Chapter. 4 Finally Zefki Agreed

Upon arriving home, Mrs. Clement instructed Bik Yati to set the fried rice on the table.

In a cafe in the corner of Jakarta, Zefki and his friend Eko were enjoying chocolate coffee and some other cakes.

"Hey, Bro, if you don't like being set up, why don't you reject it? Besides, in this advanced era, why are there still arranged marriages? Look ... back to the times of Siti Nurbaya!" exclaimed Eko, looking at his friend's sour face.

"Do you think it's that easy, huh!" retorted Zefki, half snapping at Eko.

"You know I'm an only child. My parents are eager to have grandchildren, they say. They don't know, do they? Is it as easy as they think to produce offspring?"

"Ha-ha-ha, yeah, it's that easy, Bro! Just spray that big weapon of yours into that narrow and damp cave. Wait a month, and you'll get results!" mocked Eko, teasing his friend.

"You jerk! Do you think I'm a sex offender, huh!" he retorted, grabbing a used drink bottle and throwing it towards Eko. However, Eko deflected it, laughing.

Suddenly, Zefki's mobile phone rang. From the screen, it was evident that his mother, Mrs. Clement, was calling him.

Zefki ignored the call, even though his mother tried multiple times to reach him.

Then Zefki stepped out of the cafe, bidding farewell to Eko,

"I'm out!"

"Good luck, Bro! May the one arranged for you be a beautiful woman, like a heavenly angel..." shouted Eko, half yelling.

But instantly, Zefki stared at his friend sharply, met with a grinning smile from Eko.

Almost at seven in the evening, Zefki arrived home. In the living room, Mr. and Mrs. Harold were already there.

Then Mr. Kenan spoke with half anger to his son,

"Where have you been? Sit down! Dad and Mom want to talk seriously with you!"

Zefki looked at his father with a blank face and didn't respond. Then Mrs. Clement interjected,

"Calm down, dear. Zefki already got permission from Mom. He's meeting his business associate."

"Just keep defending your son, that's it! That's why he's getting more arrogant!" exclaimed Mr. Kenan, responding to his wife's words.

"Are you hungry, dear?" Mrs. Clement asked her son.

"Well then, you go ahead and eat first," said the mother.

Zefki walked away from his father and followed his mother to the dining room. From the kitchen, the aroma of fried rice prepared by Raceh filled the air, and Bik Yati placed it on the table. Zefki, unable to resist, decided to indulge in the temptation, especially since he had always loved fried rice.

At the corner of the table, Mrs. Clement observed her son enjoying the meal with a meaningful smile. She exchanged approving glances with her husband, signaling their plan was progressing.

Zefki, having finished the fried rice, joined his parents in the living room, asking about their intentions. "What do Mom and Dad want to say? I want to take a shower," he said.

"Sit down. You just sat, and you're leaving again!" scolded Mr. Kenan, glaring at his son.

"Explain, dear," he instructed his wife.

Mrs. Clement began explaining their visit to the Pratista family and the plan to arrange a marriage for Zefki. Despite his initial resistance, Zefki's parents were determined, and Mr. Kenan declared that he wouldn't accept rejection.

Mrs. Clement, having secretly investigated Tuan Fidel's daughters, favored Raceh. Zefki listened, seemingly resigned, as his parents emphasized their impatience for him to introduce his future spouse.

As the discussion unfolded, Zefki's mind raced, contemplating how to escape this arranged marriage. Mrs. Clement, teary-eyed, pleaded for understanding, expressing their desire for grandchildren and Zefki's happiness.

Softened by his mother's tears, Zefki hugged her, reluctantly agreeing to follow their plan. Mrs. Clement and Mr. Kenan exchanged triumphant glances, relieved that their drama had worked.

"Okay, Mom. I'll do as you say. Please don't cry again," Zefki said, comforting his mother.

Mrs. Clement, relieved, thanked him, and Zefki left for the bathroom, hoping to clear his thoughts on this arranged marriage.

Later, in his workspace, Zefki immersed himself in work, checking reports on his company's progress. Once done, he returned to his room, finding his mother there.

"Why are you here, Mom?" Zefki asked.

His mother casually inquired about the fried rice he had enjoyed earlier, and Zefki, remembering Raceh's culinary skills, praised it. Mrs. Clement left with a happy heart, hopeful her son would stick to his decision to accept the arranged marriage.

"How is it, dear?" Mr. Kenan asked his wife.

"We did it, Pi! Soon, we'll be grandparents!" she exclaimed.

With joy, Mrs. Clement danced around, hugging a pillow, and her husband joined the celebration. The night ended with a sense of happiness as their son was finally on the path to marriage.

On Sunday afternoon, Grace returned from her out-of-town assignment. Upon arriving home, she shared warm moments with her parents and enjoyed a special lunch prepared by Raceh.

After lunch, their father, Mr. Fidel, mentioned they all needed to gather in the family room that evening for a critical discussion.

In Raceh's room, Grace asked, "Ra, what does Dad want to talk about? It seems serious."

Raceh replied, "It might be about the arranged marriage, sis. Yesterday afternoon, one of Dad's friends visited our house."

"Wow, so that's true, Ra? Mom said Aunt is interested in you, huh? No more single life for you," Grace teased, smiling at her younger sister.

"Oh, come on, sis. I haven't even thought about getting married. I don't know the person yet. But if it helps Dad's company recover, I have to do it, even if I'm not thrilled about it," Raceh said, sounding sad.

Grace felt sorry for her sister and hugged her, offering support. They comforted each other, and Raceh poured her feelings into her sister's embrace.

"Ra, can I do anything to prevent this arranged marriage?" Grace asked.

"No, sis. Don't do anything. I don't want anything bad to happen to Dad's company," Raceh replied.

As evening fell, Mr. Fidel, his wife, and their two daughters gathered in the family room. Mr. Fidel explained the arranged marriage and the Harold family's interest in Raceh.