Ranup Lampuan English

Chapter 2: Two Families, Two Reactions

2.1 Rizky's Family

"Assalamu'alaikum," Rizky greeted as he stepped into the house. His voice was clear and strong, despite the exhaustion from a long day at university.

"Wa'alaikumsalam," came the warm reply from his mother, Ibu Annisa, who appeared from the kitchen with a bright smile. "Ah, my handsome son is home," she said, welcoming Rizky with a handshake and kissing his hand—a gesture of respect and affection deeply rooted in their culture.

 "Where's Bapak, Mak?" Rizky asked as he removed his shoes in the front room.

"Your father said he was going to visit a friend, Pak Anwar. He said it wouldn't take long, but he's still not home. I wonder if he's hungry by now," Ibu Annisa replied while setting the food on the dining table.

 "He'll probably be home soon, Mak," Rizky replied casually as he walked toward his room.

Not long after, a voice echoed from outside the house.

 "Assalamu'alaikum," Pak Ismail's voice rang clearly.

"Go ahead and change your clothes, then pray first. I'll check the door," Ibu Annisa said, making her way to the entrance.

"Oh, Bapak… I thought it was someone else," she said as she kissed her husband's hand—a familiar and cherished gesture between them.

After ensuring the door was locked, Ibu Annisa walked back to the kitchen while Pak Ismail placed his work bag in the living room. A few moments later, Rizky, having finished his prayers, stepped out of his room and made his way to the dining table.

 "Bapak, dinner is ready," Ibu Annisa said as she carried a plate of side dishes to the table.

Pak Ismail pulled out a chair and sat down. As they began eating, Ibu Annisa asked, "So, how was it? You took quite a while. Why are you home so late?"

 Pak Ismail chewed calmly before replying, "We got carried away in conversation."

"Talking about what, until you lost track of time?" Ibu Annisa asked curiously.

 Pak Ismail gave a small smile. "Marriage arrangements."

"Whose marriage?" Ibu Annisa asked, even though she already had an idea.

 "Our son's." Pak Ismail answered casually.

Rizky, who had been in the middle of chewing, suddenly choked on his food. He coughed uncontrollably, causing his mother to quickly pat his back in concern.

 "Eat slowly," Ibu Annisa scolded gently.

 Once his coughing subsided, Rizky asked skeptically, "Pak, isn't this too soon?"

Pak Ismail raised an eyebrow. "Too soon? Not at all. What's wrong with it?"

 Rizky adjusted his tone, trying to be respectful as he spoke to his father. "It's just that… I'm still in college, Pak," he said carefully—his tone notably more formal than when he spoke with his friends.

Pak Ismail smirked slightly. "And what's the problem? Marriage doesn't stop you from studying."

 "But wouldn't it be better to finish college first, find a job, and then get married?" Rizky insisted.

Pak Ismail remained unfazed. "If that's your belief, then you can apply it to your own children later. But for now, you follow my rules."

 Rizky fell silent. His father's words hit him harder than he expected. Unlike in Western cultures, where children often make their own marriage decisions, in many traditional families like his, parents still played a significant role in choosing a life partner. It wasn't about control—it was about ensuring stability, preserving family values, and upholding traditions.

 Suddenly, his food tasted bland. Without another word, he quickly finished his meal and retreated to his room.

Ibu Annisa let out a long sigh at the tense exchange. After clearing the dining table, she walked over and knocked on Rizky's bedroom door.

"Nak, may I come in?" his mother asked gently.

 "Yeah, Mak, come in," Rizky replied softly.

Ibu Annisa stepped inside and sat beside Rizky, who looked visibly unsettled.

 "Why is Bapak like this, Mak?" Rizky said bitterly. "How can arranged marriage still be a thing in this era? And on top of that, getting married young? Isn't that crazy?"

"Hush, don't say things like that, Nak," Ibu Annisa gently reprimanded him, rubbing his back. "I know you want to be independent, to succeed first before getting married. That's a noble goal. But let me ask you this—does your pursuit of knowledge end after a bachelor's degree? What if you continue to a master's, then a doctorate? Will your learning ever truly be finished? Seeking knowledge is a lifelong journey."

 "But, Mak… I also want to be independent," Rizky muttered.

"That's true. But think about this—would you rather waste all the effort and wealth your father has built just to start everything from scratch? Wouldn't it be wiser to make use of what's already available?"

 Rizky fell silent, contemplating his mother's words.

"If you wait until everything is perfect, are you sure it will all go according to plan? And if things don't turn out the way you hope, will you keep postponing marriage forever?" Ibu Annisa continued.

 "But, Mak… what if I make the wrong choice? What if I'm not ready?"

"Nak, no human is perfect. Mistakes are part of learning. Marriage isn't just about love—it's an act of worship. Within it lies reward and blessings. The journey of marriage itself is one of life's greatest lessons."

 Rizky looked at his mother, his tense expression softening. Her words slowly began to sink in, stirring something deep in his heart.

"Try to see things from different perspectives, Nak… Don't judge from just one side. Marriage is part of faith. Within it lies blessings, joys, and struggles—but all of those are part of a journey that helps us grow."

 "Wouldn't it be better if Rizky got to know her first?" Rizky countered, still searching for a loophole.

