Topan POV
"Are you sure you want to arrange this marriage, Mother? I think Dewi seemed hesitant to accept it earlier," I said, trying to start a conversation. My eyes stayed on the road, scanning the traffic ahead.
After lunch, I decided to drive Mother home before going back to the office. Today's ride felt heavier than usual.
I noticed Mother just sighed, glancing out the side window.
"I only want to fulfill your father's last wish. You haven't forgotten, right? And your brother isn't here. Who else could I rely on? Besides, your engagement with Marinka ended a long time ago."
I paused slightly when she mentioned Marinka's name. Yes, the woman I once loved. Our engagement ended two years ago because she chose her career, while I stayed with the company.
The light turned green, and I drove on. The atmosphere became quiet. Mother, who was usually talkative, was unusually silent. I wondered what she was thinking.
"Mother—"
I tried to speak again to break the silence, but her next words shocked me.
"Even until the end of his life, Kemal still mentioned Mira's name. That guilt… I can't get rid of it."
Screech! I slammed on the brakes! Luckily, we were already entering the residential complex, so the road was quiet.
"What… do you mean, Mother? Father and Aunt Mira? Explain it to me!" I demanded. But when Mother looked at me, her eyes wet with tears, I quickly pulled her into a hug.
"Mother—"
"Hikss… I was wrong… so wrong… I'm the reason Kemal and Mira separated. If only back then I—"
I rubbed her fragile back as she trembled in sobs. All this time, Father and Mother had seemed normal, like any ordinary married couple. But after Father passed a year ago, I often saw Mother just sitting quietly, lost in thought.
"Sshh, it's okay. You don't have to tell me now. Just calm down, Mother…"
I think Mother shook her head weakly. She took a slow breath, trying to calm herself. I stayed close as she held my hands. Her eyes, still glistening with tears, looked right at me.
"Topan, now I only have you and Ryuji. Even though your brother refuses to come back, you two are my sons, my precious treasure."
I gave a small smile and nodded.
"I loved your father very much, dear. Until now, all I can do is fulfill his last wish. Don't worry, Mira's eldest daughter is a good person; she's not the type to wander around. But I really admire Dewi. She's been independent since she was a child. Even when Mira and Andri had problems back then, Dewi stayed good and fully accepted Merry. You remember, right?"
I froze and nodded. I still remembered when Dewi first came to our house. That 10-year-old girl smiled brightly, holding her Winnie the Pooh bag, and stayed for a week because of her family problems.
"Andri's affair back then caused Mira so much disappointment. Especially when Andri brought Merry home—her heart must have shattered. Now their relationship is even colder. One thing I don't understand: why hasn't Mira divorced Andri?"
Hearing Mother talk about Dewi's family helped me understand her feelings a little.
"I guess that's not really your business to question, right?" I said flatly.
Mother shook her head without hesitation. Even though they had been friends since childhood, she and Aunt Mira didn't interfere in each other's family matters.
"I hope you can slowly accept Dewi. Even though this is an arranged marriage, I believe love will grow as you get used to being together."
Her words made me uneasy. For some reason, I wasn't sure I could love Dewi, not like I loved Marinka.
Topan POV END
---
One week later…
Seine Boutique, 10 a.m.
Today, Dewi and Topan were at Mira's boutique. Ratna and Merry, Dewi's half-sisters, were there to watch their sister pick a wedding gown.
"Wow, Mira, all the gowns are so beautiful… these are the ones we picked, right? Dewi will look perfect in any of them," Ratna said happily as the boutique staff brought out Mira's designs.
Mira nodded, smiling proudly. She had prepared these gowns long ago after planning the marriage.
"That's right, Sist. Each gown has a matching suit, so don't worry about Topan," Mira said, opening the boxes one by one.
"Mom… shouldn't Dewi and Topan be the ones picking?"
The middle-aged women paused and looked at the youngest. True, it's Dewi and Topan getting married!
The couple just sat on the sofa, looking unbothered. The mothers were more excited than they were.
Mira and Ratna just smiled shyly.
"Dewi, come here… pick the gown you want, hmm?" Ratna gestured.
"Topan, you too… Merry's right, you should pick your suit," Mira added.
Both looked reluctant, especially Dewi. She hadn't even spoken alone with Topan all week. The man with red eyes seemed calm, in contrast to her, who had been pestered all week.
"Mom, I'm fine with whatever you pick. All the gowns are nice anyway," Dewi said, avoiding the white gown boxes. Thinking about her wedding next week made her nervous.
