Love After the Lantern

Mahesa Dirgantara, was busy tidying up his work tools-more precisely, his architectural tools. The twenty-eight-year-old man was an architect, following in his father's footsteps. The man was smart enough for his job; it was fitting that many companies wanted to cooperate with his company.

The man, who was familiarly called Dirga, smoothed his hair in front of the mirror. Soon he would go with his parents to Dirga's restaurant, which had been inaugurated some time ago. They were preparing to meet Brian's family to discuss the cooperation contract and several other things.

Meanwhile, Brian's family is in the middle of a fuss with his daughter, who is still busy being polished by her mother. The girl named Adara Wanadya Padma is the only child in Brian's family. She was still very much a girl; she was only nineteen years old.

"Mom, who are we meeting? Why am I dressed up like a clown?"Adara asked Yola-her mother.

"Clown, clown. That mouth of yours, it's so limp."Yola poked her daughter's head a little. Adara was indeed a good talker.

"Mom, it's ready yet! Mr. Aslan is on his way!" shouted Brian from outside Adara's room.

"Yes, dad. It's done!" replied Yola.

"Come on, I'm waiting out front."

"But who is Mr. Chandra?"

"Dad's friend."Yola quickly pulled Adara's hand away before the girl could ask more questions. Yola would never forget Adara's fussy mouth.

"Duh, Mama, the ribbon came off," said Adara. Brian's car had just pulled out of their compound, but Adara was already having problems.

"Put it back on."

"I can't, Mom. Where are we going to dress me up like this anyway? Why don't you just wear normal clothes? Like sleepwear, it's already nighttime; why are you leaving the house? I really want to find a disease," muttered Adara who sat alone in the back seat. Yola just rotated her eyeballs, feeling annoyed with Adara's behavior.

"Dad, where are we going? Please answer me, dad. I've been curious for half my life," she whined repeatedly.

"To see the president." Brian answered simply. Brian was also fed up with the same questions that Adara kept asking.

"Meet the president?!" Adara's eyes lit up. Adara really wanted to meet the president. She was going to declare all her wishes in front of the president.

"I have to be pretty, so I don't look like a hobo in front of the president."Adara was already a hobo by nature. However, Adara's hobbling was covered by her wealthy family.

"Why here? Not to the state palace."Adara knitted her eyebrows, a sign of confusion.

Adara stared at the luxurious restaurant with its all-brown building. The restaurant in front of her looked classic, with a mix of modern styles that created a beautiful atmosphere as it blended in with its surroundings.

"Why is it quiet? This restaurant isn't selling well."Adara said it carelessly.

"Adara, don't speak so bluntly. Be careful what you say."Yola warned.

"Good evening, Mr. Chandra," greeted Brian warmly to the man wearing a black suit, matching Brian.

"Good evening, and welcome too, Mr. Brian." Chandra also warmly welcomed Brian, Yola and, not to forget, Adara.

"Shake hands first, son."Yola ordered.

"They are not my teachers, Ma. Why should I shake hands with them?" chirped Adara in a loud voice.

"Adara..." Yola growled at herself. She felt embarrassed to invite Adara this time.

"Oh, yes. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Adara greeted Chandra and Dania-Chandra's wife.

"Let me introduce you: This is my son, Adara. His name is Dirga," Chandra introduced his son.

Adara shook Dirga's hand. "Hello, Mr. Dirga. Why is he almost the same age as Mr. Chandra? I thought you were twins." Again Adara embarrassed Brian and Yola with her mouth.

"Adara, watch your mouth," Yola whispered angrily. Adara would rather keep quiet than talk, but she was tongue-tied.

"Sorry, sir. My daughter is very outspoken," said Brian, who was already embarrassed to death.

"No problem, sir. Please have a seat." Chandra invited Brian's family to sit down. They sat at a large round table. Only that table was large, the rest were medium-sized.

"This is Dirga's restaurant, sir?" Brian asked Chandra. Dirga smiled at the question, agreeing.

"Yes, because Dirga himself designed the design of this restaurant." Chandra replied kindly.

"Oh, this is Mr. Dirga's restaurant? Sir, try putting a big flower in the corner. It's scary when it's empty, I'm afraid there are ghosts roaming around." Adara said again. Yola immediately nudged Adara's leg to get her daughter to shut up.

Dirga only replied with a smile and a nod. This made Adara whisper to Yola, "Mom, he can't talk, can he? How come he just smiles and nods?" Luckily, she only whispered.

"No, I'm not. You'd rather stay quiet than be kidnapped by the ghosts that are here," Yola replied curtly.

"There are ghosts here! Mom, let's go home." Adara suddenly stood up and pulled Yola's arm. Suddenly everyone turned to Adara. Adara was indeed a troublemaker.

