Forced Mate

Excuse No

Alex continued to stroke Ayu's stomach, since he was just silent, holding back the words that were already at the base of the throat. Sometimes he smiled at Ayu who still looked weak. He took out a bottle of water and poured it after Ayu complained of thirst.

One hand Alex held Ayu's back and one held a glass to help Ayu drink.

"Wanna eat?" haggar Alex.

Ayu shook her head slowly.

"Yes, rest again. If you need anything, just say it."

Only a thin smile appeared on Ayu's face. In his heart was still nesting jealousy which was actually unimportant. He knew that Alex could never betray their marriage. However, he didn't know why every time he saw Alex, his heart hurt even more.

"You also have to rest" Ayu whispered as Alex slid his forehead.

"After you go to sleep, I'll sleep too." Alex's hand was holding Ayu's hand.

***

For three days, Ayu lay weakly on the sickly shelf. Alex accompanied him for that long. Her husband took care of her. He felt touched by Alex's sincerity. The man never even complained while working in front of the laptop and had to help him to the toilet.

There are things that continue to disturb Ayu, the arrival of Tamara. He knew that his friend cared about him. He was already trying to suppress the emotions in his chest. However, for whatever reason, she doesn't like Tamara's gaze on Alex. She felt something was different from the way her friend looked at Alex.

"You're better?" Tamara stood beside Ayu with a friendly and beautiful face as usual. How he always humbled himself every time with Tamara, especially after knowing that Alex loved the woman.

Every time Ayu keeps comparing herself to Tamara. Tamara is independent, sweet, obedient, friendly, tenacious, loving, smart cooking, and many other advantages. He was nothing compared to the perfect figure beside him.

"What's up, Ay?" ask Tamara again after seeing the vraut change in Ayu's face.

"I'm better, really, Tam," Ayu replied forcing a smile. "I can go home later."

"Thank God, I panicked that night. Alex is also very panicked, afraid your fetus why-why."

Ayu's smile curved. His blank gaze was fixed on the blanket that covered part of the body. Tamara was right, Alex must have been very panicked for worrying about her child-to-be. She still remembered how the man's eyes sparkled every time he discussed their baby-to-be. All the attention and affection she gets from Alex is solely due to her content, nothing more.

"He's worried about you too" comforted Tamara who seemed to know Ayu's thoughts. "Alex is a very nice guy, Ay. I always thought that the woman who was his wife must be very lucky. And, you're that lucky girl. I'm so happy."

The smile on Tamara's lips was beautiful, making Ayu feel guilty for keeping her jealous. She agrees with Tamara that she is lucky to have gotten Alex. However, she also agrees on her mother's remark that Alex is unlucky to have Ayu as a wife.

In retrospect, for three months officially being husband and wife, Ayu was just a burden. See, Alex's job is often interrupted by having to take care of it.

"You guys are very suitable. I used to always try to get you guys to meet, but I just kept failing. Now, you just want to be parents," continued Tamara.

Ayu chuckled, that too she forced. It's not nice to keep showing annoyance to the ignorant.

"Ay, I know this isn't my domain. It's your household and Alex's, but I've considered you and Alex like brothers, '" Tamara explained in a disdainful tone at each word.

Ayu smiled, this time sincere. She is happy to hear Tamara's confession that Alex is just a brother to her. That means there won't be a chance for Alex to infiltrate the woman's heart.

"You're pregnant, it's not good to stay alone. Why don't you go with Alex? He was always clamorous because he thought about you" Tamara continued.

Ayu did not answer. She doesn't want to live far from her parents, but somehow there's always a hold on her trust in Alex. He felt that up to any time Alex would never have him.

"You rest, don't mind much we're doctors. Let her mother and her fetus be healthy." Tamara's smile continued to expand. Ayu also wanted to smile like that, but the pain in her heart continued to slice.

Ayu's eyes kept on Tamara who stopped at the door to chat with Alex. The woman was saying goodbye. Ayu threw away the face with veoat because she did not want to see Alex smile at the woman in front of her. The man's smile looks different to Ayu's, wider and sincere-full of love.

"Darling, you need anything?" ask Alex who is packing Ayu's things into the bag.

"I want an apple" answered Ayu who actually wanted nothing.

"Okay." Alex festive one apple and a knife fortunately peel the skin. After which, he fed Ayu piece by piece.

"When do we go home?"

"Live in order, then we can go home."

"Well, let's go home now!"

Alex takes a glass of water and helps Ayu drink. "Then, I'll get your stuff first."

The smile that was curling on Ayu's face disappeared when she saw Alex cleaning some luggage. He could see the tired face of the man. For three whole days the man accompanied her, took care and helped in everything, even to drink water. In addition, Alex is also busy receiving teleys and working on some data that seems to be unworkable by others, besides him.

"Come on!"

Ayu held both hands around Alex's neck while being carried by the man from the seat to get into the taxi. The atmosphere in the taxi was quiet. Ayu closed her eyes while leaning on Alex's shoulder. Meanwhile, Alex rests his head on Ayu's head. Sometimes he stroked his wife's cheek.

When they got home, Alex still carried Ayu to the room, even though the woman had refused and wanted to walk alone. According to the doctor, Ayu had to bed rest, so Alex would not allow in stepping on the floor in the slightest.

