."

"Mama asked when are we going to get married again?"

I stroked the lovely face next to me as I nodded. Never taking my eyes off the road. The morning sun rose above the horizon, casting a warm glow on the city as I found ourselves seated in the cozy confines of my car.

A crisp laugh escaped her mouth. "You must be worried about what people think of me, right? Because we've been dating for a long time, we even self-declared that we were engaged just because you asked your mother to be engaged to me."

I could catch her sharp eyes with the tail of my eye looking at me.

"Moreover, I'm older than you, right, sayang?"

I chuckled. "How absurd is that? Your age has no bearing on it. I'm equal to you in every way."

She laughed again. "Yes, I know. You can balance anything." She added in a nosy tone.

Haira leaned back in her seat, looking out at the passing scenery. The cityscape blurred into streaks, and the gentle hum of the car created a backdrop for the words hanging unspoken in the air.

I deliberately pulled the car we were riding in to the side of a residential road. "Haira Darmana. Don't even think to start."

The long, jet-haired girl looked at me with her eyes twinkling playfully. She put her arms around my neck, drew my face in close to hers, and pressed her red daubed lips against mine. Gave me a very loving kiss. Our bodies naturally gravitate toward each other. The warmth of the moment enveloped us as our arms found their way around one another.

In the long kiss we had, time seemed to stand still. The world outside the car melted away, leaving only the rhythmic beating of our hearts and the soft murmur of the morning hustle and bustle as I deepened the kiss.

"Jangan di sini, just come to my apartment later."

I looked at her face, which could have been nominated as one of the wonders of the world. I never would have imagined being able to kiss her like this in the past. To be honest, I could still clearly remember her old response to my immature behavior.

The car became a confessional, a space where we bared our hearts without judgment. In the quiet exchanges, we convinced each other that every obstacle that happened in our lives was not a weakness but a shared strength that bound us together.

"Haira Darmana."

"Hmm?"

"You really drive me crazy." As I gazed upon her, each glance became a silent love letter, tracing the contours of what drew me in and continuing to hold my heart. It was a love that did not demand but rather gracefully persists, offering warmth and solace even in the silence of unspoken words.

I took a deep breath. A decade may have passed, leaving its mark on both of us, but my heart continued to beat to the familiar rhythm of her name. In the mosaic of life, she was the unchanging masterpiece, a timeless melody that played in the background of my existence, reminding me that some loves were destined to endure beyond the constraints of time.

I hugged her tightly. It's not so hard to wish to be with her forever, is it?