"Adara, already." Yola said in a half-whisper to Adara. Adara's parents were quite tired of what Adara was doing. Finally they decided to separate Adara at another table. In front of Adara there was already a small aquarium containing several fish. Adara was starting to calm down with her crazy thoughts.

It had been more than an hour since Adara was separated from them. Not even the sound of laughter from the two families disturbed Adara's attention. Adara was still busy talking to the small fish in the aquarium.

"Do you want to take the fish home?" Dirga asked Adara. The conversation was over, and Adara didn't realize it.

"Is it okay?"

"It's okay. I'll wrap the fish, okay? It'll be safe on the way home."

Adara's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Mr. Dirga!"

Adara looked at the fish she had just gotten from Mr. Dirga's restaurant. She was happy that her fish collection had finally increased. There were already two aquariums in Adara's house, and this was the third one.

Adara placed the third aquarium near the other aquariums. She poured the fish she had just gotten into the aquarium. The little fishes swam happily, running to and fro.

"Adara, come here. Papa wants to talk to you."

The girl immediately turned around, and with her carefree attitude, she half ran to her parents. "What's wrong, Daddy?"

"Earlier, while we were talking, we decided to plan for you and Dirga's wedding. It will be next week." Brian said.

"What?! I'm getting married to Mr. Dirge?! I don't want to!" Adara refused. Adara didn't know Dirga at all; there was no way she would want to marry that man.

"Dirga is a responsible, well-established man who doesn't just blurt it out like you," Yola said with a sardonic look at Adara. Apparently, Yola was too annoyed with her daughter.

"We will get a lot of benefits if you marry Dirga. First, Papa and Mr. Chandra's company will become more advanced. Secondly, you will be well looked after by Dirga because he is a mature man. Your future will be bright if you marry Dirga." Brian explained some important points.

"What mature man? He's an old man," said Adara.

"You know that mouth of yours, Adara. Watch it a little."Yola opened her mouth again.

"Guarded why, he's an old man. I don't like him. I don't want to marry Mr. Dirga anyway!"

Brian became angry. "Agree or disagree, you still have to marry Dirge!" Brian snapped. He walked out of Adara's presence as soon as that piercing gaze landed in Adara's eyes.

Adara could only bow in resignation, as Brian was firm on his decision. Everything happened again because of his own business interests. Brian was willing to give his daughter to a man Adara didn't know at all.

"Mom, I'm not ready yet." Adara continued to whine to Yola.

"Ready or not, you're getting married!"

"But it's not Mr. Dirga I want."

"Listen, this time don't refuse mom and dad's request. Remember, this is for your own good. We just want you to live a happy life."

Adara looked down again. "Yes, Mom."

"What happiness? I won't love Mr. Dirga. Until whenever," Adara muttered, fortunately not heard by Yola.

"Now you must smile. It's not good to be a sullen bride." Yola supported her daughter's gloomy face. She tried to encourage Adara. Yola assured Adara that Dirga was not a bad choice.

This time, in front of Adara, a magnificent wooden door stood firmly. Adara looked down. The door was opened by two people, revealing the entire white building.

Brian sensed the tension from Adara. "Come on, move." He found it difficult to move forward as Adara held his body in place.

"Why is everything all white, Dad? Are we in heaven already?" It hadn't even started yet, but Adara's mouth was already agape.

"Adara, seriously." This time, Brian's tone was enough to make Adara shut her mouth tightly. She walked with Brian's hand in hers, and let's not forget the flower in the other hand that she clutched with trembling hands.

Two small children in front of Adara and Brian - Adara's cousin - scattered flowers along the long red carpet. Adara did not dare to look ahead, let alone at her strange-looking husband-to-be standing in front of her.

Dirga removed the wedding veil that covered Adara's face. "Look at your future husband."

"It's rude to stare at your elders carelessly." Adara said it in a high tone. Her mouth needed to be gagged with a dirty cloth.

"Old, old. He's your future husband." Brian gave Adara a sharp look. Adara covered her mouth again.

Brian handed Adara's hand to Dirga. Adara's hand felt very cold. She looked nervous, and sometimes she even spoke incoherently.

"Raise your head, Adara." Dirga pleaded. Ever since Dirga took Adara's hand, Adara's gaze kept looking down.

"The dress is too long. I'm afraid of falling down the stairs," Adara replied lightly.

"I'll take care of you. You're safe, Adara."

"Tsk." Adara raised her head, but it was directed at Yola who was sitting next to Dania.

Yola gestured for Adara to smile. Her lips lifted for Adara's lips to follow and her mouth said softly, "Smile. Come on, smile." It was like Yola was telling a child on stage to smile. Indeed, Adara was still a child in her eyes.

Adara smiled and looked at her future husband. Adara stared with an intimidating gaze. Her earlier smile faded away. Adara hoped that this marriage would fail and never happen.

But, in fact, everything went well and smoothly. By now, Adara's dress had changed to a light blue color. At least it was lighter than the white dress.

