After breaking up with Kevin in the car that morning, Lintang messaged the blameless man and asked him to return her car to her friend Selvi's house.
That raised a huge question in Selvi's mind, especially since they hadn't spoken in nearly a month. After hearing Selvi's side of the story, Kevin only became more confused by everything Lintang had done.
"You really didn't know what was wrong with Lintang? She actually ended our relationship just because she was asked to marry her father's business partner's son?" Kevin, slightly agitated, laid out what had happened between him and Lintang as he delivered the car to Selvi's house.
"Wait, seriously, Vin? That's the reason? I swear, I'm only finding out about this from you right now," Selvi replied, staring at him in shock.
Kevin let out a harsh sigh at Selvi's admission.
"Why, Lintang? Why do I have to be the sacrifice for your father's plan?"
Selvi felt sorry for Kevin when she heard him. She understood how long the young man had loved Lintang. Clearly, Kevin was hurt and disappointed by the decision as well.
"All right. Here's Lintang's car key. If she comes by, tell her I'll find out for myself what happened until... Ah, never mind. I'm heading out, Sel."
Kevin didn't finish what he was saying and chose to leave. Selvi could only watch the handsome young man go, her emotions in turmoil.
"Lintang, don't you feel even a little sorry for Kevin? You won't find another guy as good as him anywhere," Selvi murmured with a sigh over her friend's conflict.
Kevin left Selvi's house after ordering a motorcycle ride, before the call to prayer echoed through the air.
The sunset was breathtaking. Streaks of orange across the western horizon dazzled the eyes, drawing involuntary gasps of admiration. Yet beneath that sunset, one heart was grieving, celebrating its heartbreak after being abandoned by the person it loved.
Had Lintang really been willing to let go of the man who loved her so deeply?
Knock! Knock!
The knock on the door shattered the silence of Lintang's room, where she had just finished praying. A clear sigh escaped her as the girl glanced toward the door.
"Come in. It's unlocked."
Creeeak!
The door opened, and a head poked out from behind it.
"Miss Lintang, your father is calling you. He wants to talk in the family room."
It was Mbok Darmi, a housekeeper for Indra Laksono Pranajaya's family.
Lintang fell silent. She realized the day had come when she would have to repay the debt of gratitude.
"Is Mom going to the family room too?" Lintang asked, trying to determine whether this was a family discussion or if Indra Laksono Pranajaya had something else he wanted to discuss.
"Yes, Miss. I saw your mother getting ready to go to the family room too. She told me to bring drinks for the three of you."
In the end, Lintang could only nod resignedly before telling Mbok Darmi to return to the kitchen while she followed shortly after.
After Mbok Darmi left, Lintang stared blankly out the window, which she had deliberately left open. The breeze still brushed against her skin even though she hadn't yet removed her prayer garment.
"Dad, why did you have to leave so soon? If you were still here, maybe Mom and I could always smile in this big house. Why does repaying that debt of gratitude have to force Lintang to marry someone she doesn't know? Especially when Lintang has a boyfriend who has loved her ever since they were in high school?"
Those hoarse words finally slipped from the lips of the beautiful, statuesque girl.
Lintang could clearly feel the mental pressure from Indra Laksono Pranajaya's ultimatum: he would marry her off to his business partner's son.
Wasn't that the same as marrying her off as a bargaining chip to keep her stepfather's company standing strong with the support of the company that would be joining it as an investor?
"Whew! Do I have to become the cruelest woman in the world to Kevin, even though I truly love him too?"
Lintang found no answer to her question except the breeze and the twinkling lights in the distance. What she had to prepare from this moment on was the resolve—and a plan—to reject her mother's second husband's wishes.