Her mother was moved to see Kinarsih, who was so adamant in maintaining her love for Edward.
She tried to persuade her to find another man. "Kinarsih, I understand. But, why did you choose it? If you choose a fellow native, you will not be expelled."
Kinarsih and her mother hugged each other for a long time, but Kinarsih's father, who was irritated, let go of Kinarsih's hug and pushed him away.
"ENOUGH! WE ARE NOT YOUR PARENTS!! AWAY FROM US!!" he snapped.
Nurlela, who felt pity for Kinarsih, tried to persuade her husband. "Pa, come on. Don't be like that. She is our child."
However, Kinarsih's father remained adamant.
"MOM! I DON'T WANT TO HAVE A CHILDREN MARRIED TO THE COMPANY!" he said.
Knowing her husband's insistence, her mother was silent when she saw Kinarsih who was down and crying. Gently, Edward took Kinarsih away.
"Honey, let's just go. Don't confuse the atmosphere. Even if they don't think of you as a child, trust me. They are still your parents," Edward whispered soothing Kinarsih.
Kinarsih just nodded. They finally left the Kinarsih residence. Along the way, Edward heard kinarsih sobs. He gave her a handkerchief. "Asih, don't keep crying. You're the calm one. I'm sure your parents will slowly approve of our relationship."
"Thank you, dear," replied Kinarsih wiping her tears with the handkerchief Edward had given her.
---Eddy's story---
Eddy smiled sadly remembering the incident.
"Kinarsih loves grandfather so much. He was willing to be abandoned by his family for grandfather's sake," he told Ellen.
Ellen smiled admiring the power of Kinarsih's love.
He said, "Oh, so in Kinarsih's love for Grandpa. She really is a wonderful woman."
Eddie just nodded. "Grandpa cannot forget Kinarsih's sacrifice. In fact, grandfather made a pact with God. Grandpa wants to stay alive until you find Kinarsih again, whether alive or dead."
Kenji returned to give the old photo of Eddy. He looked at the photo, and went back to telling the story.
"This photo holds such deep memories. You know, this photo is the happiest day, as well as the hardest for me and Kinarsih," said Eddy while occasionally looking at the old photo.
The photo is a photo of his intimacy with Kinarsih before separating. His face looks so sad remembering the photo.
Ellen looked at the photo, and asked, "Really? Was grandfather married to Kinarsih at that time?"
"No. The photo was taken when Grandpa and Kinarsih attended the dance, two days before I finally parted ways with Kinarsih, because of World War II." Eddy recalled the incident.
Ellen asked again, "But did you ever get married to Kinarsih?"
"Yes, Ellen," he said briefly, then Eddy was silent for a moment.
After a while, he resumed his words, "Before the photo was taken, Kinarsih and I were married."
---Eddy's memories---
Buintezorg, November 28, 1941
Although Edward and Kinarsih's relationship was not approved by her father, Kinarsih's mother secretly often met Kinarsih and Edward.
That afternoon, Kinarsih's mother came to see Kinarsih at the Malloy Dormitory.
She was so happy. She took his mother into his dorm room. "Mother, let's talk inside."
Her mother smiled. "Thank you, Dear."
The two of them walked to Kinarsih's dorm room. When they got there, her mother opened his luggage. Apparently, she brought gifts for Kinarsih and Edward.
She said, "Son, I'm here to talk to you. I want to talk to both of you. Can you get Edward over here? Tell me you want to talk."
Kinarsih according. "Yes, ma'am. Edward was probably still on duty. I'll meet Edward, mother wait here."
Kinarsih said goodbye to her mother, then left. After Kinarsih left, her mother cleaned up Kinarsih's dorm room. She looked Kinarsih's open diary, and read it.
In her heart, her mother said, "Oh my God. Kinarsih's love is so deep for Edward. Maybe, it's about time I let Kinarsih marry the man of her choice."
She waited long enough for Kinarsih. He tidy up Kinarsih's dorm room to ward off boredom. After cleaning Kinarsih's room, her mother prepared dinner. It was only after the afternoon that Kinarsih came with Edward. Finally, the conversation started.
"Son, Ed. You really love Kinarsih?" asked Kinarsih's mother.
Edward answered her, "Yes, ma'am. I love her so much."
Her mother looked at Kinarsih and Edward. He held Kinarsih and Edward's hands, then brought them together.
"Okay, I approve of your relationship. Get married right away."
Kinarsih looked at her mother with a sweet smile. She immediately hugged her mother. However, his longing for his father made him ask, "Thank you, Mom. Oh yeah, how's dad doing?"
His mother's face, which was originally cheerful, immediately changed. Her face looked so sad.
"Your father died two days ago, son. He was the victim of a robbery on his way home from work. He was killed by the robbers," said her mother while holding back her sadness.
Kinarsih's face looked sad. Her sobs began to be heard. "Father… Father died?"
Her mother nodded. "Yes, dear. The robber was shot dead by the police for resisting."
Kinarsih's tears broke. He was so sad to lose his father. Edward embraced Kinarsih. He calms Kinarsih.
"Asih, tomorrow we will visit your father's grave, before we get married. You are patient, yes," he said in a gentle tone.
Edward looked at his mother Kinarsih. " Okay ma'am. Next month I will marry Kinarsih. Tomorrow I will come with my extended family to my mother's house, at the same time I will visit Kinarsih's father's grave."
