"Can You give Me Your Whatsapp number? Please!" Bahadır said trying to seduce Sri with a hopeful face.
Due to Bahadır's persuasion, the girl finally gave him her cell phone number. Since then, Sri and Bahadır began to communicate more frequently via Whatsapp.
Sometimes, they communicate via video calls. Their days were filled with laughter and joy. They feel comfortable and have something in common.
Bahadır's presence made the girl forget a little about her sad past. Vice versa, Bahadır also felt comfortable talking to the 25-year-old girl.
Since then, the blue-eyed man has been secretly learning Indonesian. For a month, the man suddenly learned Indonesian.
And unexpectedly, during that month, he was already quite fluent in speaking Indonesian. This was done by the girl solely so that the opportunity to be close to the girl was wide open. Because secretly Bahadır has started to have a crush on that innocent girl. They both admire each other.
****
It was a Sunday morning. The shop is on holiday. Meanwhile, Mr. Poniman--was also on holiday at that time. Mr. Poniman is having a warm conversation with his wife.
"Mom, our child is old enough to be married." Said her husband while sipping a cup of coffee.
"Yes, I think so too. All of our youngest child's friends are also married. I'm worried that our child will become a spinster. Yesterday, the son of Mr. Kades, a close friend of Sri, was married. Her life is now quite prosperous. Her husband is a successful businessman. from Jakarta. Now only our children are not married," said Mrs. Warsinah.
"Yesterday, you met Mr. Kades. He is looking for a girl to marry his nephew in Jakarta. He intends to set his up with our child. If I'm not mistaken his name is Anton Pratama. Let's talk about this match later with our children," said Mr. Poniman.
"Yes, I will talk about this to Sri later." Mrs. Warsinah said.
"You hope that Sri will accept the proposal of the nephew of the village head." Answer Mr. Poniman
Sri suddenly came up to her father and said, "Sri doesn't want to get married yet, Father, Mother. Sri still wants to work again. Sri also doesn't want an arranged marriage."
"Sri, your father and mother are old. You just want to see your children live happily and prosperously. Anton is the right man for you. Your life will be happy if you marry Anton!" Sri's father said.
"Your father is right Sri. We just want our children to live decent and happy lives." Mrs. Warsinah said while embracing Sri's shoulders.
"But Mother, Sri doesn't want an arranged marriage." If if married, Sri only wants to marry a man of her own choice. Please, ladies and gentlemen, understand and understand Sri's feelings." Sri said with a sad face.
"You must accept Anton Sri's proposal. Remember! The village head's family is a good and respected family. You should be grateful and proud if later we can become part of their family. You must accept Anton's proposal. They will come here to propose to you this Sunday." said Mr. Poniman--in a high tone.
Hearing her father's words, the girl ran and entered the room while shedding tears. At the same time, Sri's cell phone rang. Bahadır video call.
"Sri! How are you? Why do you look sad. Have you been crying? Are you okay? Sorry, I just gave news today, because I have a lot of meetings with clients outside this month." said Bahadır.
"Wait a minute, there seems to be something strange about your words." The girl answered interrupting Bahadır's speech. Because Sri was surprised.
Bahadır can speak Indonesian fluently and is quite fluent. But, it doesn't take away his Turkiye accent when he speaks.
"You're studying Indonesian?
Hmm.. So, for this month you disappeared because you were secretly studying Indonesian?" Asked the girl.
"Yes, it's true, I'm studying Indonesian. Incidentally, my client has a friend who is a teacher from Indonesia.
And he teaches Indonesian in Turkiye. I did all of this so that I could communicate with you smoothly. Actually, I like you. Since we first met, I feel comfortable talking to you.
I feel as if I've known you for a long time. I didn't think it would be this fast either. The feeling came suddenly. I thought I couldn't fall in love anymore then. But it turns out I was wrong. I've fallen in love with you!" The expression of Bahadır's feelings for Sri, his face looks very happy.
"No! You can't possibly unite with me. I've been betrothed by my parents. This week, my future husband's family will come to my house to propose.
My father and mother could not possibly approve of our relationship. You are far away in the other country. We're about 9000 kilometers away, and it's not that close. There are so many differences between the two of us. The girl said to the blue eyed man.
In her little heart, the girl feels sad because in reality Sri has the same feelings for the blue-eyed man."
"I know you feel the same for me too. Don't worry.
I will keep my promise. I will come to Indonesia to propose to you. And I will prove to your parents that I am serious and really love you, Before that man comes, I will come to your house first." Bahadır said trying to convince Sri.
"Are you sure?" Sri replied, slightly disbelieving Bahadır's words.
"I believe, God willing, we will marry and unite." Bahadır replied reassuring the girl again.
***
That afternoon, Bahadır intended to ask his mother's blessing. He talked to his mother while drinking tea.
Bahadır told his mother that he would come to Indonesia to propose to a girl from Indonesia.
Incidentally, Bahadır's family is not old-fashioned and tends to be open. They free their children to choose their own partners. Not in the slightest forbidding or limiting sons and daughters in choosing a life partner. Bahadır also asked his mother to accompany him to buy jewelry to propose.
It looks like the two of them went to a jewelry store. Bahadır said, "Teşekkür ederim, Annem."
(Thank you, my mother)
"Rica Ederim, canım." Answer his mother
(You are welcome, my dear)
At the same time, at Sri's house, it seemed that she was very busy preparing for the proposal ceremony with the nephew of the village head.
It was also seen that Warsinah's mother was on the phone with her first child, Endang.
Meanwhile, Ningsih, her second child, could only go home on Sunday, because her husband only had the weekend off. Endang will go home three days before the application is held.
Sri was pensive and felt very confused in her room. Sri was confused to choose, it was a difficult choice for her. If Sri accepts Anton's proposal to comply with her father's and mother's requests or chooses to accept Bahadır's proposal, the man Sri has loved so far. On the other hand, She also does not want to fight her parents for fear of being a disobedient child. But on the other hand she wants to pursue her love. The girl also had a crush on the Stranger Man. Her feelings and heart are worried.
Behind the door to her room, Mrs. Warsinah saw her son sad. With a sad face he approached his youngest child and then she said, "Sri, this mother and father are old. You just do what your father says. I believe that your life can be more secure and happy. If you later marry Anton, the nephew of the village head. Your father and mother are poor people. During this time we live in poverty and suffering. Many people often despise our family. Maybe this is the way you are matched with Anton. If you marry Anton, you can elevate your family's status. Let this pain and suffering be enough for Father and Mother to experience it. You and your brothers don't want to be like your father and mother."