"He deliberately vacated his Sunday schedule to meet you. I hope you understand, Aruna. Hendra's schedule is quite busy, even on weekends."

It seemed that Lesmana reminisced about his former status as Wiryo's personal assistant, the elder of Djoyodiningrat.

​​

"But, maybe I'll get there at noon Dad."

"Take the earliest train. As far as I know, there is a departure at 05.00 and arrive at Jakarta at eight o'clock. Do you need to send a car to pick you up?"

" No... no... You don't have to do it."

"Are you sure?? Do I need to ask permission from the event organizer?"

"No need, Dad... I can arrange it."

Aruna immediately rushed to apologise to Damar. The man escorted the girl with a heavy heart. He chose to stay a day or two more days in his hometown.

He heavily waved his hand at the reddish hue. How could he accompany her return?

Damar was too fragile to just listen to the noise of a train carrying his dream girl away.

"No memories are completely lost, Aruna, as long as you can remember it well."

The spell was exhaled along with a long whistle sign the train was ready to go.

***

"Ting tong."

The doorbell sounded several times. In her sister's white shirt, the girl looked uncomfortable, pressing the bell stuck to her future husband's mansion.

The man inside was smiling, watching the girl through the CCTV footage attached just above the doorbell button.

He let her stand there just to catch her forced, lazy, and sullen expressions. She even occasionally kicked her feet on the innocent floor.

'She is wearing a skirt?!'

Hendra smiled, once again observing as if something was forced.

'Who dressed her up?! Why is her lipstick so red?!'

This time the man's teeth were exposed because he chuckled. He was tickled to see Aruna's appearance and behavior.

The man understood that the outfit and makeup She used was not her style. He suspected that someone had forced her to look different.

Somehow, it was interesting to see.

"Sorry, it took a long time. I thought there was a salesperson who wrongly pressed the doorbell."

Hendra's temptation was only replied with Aruna's glance.

Aruna cautiously stepped inside. She hoped to find someone else in this sharp mouth man's mansion. But, what she found was a small screen attached to the wall, not far from the entrance.

'So, this man already knows I'm in front, or maybe he's deliberately buying time to tease me?'

"What is this?!" Aruna provoked a question.

"CCTV screen?! Any problems??"

"You're playing me on purpose!" Aruna was annoyed.

"Because..." The man pointed his finger at Aruna then swung it up and down.

"...you are a bit different. I need to make sure it's you." Hendra relaxed on the sofa with his right foot resting on his left.

"Oh..." Aruna swallowed her irritation.

Hendra hoped that the girl would show a bigger expression of annoyance. It was cuter than the word 'Oh...'

It was useless arguing. She was quite tired at this point. After she arrived at the station, His father's car drove quickly to take her home, welcomed by her mother.

Ah, Mom was even more unpleasant. She pushed her into her sister's room and forced her to wear Alia's clothes.

Alia's body was slender and a little flat compared to Aruna. But, Aruna's mom didn't run out of ideas.

She said Aruna's clothes were too boishy, not reflecting a female personality, not to mention other excuses.

The youngest daughter was tired of defending herself.

It was even worse when her mother ventured to polish her daughter's face.

Aruna didn't have the guts to say she could do it on her own. In fact, she couldn't do make-up. A powder and lip tint were enough to accompany her every day.

"Have you eaten?"

Aruna just realised she hasn't eaten anything since morning. But, the uneasiness on her face exceeded the hunger in her stomach.

"Where is the bathroom?"

Hendra pointed his index finger to the right and several other instructions as directions, including informing that he would continue cooking.

"I'll go to the bathroom first."

"Okay, if you look for me, just go to the pantry." He asked.

Shortly after that, the girl disappeared behind the bathroom door.

"Aaaa... !!"

Aruna's shout echoed. Hendra immediately stopped his activities.

He then knocked on the bathroom door while putting his ear on the door, hoping to be able to predict what was going on inside.

"Aruna... Aruna... Are you okay??" The man's voice trembled, indicating he was worried.

"Hendra, help me...."

.

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The background of this novel is in one of the countries in South East Asia where customs, norms, and values in those areas very much inspire every character depicted in this story.

The boundaries of relationship between males and females and the habits portrayed there can be very much different from your own life styles. I hope you can visit and see the places described in this novel and you can witness it yourself their uniqueness and beauty.