Her mother smiled.
"Okay, Ed. I'm glad Kinarsih chose a man as good as you. But, does your family approve of your relationship?" asked Kinarsih's mother back.
Edward replied, "My parents approve, ma'am. They are happy to have Kinarsih as part of our big family."
Kinarsih's mother again asked, "Then, aren't they ashamed to be with a Native?"
Edward smiled, and shook his head. "No, ma'am. No Natives in my mind. We are human beings born from the womb of a mother. That's what my parents said."
Hearing Edward's answer, Kinarsih's mother nodded. The friendship between them was so apparent when they had dinner together that night. When it was getting late, Kinarsih's mother said goodbye to go home. Edward drove her home that night.
Buintezorg, November 29, 1941
The next morning, Edward took his father and mother to meet his mother Kinarsih. Together with Kinarsih and Edward's parents, they went to a village in the Buintezorg area where Kinarsih's parents lived.
In a simple house, Kinarsih's mother and her younger siblings, Kinarsih, are drying the grain. Kinarsih's mother was surprised by the arrival of Edward's parents who were of different social class. Their arrival had attracted the attention of residents of the village where Kinarsih's parents lived.
"Why, Edward's father is here?" she said to herself with a surprised face.
Nurlela signaled Kinarsih's siblings to clean the house immediately.
"Arya, Parmin. Clean our house. We have a big guest," said Nurlela ordering her two sons.
They obeyed. Soon they cleaned the simple hut. His father Edward was a Dutch businessman and his mother was a woman of Chinese descent. Edward's father smiled at Kinarsih's mother who was awkward at that time. With a welcoming and friendly smile, Edward's father introduced himself and his wife.
"Good morning, Mrs. Nurlela. Sorry, our presence is disturbing. Um, I'm Eugene, Edward's father, and he is Anna Chow, Edward's mother."
"Oh… n—no, Meneer. I am so honored by Meneer's arrival in my shabby hut," said Nurlela in a nervous tone.
"No!! Won't we be together, right? Please don't call me that," Eugene said in a friendly tone.
Nurlela let them in. Inside, they talk about her wedding plans.
"We are glad that you finally approved of our son's relationship with Kinarsih," he said with a friendly smile.
Nurlela looked nervous. He couldn't believe the simplicity of Eugene.
"Oh, … Uhm, you're not ashamed to be with poor natives like us?"
Sir Eugene just smiled and shook his head.
"No. None of it is native. All humans are the same. I like Kinarsih because she is so kind, madam."
There was no disgust on his face despite their different social status. Anna followe.d her husband's words.
Anna added, "We are very happy that Edward chose Kinarsih. I see, she is a good woman. Edward's brothers also like Kinarsih's attitude."
Hearing their explanation, Nurlela smiled happily. "Thank you, sir, ma'am. I'm also glad that Edward has been so kind to our family."
Eugene was silent for a moment. Then, they started the main conversation, namely Edward and Kinarsih's wedding.
Eugene expresses his wish. " We came here to propose to Kinarsih, and next week we will immediately marry off our child."
Nurlela was surprised to hear that. "Sorry, isn't this wedding too soon?"
Eugene sighed for a moment. He looked at Edward and Kinarsih in turn. With a worried face, Eugene finally says the reason.
"There has been a very terrible war out of here. The world is currently at war, and even this war has spread to Asia," Eugene said in a worried tone.
Nurlela widened her eyes. There was a look of fear on his face.
"But, sir. Is it possible that the great war will come here?" she asked worriedly.
Eugene looks worried. He got up from his seat and stood in front of Nurlela's door. He looked at the joy of the small children in the village. After a while, Eugene returns to his seat.
"Madam, the uncertain world political situation made it possible to bring this terrible war here. I am so sad to see that the joy of the children will be lost," said Eugene with a worried face.
He was silent for a moment. He looked at Nurlela.
"Our business in the Netherlands was destroyed because of the cruelty of World War II. That's why we want to marry Edward and Kinarsih as soon as possible, before Edward is assigned to abroad. I beg you, ma'am. Marry them as soon as possible. I will bear everything," he continued his words.
Nurlela thought for a moment. She who initially judged too quickly at first, finally agreed with Eugene and Anna Chow's request. Edward and Kinarsih were very happy with the decision. The two of them conveyed their intention to Nurlela to visit the grave of Sutedjo, Kinarsih's father.
Not long after, Edward and Kinarsih arrived at Sutedjo's grave. Kinarsih shed tears in front of her father's grave.
She sowed flowers and said, "Father, we are getting married. Me and Ed always pray for dad."
Kinarsih was silent for a moment. She couldn't hold back his tears.
Edward put his arm around her. "Honey, you are steadfast. I promise to make you happy."
Kinarsih holds her father's grave. "Father, Kinarsih will still be your son. Rest in peace, Father."
Edward gently touched Kinarsih's hand. He embraced her lovingly.
"Mr. Sutedjo, I hope you rest in peace there. I promise to make Kinarsih happy," Edward said gently stroking Kinarsih's hair.
Kinarsih and Edward prayed for a moment in front of Sutedjo's grave, before finally leaving the burial area. Edward held Kinarsih's hand affectionately all the way back home together.