Cashback System From The Heart

The morning after the proposal was filled with a strange kind of stillness—like the world had shifted slightly and hadn't yet caught up with itself.

Phuby sat on the tatami floor, sipping from a cup of hot green tea. Across from him, Hana's smile refused to fade, and her fingers kept fidgeting with the ring on her hand, turning it over and over as if she still couldn't believe it was real.

"You're really going to wear that thing out," he joked.

She looked up, eyes twinkling. "Then you'll just have to buy me a new one."

He snorted and nearly choked on his tea. "Okay, princess."

Before she could retaliate, the sliding door behind them opened with a sudden kachak.

Mrs. Wulan entered first, followed by Hana's mother, both holding their phones like trophies.

"Well, good morning, lovebirds," Mrs. Wulan said, drawing out the word in a tone that instantly made Phuby wary.

He straightened, blinking. "Um… good morning?"

"Oh don't 'good morning' me like you didn't just pull off a proposal straight out of a romance drama," Hana's mother added in English. "In a bamboo grove. At night. With full moonlight."

"I mean," Mrs. Wulan added in Bahasa, "you even rehearsed the speech, didn't you? That whole 'light of my dawn' thing?" She placed her hand on her heart mockingly. "Romantic banget!"

Phuby's face flushed red. "I—I didn't rehearse!"

"Uh-huh." Hana's mother lifted her phone. "Then how come I have this part on camera, 'You changed my life… if you'll have me—'"

"Stop, stop, please!" Phuby buried his face in his hands.

But it was too late. Hana was already laughing beside him, barely holding it in. She leaned into him, whispering, "You did sound like a K-drama lead."

"Oh come on!" he groaned.

Mrs. Wulan and Hana's mom high-fived.

"You two really are evil," Phuby muttered.

"We're mothers," Mrs. Wulan replied proudly. "It's our sacred duty."

The teasing didn't stop for a while. Mrs. Wulan pulled out printed screenshots of the video, already talking about how it would look framed. Hana's mom was already imagining wedding slideshows and theme songs. Phuby tried to hide in the kitchen for a while, but they followed him like predators scenting blood.

It wasn't until breakfast, when the rice bowls were steaming and the smell of grilled fish filled the house, that the conversation shifted into something more serious.

"So," Hana's mom said, pausing to sip her tea, "have you two started thinking about where the wedding will be held?"

The air paused for a moment.

Phuby blinked. "Oh."

Hana looked at him, cheeks suddenly tinted pink again.

"I mean… that's a good point," Hana admitted. "Do we do it in Japan? Or in Indonesia?"

Phuby set down his chopsticks, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well… why not both?"

Everyone looked at him.

"Seriously," he shrugged. "Let's get married twice. Once in Japan for your family, once in Indonesia for mine. A traditional Japanese ceremony… and an Indonesian one too."

Mrs. Wulan's eyes sparkled. "A double wedding?"

"Yeah." He smiled. "Why not?"

Hana looked like she was about to cry again. "I love that."

"But… which one first?" Hana asked. "Japan or Indonesia?"

Mrs. Wulan raised a hand like a student answering a question. "Well, since we're already here… why not do Japan first? Then we go back to Cirebon and celebrate with everyone again."

"That makes sense," Hana's mom said, nodding. "You'll be saving on flight costs, too."

"You're just trying to ensure you get to dress me in a kimono before my kebaya," Hana muttered.

Mrs. Wulan grinned. "Exactly."

Phuby leaned toward Hana, whispering again, "Are we planning a wedding… over rice?"

She smiled. "You started it."

"Fair."

They all laughed again.

---

Later in the afternoon, the group went to a nearby temple for sightseeing. The air was cool, cherry blossoms fluttering through the breeze like gentle confetti. It felt symbolic. New beginnings. Blessings on the wind.

While the rest of the family admired the temple grounds, Phuby and Hana sat on a bench near a koi pond, letting the sounds of nature and distant bells wash over them.

She looked at him with a tilted head. "You're okay with a Japanese wedding?"

He shrugged. "Why wouldn't I be? It's your home too."

"You know what that means though, right?" she asked softly.

Phuby nodded. "I've already told your parents. In Islam… for us to marry, you'll have to become Muslim."

Hana nodded slowly. "I know."

He paused. "That's… a big step. You don't have to rush anything."

"I'm not rushing," she said. "I just… want to do it because I want to be with you completely. I've been learning already. I've seen you pray. I've asked questions."

His eyes softened. "Really?"

She took his hand and squeezed. "It's not just about religion. It's about growing together. I want to be part of your world too."

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "You already are."

From a distance, Mrs. Wulan and Hana's mom were peeking again.

"Should we record this too?" Hana's mom whispered.

Mrs. Wulan held her phone up but then lowered it again. "Nah. Let them have this moment."

But they both smiled like conspirators.

---