Mira pinched her eldest daughter's ear. She couldn't understand Dewi's lack of enthusiasm.
"Tchh… don't embarrass yourself! That's your fiancé! This is a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, so don't regret it, Wi… what about this gown?"
Mira held up a cream-colored gown with a flower tie at the back. The strapless gown had a modest neckline. Dewi squinted, not liking it. Her mom loved dressing her in revealing clothes.
"No, Mom… no way I'm wearing that! It's cold… I'll pick!"
Grumbling, Dewi looked at the boxes. She didn't like revealing styles.
"Fine, suit yourself… pick whatever you want. I'll get Topan's suit first," Mira said, moving to the back.
While sorting, a box was handed to Dewi. It was Topan.
"How about this one?"
He offered a long ivory gown with slightly puffed long sleeves. The neckline was modest, simple and elegant.
Dewi hesitated but nodded. "I'll try it…" She went to the changing room.
Topan watched her go, then turned to the sofa where his mother and Merry were talking. Not wanting to disturb them, he leaned against a wall, lost in thought.
A few minutes later…
"Wi, how about this gown? Mom just went back—oh, where's Dewi?" Mira looked around. She couldn't see her daughter.
Ratna and Merry looked too. Then the changing room curtain opened. Dewi appeared in the ivory gown, slightly trailing on the floor. Everyone gasped. Even Mira was amazed.
"How's the gown? Too long?"
Dewi looked down at it, surprised by the silence.
"Topan, you—huh?!"
She was shocked. Mom, Topan's mother, Merry, and even the boutique staff were staring at her.
"Hey, why—"
"SISTER, YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!"
---
Topan POV
Merry's shout snapped me out of my daze. How long had I been staring?
I looked around. No Mother, no Merry. Where were they?
My eyes focused ahead, where the scream came from. Someone in a white gown was surrounded by people. I decided to approach.
Tap… Tap… Tap…
Wait… isn't that Dewi? That gown… she… looks so beautiful!
I froze. The woman I would marry next week looked perfect in the gown I picked.
"Bro, doesn't the gown look nice?"
"Yes… Dewi looks beautiful…" I replied automatically. My eyes stayed on her. Her cheeks turned red, and I heard soft whistles.
What? Why? Something's wrong?
I looked at Mother for explanation, but she just laughed.
"My sister really is pretty… I asked if the gown is nice. You picked it, right?"
Oh gosh. Merry's words made me blush. I cleared my throat and looked away.
Topan POV END
---
"I think this gown suits Dewi perfectly. Simple and fitting, especially for an outdoor wedding, right?" Topan said, trying to sound casual.
Ratna and Mira giggled. They thought Topan was flustered seeing Dewi.
"Alright, alright… Dewi, do you agree with Topan's choice, or do you want another gown?" Ratna asked, easing the tension.
Dewi paused. She didn't like dressing up. But after looking in the mirror, she liked Topan's choice.
"Yes, Mother… this one. I like it too," she smiled.
They talked briefly before heading to Qwenteen Jewelry, Dewi's father's friend Andri's store, to pick their rings.
---
12:45 p.m.
After choosing the rings, they were now in Topan's car, heading to a restaurant where Andri waited.
The car was silent, only the engine and city noise.
Dewi felt awkward. She glanced at Topan, wanting to ask something she had held back.
"What's wrong?"
Her worry stopped when Topan's hoarse voice broke the silence. She took the chance to speak.
"You know we were arranged to marry, right? Why didn't you refuse? And… hey, we're five years apart!" She couldn't believe it—she was marrying a younger man!
Topan raised an eyebrow. He didn't see a problem with the age gap.
"I know… but refusing would only cause problems, right?" he said calmly, still driving.
"What? What problems?! You don't have a girlfriend? What if she finds out? Oh no, I'll be called a home wrecker! I don't want—"
Dewi's nonstop chatter made Topan groan.
"Gosh, it's just us here, but your voice is louder than the salespeople yelling outside, tchh…" he muttered.
He turned into the parking lot. Dewi stopped talking, staring out the window.
Topan parked and exhaled slowly.
"This marriage is my late father's last wish. Who else can fulfill it? My brother wouldn't, and he'd probably refuse anyway. Don't worry, I won't make it hard for you as my wife."
After that, Topan got out, leaving Dewi deep in thought. She was surprised by his words. But could they build a marriage without love?
TO BE CONTINUED...