Chapter 3 They Were Separated

"The reason is because it turns out you are from the same tribe and that is prohibited by our customs, therefore we have decided to cancel your engagement with Ridwan. Not only that, Kintani, we are forced to separate you both and you are no longer allowed to have a relationship like you have had for the past 2 years," said Uncle Gindo.

"You are evil! You are heartless! How could you have the heart to separate me from Uda Ridwan!" Kintani's outburst of emotion could not be contained, she sobbed, unable to accept the reality.

"Uncle knows this is not your fault, but this really cannot continue. Because not only you, but our entire family will be embarrassed, Kintani," Uncle Gindo tried to make his hysterical niece understand.

"Mother...!" unable to hold back her sadness, Kintani stood up from her kneeling position and ran to Mrs. Anggini's lap who was also in tears.

Unable to bear it all, Kintani fainted and of course made her parents and uncle even more panicked. Kintani was taken and laid in her room, after that Mr. Wisnu and Uncle Gindo went back out to the living room while Mrs. Anggini continued to accompany her daughter who was lying unconscious in her room.

"When it's like this, we'll remember all the important things that we have to explain related to understanding customs and traditions to children, grandchildren, and nieces," said Mr. Wisnu who was sitting leaning in the front room with Uncle Gindo.

"I never thought something like this would happen in our family, this is quite a difficult problem for us to face. It won't be easy to give Kintani an understanding in her condition like this, we should wait for the right time to give her an understanding, give her a chance to calm down in the next few days," said Uncle Gindo.

A few minutes later Mrs. Anggini was seen coming out of her daughter's room, she immediately joined her sitting in the front room where the engagement ceremony was going to be held.

"Kintani is awake, Anggini?" asked Mr. Wisnu.

"Not yet, Bang," Mrs. Anggini called her husband Abang.

"Don't worry too much Wisnu, what Kintani experienced is normal because of the mental pressure that she couldn't stand, it won't be long before she regains consciousness," said Uncle Gindo.

Meanwhile, Ridwan and his family had arrived back at their house, after the driver who also rented his car to take Ridwan's family left, Mr. Rustam and his family sat in the living room.

"Ridwan, now it's time for Dad to tell you why you brought her home before the engagement ceremony was held," Mr. Rustam started their conversation in the living room.

"Yes, Dad," even though he was curious, Ridwan tried to be patient and calm as he listened to his father tell him everything.

"It's like this, Ridwan, we were forced to cancel your engagement with Kintani. The reason is that you are from the same tribe and that is prohibited by Minangkabau customs," said Mr. Rustam in a heavy tone.

"Duaaaaaar...!" like lightning struck in broad daylight when Ridwan listened to his father's explanation, his body felt hot and cold as if he had a fever, his lips trembled and he found it difficult to speak.

"So..so, how is it, Dad?" Ridwan stuttered, not knowing what to say or ask.

"No one from our side or Kintani's side thought this would happen, you need to know Ridwan, people of the same tribe or tribe are brothers and are not allowed to have a love affair, let alone get married. That has been the case from the past until now," said Mr. Rustam.

"You have to be patient, okay, son? All of that cannot be opposed, because as a Minang person, we are required to always uphold customs and having a love affair with the same tribe is the most opposed thing since the past," added Mrs. Suci, trying to calm Ridwan's heart which now felt like it was shattered into pieces.

"I really love Kintani, Mom."

"Yes, I know that, but we cannot insist on opposing something that is strictly prohibited in our customs and tribe. You and Kintani are both Caniago, even though you are not blood related, in the customs that still apply today you are brothers." Ridwan's chest felt crushed holding back the turmoil that could bring tears, he lowered his head weakly with his whole body shaking. For the first time he fell in love and truly loved a girl, and for the first time he also felt the bitterness of reality.

"You two must try to forget each other, for that, I also ask you to remove your cellphone card and replace it with a new one. Likewise, Kintani's contact number on your cellphone must be deleted right now, the applications where you usually communicate must also be deleted all," requested Mr. Rustam.

"Yes, Dad," Ridwan gave his cellphone to Fitria with the intention of asking his younger sibling to remove the sim card from his cellphone and then delete all chat applications.

Ridwan fell into tears because he tried as hard as he could so that it would not spill down his cheeks, while Fitria was unable to hold back her tears, while taking out the sim card and deleting all applications and Kintani's contact number from her brother's cellphone, she sobbed.

"One more thing you have to do, Ridwan. Tomorrow you are no longer allowed to live and work in Padang City, you have to go to Jakarta to meet your uncle who is there," requested Mr. Rustam again to his son.

"Okay, Dad, but before going to Jakarta, I ask for a day to stop by in Padang City. Besides most of my clothes are at Mr. Hendra and Mrs. Indri's house, I also want to say goodbye to them and my friends who are shop owners and traders at the market," Ridwan asked his father.

"Yes, Dad allows it. After that you have to leave Padang City, Dad will tell your uncle right now, Suci call Ramli," said Mr. Rustam then asked his wife to contact Ramli, Ridwan's uncle.

"Assalamualikum, Sister," greeted Uncle Ramli answering the call on his cellphone.

"Waalaikum salam, Ramli," replied Mrs. Suci.

"What's wrong, Sister?"

"Brother Rustam, let him explain," Mrs. Suci gave her cellphone to Mr. Rustam.

"Ramli, good fortune cannot be pursued, bad fortune cannot be achieved. The engagement plan of your nephew Ridwan with Kintani had to be canceled," said Mr. Rustam interspersed with proverbs.

"Canceled? Why is that?" Uncle Ramli was surprised.

"The reason is because Ridwan and Kintani are of the same tribe."

"Gosh, so how will the Kintani family respond when they find out about all that?!"