Finding a Life Partner
Everyone longs for a life partner. At least once in their life, they've probably hoped to find the right person, even though not everyone ends up finding them.
For those who struggle even to eat once or twice a day, they will do whatever it takes to find a place where they can feel safe, be nourished, no longer face hunger, and finally escape the constant sense of lack.
For those who have experienced a lack of parental love, they tend to seek someone who genuinely cares for them, even if it's just in small, seemingly unimportant ways.
For those who feel the pressure to excel and be the best, they'll often seek a partner who isn't competitive—someone who offers a reprieve from the constant race. Living to compete can be exhausting, after all.
Searching for something that comes to mind in the moment, hoping it will solve the current problem, is a natural way for anyone trying to break free from the trap of unmet needs.
But after ten or twenty years, will they still be happy with their choice?
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A Fateful Introduction
Meylani is a beautiful young woman with a round face, fair skin, and sharp, expressive eyes. She has a slender nose, thin lips, and an adorable chin. Her long, wavy hair cascades down to her waist, perfectly complementing her slim figure.
Many men pursue her, of course, drawn to her captivating appearance—especially when she showcases her unique creations made from used- cardboard, newspaper, and various other trinkets. Mey is also skilled at arranging flowers.
In those days, around the early 1970s, young people had to be smart about managing their finances, making it nearly impossible to splurge on luxury items, expensive food, or vacations.
Meylani, the second of eight siblings, knew well that her family's finances were limited, though they were still blessed with a modest but sufficient life. There was always food on the table, and the daughters were encouraged to stay in school. Meylani and her sisters were always dressed neatly and cleanly, thanks to their mother's tireless care. It was a simple life, yet deeply fulfilling.
One time, at her school friend Maria's seventeenth birthday party, Meylani met an intriguing young man. He was taller than average, slender but not skinny, with a meaningful gaze that, at first, observed Meylani from a distance.
Maria introduced the two of them.
"Mey, meet my cousin, his name is Aristo. Aristo's dad and my mom are siblings."
"Aristo, meet my good friend from school, her name is Meylani."
"Mey," Meylani introduced herself.
"Aristo, nice to meet you," Aristo replied warmly.
"I'll leave Mey with you for a bit, alright, Aristo? Uncle Charles and Aunt Magda just arrived," Maria said in passing, leaving before waiting for a response.
'Hmm... this feels so weird, being left alone with someone I don't even know,' Mey thought to herself. 'And on top of that, he's really handsome. I have no idea what to talk about.'
"Why the side glances? You can look directly, you know," Aristo suddenly started the conversation.
'Oh no, how embarrassing—he noticed I was glancing at him,' Meylani thought.
"Where do you live, Kak Toto?" Mey asked, trying to steer the conversation.
"I stay around Karet Street, in Kuningan Residences, Central Jakarta. I rent a place there," Aristo replied. "How about you?"
