CHAPTER 14
Thirty years later, Ardi finally came out of the bathroom too. He walked without realizing that Niken was watching him. Actually, it wasn't that he didn't know, he just chose to pretend not to see.
 "Apparently, men need thirty minutes to shower? Longer too, yes. I only need fifteen minutes, while you?" Niken sneered, while looking at Ardi from top to bottom.
 He paused his sentence waiting for Ardi's next reaction. However, what he expected did not match his expectations. Ardi was even indifferent. He just walked away without responding to Niken's taunts.
 The beautiful girl who now has the status of Mrs. Ardi snorted in annoyance. His face was bent and his cheeks puffed out. He folded his arms across his chest. "You bastard Ardi! How dare he ignore my words. I won't let him live in peace after this. Watch out! I will repay you for what you did!" he threatened, which Ardi could hear.
 Meanwhile, Ardi held back his laughter. His head shook when he heard his wife grumbling alone there.
 Over time, he began to get used to Niken's spoiled and childish nature. At first he thought Niken was an arrogant, arrogant and scary woman. However, after getting to know her for some time, it turned out that Niken was not the woman he thought.
 Ardi has chosen his clothes and has finished wearing them too. He strolled towards the bed, where Niken was so engrossed in her device that she didn't notice his presence.
 Ardi took the pillow that was on the bed. Niken immediately saw his actions. "What do you want to do with that pillow? Where are you going?"
 Niken's eyebrows raised one side, "Could it be that Jamu wants to sleep in another room?" he just guessed.
 Ardi smiled faintly, "Well, no way. Why should I sleep in another room, otherwise your parents will become suspicious of our marriage," he said evasively, while hugging the pillow he had gotten.
 "I'll sleep on the sofa and you can sleep in peace here."
 Ardi also added. He wouldn't approach the bed or touch Niken, unless Niken asked him to. Ardi did all this according to what was stated in the marriage agreement, which had been mutually agreed upon.
 Niken narrowed her eyes, "I know about the agreement, but this is our first night. People say, on the first night of a wedding, a newlywed couple should spend time together so that the marriage lasts," she said carelessly.
 I don't know where this sentence came from, what is clear is that Niken did it solely so that Ardi wouldn't sleep on the sofa.
 "Besides, if you sleep on the sofa, then dad comes into the room and sees that we're not sleeping together, he'll definitely be furious. Think about it again. It's up to you. If dad comes and gets angry, I don't want to be responsible."
 His threat was able to melt Ardi's heart. If you think about it, what Niken said is also true because at times like this, someone will definitely come to the room, whether it's her mother or father-in-law.
 "Okay. I'll sleep here," he agreed, putting the pillow back on the side of the bed.
 Even though he seemed hesitant, Ardi finally sat on the edge of the bed. Niken smiled triumphantly. His talent for acting turned out to be useful too. At least one Ardi was in his hands.
 Ardi sat with his back to Niken. His heart was beating wildly. He continued to catch his breath because this was the first time he was in bed with a woman.
 Maybe if Melati were his wife, the situation wouldn't be as awkward as it is now. Niken laughed mischievously. Seeing Ardi like this made him want to always tease him.
 Ardi started to raise his legs. However, before that Niken first set limits on their bed.
 "This bolster will be the barrier. So none of us can cross this bolster. Understand!" she snapped, glaring sharply at the man who was now legally her husband.
 Ardi nodded, but did not provide any further response. Slowly he began to lay down.
 Niken also did the same thing. He pulled the blanket and Ardi pulled his part too.
 An awkward situation occurred. Both of them looked at the ceiling. The condition of the room which had been decorated in such a way, in fact, did not create a romantic impression for the two of them.
 "Niken!" he called softly.
 Niken muttered, "What?"
 "I want to see my mother and father. Can we meet them tomorrow?"
 Ardi immediately changed his sleeping position, facing the woman who was now legally his wife.
 Niken also changed her position, so that the two of them now looked at each other and rolled to separate them.
