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Chapter 8 - Public Image

As part of the prestigious Pratama family, Amara and Raka face immense pressure to appear as the perfect couple in public. Their every move is followed by the media and the public, who expect them to always appear harmonious and happy. Amara often feels anxious when she has to attend public events, afraid of making mistakes that could damage the family's image. "We must always look happy and united, no matter what happens behind the scenes," Amara thinks nervously. Raka, who is more accustomed to the public spotlight, tries to help Amara cope with this pressure, even though he himself feels the same burden.

Maintaining a balance between personal life and public image is a big challenge for Amara and Raka. They have to be smart in dividing their time and energy to meet public expectations without sacrificing their personal happiness. "We have to keep our personal life healthy, but we also must not forget our public responsibilities," Raka said one day. They try to find time for themselves amidst their busy schedules, such as planning secret dates in quiet places or spending time together at home without distractions. This effort helps them maintain balance and maintain intimacy in their relationship.

Situations where they have to pretend to be happy or united often occur to maintain their public image, even though there is tension or disagreement between them. For example, when attending a charity gala, they have to smile and hold hands even though they have just argued about something. "We have to look affectionate in front of the crowd," Raka whispered as he gently took Amara's hand. Amara, even though she felt hurt, tried to hide her feelings and play along with the game. Small lies like this added pressure on them, but they knew it was necessary to maintain the family image.

The pressure to constantly pretend had a big emotional impact on Amara and Raka. They often felt stressed and exhausted because they had to always appear perfect in front of the public. Amara sometimes felt like she was losing herself in an effort to meet other people's expectations. "I feel like I'm living in a world full of pretense," Amara complained one night. Raka also felt the same burden, even though he tried to be strong in front of Amara. "We have to find a way to overcome this together," Raka said with a voice full of concern. They realized that this pressure could erode their mental and emotional health if not handled properly.

Being the perfect couple in public is not easy, but Amara and Raka try hard to find a way to deal with it. By supporting each other and finding a balance between their private and public lives, they hope to overcome this challenge and maintain the integrity of their relationship

Amara and Raka often have to attend various formal and social events as part of their responsibilities in the Pratama family. These events include business parties, charity galas, extended family gatherings, and other social events attended by important people from various circles. Each event requires them to appear elegant and charming, maintain etiquette, and interact with guests in a professional and friendly manner. "This business party is very important for our company network," Raka said to Amara. At the charity gala, they must appear luxurious and be involved in fundraising activities. "Amara, we have to make a good impression in front of the donors," he added. Extended family gatherings are no less challenging, where they have to appear compact and harmonious amidst critical and hopeful family members.

Pressure from the media is one of the biggest challenges faced by Amara and Raka. The media is always looking for a way to dig up a story or scandal about them, adding to the burden on their public lives. Paparazzi often follow their every move, capturing their private and formal moments. "We always have to be aware of the presence of cameras," Raka said seriously. This constant press coverage makes Amara feel awkward and sometimes stressed. "I feel like I'm under a microscope all the time," Amara said in a tired tone. Their every move and word can easily become a headline, requiring them to always appear perfect and careful.

Before attending an event or facing the media, Amara and Raka always make thorough preparations. They devise a communication strategy to maintain their image and ensure that they always appear compact and harmonious. "We have to agree on what we are going to say," said Raka while preparing a small note for Amara. They also practice answering questions that might be asked by journalists, ensuring that no one misunderstands their statements. "We have to be consistent and look confident," added Raka. Amara tries to follow all of Raka's advice and guidance, although sometimes she feels nervous. "I hope we can do it well," Amara murmurs, feeling a mixture of nervousness and determination. The public's reaction to Amara and Raka's appearance and behavior in public varies. Some praise their harmony and elegance, while others find loopholes to criticize. When their appearance is successful, they receive a lot of praise and support from the public. "You look like the perfect couple!" said one fan on social media. However, every small mistake or imperfect moment often becomes the subject of sharp criticism. "They are just pretending to be happy," commented a critic in an article. Amara and Raka have to learn to face criticism with a cool head and not let negative comments affect them. "We have to stay focused on our goals," Raka says firmly, encouraging Amara.

Amidst all the pressure to maintain a public image, Amara and Raka often miss moments of intimacy and freedom that they have difficulty enjoying. They miss the time when they can be themselves without worrying about what others think. "I miss the times when we can relax without having to pretend," Amara says in a soft tone. Raka understands Amara's feelings and tries to find a way to create those moments. "We have to find time for ourselves, in a place where there are no other people," Raka says, trying to calm Amara down. They plan secret dates in places away from the crowd, such as a short trip to the beach or a picnic in a secluded park. These moments help them maintain intimacy and emotional bond amidst public pressure.

