The Bujang Lapuk
Refusing

Za cleared his throat slowly before giving an answer to the man sitting quietly in front of him. While his parents look anxiously waiting for Za's answer.

"Bismillah, I thank you because Mas Fadhil has been patient to wait for an answer from me for one week. And I also apologize because I.. can not accept Mas Fadhil's proposal."

"Za!" Ms Rahma was surprised by her daughter's answer even though she initially suspected that Za would refuse.

"I'm sorry, it's not because of Mas Fadhil. But because of myself who felt it was inappropriate to be Mas Fadhil's companion. Again, I apologize" Za said.

Lie if Fadhil is not disappointed. Although wrapped with a thin smile, the disappointment of the man still seemed from the look of the eyes.

Za looked down as their gazes involuntarily clashed. There is a sense of pity that sneaks in. But he brushed it off. Za did not want to suddenly change her mind just out of pity.

"Thank You, Deck. Like it or not, this is the best. I cannot force my desire. I am sincere with Dek Za's decision" Fadhil replied after accepting Za's decision.

Za nodded slowly. "Thank you for the greatness of Mas Fadhil. May Mas soon be reunited with women who are more worthy of being Mas Fadhil's life companion."

Fadhil again gave a faint smile. The man said goodbye after briefly talking with Za's parents. No more than five minutes. And this time Za took us to the front porch. Za ordinary humans who certainly still have the heart to understand people's feelings. Moreover, he is the one who caused Fadhil to come home with a heart that may have been broken.

"Za! I want to talk to you!" Mother prevents Za from entering the room after driving Fadhil forward. Hearing from her tone, Za could already guess if her mother would definitely be furious.

"Sit, Za!" tell the mother with a face that looks angry.

Za according. Sit back to the living room couch without the slightest protest. This time he had to admit wrong. Wrong because it makes his mother wait longer to have a daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

Za prepared to thicken his ears because his mother's nagging was definitely more spicy than the level ten selling Ce Imah, his next door neighbor.

"Mom doesn't know you, Za. Actually men are how you want. Fadhil less what, Za?" Ms. Rahma held back in anger.

"If you stay like this, I will approve Budhe Nur's proposal to match you with Bian" continued Bu Rahma firmly.

Za sloughed. Bian was no stranger to him. They're cousins. Their relationship is even very close. Bian is a very loving sister figure, protecting Za like a real sister. And Budhe Nur's intention to match Za with Bian has been triggered since Za was still in high school. Until now the intention was never realized even until Budhe Nur died.

"Aren't there anyone else to marry a cousin?" za protests.

"Whose other person? Haris and Zidan you rejected on the grounds that they were not yet established. And now Fadhil you refuse for no apparent reason. You really are embarrassed. Want to put where Dad's face if you meet Mr. Cipto later," said Ms. Rahma fiercely.

"Not without reason? What made you reject him? Because age? You said it wasn't appropriate to accompany him? Fadhil chose you, it means he feels you deserve to be his wife. He never demands you have to have this advantage. What makes you feel inappropriate?"

Za could only sigh hearing her mother who seemed to dominate the conversation. His mother was always like that. Fiery whenever there are things that are not in accordance with his wishes. Even Za's father, who had been sitting with them, was silent.

"Tell me what reason you rejected Fadhil, Za. So that Dad has an answer if Mr. Cipto asks about this," said Za's father finally. His voice sounded calm making Za soften.

"Za ...a few days ago accidentally met Fadhil at a red light. He's riding a motorcycle with a girl."

"What's the connection, Za? It could be his sister" said Ms Rahma cutting off Za's words.

"Mother forgot that Fadhil had no younger sister. His only brother is dead." Za denied the words of his mother who was still siding with Fadhil.

"Maybe his friend or his brother" said Za's mother.

"No way, Mom. If only friends sit together, even to hold it. If that means Mas Fadhil can not keep limits with the opposite sex. It will become clearer why Za refused. Because Mom is the same Dad would not want to have a daughter-in-law who likes to hold a woman who is not an arbitrary mahrom?"

"Astaghfirullah's. You should have tabayyun first. Don't just refuse like that."

"He must have been alibi if Za asked about it, Mom. Any man would admit that his behavior is not right. Luckily Za was shown everything before accepting him. Perhaps through intermediaries that is the answer to Za's prayer."

The reason Za seemed to be unacceptable to her mother. The woman lamented why her daughter did not say that before making her decision. But Za is still Za. A girl with such a strong principle. What he has decided, it is difficult to shake.

"Last night Bian called Mom. He's going home tomorrow morning to take a trip to Pakdhe and Budhe's graves. Tomorrow we talk about this after Bian gets here. I don't want to know, you have to accept this match."

"Mom, Za doesn't want to marry Mas Bianl. He's Za's brother."

"There is no prohibition for you to get married" Ms Rahma insisted.

"Dad! Why just shut up! I don't want to marry my cousin, Dad." Za whines at her father. The man knew what if his wife had a wish. Declining character in his daughter.

"If you don't want to marry Bian, I'll give you a chance to find a man you think is better than Bian."

Za sighed softly. Looking for a better man than Bian is like looking for a needle in straw for Za. For him, the best man after his father was Bian. Because he was never close to any other man besides Bian. All the criteria she wanted to be a husband was in her cousin. But to marry his own cousin Za does not want even though it is allowed.