Alia
I vividly remember how it felt to leave my parents' house. At that time, my heart was filled with ego, and I left without a second thought. It was all because of Julian. But today, after all these years, I'm back—returning to the house I once thought was lonely and meaningless. Now, I'm back with an empty feeling and an open wound, even though I seem to have made peace with reality.
As soon as I arrived at my parents' house, I was overcome with anxiety. What would they say after all this time? Mom and Dad must be angry, right? They must be disappointed, especially after I left everything behind for a man who never appreciated me. But as soon as I entered the house, the atmosphere that greeted me was very different.
"Alia, Mama's daughter!" Mama's soft and loving voice greeted me with a warm embrace. I stood there in silence for a moment, unable to say anything. It was as if I could feel the warmth that had been missing for so long. "We are so grateful you're back. Maybe it’s for the best that you decided to leave Julian."
I didn’t know what to say. I should feel relieved, but my heart was still heavy. They weren’t angry; they welcomed me with love. They understood better than anyone what it's like to be crushed by someone you love.
Mom looked at me with concern. "Alia," she said cautiously, "how about considering an arranged marriage? I'd like you to meet Felix, my best friend's son."
Felix’s name sounded familiar. I felt unprepared to hear it. An arranged marriage? What did she mean? But she continued gently, "Felix is a fine young man, Alia. Papa and I know him well. He’s quite mature, and most importantly, he respects women. We're not asking you to accept him right away—there’s no rush. Get to know him first, and if you feel he’s the one, the decision is yours."
I let out a long sigh. I wasn’t ready to open my heart again, especially after everything that had happened with Julian. I was still traumatized, and the wound in my heart felt so deep. But I also couldn’t refuse Mom’s request. Maybe this was the best way to let go of the past and repay my parents, who had worried about my happiness for so long.
"All right, Mom. I'll get to know Felix. But I don't promise anything," I replied quietly, trying to show that my heart was still closed to love. But I knew this decision wasn’t only for me—it was also for my parents, who had been concerned about my happiness for so long.
A few days later, we agreed to meet at a restaurant. Both families exchanged stories, talking about the past and the future. I was surprised to learn that Aunt Renata, Mom's best friend, had a grown son. Felix, my potential future husband, was five years older than me. This was my first time meeting him.
Felix, a seemingly quiet and polite young man, immediately showed a different attitude than I had expected. As I was about to sit down, he pulled out the chair with care. "Please, sit down, Alia," he said in a soft voice.
When the seafood arrived, I was surprised to see Felix carefully separating the crab shell and meat for me, making sure each part was separated so I could enjoy it more easily. It reminded me of the past, when I always had to separate the crab meat for Julian, while Julian just sat there, enjoying his food without a care in the world.
But this time, it felt different. Felix wasn’t just polite; he seemed caring and responsible. After the meal, I intended to pay the bill, but Felix refused. "Let me pay," he said with a smile. "When you and your family are with me, it’s my responsibility."
An unfamiliar feeling filled my chest. I didn’t feel burdened or coerced. Everything felt natural. It was different from how I had felt with Julian. With Felix, I felt safe and secure.
Time passed quickly, and I began seeing Felix more often. We talked about many things, getting to know each other better. Mama Amy began to ask me about my feelings. "What do you think of Felix, Alia? Are you starting to like him?"
I looked at my mom with mixed emotions. After thinking for a moment, I replied, "I don’t think there’s any reason to reject him, Mom. Besides his good personality, Felix is also Aunt Renata’s son, someone I’ve known for a long time. I don’t think there’s much more to think about."
Mom smiled with relief at my answer. "Then let’s have an engagement party. Everything will be fine, Alia."
A few days later, both families gathered to celebrate our engagement. I felt comfortable, though not fully prepared. Here I was, in the midst of a supportive family, with a man I barely knew, but who had made me feel confident about a bright future. It felt like the world was spinning so fast, and everything I’d fought so hard for had turned out to be nothing but painful. What I had once thought was trivial and insignificant turned out to be a source of happiness.
When Felix thanked me after we exchanged rings, his words were sincere. "I’ve loved you for a long time, Alia. I promise to make you happy and to be the only woman in my life after Mama."
I was touched, and tears began to fall. I never thought that in such a short time, the feelings that had once been locked in my heart would begin to open up again. Felix, whom I had just met, had understood my feelings and given me what I had been searching for—security and respect.
However, in the middle of this blissful moment, the door to the room suddenly burst open. A very familiar figure stood there, his face full of anger. Julian. He had arrived with several bodyguards. "This event is unauthorized!" he shouted in a voice that shook the room.
The atmosphere immediately became tense, and I stood frozen, unable to speak. All eyes were on me, and I could feel my heart racing. What did Julian want? Had he come to ruin everything I had found?
