SEEDLINGS

Zevana still stood transfixed in front of her apartment door. The small device lay on the carpet, conspicuous among the neutral colors of the room's floor. The seconds seemed to slow down as Zidan stared curiously at the device.

"Test pack?" she murmured in surprise, and her fingers drew closer to the device.

Zevana's face flushed instantly. She hurriedly picked up the device and grasped it tightly. "Honey! You?" she asked frantically.

"It's none of your business, Zidan," Zevana replied quickly, trying to divert attention.

However, Zidan, with his typical nosy nature, would not give up so easily. "Zeva, is this serious? Are you..." his sentence was cut off, but his eyes were trying to catch Zevana's increasingly suspicious movements.

Zevana felt her chest getting tight. "I don't want to discuss this now. Have you eaten yet? If not, make some instant noodles," she said, trying to evade, and then stepped into the room with a little haste. However, Zidan's hand swiftly grabbed Zevana's shoulder.

"Wait! I want to talk!" Zidan said firmly.

DEG!

Zevana's heart raced like she was running a marathon.

"What the hell?! What are you talking about? I'm tired, I want to rest!" said Zevana nervously and emotionally.

"Are you pregnant?" Zidan asked without preamble.

"That's none of your business. Come on, move! I want to sleep!" Zevana replied, still trying to avoid him.

"It's my business too, Sis! Because I care about you, and you're my brother. I automatically love you!" Zidan said firmly.

Zevana tried to hold back her tears.

"I said move, move!" exclaimed Zevana as she pushed Zidan's body. Her sister finally relented. On one hand, Zidan was concerned and curious, but on the other hand, he didn't want to make his sister feel pressured.

After entering her room, Zevana burst into tears behind the door. Meanwhile, Zidan kept knocking on the door while saying, "Sis, if you have any problems, just tell me! My friends and I will definitely help you. I promise, Brother Zev!"

---

It was nine o'clock in the evening.

Zevana was desperate to take a pregnancy test after taking a shower and... "JEDUAR!"

Positively pregnant.

"So, what I was afraid of all this time turned out to be true... Oh my, I'm pregnant with Algha's child... I've only done it once," she whispered, sinking her face into the water in the sink.

---

That night, after Zidan fell asleep, Zevana sat alone in the living room drinking hot tea. The pregnancy test that showed two lines lay in front of her.

Suddenly, her cell phone rang, startling Zevana. The name "Dad" appeared on the screen.

Her heart beat faster. Her relationship with her father had never really been close, especially after her mother passed away. Her father became a successful businessman after marrying his new wife, the owner of the largest Bougenville boutique in Southeast Asia. He spent more time on work and was rarely present in Zevana's life.

"Hello, Dad," Zevana greeted him quietly.

"Zevana, Dad wants to talk about something important," the man on the other end of the line replied in a firm voice.

Without further ado, her father got straight to the point. "I've been thinking about this for a long time. You see, I want the best for your future. That's why I've set you up with someone. His name is Jay Mahendra Putra. He's the son of my business partner. He's kind, responsible, good at cooking, and of course comes from a respectable family."

DEG!

One problem has not been solved, now there is a new problem in Zevana's life.

Zevana was dumbfounded. She didn't know what to say.

"Well, what do you mean? Why didn't you tell me before? This isn't the time of Siti Nurbaya, Dad! Besides, I don't even know her," Zevana protested.

"It's for your own good, Zevana. Besides, I've spoken to the Mahendra family, and they agree. Jay is also willing to marry you," her father replied as if the decision was final.

"Yeah, but honestly I... I'm not ready," Zevana said in a sad voice.

"Listen, Zevana. Life won't always go our way. Sometimes, we have to do what's best for the future. Jay is the right choice for you. You can go to college without burdening Dad, and of course you don't have to work odd jobs for your sister!" said her father before hanging up the phone.

---

After the call ended, Zevana felt like her world was collapsing. On the one hand, she was angry that her father had made such a big decision without involving her. But on the other hand, she began to think about her current situation.

"What should I do if I'm really pregnant? I know the test showed a positive result, but it would be more accurate if I went to a gynecologist because that's the only way to be 100% sure."

She imagined the worst if Algha didn't take responsibility. Her future would be in shambles, and Zidan would definitely be affected. If she had married Jay, things might have been easier.

"If Algha won't take responsibility, at least there is Jay who is willing to marry me. He didn't know I was pregnant. Maybe I'm bad, but what can I do? It's life. I wouldn't be begging Algha to take responsibility if there was someone else who would readily accept me, look after my sister, and take care of my future. Why not? But... my love remains for Algha, forever."

Zevana's tears began to fall down her cheeks.

---

Two days later, at her father's insistence, Zevana finally met Jay at a fancy restaurant. Jay Mahendra Putra was a 30-year-old man, with a neat appearance and a face that exuded calmness. His style was simple, but still looked expensive.

"Nice to finally meet you, Zevana," Jay greeted her with a friendly smile.

Zevana only gave a small nod, still feeling awkward. They sat across from each other, accompanied by soft, romantic violin music.

Jay started the conversation casually. "My father told me a lot about you. He said you were hardworking and very close to your sister. I have a sister myself, but we fight a lot."

Hearing that, Zevana began to feel that Jay was not an arrogant person. He was an ordinary man who was humble and easy-going, even though his face looked stern and stiff.

"I'm sorry if I look stiff like this. I also just found out about this plan from Father," Zevana said honestly.

Jay smiled. "I understand, just relax. I don't want to force anything. But if you're willing, I'd like us to try to get to know each other better."

Jay's gentle words made Zevana's heart calm down a little. Although still hesitant, she began to feel that Jay was a reliable person.

---

That night, Zevana pondered in her bedroom. The decision she was about to make affected not only her own life, but also the future of the child she might be carrying.

With a heavy heart, Zevana picked up her cell phone and sent a message to her father.

"Dad, I will consider marriage with Jay. But give me three days to think it over."

To be continued...