4. Marsha's Family Serious Discussion

It was Monday afternoon, and the sky over Gading Serpong was beginning to darken, leaving a soft orange glow shining over the trees in the yard of the Eben family’s luxurious house. A white SUV pulled up slowly in front of the gate, and a young woman stepped out, looking elegant yet visibly tired.

“Finally, I’ve made it home. Oh, I’m so exhausted!” she complained.

Marsha Livia, a beautiful twenty-five-year-old girl, was wearing a light grey blazer and a pair of cream coloured trousers. Her face looked pretty despite her fatigue, though she knew very well that Mondays were always hectic, especially in the interior design industry which was full of sudden revisions and perfectionist clients.

As soon as she stepped onto the porch, the front door opened.

“Marsha Dear, you’re finally home, sweetheart,” her mother, Mrs. Bertha, greeted her with a warm smile.

The elegant woman was dressed in a soft batik housecoat and slippers, looking comfortable and motherly.

“Sorry, Mom, there was an extra meeting at the project site in Senayan just now,” Marsha replied while gently kissing her mother’s cheek.

From inside the living room, the sound of the television could be heard. Mr. Eben, Marsha’s father, was sitting comfortably on the large sofa, holding a remote control in his hand.

“Our hardworking girl is finally back,” Mr. Eben said with a smile. “Did work go smoothly today, Sha?”

“It went fine, Dad. But you know how it is clients just can’t be satisfied unless we change the layout at least five times,” Marsha replied with a faint smile.

Mrs. Bertha took hold of her daughter’s hand. “Sha, why don’t you go take a shower first? Freshen yourself up. After that, Dad and I want to talk to you for a bit.”

Marsha furrowed her brow, slightly surprised by her mother’s serious tone. “A serious talk?” she asked again.

“Yep, very serious!” This time it was Dad Eben who spoke up.

“About what exactly, Mom?” Marsha was clearly growing curious.

“Let’s just wait until you’ve had a shower and feel more refreshed. You must be tired, aren’t you?” her mother replied, still with a meaningful smile on her face.

“Hmm … alright. Dad, Mom, I’m going to take a shower first,” Marsha replied in a curious tone.

The beautiful girl then went upstairs to her spacious and modern bedroom, decorated mainly in cream and white tones with touches of elegant decoration she had designed herself.

As soon as she entered her room, Marsha dropped her work bag onto the small sofa in the corner, took off her high heels, and then threw herself onto the soft bed covered with clean white sheets.

“Ugh! I’m so exhausted today! But I wonder what Dad and Mom want to talk to me about?” she murmured while staring up at her bedroom ceiling. “It’s not like Mom and Dad to look that stern and serious.”

Marsha let out a long sigh. Then she slowly sat up and walked towards her private bathroom. The oval shaped bathtub in the corner seemed inviting. She turned on the hot water tap, then poured a little bit of her favourite rosemary scented shower gel into the tub. Foam slowly filled the bathtub.

After taking off her work clothes and wrapping herself in a towel, Marsha stepped into the tub and soaked herself. Warm water immediately surrounded her body, bringing a sense of relaxation she desperately needed after a long day.

“Could Mom and Dad want to talk about the company?” she wondered.

“But that doesn’t seem quite right, Mom’s tone just now sounded more personal?”

Marsha closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the calming scent of rosemary and the warmth of the water. However, her mind kept asking questions.

“Maybe about finding a life partner?” she suddenly murmured to herself, and then she laughed out loud. “Ha-ha-ha, that’s impossible. They know I’m still busy with work. Besides, I haven’t told them anything about anyone I’m close to well, actually there isn’t anyone anyway.”

After soaking for about twenty minutes, Marsha stood up from the bathtub and dried herself off. She then put on a light blue satin pyjama set and tied her hair up loosely with a small hair tie. As she walked out of the bathroom, a faint scent of rosemary lingered on her skin. Marsha really felt refreshed now.

Not long after, her mother’s soft voice was heard calling from downstairs.

“Sha, if you’re ready, come downstairs please, Dear. Dad has been waiting for you in the living room for quite a while.”

“Okay, Mom!” Marsha replied while picking up her mobile phone from the table.

She walked slowly down the stairs, passing along the corridor decorated with photos of her childhood. In the living room, Mr. Eben was sitting leaning back in his favourite armchair sipping warm tea, while Mrs. Bertha was already sitting on the long sofa, motioning for her daughter to sit between them.

Marsha sat down slowly, looking at the faces of her parents, which looked serious yet full of affection.

“So what is this all about, Mom, Dad?” she asked softly.

Mrs. Bertha exchanged glances with her husband, then began to speak.

“Sha, Dad and I know you’ve been extremely busy with work lately. We are really proud of you, being able to lead an interior design team in the family company and having such big clients. But, there’s something else that’s just as important.”

Marsha nodded slowly. “I understand, Mom but what exactly do you mean?”

Mr. Eben spoke up. “We just want you to also have a happy personal life, dear. Nowadays, your two friends Zera and Mary are already married, aren’t they? Dad and I are just worried that you’re focusing too much on work and forgetting to build a meaningful relationship.”

Marsha laughed softly, though feeling a little awkward. “Ha-ha-ha do Mom and Dad actually know that I’m still single?”

“Of course we do,” Mrs. Bertha replied with a smile. “That’s why I want to talk to you about something important. But please don’t misunderstand us, okay?”

Marsha sat up straight. “What is it, Mom?”

“Yesterday I met up with one of my best friends from university, Aunt Dina. Her son is Arnold Zafazel. You might have heard of him before.”

“Arnold?” Marsha searched her memory. “The CEO of AZ Corp?”

“That’s right,” Mr. Eben replied. “Dad and I know his family very well. He’s a polite, smart, and successful young man. His parents also told us that Arnold is still single. Well they want to arrange for the two of you to meet.”

Marsha’s eyes widened slightly. “Wait, does that mean you want to set me up on a blind date?”

“It doesn’t mean you have to get married immediately, Dear,” Mrs. Bertha said quickly. “It’s just getting introduced to each other first. Meeting up, chatting, and seeing whether you’re compatible or not. There’s absolutely no pressure. But who knows, maybe this is the path God has opened up for both of you.”

Marsha remained silent for a few seconds. She wasn’t refusing the idea, she was just caught off guard by the suddenness of it.

“I don’t mind being introduced to anyone, Mom, Dad, as long as you don’t rush things. I need time to get to know someone properly.”

“That’s exactly what Arnold also requested,” Mr. Eben said. “He also wants to just get to know each other first, no serious commitments straight away.”

Marsha nodded slowly. “Alright, in that case I agree. Who knows, maybe this really is the path meant for me.”

Mrs. Bertha immediately hugged her daughter happily. “I’m so glad you’re willing to give it a try, dear. We’ll arrange the meeting later, okay?”

Marsha smiled faintly. “Okay, Mom. But please don’t go booking the wedding venue yet!” she joked.

Mr. Eben laughed heartily. “Ha-ha-ha. Don’t worry, Dear. We’re parents, not wedding planners.”

“Ha-ha-ha!” Marsha and her mother also joined in the laughter.

That night, in their warm and loving home, a new chapter in Marsha Livia’s life was quietly being prepared, taking things slowly, but surely.