*****
In the corner of the room, Bastian and Aksa took turns calling Galang. But they didn't get a response. Even several messages they sent went unanswered.
"Maybe Galang is still on the plane, Dad. He can't answer the phone," Aksa said.
"This kid is already making Dad worry. Dad told him to come home yesterday so he could be in Jakarta before the event. But he refuses. He says he doesn't want to leave his job. Is his job more important than his wedding?" Bastian was annoyed.
"Dad... Never mind. Let's just wait. Galang will definitely come. Maybe there was a problem with his flight. Maybe it was delayed." Aksa defended, still thinking positively about his younger brother.
"He should have contacted us before leaving. Instead of just standing there like this. Look, all the guests have arrived. The registrar has arrived too."
Not long after, Almira, assisted by a MUA, left the room and entered the wedding area. All eyes were on Almira, who looked stunning that day.
Almira carefully sat in front of the registrar. She sat alone, waiting for her future husband to arrive.
*
*
*
Far from the luxury hotel where Galang and Almira's wedding reception was being held, Galang sat opposite a woman enjoying their breakfast.
Dddrrtttt... Dddrrrrtttt....
Galang's phone, which had been on the table, had been ringing since morning.
"Who is it? Why aren't you picking up, honey?" Hilda asked.
"It's Mom. I'll talk to you later," Galang replied, then turned the screen over.
"Just pick it up, honey. It might be important. Tell your mom we'll be in Jakarta this afternoon."
"No need. Today is my adopted sister's wedding, and Mom will probably be angry if I don't attend."
"Adopted sister?" Hilda asked.
It was understandable that Hilda was a little surprised when Galang mentioned her adopted sister in front of her. Because since he met Hilda, Galang had never mentioned that he had an adopted sister.
"Actually, she was my school friend, college friend, and even worked at my dad's office. She was very close to my family. Since I don't have a daughter, I consider her my own daughter. So, she's adopted," Galang explained.
"Doesn't she have parents?"
"Her parents died when she was in junior high school. She lives with her aunt."
"Oh... She's so lucky to be considered your daughter. You must be a good mother. I can't wait to meet and get to know my in-laws." Hilda giggled as she went back to her breakfast.
"Yes," Galang nodded.
"So who does she want to marry? Your adopted sister," Hilda asked again.
Galang didn't answer immediately. He couldn't possibly answer if Almira was supposed to marry him today. But instead, he was the one who would make everything uncertain.
What should have been a happy wedding for Almira was in danger of being canceled because Galang didn't show up.
"With..."
Before Galang could answer, a waiter approached them with fruit for dessert.
"Here's the fruit, sir, ma'am," the waiter said.
"Okay. Thank you, sir," Hilda said.
After placing the fruit on the table, the waiter then left them.
"Honey, I'm going to the restroom," Hilda said.
Galang simply nodded slowly.
After sensing Hilda was far away, Galang picked up his phone and saw numerous incoming calls from his family, who kept calling him.
"I'm sorry, Almira. I've broken our promise," Galang muttered.
Galang typed something on his phone. It was a message he was about to send before he turned it off.
*
*
*
Almira had been sitting in front of the registrar for half an hour. Even the registrar had repeatedly glanced at his watch.
"Where's the groom? The ceremony has to start soon?" the registrar asked Almira.
"Wait a little longer, sir. My future husband must still be on his way," Almira replied, stammering.
"But I can't stay long. I still have an appointment with another prospective bride."
"Yes, sir. Just a moment, sir. Just wait, sir," Almira coaxed.
Almira froze. The problem was, she had been sitting there alone for almost half an hour. But Galang was nowhere to be seen.
Almira looked to her left. She looked at the woman who would become her mother-in-law, who was sitting not far from her. Zora, Galang's mother, smiled bitterly and nodded. She asked Almira to wait a little longer.
Then Zora got up and tried to call Galang. But Galang's number was unreachable.
"Where are you, Galang? Why aren't you here yet? You should have arrived by now if you took the morning flight," Zora muttered, pacing alone.
Zora's steps stopped, her heart pounding as a message notification broke the silence of her phone.
With trembling hands, she opened the message and read every word that seemed to stab at the deepest recesses of her heart.
"How is it, Mom? Where's Galang?" asked Bastian, Galang's father.
Instead of answering, Zora stared at Bastian with teary eyes.
"What's wrong, Mom? Why are you crying?" Bastian asked, confused.
Zora handed Bastian her phone and showed him the message Galang had sent her.
"Sorry, Mom. Galang can't come. Galang has already decided. Galang won't marry Almira. Galang has to go. Don't wait for Galang, Mom."
Bastian's eyes widened as he read the message from his second son.
"Galang..." Bastian cried in frustration.
"What's going on, Dad? What now? Why did Galang do this, Dad?"
"What's wrong, Mom?" asked Aksa, who had already stepped between them.
"Look at this, look at what your little brother has done." Bastian handed Zora his phone so Aksa could read the message.
"What's this? What's really on Galang's mind right now?" Aksa asked in disbelief.
"Galang won't come?" Bastian muttered.
"What?" Almira asked, shocked.
Almira covered her mouth in surprise, listening to her future in-laws' conversation in the corner of the room.
"Galang won't come? What do you mean, Auntie?" Almira asked again.
"Almira..." Zora said.
"What should we do? We'll be embarrassed if Galang doesn't marry Almira. All the guests will laugh at the destruction of our family. Where will I put my face in front of my colleagues, Mom?" Bastian panicked even more.
Almira sat down on the chair, tears streaming down her face.
"Are you only thinking about your family's pride? Is that it?" Marina, Almira's aunt, snapped.
"Haven't you ever considered how my niece feels? I should have known Galang wasn't ready to marry Almira when he left town? So this is how it is now? My niece will be embarrassed if she doesn't get married today. What will people say?" Marina protested.
Almira's tears began to fall, wetting her cheeks. Beside her, Marina could only rub Almira's back, giving Almira some strength to accept this reality.
"I'm sorry, Galang, Marina. I didn't know it would turn out like this either. Galang never said anything to you before he left," Zora defended.
"No way, Miss. There's no way Galang wouldn't say anything to you," Marina denied.
"That's right, Marina."
"Today you've embarrassed my niece? What do you think of my niece? She has feelings too. But Galang just toyed with her," Marina said, annoyed.
In the silence of the chapel, which should have been filled with the happy greetings of the guests, Almira sat stunned, confusion clouding her thoughts.
Why hadn't Galang shown up on the most important day of their lives? Everything had seemed so perfect until yesterday, and suddenly, silence had replaced the joy that should have been there.
Only tears continued to flow, reflecting the longing and uncertainty that now gripped her soul. Her heart felt shattered, like a mirror shattered into pieces, as she sat on the cold chair.
"Aksa will marry Almira, Mom. I will save our family's honor, and Almira's today. This event will go on without Galang," Aksa replied, breaking the silence.
ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ
Oh my, Aksa... You are indeed the savior of your family. But what about Almira? Do you think she will want to marry Aksa?