REDAMANCY - Love's Timeless Path

Epilogue

That day was the third week in December. They say, only fools choose to get married in the winter. And yes, the two fools do exist.

I rubbed my nose occasionally, which resulted in a glare from my future sister-in-law.

"Ra! You will ruin the makeup!" Kak Jini, the owner of that soft voice, sounded a little annoyed.

I just chuckled. Sitting at the windowsill, I held the hem of my bathrobe as I watched her pout her lips.

"Sorry, Kak. I just can't seem to get along with the cold."

She rolled her eyes. "Then why did you choose to get married in winter?"

"Because Maryland looks stunning in winter," Pra, who had just entered with a big tulip bouquet in his hand, immediately answered at Kak Jini's question. "Mbak, remember, your wedding is very expensive. Imagine asking for tulips in winter like this. The price is so high. You need to thank Mas Jendra later."

I burst into laughter at his playful remark. "I'd love to see him before the ceremony."

Kak Jini and Pra sneered at the same time.

"You want to bring bad luck on your wedding day?"

I chuckled, realizing I was outnumbered by these two. Taking a deep breath, I glanced at myself in the mirror for what felt like the thousandth time that day. The makeup and hair were just as I wanted — simple yet elegant. I couldn't help but feel pleased with my appearance. Until someone knocked on the door, opened it slightly, and revealed a pair of eyes in the doorway.

"Hi."

"Hi, Gad."

"Jendra says he hasn't seen you in twenty-four hours, and he needs a fix," Jagad told me with a cringe in his voice.

"It's bad luck to see me before the wedding."

He rolled his eyes and mouthed, 'you know him'.

"How about calling him? That's not the same as meeting in person, is it?" Kak Jini whispered as she poured warm tea before giving it to me, who started rubbing my nose again.

"Maybe you can try." Jagad took out his cellphone from his coat pocket and called Jendra.

"What?"

"You said you wanted to meet Kak Haira. How about talking to her through the phone?"

There was a harsh grunt coming from the telephone line on the loudspeaker by Jagad.

"I want to hug her."

Jendra's answer made everyone want to immediately turned off the phone and hurriedly leave the room.

"Well, Giandra said she has an idea," Jendra's voice crackled over the phone. "She's on her way."

Shortly after Jagad turned off his phone, Giandra appeared with mischievous face. She gave everyone a grin before asking permission and pulling my hand. Secretly led me to a place in my hotel that I never knew existed.

"Extend your hand here," she instructed, pointing to a partition between rooms.

"What is this, Giandra Argani?" I asked in confusion, and she only responded with a laugh before she said, "I'll pick you up later."

Exhaling my frustration, I stuck out my arm between the partitions, and only a second later, I could feel fingers taking hold of my hand. Caressed it softly.

"Jen," I said, covering my mouth with my free hand as I felt the urge to giggle at how romantic this was.

"No bad luck," Jendra teased from the other side of the partition. "I can't technically see you." He sighed. "Are you ready to marry me?"

"Yes," I answered without missing a beat. "Are you ready to marry me?"

"I've been waiting to marry you for as long as I can remember. But someone just asked to break up with me."

I snickered and teased, "Oh, come on, Rajendra Dinata. Still bitter about it?"

"Yes, I am!" He exclaimed dramatically and squeezed my fingers.

"Jen." I gripped his hand tighter.

"Hmm?"

"I have a question for you."

"What?"

I sighed. "Why did you agree to my request when I asked us to break off our engagement?"

There was a moment of silence between us before he answered.

"That's because I have a promise."

"A promise?" I raised my eyebrows. Curious about what it means.

"Do you remember when I told you about the time I met Papa to ask for his permission to marry you?"

"Hmm."

"He said to me, 'Please do your best to make my daughter happy. But even after you try your best, If my daughter asks to break the engagement, please do as she asks, and do not attempt to stop her.'"

My mouth dropped open when I heard the reason.

"And you agree?"

"Yes. But now I'm sorry. I can't bear to part with you. I don't know how to live without you. If I could have been born again, to repeat life, to be anyone, and if I could have had anyone, I would have always chosen you."

I laughed again as he started to babbling anything inside his head, "I'm sorry for torturing you, Sayang."

"Alright, love. I'll see you soon." He whispered and let his fingers slide from my touch.

Jendra did let go of my hand, but I could feel happy tears starting to gather in my eyes. I dabbed it slowly and felt the butterflies in my stomach.

"Here we go." I huffed under my breath as our secret rendezvous ended, leaving me with a mix of happiness and anticipation for the impending ceremony.

I didn't know where the time went, but I found myself not seeing anyone else but Jendra as the ceremony started to begin. Because I knew that I didn't want to look at anyone else once I saw him.

Everything went into slow motion as I remembered all our times together. He smiled, and I could see that his eyes sparkled. I almost ran towards him, but I kept my composure.

I bit the inside of my cheek. Trying to hold back the tears that could have escaped my eyes at any time.

"Hi." Jendra's voice was greeted with a hand outstretched to me.

"Hi." I couldn't lie. My voice trembled with tears that I struggled to contain.

"You okay?" He gripped my hand tightly.

I nodded. Act as calmly as possible so that the ceremony can be held soon.

"Everything will be okay."

"Everything will be okay,"

"Don't think about anything else."

"I don't want to think of anything else now that I think of you."

He chuckled.

"I love you."

"I love you too." I said it clearly. No hesitation at all.

"To the bone?"

I smiled broadly.

"To the bone."