artbeat in his chest. That answer froze the warmth of the night. Daniel didn't reply-he simply stood there, letting Ayu's words

how beautiful this night was, to Daniel, Sanur's beauty had suddenly lost all meaning. Ayu took a step back. Then, she turned away. Her footprints

ad come to free her from this arranged marriage. He was willing to sacrifice himself to pr

ncestors rested within the black stone statues. The wind carried the scent o

honor. His gaze was sharp, carrying unspoken commands. And before her stood Daniel-a man from a different world. A man who had given her freedom, yet also b

ice was low, yet its depth struck like waves cr

yard were now standing still, waiting to see what would happen next. Behind her, her father remained standing, his face flushed with anger, while her

ons," he said in slightly hesitant Indonesian. "I just want to speak to Ayu

hissed in disapproval, believing that what Ayu and Daniel had done was a violation of tr

ing against the temple's stone floor. "Leave," he s

move. "I just

instant, two young men from her family s

voice cracked through the air

r chest rose and fell with her quickening breaths. "I..." H

onto the shore, Ayu's wor

urt. "Do you realize what you're saying, Ayu?" H

lip. "I do

, his gaze unwavering. "Y

against her family's will. She would be betraying a sacred promise, an agreement upheld for generations. And worse, she would be breakin

r, silently pleading for an answer. But th

lenching at her sides. "I..." Her

le Made's voice thundered thro

family moved instantly, gra

his might, but they were stronger. "Ayu!" he

d only watch as he was dragged away, out of the

e warmth of the sunset that had now disappeared beyond the horizon. Around her, hu

no longer a girl

her family's history, bound by a

her heart,

was far f

e darkening sky, now adorned with shimmering stars. A soft breez

ster, Luh Sri, sat cross-legg

ttle sister?" Luh Sri asked gently,

heart. However, her heart was too full to keep it all to hers

up, as if giving Ayu's words

, right? What the fam

rriage has been decided for a long time, and I have

nd stroked it. "But your heart has chosen a different

gs, it just hurts even more. I know Daniel isn't from here, that he doesn't understand our traditions the way we do. But he ... he seems si

ent before asking, "Does Dan

it clearly. I'm afraid that if I do,

nto a hug, gently stroking her head. "Ayu, love is not a sin. But so

ter... is it wrong for me to hope there's another

your choices. But in Bali, we live in balance. Not everything we want can be easily obtained. Sometimes, we have to

into her heart. Each note echoed like a reflection of her own doubts-betwee

t beside her, letting time flow. After a while, Ayu

l disappoint Mother, Father, the wh

shoulder. "And if you choose to go through with this arran

hat she could learn to love the man chosen for her-like other Balinese women who accepted

h this didn't feel so heavy," she m

you right now. If you go through with this arranged marriage, it may take time for you to accep

yes. "And you, Sister? Have you ever fe

er eyes. "I have, Ayu. Once, I also had someone I love

onfession. She had never known abou

ot to go against them or our ancestors. And now... I'm fine, as you see me today. I am happy with my li

icing her love for her family, only to wonder years later-what if she had chosen to fight? She didn't know yet which path

still wavering. She didn't know if she had the strength

Ayu felt as if a small light was beginning to emerge within her heart. The gamelan music signaled that the night ceremony would soon begin. The sou