Jodhokerto and its ancestral traditions: a city where men aged 20 are mandated to marry, whether by their own choice or through an arrangement. This tradition was born from a dark history of low life expectancy, which once triggered a massive wave of migration into the area. The original inhabitants of Jodhokerto, feeling their natural resources and territory being dominated by newcomers, eventually established this rule to safeguard their lineage and assets. This mandate, which has been strictly enforced for twenty-two years, is upheld most rigidly by conglomerate families seeking to expand their business empires.
However, for some, this tradition is nothing short of a terror. At least, that was the case for Iona Renata, an 18-year-old girl being forced by her family to marry the only son of the Aulian family.
"Mom, how many times do I have to say it? I am NOT willing to marry Vigeno!" Iona cried out, her breath hitching.
"Iona... and how many times must I tell you: I do not approve of you dating Joe!"
"But the age gap between Vigeno and me is huge, Mom! I’m much more compatible with Joe!"
"Joe and Vigeno are only one year apart! Do you think I don’t know that?"
"But Vigeno is stiff and boring, Mom! He acts like an old man! At least with Joe, I can be myself!"
Iona let out a long sigh, collapsing onto the white bed in the center of her room. She knew exactly what was coming next.
"You realize Vigeno is turning 21 soon, don't you? He is on the verge of violating our city’s traditions. Do not embarrass me, Iona. The Aulian family truly expects you to become their daughter-in-law!"
"This is coercion, Mom! What if I’m not happy?"
"Don't be selfish, Iona! The Aulians have been so patient with you! They are even willing to pay the social sanctions and fines just because you keep delaying this engagement!"
Iona clutched the bedsheets beside her. She felt a wave of confusion and guilt wash over her upon hearing that.
"Joe is turning 20 soon too, isn't he? That is why you must marry Vigeno immediately, because I will never stoop so low as to be related to the Bramantya family!"
"Mom, why would you say that?!" Iona snapped, unable to accept it.
"Oh, have you forgotten? After that incident, everything changed, Iona. The dynamics between our family and the Bramantyas are gone! No one wanted Bramantya’s death! No one planned that accident! Have you forgotten how they accused and shamed your father in public for the death of Joe's father? Are you willing to let your father be humiliated like that again?!"
There it was. Ira was digging up the old wounds again.
"I have my reasons, Mom, for choosing Joe."
"And I have powerful reasons for betrothing you to Vigeno!"
Iona tried to keep a level head. "Joe doesn't even agree with his own mother! Joe knows that incident was a pure accident!" Iona pleaded earnestly. "Please, Mom, just this once, understand me. I’ve always done what you asked, haven't I?"
Ira shook her head sharply, her decision as absolute as law. "I don't want to hear it. Tomorrow, you are meeting Vigeno again. No excuses!" She emphasized every word. Before stepping out, she added, "I will give you a choice of any man other than Vigeno, as long as it isn't Joe. Do you understand?"
Without waiting for an answer, Ira walked out, leaving Iona drowned in sorrow. The nightmare she feared most had finally become reality.
"Joe..."
*＊✿❀ ❀✿＊*
Iona sat silently at the edge of the volleyball court. From a distance, she watched a group of men practicing hard for the inter-campus championship. Iona’s mind was clouded. She had come there intending to meet Joe and explain everything—her fate and this unavoidable situation. She craved Joe's sweet words, the ones that always calmed her. But for some reason, the words wouldn't form. So, she just stood there, lost in thought, letting the melancholy lyrics from her earphones flood her mind. Unbeknownst to her, her lover was walking toward her.
"Hey!"
Startled, as if caught doing something wrong, Iona panicked. She pulled off her earphones, gasping slightly. She looked up at Joe, who was confused by her frantic reaction.
"Hey, what’s wrong?"
"Sorry... I thought... I... you..."
Joe smiled adorably and gently ruffled Iona’s hair. That simple gesture felt like it could wash away all her troubled thoughts, but only for a moment. Her tongue felt tied again. She couldn't say a word.
"It’s rare to see you watching me practice. Did you want to talk about something?"
"I..."
Iona fought desperately to hold back her tears. She knew Joe was looking at her with nothing but love, waiting patiently for her to explain whatever she was bottled up inside. But all Iona could do was curse herself for her silence. She was terrified. She was afraid that if she spoke, Joe would choose to step back and let her marry Vigeno instead of fighting for their story.
