3. Diandra's Rejection

A busy morning, with bright and sunny weather. The clear blue sky, without a single cloud, seemed to bless the meeting of two families who would soon become in laws. The shiny black car belonging to the Ganendra family slowly entered the courtyard of Mr. Pratama’s large, classic style house.

Inside, Sebastian sat with his father and mother, wearing a neat white shirt and navy trousers. His face looked calm, but his heart was pounding rapidly.

“Don’t be so tense, my son,” said his mother, Mrs. Rasmi, while adjusting the collar of his shirt.

“Remember, this is your first meeting with your future wife’s family.”

His father, Mr. Ganendra, added,

“Be polite, as usual. But don’t be too stiff. Let them see that you are a man they can trust.”

Sebastian only nodded slightly. He didn’t say much, but inside, a strong curiosity grew, what was Diandra really like, the girl arranged for him?

The main door of the grand house opened wide. Mr. Pratama himself, a middle aged man with a warm smile and upright posture, stood welcoming them. Beside him, his wife, Mrs. Sekar, wore a soft blue kebaya that made her look elegant and graceful.

“Welcome, Mr. Ganendra, Mrs. Rasmi, and Sebastian,” Mr. Pratama greeted them as he shook their hands one by one.

“Thank you for receiving us so warmly,” Mr. Ganendra replied with a broad smile.

They were then led into a spacious living room, furnished with cream-colored sofas and a large teakwood table in the center. It felt warm, yet still classy.

“We are very pleased with this plan,” said Mrs. Sekar, opening the conversation.

“We’ve long wanted to get to know your family more closely.”

“So have we,” replied Mrs. Rasmi.

“Sebastian also seems very calm about all of this.”

The conversation began to flow about work, family backgrounds, and daily life. Everything went smoothly with polite exchanges and light laughter. However, Sebastian’s attention shifted when he heard soft footsteps coming from the kitchen.

When Sebastian turned his gaze, his eyes immediately froze.

From behind the dining area, a young woman appeared, walking gracefully with a serene expression. In her hands was a silver tray carrying several cups of warm tea. Her long black hair flowed beautifully, and her polite smile seemed to make time stop for a moment for Sebastian.

Diandra.

Sebastian fell silent. It was Diandra, his junior in high school. The girl he had secretly admired for years but never approached because he was too afraid and unsure. And now, she stood before him, bringing tea for him and his family.

“Oh God,” Sebastian thought.

“So I’m being arranged with Diandra? The girl I’ve liked all this time?” he exclaimed silently.

“Please, have some tea, Sir, Ma’am,” Diandra said politely as she placed the cups one by one in front of the guests.

When her eyes finally met Sebastian’s, she looked slightly surprised, but still maintained her composure. She had never expected that the man arranged for her would be Sebastian, the quiet yet accomplished senior she once knew.

Sebastian smiled faintly. He said nothing, but inside, a storm of emotions began to rise.

“Did you just realize who your future wife is, My Son? He-he-he,” teased Mrs. Rasmi with a soft laugh.

“Yes …” Sebastian answered quietly, his eyes still fixed on Diandra.

“I knew her back in school.”

“Oh? Really?” Mr. Pratama asked with a slight smile.

“The world really is small, isn’t it?”

Diandra only gave a cold smile and sat beside her mother, remaining polite even though her heart felt conflicted. She had no feelings for Sebastian. In fact, she wasn’t ready for an arranged marriage at all. But she was too afraid to disappoint her parents.

Suddenly, the atmosphere turned quiet when her father spoke,

“Sebastian, we would like to ask you in front of everyone here. Do you agree with this arranged marriage?”

All eyes immediately turned to him including Diandra’s.

Sebastian glanced at his parents, then looked at Diandra, who lowered her gaze.

Then he smiled a sincere smile he had kept hidden in his heart for so long.

“I agree,” he answered firmly.

Everyone fell silent. Then a soft sigh of relief came from his mother. Mr. Pratama and Mrs. Sekar smiled proudly.

But the most shocked person was Diandra.

Her eyes widened instantly. She looked at Sebastian in disbelief.

Diandra never expected Sebastian to agree so quickly, so decisively. They had never even truly spoken back in school.

“I … I’ll go to the kitchen for a moment, Mom,” Diandra said nervously, immediately standing up and walking away without waiting for a response.

Sebastian simply watched her leave, his gaze full of meaning. He knew Diandra did not yet understand his feelings. But for him, this arrangement was not a burden, it was a blessing he had never expected to become reality.

“Looks like Diandra is surprised too,” Mrs. Sekar said, trying to smile.

“She hasn’t said much about this arrangement, but we know she’s an obedient child.”

Mrs. Rasmi added,

“That’s normal. Young people’s feelings are sometimes hard to predict.”

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Diandra stood by the sink, staring at the running water. Her thoughts were in turmoil.

“Why did he agree so easily?” she whispered.

