10. YES, I DO

Those who were in that place were waiting for Anya's answer, all hoping that the girl would accept Arya's marriage proposal. Although they knew that Arya and Anya loved each other, they were still worried if Anya refused the good intentions of Arya's family who came to propose to her.

"Bismillah," Anya said. "I accept Arya's proposal."

"Alhamdulillah," they all expressed their gratitude after hearing Anya's answer.

"Alright, since Anya has accepted our proposal. I'm going to say it directly here, that we want the marriage to take place as soon as possible. It's not that there's anything that makes us rush, we just want to see our old bachelor son get married as soon as possible." Mr. Aditya deliberately spoke like that while patting Arya's back to make the atmosphere less tense.

"I also think it's a good idea, so that Anya and Arya have a legal status in the eyes of religion and the state, so it doesn't cause slander, but I leave everything to Anya and Arya," said Pak Adi.

"What about Arya? Do you agree that we should get you and Anya married as soon as possible?" Mr. Aditya asked Arya who was to his right. 

"Arya, I agree, as long as Anya is also willing."

"Well, Arya has agreed, now what about Anya's decision, do you agree dear?"

Anya honestly felt happy knowing the fact that she would be a daughter-in-law in a family as good as Mr. Aditya's, but she also felt sad because her marriage to Arya was only temporary, until Anna was healthy again. Realizing that Arya was telling her to immediately answer in the affirmative, Anya couldn't help but give the answer that Arya wanted.

"Anya will just go with what's best," Anya replied, looking safe.

"We take it that Anya agrees, then how about we do the wedding in a month."

"Isn't that too soon, sir? I mean, we're not wealthy people, so we need time to collect Anya's wedding expenses." Mr. Adi said what he found difficult, without covering up his family's true economic situation. He didn't want to be a bigger peg than pole, and he didn't want to go into debt just to have a big wedding.

"Mr. Adi and his family can rest easy, we'll take care of all the wedding expenses, because we're very grateful to have Anya as our outgoing member."

"You can't do that, Mr. Aditya, if it's all on you, I will feel very useless as Anya's father." 

The words that came out of her father's mouth, made Anya feel sad and blamed herself. In Anya's mind, she felt she should never have trusted Angel, so that she wouldn't have to get involved with an unwritten contact marriage with Arya, who was her own lecturer. That way Anya could study as usual until graduation, work and help her parents' economy.

"Then, Mr. Adi, just collect the cost for Anya and Arya's wedding, just how much it is, then we'll cover the rest, how about it sir?"

Instead of Mr. Adi answering Mr. Aditya's question, Anya said something first.

"Excuse me, can I say something?"

"Of course you can, say it."

"I don't want a fancy wedding, just a small thanksgiving event in this house, that way both parties don't have to spend a lot of money." Anya said her opinion, this way her father wouldn't have to worry about collecting money for his wedding expenses.

"Why is that, An? You just relax, you don't have to think about wedding expenses, dear." 

"Not only that, Ma, but there are other reasons too. Anya wants to have a simple wedding, just a consent and a small thanksgiving, considering that Anya is still studying at the college where Arya teaches. Anya doesn't want to be suspected of having a special relationship with Arya, at least until Anya graduates, can we keep our marriage a secret?"

"Arya also agrees with what you said, Anya, it's better for us to get married without making a big event, just family, later after Anya graduates we will publish our relationship."

For a moment they were busy in their own thoughts, not forgetting that the parents asked the opinion of Mr. RT and Mr. Ustadz regarding what their children wanted. 

"Well, we agree with your idea, the important thing is that you are already legally husband and wife in the eyes of religion and the state, papa is already happy. Since we have followed what you want, it means you also have to follow what we want," said Mr. Aditya.

"What Mr. Aditya said is true, we have decided to accelerate the time of your wedding, in two weeks you two will be married in this house," continued Mr. Adi.

"Alright," Anya and Arya replied resignedly.

To be honest, both of them were not ready to get married that quickly, especially since Arya was still thinking about Anna, while Anya could not fully accept what was happening in her life. However, both of them could not move anymore, because the parents were willing to listen to them to make a small wedding event, Anya and Arya were already very grateful. From the beginning, Arya had emphasized to Anya that their marriage must be kept a secret. So that later when they were both separated, Arya could easily marry Anna without anyone questioning his marriage to Anya, because they didn't know.

Anya agreed, even though it could actually be detrimental to Anya, because her status as Arya's wife was hidden. So that when Arya does something out there, she doesn't say anything, because surely people will think she's just bragging about being Arya's wife. In addition, there is also a benefit for Anya, because she does not need to be suspected of getting good grades because she is Arya's wife. In addition, so that when she divorced Arya, not many people would know that she had become a widow at a young age.

'Ya Allah, may this be the best path for me.' Anya prayed silently, hoping that her decision was the right one.

*****