The Nightmare: As You Get Older

Andien, who had finished her task, closed the refrigerator door and walked to the sink to wash her hands. "Dad is taking a shower, and Abel is buying food out with Rafi. Anyway, I planned for us to have dinner with goat satay, and I also added your favorite menu item, duck egg martabak." Andien said with a smile to Adel. Andien's smile was very warm; Adel could feel it. That smile warmed Adel's heart, and she nodded.

Andien approached Adel and rubbed her back slowly. "I'm sorry, Del, earlier your dad’s sisters asked you things you don't like to discuss," Andien added, "Dad and Mom understand that you are not ready to get married, and we don't force you to get married. Also, your dad said you can marry when you are ready, there is no need to rush. Abel didn't mind either, she said if she was ready to get married, she would get married, it didn't matter if you were married or not. So, don't worry too much about what the aunts said earlier, okay?"

Adel's eyes filled with tears when she heard Andien's soothing words; she looked like she was going to cry in ten seconds. She couldn't believe she had parents who were as good and as understanding as Andien and Arya, and sister like Abel. Adel's tears finally fell, despite her efforts to keep them from falling, and she sobbed a little. Andien immediately hugged Adel and said, "It was your dad who defended you, you know, he said if they were asked that again, it would be better if they did not visit." Adele nodded in understanding.

"When they said goodbye, the aunts apologized for going too far in saying goodbye to you." Adel let go of Andien's hug to look into her eyes; she wanted to make sure what Andien said was serious; Andien nodded, "I'm serious, you can ask Abel or Rafi." Adel shrugged her shoulders, didn't care, and continued hugging Andien. The feeling of guilt and restlessness that Adel had felt since she woke up seemed to have been swallowed up by the earth and replaced by a warm feeling.