*****
That day, Galang and Almira were choosing their wedding rings at a diamond shop.
"Now, choose which one you like," Galang said, showing Almira a row of luxurious diamond rings ready to be placed on her ring finger.
"Why should I choose? You should too. This is for us, right?" Almira asked back.
"Because I believe in my choice. I didn't make a mistake in choosing my future wife. And whatever my future wife chooses will be the best choice for us," Galang replied, praising his lover.
Almira smiled at him.
"I'm so happy, Lang. I'm so happy to be marrying you. I can't wait for that big day."
"I'm so happy too. I promise I'll never leave you. You're the greatest thing I want to hold on to for the rest of my life," Galang said.
"I also promise I won't leave you. I don't know how I'll live without you, Lang."
Galang took Almira's hands. He held Almira's soft, soft finger tightly. Then, he lifted it and kissed it passionately.
"In fact, my life feels more meaningful since you became its owner. Forever... You are the owner of Galang's heart. No one can replace it."
Almira just smiled slightly, gazing deeply into Galang's eyes. And the two of them embraced in front of the diamond display case.
"I love you so much, Lang," Almira said.
"I love you so, so much," Galang replied.
"I love you so, so, so much."
"My love for you is the greatest," Galang replied, not to be outdone.
*
*
*
After the wedding ceremony, Almira and Aksa went up to the altar so the guests could shake hands and congratulate the bride and groom.
Some of the guests whispered to each other when they saw that the groom wasn't Galang. But Aksa ignored them. He gently held Almira's waist tightly, channeling his strength to deal with the nosy guests who were asking about Aksa's whereabouts.
* * *
"Lang, why didn't you leave after we got married? We still have some wedding supplies to buy," Almira whined to Galang.
"I've asked Mom to accompany you to get everything ready."
"Don't go," Almira whined coquettishly.
"Sorry, honey. But I have to go. This job is important to me and our future. An opportunity like this won't come around twice," Galang replied.
"Didn't Uncle Bastian say he'd entrust you with managing one of the hotels after we get married?"
"Dad did say that. But I want to do something within my capabilities first. I want to try to build my own company without Dad's help. So that you, Mom, and Dad can be proud of me."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Mir. This is for us too. If this project is successful, after we get married, we'll move to Japan. Do you want that?"
Almira's eyes lit up when Gakang said they were moving to Japan. Almira had long wanted to set foot abroad. Anywhere.
"Japan?" Almira asked, amazed.
"Yes. It often snows there. You'll be able to see snow often, play in the snow. That's your dream, right?"
"How did you know?"
"Yes, dear. But I'm sorry, I can't make it happen yet. Please pray for me so my business runs smoothly."
Almira just nodded cheerfully.
* * *
"Almira," Zora called out as they arrived in front of the hotel.
After the event was over that night, the family would head home. Aksa and Almira would spend a few days staying at the Rahardian family hotel.
"Yes, auntie," Almira replied.
"Thank you. You've been a savior for our family," Zora praised.
"Don't overdo it, Auntie. It's Almira's duty to uphold the good name of the Rahardian family, who have loved her since forever, right?"
"You're a good daughter, Almira. Aksa made the right decision. You're my daughter-in-law now."
Almira fell silent. She stared intently at Zora with a frown.
"From now on, you have to call me Mama. Not Auntie. Will you?"
Almira nodded hesitantly, and the two women hugged each other.
"I hope you can grow closer. Learn to get to know each other. I hope today is a good start for your future."
Almira turned her head quickly as her embrace with Zora broke.
"Uncle..."
"Papa... not Uncle," Bastian said.
"You're my daughter-in-law now. So call me papa. I'll be your papa forever. No matter what happens." Bastian said with a broad smile.
"My taxi's ready. I'll go home first, Zora," Marina said, saying goodbye to Zora.
"Yes, Rin. Sorry if we had an argument earlier."
"It's okay. I'd forgotten about it. We're in-laws now. I'll leave Almira in your care."
Zora nodded.
"Don't worry. We will take care of and love Almira at our home."
After hugging Zora, Marina approached her niece, who was still standing next to Aksa.
"Marina, take good care of yourself, dear, at Mama Zora's house. Auntie can only pray that you and Aksa find happiness. There's no harm in getting to know Aksa. God willing, she can be a good wife for you," Marina said.
Almira couldn't hold back her sobs, and through the tears, she hugged Marina tightly. Marina's hijab bore silent witness to Almira's sadness, as tears fell uncontrollably.
"Aksa, I'm entrusting Almira to you. Be a responsible husband to her."
"Yes, Auntie," Aksa replied, nodding.
"Zora, Bastian. I'll go home now. Peace be upon you." Marina said goodbye.
"Wa'alaikumsalam," everyone replied in unison.
Marina stepped into the taxi. As the door closed and the taxi began to move away from the grandeur of the hotel lobby, her heart sank. Anxiety gripped her mind, echoing an unanswered question.
"Oh God. I entrust Almira to you, O God. May she be happy with her new family. Don't give her a harder trial, O God," Marina thought.
*
*
*
"Mom and Dad have to go home too. You guys stay here for a few days. Enjoy your honeymoon here. Mom and Dad will prepare an even more exciting honeymoon than this one," Zora said with a wide smile.
Zora was visibly happy now. The sadness and panic that had gripped her heart vanished instantly.
"Yes, Mom. Thank you, Mom."
A short time later, a black car pulled up. Bastian looked at the car carefully, confirming that he recognized it.
"Galang?" Bastian muttered.
Hearing Galang's name, all eyes turned to the stopped car. A few minutes later, a man got out. Unmistakably, he was Galang Rahardian. The man who was supposed to be Almira's groom today.
"Galang?" Zora said, disbelieving her son's presence.
Galang stood before Zora and Bastian, staring guiltily at his parents.
Almira stood frozen, anger and disappointment churning in her chest as she looked at Galang.
Every memory of Galang's actions that hurt her stabbed her heart more deeply, leaving a wound that would never heal. It seemed as if every second, Galang was tearing apart the promise of loyalty they had once made, leaving Almira in deep devastation.
"Mom..." Galang approached and hugged Zora.
Galang began to cry in his mother's arms.
"I'm sorry, Galang, Mom. I'm sorry, Galang," Galang said regretfully.
"It's too late, son. Almira is already married to Aksa." Zora released her hug.
"Galang knows, Mom. I saw it in the media earlier."
"Dad..." Galang approached Bastian and wanted to kiss his hand. But Bastian quickly pulled his hand away before Galang could touch it.
"Why didn't you come? You know it's your wedding day, right?" Bastian asked, his emotions ready to explode.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't come because I didn't want to hurt Almira any further," Galang replied.
"What do you mean? Hurt Almira?" Zora asked in turn, surprised.
"Yes, Mom. I actually got married three months ago when I went on a business trip to Japan."
Everyone's eyes widened, stunned as Galang's words broke the silence, revealing that he was married.
Especially Almira, who seemed to lose her footing, her body swaying as if she were about to fall to the floor. Luckily, Aksa quickly caught her and supported her from behind, preventing her from a sure fall.