"Stop Nizam .. !!"
Nizam stopped in his tracks then he looked for the source of the sound that sounded so intimidating. After he knew who was speaking earlier, he turned his body so that he was facing the person.
"Do you need me? Not usually. About what?" Nizam then stepped aside, leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. He felt that there would be a lengthy conversation with the person who had stopped in his tracks.
"I need to talk about something with you?" Edward spoke with a sigh as if the conversation that was going to take place was a conversation that would determine life and death.
"Talk to Edward !! I'll listen."
"Can we find a more private place? In the cafetaria out front ??" Edward offers a place.
"Ok .. why not?" Nizam agreed to Edward's wishes.
"But I can't right now. Now my friends are waiting for me to practice. How about 3 in the afternoon "Said Edward
"Ok .. I don't mind anyways now. I have an appointment with the lecturer about the research I will take next semester" said Nizam.
Edward thanked Nizam for his willingness to talk to him. Nizam looked at Edward who was walking away. "A good man dear. He loves the wrong girl" sighed Nizam as he walked away.
***
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon Nizam and Edward were sitting opposite each other. Before speaking they ordered a cup of coffee. Edward took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
"Do you mind if I smoke" Edward asked Nizam. "Or do you want to smoke ??" he continued again.
Nizam shook his head, but he motioned through his hand that he didn't mind Edward smoking. His pointed, slightly feathered fingers on top of his knuckles were now being stroked under his lips. Edward and Nizam looked at each other for a moment as if they were assessing each other's appearance before finally Edward said.
"This is about Alena." Edward spoke with a heavy heart. In fact, he felt he was risking his self-respect through this conversation. But what power is this about life expectancy in the future. It's about his love, passion and ambition for a woman.
Nizam actually had guessed what Edward was going to talk about. Didn't he only know Edward as the son of a high-ranking official and the vocalist of a famous college band? Meanwhile, Edward himself knows him only as the most mysterious man on campus who many girls secretly admire.
"Yes .. Alena. You know I love her."
"Yes, I know maybe even the whole campus now knows. So what does this have to do with me? Don't tell me that you just want to just confide in me."
"You don't make fun of me" Edward was a little offended by Nizam's words.
"Sorry .. I'm sorry. I didn't mean that"
"Well, actually I want to know what your relationship with him?"
"Me ?? With Alena ?? There's nothing"
"Do you love her ?? Speak up !!"
Nizam was silent for a moment. What does he feel for Alena ?? He didn't know himself. That girl was definitely not the right girl for his life. Even though he and Alena have the same religion, their lifestyle is very different. He could not relate to any woman. His lifestyle and future have been arranged by the Kingdom, including his future life partner. What difference does he love Alena or not.
Nizam's eyes looked like they were wandering for a moment remembering the face that he actually couldn't deny her beauty.
"Why are you asking me that?" Nizam asked back.
"I heard someone talk that Alena loves you, and I hope that you don't love her. Give me a chance to get it."
"What do you mean to say like that. Am I like someone who will get in the way. Of course not. Please if you love her but remember not to hurt her."
"Why do I seem to have the feeling that you really love Alena?"
"Really? Do I really look like I love her?"
"You won't remind me not to hurt her"
Edward smiled mysteriously. "You interpret it yourself. What is certain is that you need to remember that he is Indonesian. Indonesians are very thick with ethics and customs. Moreover, she is a Muslim and you are non-Muslim. Make sure you have learned about it all. For Indonesians, religion is more than just an identity printed on a card. For them, even though their life of religious tolerance is very high, it is very difficult to accept religious differences in a marriage. "