"Joe! Five minutes until we're back on the court!" one of his teammates shouted, breaking Iona's trance and momentarily diverting Joe’s attention.
"I have to get back in five minutes. Is what you wanted to say important? Do you want to talk after I’m done?"
Iona hesitated. If she tried to explain the gravity of the situation in just five minutes, it would lead to a massive misunderstanding. Joe wouldn't be able to focus, and his performance would suffer. She didn't want to ruin this for him. But if she waited until after, it would be too late; she had to go home and prepare for her meeting with Vigeno.
Without a word, Iona suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist. She didn't move, simply soaking in the warmth of Joe's body as he stood before her. Joe, trying to understand his girlfriend's silent plea, returned the embrace.
He smiled softly. "Did you have another fight with your Mom?" he asked, stroking the top of her head.
Iona nodded.
"Be patient... maybe if you talk it out slowly, you can reach an understanding."
Iona shook her head gently. She wasn't crying because of the fight. She was crying because she couldn't utter a single word. She didn't know when the right time would be. Moreover, Joe was turning 20 this month—the deadline for the tradition. Their time was almost up.
"Joe... I’m afraid of losing you," she whispered softly.
"You won't, Iona. We were brought together to be one, not to lose each other. God told me so himself."
Iona laughed for a second, breaking the hug to playfully punch his shoulder.
"What do you know about destiny?" she said, momentarily forgetting her anxiety.
"Hey, I’m serious! What I know and what I believe... is that you are my soulmate. No matter what happens," Joe said with a slight grin, though his eyes burned with sincerity.
"Five minutes!"
Iona and Joe sighed in unison. It was time to part. Joe smiled and ran back to the court, waving at her. His lips moved, silently saying, "Call me!" as he made a telephone gesture by his ear. Iona mimicked the gesture, waving back with a painful smile, desperately hoping everything would be okay.
Hearing the doorbell ring, Iona had no choice but to leave her room and hurry down the stairs. Vigeno had arrived, likely with that smile Iona found so irritating. Sure enough, the handsome man stood tall in a white tuxedo—as if he knew exactly how to dazzle Iona, who was obsessed with the color white. Unfortunately, her heart belonged to Joe. No matter how well Vigeno dressed, in Iona’s eyes, he was just the "smart guy" she was being forced to marry.
"Where are we going this time?" Iona grumbled.
Vigeno smiled, taking in Iona’s beauty. She wore a sleeveless, knee-length white dress that complimented her perfectly. Despite her coldness, his gaze remained warm and respectful.
"Let’s have dinner first. After that, we can decide where to go next."
Iona stared at him intensely. Deep down, she felt bad for being so rude to him. He was a good person, albeit a bit too serious. To Iona, he was boring because he lacked a sense of humor. She genuinely hoped Vigeno would find another woman who could love him wholeheartedly, so he would stop being the obstacle between her and Joe.
"What would you like to eat?"
"Whatever, it's free, right? Pick the best menu for me!" Iona said, intentionally trying to make him lose interest in her. But Vigeno never seemed bothered. "I'm allergic to cheap food."
"Fine. The most popular dish, then? Or perhaps the most expensive? It doesn't matter, I’ll have them prepare it with the finest ingredients—"
"Actually... just spaghetti."
Vigeno looked at Iona, searching for sincerity in her eyes, and nodded. The waiter took their orders and left. The atmosphere turned awkward again. Iona refused to even look at him.
"How long do we have to be like this? Am I that lacking? Are my efforts still invisible to you?" Vigeno asked sincerely, his voice devoid of anger or demand.
Iona, who had been mindlessly stirring her spaghetti, shook her head repeatedly.
"Nothing will change," she whispered sadly. "You know yourself that I... I have someone else."
Vigeno nodded. This time, there was a visible sadness in his eyes that Iona couldn't bear to see. Her mind was a mess, but the resentment in her heart was deeply rooted. Her feelings wouldn't change, no matter how hard she tried to force herself to fall in love.
"I’m going to talk to my Mom about our marriage. I don't want this. I never agreed to marry you."
"I know. I know you're forced to see me every day."
