"May God bless both of you," the words echoed for the second time as Edrik finished saying his vows to Sherena, who sat restlessly beside him. She felt uncomfortable with the tight kebaya and heavy makeup that adorned her beautiful face. As a bride, she had to dress like any other bride. Even though she had been protesting and pleading to do the akad with a simple dress.

But Edrik's parents insisted otherwise. They wanted the bride to look just like any other bride, dressed beautifully in a white kebaya that perfectly hugged her figure. The kebaya was slightly tight, making it difficult for Sherena to breathe, but she looked...