"Getting to know each other is good, Nak. But many people get trapped in that phase. They linger too long in so-called 'getting to know' until they cross boundaries that should be preserved. Desires often overpower reason. In Islam, marriage is not just about knowing your partner, but about building a life together with respect and responsibility."

 Rizky fell silent.

"Truly understanding a person is difficult, Nak. Even after years of dating, someone can still hide their true self. How many couples separate after years of being together? And how many find happiness even though they married without a long courtship?"

"So, does knowing someone longer guarantee happiness?" Ibu Annisa asked, gazing at her son.

 Rizky shook his head, realizing that human relationships offer no absolute guarantees.

Ibu Annisa smiled gently. "Then why should we be so rigid about this? Isn't it better to spend time in a bond that is lawful and full of blessings rather than remain in uncertainty?"

 Rizky took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "I understand now, Mak."

He reached for his mother's hand, gripping it tightly. In his heart, he slowly began to accept that life is not just about the plans he makes for himself—it is also about understanding that there is wisdom behind every decree from God.

2.2 Nabila's Family

"Assalamu'alaikum!" Nabila greeted cheerfully as she arrived home.

 "Wa'alaikumsalam," her mother, Ibu Nuraini, responded—but with an unusually curt tone.

Nabila's steps faltered. Normally, her mother welcomed her with a warm smile, but today, something felt different. A cold aura seemed to linger in the house.

Hesitantly, she took her mother's hand and kissed it, but deep inside, she wondered, Why does Mamak seem upset? What happened?

Trying to keep the mood light, Nabila attempted to break the tension.

 "Mamak, what's wrong? You seem… not in the best mood," she asked with a small smile.

But her mother remained silent, her expression slightly sullen.Nabila let out a soft huff, feeling a surge of irritation.

"Ugh, Mamak! I just got home, why are you treating me like this? I don't even know what's going on!" she grumbled before stomping off to her room, not waiting for an answer.

A few moments later, the door creaked open gently. Ibu Nuraini stepped inside and sat on the edge of the bed, exhaling a heavy sigh.

Noticing her mother's presence, Nabila, who had been lying on her stomach, turned her head with a frown. There was something serious in her mother's expression.

A few seconds of silence passed before Ibu Nuraini finally spoke, her voice low and hesitant, as if unsure how to say it.

 "Nak, your father has arranged a marriage for you."

The words struck Nabila like a lightning bolt. She bolted upright from her lying position, her eyes widening in shock.

 "Ha…?!!" she exclaimed, half-shouting, as if unable to believe what she had just heard.

 "Yes, Nak." Her mother's voice trembled slightly. "That's why I'm upset with your father."

Nabila's heart sank. It felt as if something had slammed into her chest, making it hard to breathe. Her thoughts spiraled into chaos, and before she could stop herself, questions spilled out of her mouth.

 "How? With whom? What about me? My studies? My dance?"

Tears fell freely, beyond her control. Her shoulders trembled, her body weakened. The once peaceful world she knew had shattered in an instant.

Seeing her daughter like this, Ibu Nuraini couldn't bear it. She immediately pulled Nabila into a tight embrace, holding her close as if trying to calm the storm raging inside her heart.

 "Mamak doesn't agree with this either, Nak. But your father…" Ibu Nuraini's voice faltered. Her own tears spilled over, dampening Nabila's shoulder.

Their cries merged, filling the room with the weight of their sorrow.

Without them realizing, Pak Anwar stood at the doorway.

His eyes were fixed on them, his expression firm, though a flicker of emotion glimmered in his gaze—an emotion difficult to decipher. He remained silent, observing for a moment before letting out a long sigh. Slowly, he turned away, intending to leave them be.

But amidst her sobs, Nabila caught sight of him from the corner of her eye. With a broken voice and trembling breath, she forced herself to speak.

 "Why are you doing this to me, Bapak…?" she whispered, her voice laced with pain.

Pak Anwar halted his steps. He turned slightly but did not immediately meet his daughter's eyes.

 "Finish your tears first, Nak. Then, come and speak to me."

His voice was calm, yet it felt unbearably cold in Nabila's ears.

The response pierced her even deeper. Her sobs grew louder, as did her mother's.

The room was now filled with the sound of grief, as if signaling that a storm had just arrived in their lives—and this was only the beginning.

2.3: The Contrast Between Two Families

And so, the reactions of the two families stood in stark contrast.

On one side, there was a family that initially resisted but slowly began to accept, albeit with difficulty. They reassured their son that life doesn't always unfold according to one's desires, yet it can still be lived with faith and responsibility.

On the other side, there was a family that wasn't even given the chance to refuse. Not because they didn't want to, but because the decision had already been made before they could voice their hearts. For them, tears were the only expression that could convey the depth of their emotions—sorrow, helplessness, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

Rizky's family sought to navigate the situation with understanding and logic, believing that taking the first step could eventually lead to wisdom. Meanwhile, Nabila's family was engulfed in grief, where words no longer felt sufficient to express their emotions.

Now, the lingering question remained.

 Would they go through with this marriage?

 If they did, would love grow between them?

 Or was there something far greater waiting ahead—something they had yet to discover, something that could change everything?

One chapter had come to a close, but their story was only just beginning.