Chapter 4 PART 4

Part 4 - Anin's Heart Dilemma

As promised, Setia was waiting in the parking lot when Anin left the office with Novi.

"Um, your ride is here," Novi signaled with a raised eyebrow to Anin.

Anin sighed; she was actually reluctant to be picked up by Setia, but declining felt uncomfortable.

"Hello, good afternoon, Miss Novi." Setia smiled and greeted Novi. He was already acquainted with Novi.

"Afternoon, Mr. Setia. You're here to pick up Anin, right?" Novi glanced at Anin and smiled.

"Yes, Miss Novi, would you like to join us?" Setia invited.

"Oh, thank you, but I still have some things to do, plus my house is in a different direction than Anin's." Novi replied while playfully looking at Anin.

"Alright then, we'll be on our way. Goodbye, Miss Novi." Setia opened the car door for Anin.

Once Setia took the driver's seat, Anin rolled down her window.

"See you tomorrow, Anin. Mr. Setia, please make sure she gets home safely, my dear friend." Novi waved her hand, while Anin rolled her eyes lazily, smiling inwardly, of course without Setia's knowledge.

***

Setia drove the car slowly, occasionally stealing glances at Anin. Anin pretended to be indifferent as she looked out the window. She knew Setia was watching her, but she acted as if she didn't notice. She hoped Setia was genuinely just being nice due to their connection as in-laws and nothing more.

"Thank you, Mr.," Anin said as Setia pulled up in front of her house.

"Say hello to your parents for me," Setia replied.

"Yes, take care on the road, Mr.." Anin waved as Setia started driving away from her house. Anin looked at her house; it was empty. She felt lucky that no one knew she had been dropped off by Setia.

***

Anin had just finished freshening up when her younger sister, Fany, entered her room.

"Sis... Can I talk to you?" Fany scratched her head, even though it wasn't itchy.

She had been waiting for her older sister to return from the office for a while.

"Go ahead, Fan, why so formal?" Anin straightened her bed, which she hadn't tidied up in the morning.

"When do you plan on getting married?" Fany's question made Anin stop fluffing her pillows.

"Why? Are you in a hurry to get married?" Anin plopped onto her bed. It felt so comfortable to lie down right after taking a shower.

"Ugh, sis, I'm just asking. Actually, this question is from Ridho."

"Oh, I see. Is he eager to propose to you?" Anin teased Fany, who blushed.

"Well, Ridho just wants to know when I'll be ready. Our relationship has been going on for a while, and even Ridho's parents ask about it often. I'm just confused about how to answer."

Anin sighed. It wasn't Fany's fault; she always asked about Arjuna's seriousness in their relationship. Maybe it was because Arjuna wasn't like Ridho, who had the courage to come to Fany's house just to have a conversation with her father.

Arjuna, on the other hand, had never set foot in Anin's house, except when she visited her aunt's house.

"To be honest, Fan, I feel uncomfortable asking about the certainty of my relationship with Juna. Hmm... what if you get married first?"

"Is Mom going to give permission? You know how she is, I can't step over you, sis."

"Yeah, you're right." Anin nodded. Truly, the topic of marriage always left her anxious and restless. Like an old song lyric, the difference being that the song waited at the school gate, while Anin waited for Arjuna's readiness to lead her to the gateway of marriage.

"Give me another year, what do you think? Who knows if Mr. Juna will be ready by then," Anin tried to negotiate, even though her heart was only half certain.

"If Mr. Juna still isn't ready, then what, sis?" Fany asked cautiously.

"We'll see when the time comes," Anin shrugged.

***

On a typical Saturday night, Fany went out with Ridho, while Anin spent her time in her room. She had just finished chatting with Juna, asking about his activities over the past month. It was a routine conversation, and sometimes, Anin admitted to herself that she wished she could spend time with her sweetheart like Fany did. However, the fate of a long-distance relationship meant that they could only chat or video call.

The bedroom door opened, revealing Anin's mother, Mrs. Hardy, entering the room.

"Nin, there's a guest downstairs."

"Who?" Anin removed the headphones from her ears. While other couples spent their weekends going out for movies or meals, Anin was busy listening to melancholic songs on her phone with her headphones on.

"See for yourself." Her mother smiled and left the room, while Anin looked pensive.

Who could it be? She didn't expect any guests. Novi couldn't possibly come unannounced.

Anin descended the stairs of her house and saw a familiar figure-Setia.

"Oh, Mr. Setia?" Setia, who seemed to be looking at his phone, raised his head upon hearing Anin's voice.

"Good evening, Nin. Sorry if I'm interrupting."

Anin sat not too far from where Setia was. It wasn't typical for him to visit without his brother-in-law, Arvin.

"Not at all, Mr.. Are you here to meet Mr. Arvin?"

"Oh... no, I actually came to meet you."

"Oh. Do you have something you need to discuss with me?"

"Setia has asked for permission from my mother to take you out, Nin." Anin's mother came in, bringing a drink for Setia.

"As long as you're not out too late, dear, and you bring my daughter back safely, without anything missing." Her mother's words made Anin furrow her brow. What?

Anindya was an obedient child, even more obedient than Wina and Fanny. She always remembered that heaven lay at her mother's feet. So, if her mother granted permission for Anin to go out with Setia, what else could she do?

"Instead of locking yourself up in your room? Aren't you bored?" Her mother whispered, signaling with her eyes because she wasn't pleased that permission had been granted so easily.

Usually, her mother didn't like it when her daughter went out without proper planning, especially with someone she'd just met. In this case, was it true that Anindya had just met Setia?

And here she was now, in a car with Setia. Silence filled the air for a moment. Anin was at a loss about how to start a conversation.

"Are you okay with going out with me?" Setia started the conversation, as he noticed Anin hadn't said a word since they left her house.

"No, it's not that, Mr.. I'm just surprised. You suddenly showed up and then asked my mom for permission. Why didn't you ask me first? I might have had something going on too."

Actually, Anin was somewhat irritated by her mother's behavior. She felt somewhat coerced into going out with Setia. She couldn't refuse either, especially considering that Setia was a good friend of her brother-in-law, Arvin. Once again, she didn't want to be seen as an arrogant girl.

"Alright then, next time, I'll ask you first before suggesting we go out."

Anin sighed. Next time? Did that mean she'd be going out with Setia again?