"Mr. Dirga, fish!" Adara's eyes lit up as the glass floor of the building was filled with freely moving fish. Adara stomped her feet slowly, as if she wanted to run to catch a fish.

"Patience, Adara. After this event is over, you can catch those fish." Dirga's words boosted Adara's spirits. Adara's lips spread a smile on their own.

Adara felt happy when her feet stepped on the glass floor. The dress Adara wore also matched the theme of their wedding, which was a sea theme. Dirga knew Adara's favorite thing, fish.

The wedding that went according to plan for both families was a disaster for Adara. The girl would now be separated from her parents and living with a stranger. Adara looked back several times as the car they were traveling in began to leave the venue.

It looks like the plastic fish in Adara's hand can't cheer her up at the moment. Dirga bought the fish from the wedding organizer because of Adara's interest in the fish on the glass floor.

Adara only turned her face away when another tall building submerged the building. She began to stare at the fish in the plastic. Adara missed the beautiful view of the city in the afternoon. She just gazed at the fish swimming nimbly in the plastic.

"We've arrived," said Dirga. Adara stared at the house in amazement. It was even bigger than her house.

"Hurry up, sir! The fish will die!" Adara was suddenly in an uproar, even though she had been keeping her mouth shut.

"Here's the key. You go in first. Put the fish in the pond behind the house. It's big enough there. " Dirga gave the house key to Adara, who was eager to put the fish in the pond. Especially hearing about the big pond, made Adara's mind imagine how many fish were swimming in it.

The impolite girl impolitely left her husband with a large suitcase filled with equipment for herself. It didn't seem like a problem for Dirga, considering his burly body. However, Adara ran to find the pond Dirga was referring to, instead of helping carry his suitcases.

"There's the pond!" Adara jumped for joy. She quickly approached the pond and dipped the fish that had been trapped in plastic.

"Wow, the fish are beautiful," she said, mesmerized. The back room of the house is covered with smooth artificial grass. There is a hanging chair, a few other chairs, and a table. The roof is made of glass that can be opened and closed. This house has everything for Adara, as it comes with a fish pond that is enough for her to take a dip in.

Dirga stretched his muscles after successfully moving Adara's heavy suitcases upstairs. Dirga chose to take a shower first, and now he changed his clothes into something more casual - a white t-shirt and short black pants.

"Adara, take a shower first. It's almost night." Dirga's voice stopped his conversation with the fish, or rather Adara talking to the fish.

"Yes." Adara immediately stood up and passed Dirga without a word.

"Your room is on the second floor, at the far end." Dirga said. Adara just nodded in understanding.

Adara opened the door to her room. The room was neat, the bed fit two people and all of Adara's belongings were in place. Adara opened the closet to get a change of clothes. She looked at her clothes that were already neatly organized in the closet. Adara checked the entire contents of the suitcase, everything was empty.

"Wait, that means my underwear too." Adara checked the bottom of the closet and found her underwear already neatly arranged.

"MR. DIRGA!" Adara shouted from the room.

"What's wrong?" Dirga came in half out of breath. Apparently, after hearing Adara's shout, Dirga immediately ran from behind.

"You're the one who straightened my clothes?!" Dirga answered with a nod. "What do you mean?! You also did my underwear! Are you taking a chance in a tight spot?"

"I didn't mean anything by it. I thought you were tired, so I took care of everything."

"You're old, sir! I know what your perverted mind means!" Adara accused Dirga right in front of her.

"If I was horny, I would have fucked you by now." he explained, making Adara shudder in horror.

"Please take a shower, let me prepare dinner." Dirga walked away, leaving Adara still standing with an angry stare.

Adara came out of the bathroom and got ready for dinner, with Dirga again. In front of her, the food was neatly arranged on the table. The food looked tantalizing. Everything looked delicious.

Adara immediately sat down and indulged her rumbling stomach. There was no conversation during dinner. Dirga was even engrossed in his own food. Adara herself couldn't resist if Dirga's cooking was said to be delicious, because it was true that Dirga's cooking was really good.

"After this, I want to meet Maven for a while. You can sleep in your room, and I can sleep on the front sofa. Don't forget to lock the door after I leave. " Dirga said.

Adara's heart cheered. She was happy when Dirga was not by her side. Adara was free to do anything now.

"Huh?! No sanitary napkins?! I must have forgotten to bring them." Adara cursed herself for being forgetful. That night Adara had her monthly visitor, and she hadn't brought a single item she needed.

"Just call Mama." Adara picked up her cell phone, but decided against it. "Mama must be tired. I can't bear to ask her to bring me pads."

"Should I ask Mr. Dirga instead? But I'm embarrassed to say that. What should I do?" Adara bit the tips of her nails. She paced back and forth, trying to come up with an idea, but again, it led to Dirga.

