*****
As Almira stepped into the restaurant, the luxurious chandelier illuminated her elegant, sparkling gown, drawing every eye to her.
The hijab she wore with the dress added to her elegance. Almira walked with a gentle stride, passing the line of waiters who respectfully bowed their heads as she passed.
At the end of the room, Galang stood with a straight posture, wearing a suit that matched Almira's dress.
His smile widened as his eyes met the figure he had been waiting for. Almira returned it with a shy smile, her heart pounding with the knowledge that this night would be unforgettable for both of them.
Galang reached out and gently grasped Almira's.
"You look very beautiful tonight, Almira," he whispered, barely audible over the din of conversation and the soft music.
Almira could only nod, too moved for words.
"You look handsome tonight too. I didn't even notice it was you standing there. I thought it was a prince," Almira replied.
"A prince is fine. Almira's prince."
"But I don't want you to be a prince."
"Why?" Galang asked, surprised.
"A prince guards many people. But I want you to guard only my heart," Almira replied, smiling.
"Very well, Princess. In that case, from now on, Your Majesty will only be my little sister's personal bodyguard."
Almira smiled shyly, looking at Galang.
The two of them then walked to a table decorated with candles and flowers, ready to enjoy a night of love.
"I've booked this place especially for the two of us," Galang said as the waiter finished setting the food on the table.
"You're very romantic, Galang. I like it. I love the decor. The lights, the music."
"And I ordered all this food on purpose. It's all your favorites. So you have to finish it all. No leftovers."
Almira glared when Galang asked her to finish all the food.
"All of it?" Almira asked, her jaw dropping.
"Yes. All of it, honey. I've been working so hard to get everything just for you. How could you not finish it?" Galang gave Almira a sullen look, hoping she would relent.
Almira swallowed the saliva that felt stuck in her throat.
"But there's so much of it, Galang. I can't finish it. I'll just get fatter," Almira whined.
Galang chuckled, shaking his head slowly.
"So what if you're fat?"
"Do you want a fat girlfriend?"
"Why not? I love you from here on out." Galang placed his index finger on his chest, showing his sincere love from his heart.
"From the heart. Not because of your appearance. So no matter what you look like. Whether you're fat, thin, or even ugly, I will still love and cherish you."
"I love you," Almira said, smiling.
"I love you too," Galang replied.
"I love you, more."
*
*
*
That night, flickering candlelight cast a warm glow on the dining table where Galang and Almira had just finished a romantic dinner.
Galang took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he pulled a small velvet-lined box from his jacket pocket.
He slid the box toward Almira, whose eyes immediately lit up with curiosity.
"What's this?" Almira asked, her voice trembling.
"Open it yourself," Galang replied, further piquing Almira's curiosity.
With hands trembling with a mix of excitement and apprehension, Almira opened the box.
The dim candlelight made the sparkle of the diamond ring inside even more dazzling. Her breath stopped for a moment, unable to believe what was before her.
"Lang..." Almira said in disbelief.
"I want us to get engaged. I've decided to have you completely. To make you the woman who will accompany me until I die."
Almira looked at Galang, then at the ring, and finally back at his eyes. A smile spread across her lips, and she nodded slowly.
"Yes, Galang, I do," she said, her voice filled with unconcealed happiness.
Galang breathed a sigh of relief and smiled broadly, feeling like the luckiest young man in the world.
Gently, Galang took the ring and slipped it onto Almira's ring finger, sealing their bond.
It didn't take long for Almira and Galang to change their lives. A relationship that hadn't even lasted a year was nothing compared to the time they had spent together since they met in high school.
After graduating from high school, they met again in college. Even Galang's parents consider Almira, who no longer has parents, as their own child.
After graduating from high school, they reunited at college. Galang's parents even treated Almira, who no longer had parents, as their own child.
Almira even got a job at Galang's family company. And that togetherness made Almira confident that her choice was right. She already knew Galang well enough.
*
*
*
"Assalamualaikum, Mom," Aksa said as he entered the house, dragging his large suitcase.
Zora, who was sitting in the living room reading a magazine, was startled by the voice of her eldest son.
She turned and stood up when she saw Aksa approaching her.
"Aksa?"
"Mom... How are you? I miss you so much," Aksa said, hugging Zora tightly.
"I miss you too, son. I thought you wouldn't come home."
The hug broke. The two of them sat on the soft, brown-patterned sofa, which added a luxurious touch to the room.
"How could Aksa not come home, Mom? It's Galang and Almira's engagement day. Galang has to witness their happiness, right?"
"Yes, yes. I know that."
"How's your work there?" Zora asked.
"Thank God, everything's going smoothly, Mom. And I don't think I need to go there anymore. I've decided to stay here and help Dad run the company," Aksa replied.
"That's good. Dad's getting old. If you and your sister don't take his place, who will?"
"Oh yeah. Why do they have to get engaged first, Mom? Why not just get married? Don't they have enough time to get to know each other?" asked Aksa, who already knew how close Almira and her sister were.
"I wanted them to get married right away, too. But Galang said he still has business out of town for the near future. That's why they're getting engaged first. After they're engaged, Galang will go finish his work and return for their wedding next month." Zora answered according to the plan Galang had laid out for her.
Aksa nodded in understanding at his mother's words.
"Anything is fine, Mom. I hope everything goes smoothly until the big day," Aksa said.
*
*
*
Almira sat in front of the dressing table, her heart pounding. The makeup artist's skilled hands gently touched her face, adding the finishing touches to her flawless makeup.
Her long white hijab hung down to the floor, adding an aura of splendor to her appearance. Every detail of her dress and hijab was designed to make her look like a princess on her special day.
"You're so beautiful, Almira. I've never done a bride as beautiful as you. You're already beautiful without makeup, let alone with it. Uh... Lala... You look like a princess. A princess for Galang," praised the makeup artist who did Almira's makeup.
"Thank you, Miss. This is all thanks to you, too." If it weren't for you, how could I be as beautiful as Put?"
"Ah, Almira. You're so amazing."
"Are you done?" Zora asked, entering the room.
Zora stood staring at Almira. Her dusty kebaya perfectly matched the colors of today's decorations, adding to the luxurious atmosphere of the family.
"Just a moment, ma'am," said the MUA.
"After this, will you help Almira out? The event will start soon," Zora requested.
"Yes, ma'am," the MUA replied.
"Has Galang arrived, Auntie?" Almira asked.
"He's still on his way, honey. He'll be here soon. Galang will be here straight from the airport," Zora replied.
Almira simply smiled at Zora. Both women were very happy. Their time together with Almira would be forever when Almira officially became her daughter-in-law.
"Auntie, I'm so happy. "You're finally my daughter-in-law too. I can't wait to cook with you, chat with you, and go on walks with you," Zora said.
"Same here, Auntie. Almira is very happy too. After the wedding ceremony, Almira will call you "Mama."
Outside the room, the hotel ballroom had been transformed into a garden paradise, decorated with thousands of colorful fresh flowers, adding fragrance and beauty to the atmosphere.
Guests began arriving, dressed in their best, and whispering in awe at the luxurious decor.