"No. Never. I will not get married if it is not for love. No matter how stunning and charming he is, I won't accept his hand in marriage if he fails to make me fall for him." Says Por adamantly to his parents. He hates it when they keep on talking about getting him a husband just because he is at the age of having one already. Not that he is against it, but if there isn't love between him and that man, he rather lives in solitary than to be married to the one whom he doesn't love. He is assured nothing good will come out of it. He will not be happy. He will live miserably. And to avoid himself from getting into that miserable life, he rather goes against his parents' wishes even though it breaks his heart to see them hurt because of his stubbornness.
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"But this is for your own good, Por. We are getting old. Someday, we will die, too. Who is going to look after you, if we die? Who will provide you with the things you need to live on? Who will cherish you for the rest of your life?" His father explains the reason they want to marry him off. It is arranged because they love him. They simply don't want to see their only son suffer. The reality world is sometimes much more cruel than the world in all the novels he reads.
"Cherish me, father? Will he, if he is marrying me through a contract, not because he loves me?" Asks Por in his sad voice.
"Love can bloom after marriage too, Por." His mother interjects. "Take us as an example. We are happily married even though it is an arranged marriage."
"That is a very fortunate event for you two. What if I don't get to have the same? Will you be happy? I don't want to risk my happiness for something that is not assured."
"But, Por...he is a good man. I pledge, he will treat you well." His father tries to reassure Por that the man is the best choice for him.
"My answer is still no, father. Please....if you do love me, please don't force this on me. I don't want to be sad for the rest of my life."
"You won't." Says his mother.
"No. My answer is still no. I'm sorry." Por apologies as he swiftly turns around to leave. His decision has been made, and he will stick to it no matter what.
*****
"I'm sorry, Sir. I have failed you. My son is a very stubborn man. Maybe you should find a better man to be your future husband." Por's father humbly apologizes. His head is bowed down regretfully. From his observation, the son of his former employer is a kind man. Too bad his son has decided to reject that good man blindly. But it is not completely his fault. If only he is allowed to reveal the man's identity, Por might have accepted him and be the husband. But he understands the reason behind it. Obviously, the man wants Por not to be swayed by his wealth in accepting the proposal.
"I understand." Teetee smiles. "But I won't back down, Mr. Jira. Por has captured my heart completely. I will not let this small matter stop me from making him my husband. If love is what he is seeking for, I will make him fall for me indeed. Just give me your blessing, and let me do the rest. I promise I won't use any forces or forbidden charms to make him return the love."
"But, Sir, are you sure he is the right one? I don't want to offend you, but there are men who are far more suitable to be your husband. My son, he is just a naive man and stubborn, of course."
"I'm not offended, Mr. Jira. But love is love. I have fallen for him at first sight. And I understand why he has rejected me, because I will do the same too. So, you don't have to worry. I will try giving the love he wants before I come here and ask for his hand again." Teetee humbly speaks to Por's father. "If we are not meant to be together even after I have tried to win his heart, I will leave him alone forever. I promise you, Mr. Jira."
*****
Teetee keeps on pacing back and forth in his office. His brain is working so hard to find a solution for the unforeseen problem. It is his first time having to win a man's heart. How should he do it? Should he introduce himself as the son of Por's father's former employer? But he doesn't want Por to know his title. He wants Por to accept him blindly because he is scared that Por is just like the rest, who love to throw themselves to him for his look and his wealth. But how does he make Por fall for him without exposing his face?
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Feeling rather frustrated and distracted, Teetee decides to leave the office and heads to the botanical garden in the province and gets some fresh air to ease his messy mind. He walks to one of the long benches and sits there, immersing himself with the beauty of those flowers. He feels better as soon as he is surrounded by those beautiful flowers that have been planted by the hired gardeners in order to beautify the main landmark in that province. And somehow, while immersing himself with the beautiful panorama, he suddenly is hit with an idea on how to win Por's heart. His plan may not succeed, but he still wants to give it a try, knowing that human's nature is so related to it. But of course, not to every human. He simply hopes Por is one of those men who appreciates the beauty of flora.
With a specific plan sets in mind, Teetee finally has a smile on his face as he leaves the botanical garden with strides of confidence.
