Rania was sitting on a beautiful aisle with flowers decorating every corner. Beside her was Tama who always smiled happily at the dancers who entertained the bride and groom. But no matter how entertained Rania was, she still couldn't hide her sadness. Her tears continued to fall soaking the makeup that was attached to Rania's sweet face. Rania repeatedly wiped a tissue to dry the tears on her cheeks, but it was useless. The cheeks with blush makeup were being replaced by the original red face of Rania who cried too much.
"Rania, my child, Rania!" Shouted and cried Rania's mother who had just arrived. She immediately hugged Rania with her hysterical cries.
Rania's mother was deliberately locked up by her husband so as not to interfere with the wedding procession of Rania and Tama.
"Mom, move! You're embarrassing me!" Rania's father pulled his wife.
Rania's father dragged his wife away from the aisle.
"Mom... mom... mom..."
"Rania, honey, stop crying, we are married, we will live happily and have many children." Said sweetly the man who is now Rania's husband.
Happy he said?
Didn't he think about Rania's tears that had continued to fall without being able to hold them back? Did he think what he saw were tears of happiness?
This marriage destroyed everything. Friendships, the future, and most importantly her hope that her father would realize his actions that had been very out of line with his own family.
How could Rania not be sad to see her mother dragged away right in front of her eyes?
How could she not be sad that her and her brother's hard work was in vain just because of a marriage that should have been discussed, at least after Rania finished school.
No, that would not be in the minds of Tama and Rania's father who had conspired. The sooner the wedding was held, the better they thought. Although in fact Tama himself had been opposed by his father. Rania was already in second grade, at least she graduated from school first.
Tama gently stroked Rania's head which made Rania reflexively move away. Rania was very upset with the man beside her. Not only annoyed, she was even angry because her dreams had been dashed. Her youth with Nanta and other friends seemed to be just a dream for Rania.
"RANIA!"
The shout broke Rania's cry. She recognized that voice, Nanta. He was coming.
Rania stood up to approach but Tama managed to prevent Rania's departure.
"Rania, you are my wife now." He said.
"Let me go, please. I just want to talk."
"No way." Tama said sticking to his stance.
"RANIA!"
"RANIA WE'RE HERE!" Nindi and Grisela's voices.
It wasn't long before Nanta made his way inside and straight to the aisle where Rania and Tama were.
"What are you doing? Rania is my wife now." Tama said which made Nanta immediately silent.
"These kids are crazy, go away! Don't disturb our program!" Rania's father said as he pulled Nanta's shirt and immediately threw a punch that made Nanta fall down.
"Nanta! Father, don't hurt Nanta!"
The punches and screams of Rania's friends made the atmosphere even more chaotic. The event came to a halt and all eyes were on them.
"Father, that's enough! Rania has obeyed what you want. Don't hurt Rania and her friends anymore." Chandra said in defense.
Chandra came with Rania's friends. He also showed them the way to their village.
Yes, they were late. Chandra's fainting condition and having to be taken to the clinic first made them late. No matter what, the only one who knew where Rania's village was was Chandra herself. Rania's cell phone was left behind when they fell and got separated so Rania's whereabouts could not be tracked.
"Rania... sorry I'm late." Nanta said sadly.
Rania shook her head strongly, indicating her disagreement with Nanta's words.
"No, you're not wrong. I'm sorry." Rania tried to grab Nanta but again Tama stopped her.
"Tama, please. Please give me a minute to talk to my friends." Rania begged.
Rania was very aware that she was now a man's wife. She could not have any contact with any man, including Nanta.
"Tama, let Rania finish her business. Besides, you can just play with force. Go Rania, bring in your friends and finish your business. Don't make things worse by showing your problems in public." Rania's father-in-law wisely said.
"Father! How the hell, Rania is left like that. That's not allowed." Shrieked his wife, or also Tama's mother, who did not accept his decision.
"Father, why did you do that?" Tama disagreed.
"Shut up everyone!" His words made no one argue.
The atmosphere became even sadder when Nindi and Grisela hugged Rania tightly. The three of them could not stop crying. No one knows what tomorrow will be like, but such is fate. Man plans but God decides. Just last night they were crafting a dream future, but that dream collapsed overnight.
Their cries seemed to tell a story of deep disappointment. Even Jiano, Reyyan and Lucas who were there could not hold back their tears.
Nanta stroked Rania's decorated head. Something he used to do often. Nindi and Grisela released their embrace and gave Rania and Nanta a chance to talk.
"Nanta, sorry... I'm sorry that I can't reciprocate your feelings now. But if I could ask, I wouldn't want all this to happen either." Rania's tears fell heavily.
"You, you've managed to make me really accept you. I love you, I love you so much that I don't want you to leave me." Rania sobs, remembering Nanta's promise when Rania was in the hospital.
"But I'm sorry that now I'm the one leaving you." Rania's tears broke out again.
It felt like Nanta really wanted to hug Rania, but he couldn't. Rania already belonged to someone else. No matter how hard Nanta wanted, Nanta couldn't do it.
Nanta took care of her but not Rania. Rania immediately hugged Nanta so tightly. She really didn't want to lose Nanta. Nanta, who had been defending her, now collapsed too. Both of them embraced in tears. And that invited other friends to hug Rania and Nanta.
All the words Nanta wanted to say to keep Rania by his side were useless. His voice did not come out, instead it was replaced with tears that were so painful.
Like a dream, their story stopped.
----------the end.