Facing social events and media pressure is not easy for Amara and Raka, but with thorough preparation and the right strategy, they try to maintain their public image without sacrificing their personal happiness.

The pressure to always appear perfect in public is often a source of conflict between Amara and Raka. One example of conflict is their difference of opinion on how to deal with the media. Raka, who is more experienced with the public spotlight, tends to adopt a calm and strategic attitude when dealing with reporters. "We must always be ready with the right answer and maintain our image," Raka said firmly. However, Amara felt awkward and pressured by this overly formal and structured approach. "I feel uncomfortable having to always pretend. Wouldn't it be better if we could be more honest?" Amara replied in frustration. This conflict often leads to tension between them, especially when they have to attend big events or face difficult questions from the media.

To resolve the conflicts that arise, Amara and Raka try to have open discussions, trying to understand each other's feelings and perspectives. One night, after a stressful event, they sit together in the living room, trying to find a solution. "I feel like we need to talk more openly about how we feel," Amara said in a soft voice. Raka nodded, "You're right, Amara. I feel stressed about all of this too. Let's try to understand each other." They began to have a heart-to-heart talk, expressing their worries and hopes. Amara explained that she felt stressed about always having to pretend to be happy in front of the public, while Raka expressed how important it was for their future to maintain the family image. This discussion helped them find common ground and ease the tension.

In an effort to cope with the pressures they face, Amara and Raka also seek help or advice from family, friends, or professionals. Amara often talks to her mother, Mrs. Sari, who always provides emotional support and wise advice. "Amara, you have to take care of yourself. Don't let this pressure destroy you," Mrs. Sari says lovingly. Raka, on the other hand, seeks advice from his father, Mr. Rahman, who has extensive experience in dealing with the public spotlight. "You have to learn to maintain balance, Raka. Don't let work and public image take over your life," Mr. Rahman suggests. In addition, they also consider seeking professional help, such as a marriage counselor, who can help them cope with the pressure and maintain their mental health. "Maybe we can try therapy sessions together," Raka suggests. Amara agrees, "I think that's a good idea. We have to try everything to maintain our relationship." To cope with long-term stress, Amara and Raka take several important steps. They adjust their schedules and activities to maintain their mental and emotional health. "We have to have time for ourselves amidst all this busyness," Raka says. They started planning more regular downtime and making sure they had private moments without the distractions of media or social events. They also learned to limit their public exposure, choosing events that were truly important and avoiding unnecessary ones. "We don't have to be there for every event," Amara said. "We can choose wisely." With these steps, they hope to reduce the pressure they face and maintain balance in their lives.

The conflicts and pressures they face as a couple under the public spotlight are challenging, but Amara and Raka are determined to overcome them together. With open communication, help from those closest to them, and the right long-term strategy, they hope to maintain harmony and happiness in their relationship.

Amara and Raka have learned a lot from the challenges they face in maintaining their public image. One of the most important lessons is the importance of loyalty and support in their relationship. They realize that amidst the pressures and expectations from the public, only by supporting and being loyal to each other can they overcome any obstacles. "We must always be a solid team, no matter what happens out there," Raka said firmly. Amara agrees, "Your support makes me feel stronger. We can get through this together." They also learned to be less affected by public opinion, focusing on what's truly important in their relationship.

This experience helped Amara and Raka grow personally and as a couple. Amara became more confident in facing the public spotlight and more assertive in speaking her mind. "I learned to believe in myself more and not always rely on other people's opinions," Amara says confidently. Raka also experienced personal growth, becoming more patient and empathetic towards Amara's feelings. "I learned to listen and understand your feelings more," Raka says. As a couple, they have become closer and their bond has grown stronger. "We become stronger every time we overcome challenges together," Raka adds.

Amara and Raka hope for a more balanced future, where they can maintain their public image without sacrificing their personal happiness. They plan to be more selective in choosing the events they attend, making sure they have enough time for themselves and their relationship. "We have to find a balance between work, public responsibilities, and our personal lives," Amara says determinedly. They also plan enough downtime and vacations to avoid burnout and maintain their mental health. "Time together is the best investment for our relationship," Raka added.

Amara and Raka's commitment to staying honest with each other is a strong foundation in their relationship. They strive to create an authentic life, both in public and in their private lives. "Honesty is the key to building trust and true happiness," Raka said confidently. Amara agreed, "I promise to always be honest about my feelings, and I hope you will be too." With this commitment, they hope to live a more authentic and happy life, without having to always pretend in public.

Through this learning and growth, Amara and Raka feel more prepared to face the future. They are committed to continuing to work hard for their happiness and maintaining a strong and harmonious relationship.