"Adara, you need to get rid of some of your shyness tonight. It's okay to ask for his help once in a while," Adara muttered to herself.

"Hello, Mr. Dirga." Adara was a little nervous about talking on the phone, but she needed Dirga's help now.

"Yes, what's up?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm on my way home."

"Please buy me some bread, I have my period." Adara said quickly, and she hurriedly hung up the phone. Dirga only caught Adara's voice until the 'bread' part, the rest was not clearly heard because Adara said it quickly. Dirga called Adara back, but there was no answer. Dirga decided to buy what Adara wanted, according to what Dirga had heard.

About thirty minutes later, Dirga arrived home. He handed Adara a white plastic bag. The girl immediately took it and went into the bathroom. Dirga himself was surprised.

"MR. DIRGA! WHY DID YOU BUY ME MOONCAKES?!" Adara shouted in front of the bathroom door. The look in her eyes was angrier than ever.

"You said you wanted moonlight cake. Did I buy the wrong one?" she asked innocently. Dirga wasn't entirely wrong, it was Adara who didn't say it clearly.

"Yes, you bought the wrong one! I asked for sanitary napkins, not mooncakes!"

"Wait a minute, let me buy it for you." Dirga hurried away before Adara's voice could be heard again, deafening his ears.

Dirga stood in front of a shelf containing many brands of sanitary napkins. Dirga was confused about which one to buy. He decided not to contact Adara, fearing that she would feel even worse.

Meanwhile, Adara waited for Dirga for quite a while. Her stomach was already hurting, but Dirga had yet to show up. "It's taking so long! My stomach hurts!" Adara squatted in front of the bathroom door, holding her aching stomach.

"I already bought what you asked for." Adara's eyes widened when she saw the large plastic bag in Dirga's hand. Apparently, Dirga had bought every brand of sanitary napkins in the convenience store.

"Why did you buy this much?! Why didn't you ask me?!" Adara was annoyed to death. In her eyes, Dirga always acted inconsistent with what Adara wanted, even though Dirga had tried to be a good man and understand Adara.

"I thought you needed some time alone, that's why I didn't ask you first." Dirga said. Adara was clearly getting angry. Adara wanted to tear Dirga's face to shreds, but the pain in her stomach was more dominant now.

"Yes, I need some time alone! Now, you get out of my sight!" Adara ordered, and Dirga complied. He suspected Adara would be more angry when she was on her period.

"Patience, Dirga, patience." Dirga called it a mantra. After marrying Adara, he would probably always say that mantra.

Dirga looked into the bathroom several times, the door was still closed even though it had been more than thirty minutes. Dirga began to worry about Adara's condition. Dirga moved back and forth to get closer, unprepared for Adara's angry outburst.

But he was worried about Adara. Whatever happened, Adara was a woman he would take care of, even though Dirga knew they didn't love each other.

"Adara, are you still inside?" Dirga knocked on the door and called Adara several times, but Adara didn't answer him. Dirga began to worry.

"You're so noisy!" Adara shouted, which relieved Dirga a little. However, he still didn't calm down until he saw Adara with his own eyes.

"Why don't you come out of the bathroom?"

"Because you're noisy! My stomach hurts so much!"

"Open the door now, Adara!" Dirga pleaded.

"No!"

"Open the door, or do I break it down?"

"You don't need to interfere! I can do it myself!" Adara's voice was heard sobbing. Dirga's emotions became frantic.

"Adara, stay away from the door. Let me break it down if you don't want to open the door." Dirga slammed his body against the bathroom door. With his burly body, the door opened with a single push.

"Come, sit on the sofa. It's cold in here." Dirga pulled Adara's hand. The woman who had insisted on remaining silent finally gave in to Dirga.

"Here, put it on your stomach. I'll make you some hot tea, so your stomach won't hurt so much." Dirga handed Adara a warm pillow. There was no way Dirga could do it alone, considering Adara herself refused to be touched by Dirga.

"Feeling better already?" Adara nodded. Dirga gave Adara a glass of warm tea. He also did not forget to wipe the cold sweat on Adara's forehead.

"Is this drink safe? You didn't poison me, did you?" Adara accused again. In Dirga's worried position, Adara couldn't help but be prejudiced against her husband.

"No."

She took a sip of the hot tea that Dirga served her. "I'm going to sleep first." Adara straightened up. She was already feeling better.

"Are you strong enough to walk? Or do you want me to carry you?" she offered.

"You don't need to look for opportunities when I'm sick. You already stole the opportunity for me to stay with you!" Instead of thanking him, Adara swore at Dirga for trying to be nice to her.

Dirga stared at the moonlight cake he had bought all the way from his house. Dirga was willing to go out at night just to buy food that Adara didn't care about. Dirga kept the moonlight cake in the refrigerator, hoping Adara would eat it tomorrow morning.