The Estuary of Desire Baruna
Eps. #64 Refuse to Be Matchmade

"Your son is very handsome and handsome, Arkha," praised Andreas greatly admiring Baruna's figure.

"Your daughter is also very beautiful, smart and highly educated," Arkha replied in flattering the daughter of her business partner and best friend.

Baruna only smiled faintly in response to all the compliments Andreas had thrown. For a moment he turned to look at Jessica who was also always smiling broadly hearing Arkha's flattery.

The informal dinner in Kedaman Waradana between the two families also took place full of hospitality.

Arkha and Andreas showed their familiarity very much, both of them were very enthusiastic about discussing the business they were working on together. However, it was precisely the opposite that Baruna felt. That dinner was boring for him. Moreover, on the sidelines of the conversation between his father and Andreas, it was heard they discussed each other about him and Jessica.

Baruna became very uncomfortable with Andreas's attitude which seemed so impressive to him. Several times also Andreas touched on the issue of closeness between him and Jessica. Of all the expressions, Baruna could smell the scent of matchmaking that Andreas had conjured for his daughter with him.

After the dinner was over and Andreas and Jessica left the house, Baruna sat alone in the living room and daydreamed.

"Oh yes, Arkha .. How about we match your son to my daughter? I think it will further strengthen our continued cooperation in the future."

Baruna remembered a sentence that Andreas had said when the dinner was going on.

"Hmm .. I think it's a good idea, especially if they've known for a long time. But .. I think it all depends on them. If they are ready, why not. I'd be so glad we could be besan."

Baruna smiled wryly as she remembered her papa's response to Andreas' suggested matchmaking plan.

Somehow he felt that his father also agreed to the match, while he himself clearly said that he had fallen in love with a woman who until now had always been in his heart, that's Floretta.

"You haven't been to your room yet, Una?"

The greeting broke Baruna's daydream.

"Not sleepy, Pa," Baruna answered flatly, when she saw Arkha approaching her and sitting next to her.

"What do you think of Jessica, Una? Papa see you guys are very familiar and have been friends for quite a long time. Isn't there a desire you're closer to her?" arkha asked trying to speak from heart to heart with her son. Arkha just wants to see her son get excited again, she hopes Jessica is the girl who can make Baruna forget Floretta who will not necessarily be found again.

"It's normal, Pa," said Baruna briefly.

"Me and Jessica have been friends for almost eight years and our relationship will be nothing more than friends" Baruna said, not wanting to take her father's expectations seriously.

"You must reorganize your life, Una. Papa's advice, try moving on from Flo. We won't be able to find her and her brother anymore. Moreover, Diaz holds hatred towards papa, it is certain that she will not approve of you being in a relationship with her sister. In fact, it could be that Diaz has also betrothed Flo to another man," Arkha explained at length trying to convince Baruna to forget Floretta.

"No, Pa!" performk Baruna's. "Until now I won't forget Flo. And I'll keep looking until I see you. Papa doesn't have to match me up with Jessica just so I can move on from Flo" Baruna said, rejecting her father's matchmaking advice.

Arkha only let out a long breath. "Alright, Una. Whatever your decision, you will always support you. Papa will also never force papa's will on you. With whom you will mate, you will also receive it with open arms. Papa just wants you to be happy and not keep thinking only about Floretta," Arkha concluded. Verily, he himself did not wish to betroth his son to anyone. He gave his son complete freedom to choose his future companion.

.

The day passed quickly. Although Arkha had already confirmed that he would not force his desire to match Baruna with Jessica, but a different response instead he got from Andreas. His best friend and business partner was actually very eager to continue the matchmaking of his daughter with Baruna. And in honor of her best friend, Arkha is willing to plan a romantic dinner for their children.

From the beginning Baruna was not very interested in the event. However, he did not want to reject his papa who continued to persuade him. All that he did was forced to do just out of respect for his father and Andrew.

"What happened to you, Baruna? You seem to be force having dinner with me? (What's wrong with you, Baruna? Looks like you're gonna have to have dinner with me?)" jessica asked when she realized Baruna was more silent and seemed not interested in the romantic dinner that their parents prepared.

"Nothing (It's okay)" said Baruna briefly.

"For a long time we didn't meet, Baruna. Don't you miss me?"

"Sorry, Jess. I am so busy with my new job. I have no time to contact you. (Sorry, Jess. I was so busy with my new job that I never got to call you)."

"Never mind (No problem)." Jessica raised both her eyebrows and shook her head.

"I want to tell you something, Jess."

"Hm."

"It looks like our parents wanted an arranged marriage between us."

"Yes, then why, Bar?"

"I'm sorry, Jess. To me you are just my best friend. Although our relationship has crossed the line, but I never love you. What happens between us is just to have fun."

"So do I (So do I)." Jessica put her palms together in front of Baruna, a sign that she did not approve of the match.

"I'm still happy to live in Aussi, Bar. Mommy is also still there to take care of the boutique. I don't want to get married let alone stay in the country again for now," explained Jessica also confirmed the rejection of the arranged marriage her father planned.

"I'm willing to have dinner with you just to honor daddy."

Baruna smiled at Jessica's reply. She also remembered that Jessica was a girl who liked freedom, so far she also never had the intention of making a commitment with any man.

"Does that mean you also refuse our marriage?" baruna asked happily.

"No!" Jessica shook her head. "If daddy has a wish, so I wouldn't dare to refuse him, Bar," he said hesitantly.

"But we both don't want this match, Jess. Will you accept it, even if we don't love each other?" wonder Baruna.

"I can't do nothing, Baruna! (I cannot do anything, Baruna!) If I refuse, daddy will scold me and still force."

"I'll try to talk about everything well with Om Andreas. I think that he will understand us (I think he can definitely understand)," Baruna and Jessica said only to reply with a nod of the head.

Both of them did not want the match to happen.