PERMISSION

On a sunny morning, Mr. Dani was seen arranging flower pots in his yard. That day he did not go out of town because he exchanged work schedules with colleagues.

Mr. Dani heard the sound of a motorcycle engine approaching which made Mr. Dani turn his head towards the source of the sound.

"Assalamu'alaikum, when is Dad coming home?" Barra asked his father after turning off the engine and approaching his father.

"Wa'alaikumsalam... Since last night I came home but you weren't home. Mom said since morning you've been leaving with your motorbike. Tsk tsk tsk, Barra... it's still morning but you've been at someone's house something else until you don't know your father's home!" Mr. Dani muttered while shaking his head.

"You don't have any plans today, do you, Dad? There's something I want to discuss with you," Barra asked.

"Nothing. But maybe this afternoon I'll accompany your mother to the market because the food supplies in the kitchen are running low. What are you going to discuss is a serious matter?"

"You have to clean yourself up and have breakfast first! After that, just sleep. You've just come home from work, your body and eyes must be very tired because you didn't sleep all night," ordered the father to Barra.

Barra went to agree with his father's orders and brought the contents of his thoughts to the subconscious when Barra fell asleep.

Barra's father was right, when someone works at night and comes home in the morning, his body and eyes must be too tired to carry on with his activities again. The person needs sleep to keep his body healthy and stable.

"Father, I want to speak and state my decision!" Barra called to his father after he had just woken up from his nap that day.

"Yes, about what? Just say it, it looks like the thing you are going to talk about is very important," said Mr. Dani briefly because he was busy reading the newspaper.

"You know, don't you, I often stay at Mr. Hasan's house. Besides I am calmer when I am there because that is where I find a harmonious family atmosphere, I also find love there,"

"I want to propose to Mr. Hasan's daughter, Dad!" continued Barra which made Mr. Dani turn to hear it.

Mr. Dani was silent and put the newspaper in his hand while remembering Mr. Hasan's daughter.

'Isn't Mr. Hasan's daughter still in school? Why did Barra say that she wanted to propose to Mr. Hasan's daughter? What's wrong with the boy?' thought the father who felt his son's words were problematic.

"Is the girl you mean the daughter of Mr. Hasan who is still in school, huh?" Mr. Dani asked Barra and Barra nodded his head, "Are you not wrong in speaking and thinking Barra? Have you gone crazy, huh?!" asked Barra's father in a rising voice.

"I didn't say anything wrong or think wrong. I like Gita. Gita is a good girl that I want to marry when the time is right, Dad!"

"You just got carried away by lust for a moment, Barra! Please be aware! That girl is still a minor! Isn't there a more mature woman you can marry, huh?! Is the stock of women on this earth running out so you want that teenage girl to marry you? Be your wife?!" his father snapped.

"You're crazy, Barra! Or maybe you have a sexual disorder that tends to be like small children? Sorry, Barra. But my question to you is very important. All of this is for your good, son!" Barra's father began to lower his tone.

"Does me being in love sound wrong to you, Dad? That lowly you accuse me of having a sexual disorder? I'm not a pedophile, Dad! I'm a normal man!" Barra answered the painful accusations from his father.

"I sincerely love Gita, Father. Even though I don't deny my male desire acts when I'm around her, I can defeat that desire because my mind is still in my right mind to think that Gita is still a teenager."

"Can't I fall in love with a teenage girl like her? It's just a matter of age, right? I'm not marrying her anytime soon, Dad! I want Gita to graduate her education up to the university level. I want to love her without hindering her dreams. Is something like that wrong, that I'm accused of being a predator of minors?"

"Then what is the difference between me and you, Father? You and my stepmother are too far apart in age, aren't you? Why not just pretend this is all just a time and age difference?"

"If it wasn't my father who accused me of having a sexual disorder, I would have gagged that person's mouth so he couldn't speak anymore!"

Barra let out his anger. Barra just wanted to be honest with his feelings and asked his parents for permission to give their blessing and permission to tie Gita to an engagement. But his wish sounded wrong even though it was from his biological father.

"Barra, I'm sorry for hurting your heart. But this whole thing surprised me. My family and I have never seen you close with a woman and dating, but right now you're asking permission to propose to a girl. And the girl is still a teenager who is still in school. Am I not surprised to hear such a thing from my son, huh?" Mr. Dani lectured Barra so that his son would wake up.

"Determining a life partner is very important, Barra. If you choose the wrong one then your life will be miserable. While the engagement you want is intended to make Mr. Hasan's daughter your future wife, right?"

"Yes, I want Gita to be my future wife!" answered Barra confidently.

"Have you been so blinded by love, son? Even if I allow the engagement later, what makes you sure that one day before she is old enough to marry, the girl will still be who you want her to be? Don't you think that one day she might fall in love with someone else and leave you?"

Mr. Dani said the truth this time. Who can guarantee that Gita's mind and heart will remain loyal to Barra when there are many temptations from other men over time?

It's not impossible if Gita will be more beautiful day by day. And the number of male admirers of Gita may increase every day. And what if Gita changes her feelings for Barra?

"That's why I'm going to tie her up in a bond of engagement, Dad! I won't let Gita look the other way. Just only me!" Barra is still adamant about his decision.

Mr. Dani was dizzy with his son. However, he realized that since the death of his wife, he rarely took care of his children, and even how his child's mental development and feelings after his mother left him, he never asked and knew.

Given this, Mr. Dani also feels less entitled to interfere with Barra's decision to be happy with the way Barra believes is right. Barra has grown up in his way.

Barra, who is twenty-three years old, is also natural when it comes to building a household. But you don't have to marry a minor like Gita. What will the family and community say if that happens? That's what's on Mr. Dani's mind right now.

"Barra, think a thousand more times about your choice, son! Dad would immediately say 'yes' if the girl you like was not far from you. Please think again, Barra! Mr. Hasan's daughter is still a high school student, Barra!" persuaded Mr. Dani again.

"At first I also felt wrong because I liked Gita. I tried not to meet her and take my mind off her, Dad. I kept praying to God to guide me in the right direction. But still, my heart and mind are always on Gita and come back again to the Gita, Daddy!" said Barra.

"There are many women who are more than Gita in my office, Dad! They are all beautiful and it is appropriate to marry. But I am not interested in all of them. My eyes and also my feelings always go to Gita."

"Even though Gita has not fully accepted my feelings. I'm the one who liked her first and still expects her approval too."

"You will understand that liking cannot be forced or forbidden. Like you who like our stepmother even though we have forbidden you to marry her." Barra continued to say again.

"Okay… I accept if it's your decision. I will bless the chosen woman you think is right. But I will also discuss with our family, who knows you will change your mind!" replied Mr. Dani who had accepted Barra's decision.

"Thank you, Father… You have blessed what I want. For the next, let me talk to the other members of our family,"

"I am already very happy to have your permission and blessing, Dad!" said thank you, Barra, to the father.

"May your choice be the best, Barra. Good luck!" Mr. Dani prayed for Barra sincerely.