Arya smiled broadly, she felt like she was the luckiest person in the world right now. He was sure that all of this was due to the blessing of the ring he wore from his grandmother. Now he is not only suddenly rich, but also has the love of a girl as beautiful and kind as Reva.
"Then... can I kiss you again?" Arya asked mischievously, blinking her eyes teasingly at her new lover.
Reva smiled shyly, then slowly brought her face closer. However, just as their lips were about to touch, a loud scream broke the romantic atmosphere.
"Reva...!! Let's go home..!!"
Aunt Rara's voice came loudly from the front of the house, as if she knew what was going on inside.
They both looked at each other, then laughed a little together. What a shame, this beautiful moment had to be interrupted.
"It looks like you're out of luck today, darling," said Reva, chuckling. He kissed Arya briefly on the lips, then got up from the young man's lap and straightened his clothes so they looked neat again.
Arya just smiled broadly at her new lover's cute behavior. He never thought that the girl of his dreams would dare to confess her love to him first.
"Arya, tomorrow, if you get any more good lobsters and fish, tell Aida to contact me. Later, I'll send someone to pick them up. Make sure there's more stock," said Rara when she saw Arya and Reva coming out of the house.
"Okay, Auntie. Tonight I will install more traps and fishing rods. God willing, tomorrow the results will be even more," answered Arya enthusiastically. His face lit up, imagining a bright and beautiful future with Reva beside him.
After the luxury car left carrying Reva and Aunt Rara, now only Arya and Aunt Aida were left at home.
Arya intends to increase the number of fishing tools so that tomorrow he can get more abundant results. He walked towards the back of the house and took the bamboo pieces that had been prepared. For the traps, he still has five new ones, so there's no need to make more.
While sitting on the terrace of the house sharpening and stringing a new fishing rod, his eyes occasionally glanced towards the yard. There, Aida was busy cleaning the house wearing a thin negligee. The woman's every movement made her body curves clearly visible and seductive.
However, even though the view in front of her was very attractive, Arya's mind kept wandering to Reva's figure. The love that came unexpectedly seemed to be the medicine that healed his wounded heart and changed his whole world to be more colorful.
Arya was busy daydreaming, imagining a bright future, when suddenly Aida approached her. The atmosphere at dinner was warm but full of questions.
"Ar, what about the offer from the village head and the RT? Do you accept it or not?" Aida asked quietly, her eyes staring intently at her nephew's face, looking for reassurance.
"I think I accept it, Sis. It's not bad that the road ahead is wide, so if there's a big car it can pass easily," answered Arya casually while spooning rice. His tone sounded confident and optimistic.
However, Aida actually looked silent, her eyebrows furrowed indicating she was thinking hard and looked very confused, even a little anxious.
"Why, Sis? Why do you seem doubtful or something is not good?" asked Arya, realizing the change in her aunt's facial expression.
"It's okay... But Ar, the people in the village here say that Mbak Rini has a gift. Auntie will be horrified and worried if we become neighbors with her," Aida answered honestly, her voice shaking a little because of deep fear.
The gossip is not without reason. Rini, a young widow who lives alone with her small child, but lives a very luxurious life. His house is large and magnificent, he has a nice car, even though he has never been seen working or having any business. In the village, something like that would definitely trigger all kinds of discussions.
"Halah, that's just people's talk, Sis. There's no proof, right?" Arya said casually, trying to calm her down.
"Yes... But it's strange, Ar. You never seem to work hard, but you can live a life full of wealth and luxury like that. Auntie makes me think all kinds of nonsense," said Aida, still in a worried tone.
"Sister... We can't accuse people carelessly without clear evidence. We also don't know where that person's fortune goes, what form it takes. For example, right now, right? Who would have thought that we would suddenly get a windfall from selling lobsters this afternoon?" Arya said wisely, trying to break down her aunt's prejudices.
"Just calm down, Auntie... As long as Arya is here, Arya guarantees that Auntie will be safe and calm. No need to be afraid of ghosts or anything," joked Arya with a big smile, trying to lighten the atmosphere so that Aida would no longer think about things that scared her.
"It's you... That's all right, it's up to you. Auntie follows your decision," said Aida, who finally gave in and smiled faintly. Even though his heart was still a little doubtful and anxious, for him the most important thing was that they had a decent and safe place to live, that was enough to be grateful.
"Arya plans to build her own lobster pond, Sis. Use the money we got earlier," said Arya suddenly, sharing her big plan.
"Are you serious, Ar?" Aida looked at Arya closely, her eyes radiating pride but also curiosity.
"Very serious, Sis. Our land here is too narrow and far from the river. But the land being exchanged is in a good location, spacious, and very close to the river. Very suitable for cultivation," explained Arya enthusiastically.
What Arya said was true. In the end, Aida could only nod, support and pray for the best for her nephew. There are only two of them left, strengthening each other is the only way to survive.
After finishing dinner and cleaning up the plates, Arya said goodbye and went to the RT's house to convey his final decision.
"Good... very good, Arya! Very right decision!" Mr. RT exclaimed with a beaming face, his smile widened when he heard that Arya was willing to accept the land exchange.
"Early tomorrow morning, you will go straight to the sub-district office so that your business can be completed quickly and your letters will be processed immediately," he added with extraordinary enthusiasm.
The RT's joy is of course not solely because the village roads are wider or because they are helping the residents. There are "taxes" and project commissions looming before his eyes. The money for the land replacement and road widening project was not small, and as an intermediary, he was sure to get his "sweet" share.
In this country, it is no longer a public secret that many individuals take personal advantage of development projects, whether funds from the central or regional sources.