She had never imagined that the senior she once barely noticed in the school corridor would now become her future husband. Feelings she had never built now had to be faced.

But deep in her heart, Diandra began to wonder, what would happen if she gave herself a chance to get to know Sebastian better?

After dinner, the dining room atmosphere felt warmer. Mr. Pratama and Mr. Ganendra were still engaged in light conversation about business and memories of their youth, while Mrs. Sekar and Mrs. Rasmi began clearing the dishes with the help of the house assistant.

Not long after, Mrs. Sekar said gently,

“Sebastian, how about you and Diandra have a little talk on the back terrace? We’d like you to get to know each other better.”

Mr. Pratama added,

“That’s right. Think of it as a moment to speak heart to heart.”

Sebastian nodded, then glanced at Diandra. She hesitated briefly but eventually stood and walked slowly toward the back terrace, illuminated by the dim glow of an antique hanging lamp.

The sound of crickets filled the air, accompanied by the cool night breeze. Diandra stood looking at the dark garden, while Sebastian sat on a long wooden bench, waiting and giving her space.

After a few seconds of silence, Diandra finally spoke, her voice soft but clear.

“Why?”

Sebastian turned slowly.

“Why … what?”

“Why did you accept this arrangement?” Diandra turned her face away, looking nervous. Her cheeks were flushed, caught between embarrassment, confusion, and suppressed anger.

Sebastian took a breath. He knew that question would come. He then smiled calmly.

“Because there’s no harm in trying first,” he answered honestly.

Diandra immediately turned, her eyes widening. She stepped closer and looked at him sharply.

“Marriage is not something you ‘try,’ Sebastian,” she said firmly.

“This is not an experiment or a game. This is someone’s life.”

Sebastian nodded, not defending himself. He knew Diandra was holding back a lot. But he also had the right to speak.

“I know,” he said softly.

“But I also know you’re not just anyone. And I …”

Sebastian paused, looking into Diandra’s teary eyes.

“I’ve liked you for a long time, even since we were still in school.”

Diandra’s eyes widened in shock.

“What?”

“I never spoke to you back then,” Sebastian continued.

“But I always noticed you from afar. You … were like a living painting. Calm, yet full of color. I even knew you always sat under the ketapang tree in the school garden during breaks.”

“So … you really liked me all this time?” Diandra asked softly.

Sebastian nodded.

“Yes. But I never had the courage to speak. Now fate has brought me here to finally find you.”

Diandra lowered her head. Silence filled the air again. The wind blew softly, making the ends of her hair sway.

“But Sebastian,” she finally said,

“I don’t like you. At all.”

Sebastian froze. It felt like a stab to his chest. But he still smiled faintly.

“I understand.”

“I don’t want this arrangement, not just because of you,” Diandra continued.

“But because I have dreams. I want to become a famous painter. I want to exhibit my work in international art galleries. I don’t want to be tied to any relationship right now, including marriage.”

Sebastian lowered his head briefly, then looked at her sincerely.

“I won’t stop you. I’ll let you stay free to pursue your passion. I won’t restrict you after we marry.”

“That’s not the point,” Diandra said firmly.

“This is about choice. I want to choose my own path, without the label of being someone’s wife or having in laws.”

Sebastian fell silent. It felt like his world was slowly collapsing.

“So you’re really rejecting this arrangement?”

“Yes. I’ll talk to my parents. I’ll try to cancel everything.”

Diandra’s face was serious, her eyes glistening.

“I can’t lie to myself. I can’t get married just to please others.”

Sebastian stood up. He looked at her deeply. The pain was real. But behind his disappointment, determination began to rise.

“Then thank you for being honest,” he said slowly.

“Honestly, I’m disappointed. But I respect your courage.”

Diandra looked surprised. She had expected him to argue or get angry, but he accepted everything calmly.

But Sebastian wasn’t finished.

“I won’t stay silent either,” he continued, his tone firmer.

“I may not be your choice right now. But I will try. I will make you see who I really am.”

“Sebastian, you …?” Diandra stammered.

“I want you to know,” he continued,

“This isn’t about making you belong to anyone. This is about me finally having a reason to fight. Because since long ago, you’ve been my only reason to find true love.”

Diandra said nothing. She stood frozen, unsure how to respond.

Sebastian stepped back slowly.

“I think that’s enough for tonight. But this isn’t over. I will make sure, you will choose me. Not because of anyone’s pressure, but because of your own heart.”

He turned around and walked toward the front room where their parents were still talking. His steps were steady, even though his chest felt heavy. He had been rejected, but it wasn’t the end.

Diandra stood alone on the terrace, staring blankly at the garden. There was something inside her she couldn’t explain, perhaps doubt, perhaps fear.

But that night, one thing was certain: two hearts stood in opposition.

One longed for freedom.

One was ready to fight.

And perhaps, fate still held a long story for both of them.