CHAPTER 5

"So what if he's a widower, Mel? The important thing is that he's responsible and loves you. In the previous marriage, they divorced because of his ex-wife's mistake, Mel. Not Raffa," Sekar explained, looking at her son and massaging his forehead. 

"I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of you anymore, sweetheart. I'm afraid that I'll be called by the almighty but you don't have anyone to take care of you, I'm not calm, Mel," Sekar continued, causing Amel's eyes to tear up and look at her mother. 

"Mom, don't say that! Even though you're annoying, Amel doesn't want to lose you," Amel said in a sad tone, she approached the woman who gave birth to her and hugged her mother. 

"Ye... you're sad too, you're talking like that," Sekar grumbled, which was greeted by Amel's chuckle.

"But you're right, Mom, I'd feel more relaxed and at ease if I married a widower uncle," Amel said, and her mother gave her a playful pinch on the cheek. 

"Try not to mention Uncle Widower, dear! You're hard to tell," Sekar mumbled, to which Amel smiled. 

"Yes, Mommy is more free and calm with Raffa, dear. He's a good and responsible person. And of course, he loves you," Sekar replied, making Amel snort. 

"Well, if that makes you happy, Amel will accept this proposal. But... I still want to study, Mom," Amel said, causing Sekar to pause.

"You'll talk to Raffa later. Because he will be the one responsible for you, he will be your husband and your priest," Sekar said and then the woman excused herself when she heard the sound of a bell indicating that someone was in front of her house, which she guessed was Aunt Wati. 

"Alright, I'll take my leave. I think it's Wati because I asked her to bring me something." Amel nodded in response, finally leaving her daughter alone in the room. 

Sekar smiled to greet Wati. She helped her friend to bring the food. Inviting Wati into her home first and then serving her drinks.

"Wow, what's the occasion, Kar, how come you ordered so much?" asked Wati when she finished sipping a glass of juice served by her friend. 

"Ohhh, it's my daughter's proposal tonight, Ti," Sekar said, causing Wati to immediately turn to her friend.

"What! Is it really Kar, the boy, or the girl, Kar," screeched Wati, causing Sekar to stuff her friend's mouth with food. 

"You can keep your voice down, can't you? It's like being in the jungle and shouting," Sekar grumbled, which was greeted by a chuckle from Wati, who had known them since elementary school.

"Hehehe... what do I do, Kar, I've always had this voice," Wati retorted, making Sekar snort. 

"So who do you want to propose to, Kar?" asked Wati again looking at her friend with a curious look. 

"Yes, it's a girl, Ti. If it's a boy, it's a boy who's proposing," Sekar replied to Wati's chuckle, Sekar just shook her head at her friend. 

"Eh, yes already. I'll take my leave first because there are still many orders to be delivered," said Wati, and then the woman got up, Sekar immediately approached and handed over the money to pay for the order. 

"For the wedding, don't forget to order from me, or hire me to cook for the event," Wati said. 

"Insha Allah," came the words from Sekar's lips. 

"Yes already, assalamu'alaikum, I hope the event goes well until the wedding day," Wati said and Sekar agreed.

Meanwhile, in Amel's room. The woman was trying to contact Raffa. She grunted with annoyance when she called several times but her phone was not picked up. Just about to slam the flat object on the mattress, the ringing sound of the cell phone was heard, and he immediately received the call.

"This uncle, what the hell! Mom said, Uncle, that's for real, you know. Why did you say that you wanted to propose to me, Uncle .... see if it's true that you want to propose to me tonight, you have to cancel the proposal," Amel blurted out then she immediately turned off the phone line, the girl's breath was taken away.