"Don't act so pathetic! No one wants to be trapped in this situation!" Iona snapped, slamming her fork onto the table. "Out of everyone in this city, aren't there other women? You're almost 21!"
"What can I do if I’ve genuinely fallen in love with you?"
Vigeno’s gaze was filled with profound sadness. Iona felt so uncomfortable that she downed a glass of wine in one go. She then pretended to be busy eating her spaghetti, which had turned tasteless.
Why is this happening? The question had been looping in her brain for days.
Vigeno had been so cheerful earlier, considering this was the first time Iona had agreed to go out. Looking back, Vigeno had always prioritized her happiness and had been incredibly patient.
"Eat your spaghetti... if you don't finish it, I'm not taking you home," Vigeno commanded, his eyes never leaving his own plate.
Iona didn't answer but began chewing faster. She wanted to leave immediately. Her appetite vanished as she realized she had never dressed up this nicely for Joe. Aside from her dislike for dresses, her mother would have been suspicious if she dressed up for Joe, leading to an interrogation and a ban from leaving the house. She felt like she was betraying Joe, who was out there somewhere.
"Iona?" Vigeno snapped her out of her long reverie. "Why aren't you eating? Is it not to your liking? Should I order something else?"
Iona shook her head weakly. "I'm about to eat. Thanks, No."
"Shall we go to the mall after this? Or the boutique?"
Iona cut him off. "No need. I have enough clothes. I want to go straight home."
"Alright... finish your food first."
For a moment, Iona admired how Vigeno remained patient despite her abrasive attitude. Deep down, she felt guilty, but she believed this was the only way to convince him that she wasn't the one for him.
Finally, the awkward dinner ended. Iona hurried out of the restaurant and stood by Vigeno’s luxury car, a Porsche 911.
"Dude, Joe, that smash was insane!" Billy praised as he and Joe stepped out of a convenience store across from the restaurant. Joe smiled, but then his eyes caught sight of Iona waiting for Vigeno. He had been wondering why she hadn't answered his calls or texts all afternoon.
"What are you looking at, Joe?"
"That’s... Iona. She looks so beautiful in that dress. She’s probably having dinner with her family," Joe murmured happily, pointing her out with pride. But his heart dropped when he saw a man approach her and open the car door for her. Vigeno didn't look like a driver or a servant; he looked like a boyfriend. And they were coming out of a romantic restaurant.
"Wait, I thought Iona was an only child, Joe?"
"She is, you idiot!"
Joe’s mind raced with the misunderstanding. He remembered her strange behavior earlier that day—the talk about "losing him." Exhausted and fueled by raw emotion, he didn't think twice. Joe sprinted across the street, leaving a confused Billy behind.
"Iona!" Joe called out, standing right in front of the idling Porsche. Iona was paralyzed with shock. She fumbled with her seatbelt and scrambled out of the car. "Who is he?"
"Joe...?"
Iona was terrified. She didn't know what to say to the fuming Joe. Joe stared at her, his eyes filled with questions and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. The one person he had trusted completely had broken him. He felt as though a heavy iron mace had struck him right in the chest.
"You said you didn't want to lose me, Na. I understand what you meant now. And now, you’ve succeeded in losing me."
Joe turned away, leaving Iona frozen.
"Joe! It’s not what you think, Joe!"
Iona tried to chase after him, but her high heel suddenly snapped. She fell hard, her ankle twisting and bruising instantly. She couldn't keep up with Joe’s strides as he disappeared into the night.
"Iona!" Vigeno rushed to her side, helping her up by her waist. Iona could only sob, haunted by the look of total devastation on Joe’s face. Her worst fears had come true, but far sooner than she expected.
Overcome with frustration, Iona turned her anger toward Vigeno, who looked just as lost. "This is all your fault! Why did you have to come into my life? Into the middle of my relationship with Joe?!" she screamed, pushing his hands away.
"I don't need your help! Go away! Go!" she shrieked.
"Na... I have to take you home."
"I don't need you to. I don't want to see your face ever again. I can walk by myself." Vigeno looked at her with pity. "Go!" she commanded again. "Go, or you will never see me again!"
Finally, Vigeno let out a defeated sigh and drove away. He left Iona alone on the sidewalk, weeping, drowning in a sea of regret.
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