Varun looked at Lily for a long time. His heart was pounding when he saw his beautiful girlfriend, even though she was wearing a simple white robe. Lily's aura of beauty radiated stronger than before. Varun is very happy if Lily becomes his wife, but just like Lily, he alone is not ready to get married. Not a hasty marriage based on this kind of misunderstanding.
"Sit here," the older woman ordered Lily, directing her to sit in the middle of the line of women.
The regent had been summoned and joined the men, right in front of Varun.
It wasn't long before the person everyone had been waiting for appeared. Jamal, Lily's biological uncle entered the house with limping steps and a sad face. When Uncle Jamal looked at Lily, the man clenched his fists. Must be very disappointed and devastated by what happened to Lily.
Lily burst into tears and grabbed her uncle's hand. "Uncle, this is just a misunderstanding. Help me, Uncle. Explain to them, Uncle."
Uncle Jamal stared at Lily for a long time. There was a strong affection in his eyes for Lily. However, he finally looked away and pushed Lily's hand away.
"Uncle, I'm sorry!" cried Lily sadly because she had let her uncle down.
Uncle Jamal sat down to join Varun and Pak Penghulu. From top to bottom he watched Varun. There was a wave of clear anger he was holding back. While Varun bowed his head to salute Uncle Jamal.
It had never occurred to Varun that his fate and Lily's would be like this. The intention of taking a vacation and meeting a lover who is known from the virtual world ends with a marriage under strange circumstances.
"Just starting. It can't take too long if it's like this. Don't let our village be polluted with big sins." A resident known as the RT of the village started the conversation.
Pak Penghulu started reading prayers and giving wedding advice just like the wedding ceremony.
In those thrilling seconds, Varun looked at Lily. Lily immediately caught Varun's gaze. Lily's cry broke Varun's heart. His love for Lily grew stronger. At that time Varun wanted to protect and take care of Lily completely.
With full confidence, Varun accepted the size of Uncle Jamal's hand. He spoke sacred words.
"I accept the marriage of Alexa Edelia Darwis bint Darwis Cek Nawi with a dowry of a set of prayer tools and one hundred thousand rupiahs to be paid in cash," said Varun.
Deg! Lily was stunned. It was as if a drum was being pounded strongly in his chest. He raised his head to look at the man a few meters away r from him.
"How? Legit?" Pak Penghulu asked the wedding witness.
"Legitimate!" said the witnesses.
"Barakallah," said Pak Penghulu followed by other residents. Everyone raised their hands in prayer.
Lily raised her hand with tears dripping down her palm. Now he is legally married to a man with Varun Elang Bharatan. The lover he has known for two years through social media. A man who always praises and is a loyal fan of his writings. The man who had been in an LDR romantic relationship with her.
Varun smiled at Lily. Such a sweet and heartwarming smile. Varun nodded his head as if to tell Lily everything would be fine. There's nothing to cry about. While Lily just kept silent while continuing to stare at Varun in the distance that separated them.
*
"Mama, please. Don't be angry. I need Mama's support." Lily sobbed while talking to her mother on a video call. It didn't support or consolation he got. The woman who gave birth to him was furious. Lily is considered to have tarnished their family's good name.
"Ma, please. This is not what you imagined. After things get better, I will return to Surabaya."
Mama Lily was in shock and didn't say another word. Her mother disconnected the phone. Meanwhile, Lily was frozen in place. When he desperately expects his mother to help him or give him the best words, all he gets is anger and rejection.
"Mama...." Lily cried desperately. He covered his face with his hands. I feel like I can't face the world anymore. Like this time. Since being considered Varun's wife and stepping out of Pak RT's house, Lily's mind has been stuck, her soul seems to be pulled out of her body and she becomes a robot programmed to move.
Suddenly he arrived at Uncle Jamal's house. The only thing Lily wanted to do was call mom.
Now his hopes ended in long sorrow.
"Sorry for everything that has happened," said Varun who was already standing at the door of the room looking at Lily.
Lily gasped in surprise and was immediately clumsy. He tried to calm down, but still panicked.
"It's not your fault. I'm the stupid one. I'm obsessed with that novel. If only I wasn't this desperate." Lily's words were cut off by her sobs.
Lily kept crying. Soak in regret.
Varun couldn't take it anymore and immediately pulled Lily in his arms. Lily was still crying and hugged Varun's chest.
"I didn't know you would be this sad marrying me. But I just want to say that it's not your fault either. It's not your novel project's fault. Don't blame yourself or take your hobbies as the reason for this sadness."
Lily was silent. Varun's words seeped into his heart. Being in Varun's arms felt very comfortable. All the sadness and pain he felt disappeared for a moment.
Lily lifted her face and looked at Varun. They looked at each other in silence. A strange sensation began to appear between them.
Varun felt a strong tremor he had felt for a long time. Everyone was restrained by Lily's sadness. Now the desire is getting stronger. Varun approached Lily, wanting to kiss the red lips of the beautiful woman he had married.
Captivated by the charm of Varun's handsomeness, Lily closed her eyes and drew closer to Varun. Their distance was getting closer.