Lily could feel Varun's erratic breathing. Varun's gaze was already wistful towards him. Lily's hand he placed on Varun's chest as his eyes closed.
"Sorry," Lily said suddenly away from Varun.
Sadness and awkwardness still gripped Lily. She still cannot accept the fact that she is married to Varun.
Varun was stunned for a moment. Starting with a blank stare. There was a feeling of disappointment and sadness surrounding him. The handsome man slowly looked at Lily.
"You don't like me?" asked Varun.
Varun's question pierced Lily's heart. He turned and looked back at Varun.
"It is not like that." Lily's tears had almost melted again.
Varun approached Lily and held her hand gently. A sweet smile graced Varun's face.
"I understand how you feel. This must not have been easy for you. We're still in shock."
Lily nodded. Honestly, she loves Varun. Just like Varun, he also thinks about having a serious relationship with Varun. However, not at this time. Not in this way.
They were lost with feelings for a long time.
"Lily, I promise to make you happy. Once we get home, I'll talk to my parents. We're getting married once again. It's legal." Varun looked deeply at Lily.
Lily's heart fluttered hearing Varun's words. After all, marrying the man she loves is Lily's dream.
Varun grabbed Lily's hand. "Don't be sad anymore. It's fate. We're already a match. I love you, Lily."
Lily smiled happily and hugged Varun. Happiness surrounds him. She became the most valuable woman in the eyes of a man who was legally her husband religiously.
"Varun, can you give me some time to study?" Lily asked quietly.
"Yes, dear," replied Varun.
Varun's calm and romantic demeanor made Lily feel at ease. The sadness that surrounded him disappeared for a moment. Lily was sure that Varun was a good man. However, once again he still needed time to accept everything that had happened.
"Don't cry anymore." Varun wiped the tears on Lily's cheeks.
Lily wanted to fall in Varun's arms once again. He felt there was the most comfortable place for him. Lean on Varun.
Uncle Jamal passed by and glanced at those who were still in the room with the door unlocked.
Varun and Lily instantly clumsily and reflexively drifted away from each other.
"Uncle, Lily was crying. I just wanted to comfort her." Varun tries to explain nervously.
Uncle Jamal glared at Lily and Varun. There was still anger and disappointment on his face. Lily looked down sadly again. Frankly, he was ashamed of his uncle.
"It's okay. You're already married. You're free to be alone anyways," said Uncle Jamal.
Varun and Lily looked at each other awkwardly. It wasn't what Uncle Jamal thought. Both of them knew it was useless to explain to Uncle Jamal. He will not believe it and will provoke more debate. Maybe later when conditions improve, they can all talk about everything with a cool head.
"The food is ready. Uncle just fried fish and cooked vegetables. Let's eat. You must be hungry. You've been messed up since yesterday," said Uncle Jamal.
Lily stepped out of the room and chased after her uncle. "Why don't you tell Lily, Uncle? Let Lily cook and prepare everything."
Uncle Jamal took a deep breath. "Ah, never mind. Take your husband to eat. Now you are a wife. Learn to be a good wife. Let Uncle prepare the plates and food on the table."
Lily was stunned. Uncle Jamal's words sounded simple, but they meant a lot to Lily.
"No, Uncle. Let me prepare it." Varun quickly went to the kitchen and wanted to serve the side dishes in the bowl that Uncle Jamal had prepared. He was shocked because he didn't realize the man was cooking in the kitchen. Maybe when Lily and Varun were still daydreaming or busy talking to their respective families.
"Just me. You wait there. Accompany Uncle," said Lily taking the bowl from Varun's hand.
When their hands accidentally touched, the two immediately became nervous.
"You're welcome. I'll help," said Varun. He also didn't have the heart to let Lily do everything herself, especially in the current state of the environment.
Finally, they ate in silence. The food Uncle Jamal cooked was delicious. Even though it's just fried fish that is lightly seasoned and stir-fried with mustard greens, Varun and Lily can enjoy it. Uncle Jamal is right. Varun and Lily are starving after a strange event befell them.
*
Varun helps Uncle Jamal repair an old broken motorbike in his repair shop. For several hours the man listened intently to Uncle Jamal's explanation about gears, carburetor, and how to install other motorcycle spare parts.
According to Varun struggling with machines is an interesting thing. Varun had always wanted to study mechanical science, but his father did not approve of him taking that major. Papa prefers Varun studied law like Akash, his older brother who was already a well-known lawyer. Some of the Varun family did work in the legal field. Varun is not interested in law. He prefers to design and art. He is the CEO of his design business. For this one, Papa did not like it, but not to the point of forbidding Varun. Papa never boasted of Varun including when he won a national design competition or when he successfully ran a mall construction project and got a fantastic turnover at a young age. Papa's reaction was normal and enough to make Varun disappointed. But Varun is used to it. Since childhood, Papa has always preferred Akash Samudra Bharata.
Varun sighed heavily when he remembered how Papa and Mama heard the news of Varun's marriage.
"Sir marriage? You have proven your stupidity without any effort." Those were Papa's words yesterday afternoon when Varun called.
Meanwhile, Mama was in shock. Varun could even feel Mama's tears over the phone. The woman loved him very much from the first second Varun appeared in the world.
"Relax, son. We will take care of your problem. Akash will straighten everything out. The marriage can be annulled. You don't need to panic," Mama said.
Who here is panicking? It was Mom who panicked.
"Mama, don't do that. I love her. This marriage doesn't need to be annulled." Varun was sure he didn't care about his papa's hurtful remarks.
Mama was silent for a long time before finally speaking. Still hoarse and giddy.
"You like him?" Mom asked.
"Really. I want to make our marriage official, Ma. She's a nice woman. Mama will like her."
Mama was silent again for a long time. No more chirping Papa. Maybe he was so fed up that he chose to leave.
"Yes, son. We'll arrange it later, okay? The important thing is that you're okay, right? They didn't do anything to you? You didn't get hit or treated badly? Tell Mama and Papa quickly if you're in danger. Don't keep it a secret from Mama." Mama's voice trembled again.
Varun feels a burden fall on him. It's not going to be easy. Papa will not accept this marriage that easily. Akash just isn't married and Papa is an old-fashioned modern person for that one thing. She would not like the idea of her sister marrying her brother first. Either because he thought it was not aesthetic, against family rules, or some kind of pamali.