"Hey, it doesn't look like we can do it tomorrow because mom and dad won't let us go. Most likely there are a lot of investors and dad's co-workers who want to meet us tomorrow. So, there's no way we can go see your mom and dad tomorrow," he replied a little excitedly. .
 Ardi smiled wryly when he found out that his wish to meet his father and mother would not come true.
 "Don't be sad like that. I really don't like seeing soft boys like that," he mocked her openly.
 Ardi rolled his eyes, not accepting being called 'soft' by Niken. However, he also did not comment on his wife's words because he did not want to argue.
 "If you want to be angry, just be angry. I can honestly say it, tomorrow we won't get permission from father, but the day after tomorrow maybe we can," he said, looking away, at the same time provoking Ardi. Did he listen to what he said or not?
 "The day after tomorrow, huh?" Ardi nodded slowly, "But promise me. The day after tomorrow we have to go to my parents' house?"
 Niken hurriedly turned around again, "Promise!" he snapped, raising his little finger. Ardi, who saw it, immediately curled his fingers and smiled broadly.
 The two of them stared at each other for a long time, before finally each pulled away. Niken cleared her throat, while Ardi whistled. Again they saw the ceiling decorated with stars.
 "Thank you, Niken," said Ardi, opening up their conversation again.
 "Thank you for what?" said Niken, now positioning herself to face Ardi again and rolling to separate him.
 "Thank you because you are willing to accept me as your husband. Meanwhile, you know for yourself what my condition was like at that time," he whispered further.
 Niken rolled her eyes, then exhaled heavily. "How can I explain it? Basically, this has all been arranged by Allah. Our meeting in Bandung, of course, has been planned by Allah and we, as creatures created by Him, can only follow the scenario," he said so calmly.
 The thing that is a plus point in Ardi's eyes is that Niken always prioritizes religion. Even though she is childish at her current age, Niken can always position herself with an adult mindset.
 Ardi smiled gently, feeling grateful and lucky because he met Niken. A woman who can guide him to become a better person.
 "Why are you looking at me like that?" he scolded curtly.
 Ardi shook his head. He quickly changed his position to face forward, looked at the ceiling again without answering Niken's question.
 The two of them stared for a long time at the roof decorated with stars, until finally Niken turned around. Her position is facing away from her husband and so does Ardi.
 He hugged another bolster. Ardi couldn't sleep if he didn't hug the bolster. Drowsiness began to come. Slowly Ardi closed his eyes and Niken began to drift off into dreamland.
 In the end, the first night that a married couple had always looked forward to, turned out not to be possible.
 Both Ardi and Niken have committed to not touching each other, unless Niken gives permission for Ardi to do so. It doesn't look like that will be possible any time soon.
 Both of them had fallen asleep in their respective dreams. Meanwhile, outside the room, Bambang and Mita are eavesdropping on Ardi and Niken's conversation.
 Both of them are curious, will Ardi and Niken do it tonight?
 "I didn't hear anything? Did you hear it?" asked Mita, shrugging her shoulders.
 Bambang shook his head, "No. It doesn't look like anything happened inside," he guessed hesitantly.
 "Didn't Ardi immediately do his job tonight? Could it be that Niken gave Ardi a hard time and made him tired first?"
 Mita also thought about it. His guess is neither wrong nor right. Bambang couldn't justify it either.
 The two of them looked at each other, "How about we just go back to our room? Let them do it themselves. It's not good for us to eavesdrop, we should just do it ourselves in our room," he said teasingly.
 Mita immediately nodded, "Come on!" he continued spoiled.
 Bambang didn't waste any more time, he immediately carried Mita bridal style. Mita put her arms around her husband's neck.
 Bambang showered her with kisses until she entered the room. The bedroom door immediately closed and Bambang took Mita to bed.
 Even though he is no longer young, Bambang Adi Atmaja can still satisfy his beloved wife's desires. The night passed with the union of the two.