"Sorry," said Ayu, starting to cry.

Alex who had just come after washing the food dishes Ayu frowned. He sat on the bed and wiped away Ayu's tears on her cheeks. "Sorry for what?"

"I'm always a hassle."

"Honey," said Alex. "I'm your husband, not someone else."

Ayu grabbed Ale's hand on her cheek. He put it on the thigh. "But I'm a hassle. I almost killed ..," said Ayu, who was cut off by Alex's index finger on the woman's lips.

"Don't say that, honey!" Alex pulls Ayu in his arms. "It's my fault for not being able to look after you guys."

Ayu tightened her embrace. He stuck his head in Alex's heartbeat. Besides being warm, the hug always managed to calm Ayu's soul. Being in that embrace seemed to dispel any concerns about Alex that might leave her.

"Lex!" Ayu's face lifted and the one who was called lowered his head. Their noses met each other, puffs of breath fused together on each other's cheeks. Alex's lips are now creeping towards Ayu's jaw.

"If only ... only if, I miscarried that night ... would you have stayed with me?"

Alex Manarik face that has been down the jaw line Ayu. The two thick eyebrows are interlocked. "Why do you think that?"

"We still have ten more children on fire" Alex joked. "After all, I believe Aeleya must be strong. So, you have to be strong too, yeah."

Ayu nodded and smiled as usual Alex. She rested her head again on the chest of her husband's field. He decided to trust Alex. After all, the man had already proven that Ayu was a priority in his life.

"We are very confident that yangvkahir Aeleya," Ayu cursed in Alex's arms. "What if it turns out that Aryan was born?"

A small growl sounded out of Alex's mouth. He shook his head, even if his son was a boy, he would never let Ayu give him the name Arya.

"No, there are many other names. Anyway, there's no Arya among us!" firmly Alex. "Better the name Ujang or Udin alone."

Ayu's eyes closed. He keeps feeling Alex's heartbeat, hoping it can beat for him.

'Can I ask that there be no Tamara among us.' Ayu.

***

Ayu laughed on the bed with her gaze fixed on the laptop in front of her. He was watching a Hollywood comedy. Just finished changing clothes and bathing with the help of Alex of course.

Alex is getting a call, the guy also has a little bit of work. Ayu actually from earlier asked her HP to monitor the situation of her stores. However, Alex did not let him think about the job in the slightest.

"What's that funny?" alex asked who suddenly appeared. Ayu almost jumped in shock.

"You want to watch too. It's funny, it's been watched many times and not bored," Ayu said. He begins to explain about the store of twin girls and boys played by the same person.

Alex is also watching with Ayu. They laughed and got excited in some of the movie scenes. Alex is not a movie lover, he would rather kill time by reading than just watching a teve that he thinks is not important.

"Seru, right?" Ayu asks for a response from Alex.

"Yes, pretty good" said Alex.

"That's good!" ayu protest. "Obviously you were laughing like a lunatic."

"Ah, time?" Alex's eyebrows shot up as if thinking hard. "Funnier feeling to you." He pinched Ayu's one cheek which instantly made Ayu hit her hand.

"I know that clothes are cute, but don't be pinched often, it will stretch." Ayu stroked the cheek that Alex had just pinched.

"Darling, can you write?"

Ayu simply nodded, albeit with a frown at the base of her nose. Alex gets off the bed, Kanaya comes again with a blank piece of paper and a pen.

"What's this for?" ayu asked after grabbing the paper and pen in Alex's hand.

Alex was silent with a cold face. "Declaration."

For one reason, Ayu Tidka could feel her heartbeat. His eyes grew bigger and the smile on his face disappeared. Alex's laughter and hands on his cheeks made him throw the pen and paper on the floor.

"Not funny Alex!" pekik Ayy.

"Dear joke, I'd rather die than leave you alone" Alex said. "I called Mr. Kurniawan earlier, your boss." He placed the paper and pen in front of Ayu.

"Why am I the one who wrote it, there is no certificate from the hospital."

"Because the resignation letter must be handwritten by the person concerned directly," explained Alex made Ayu shake his head. "Who wants to resign?"

"I've told Mr. Kurniawan, from tomorrow you won't be at work forever."

"Alex! I don't want to, I want to work!"

Jemari Alex clasped Ayu's hand. "I don't want to be haunted by a worried race because it's far from you, honey. If only I could, I'd stay here if that's what you want." He tried to give Ayu some understanding.

"I said no, yes, no, Alex!" reject Ayu with a sharp look. He doesn't like to be arranged.

"I didn't ask permission, honey. If you don't resign, I'll make sure your dismissal letter stays out."

"You're selfish!" pekik Ayy.

"Take it you're right, honey. I'm selfish, I'm cruel, or whatever. I'm doing this for us and our son."

Ayu threw out a face and mukai sobbed. Alex quickly embraces him, though he continues to push Alex away.

"I don't want to live in a foreign place where I have no one" Ayu said in her tears.

"There I am, honey. I can be whoever you want to be. I promise I'll take good care of you."

"When you go to work, what do I do? Stay home like a fool!"

"You can go shopping with Clara. No, you can learn to take care of a baby from him" Alex advises that's actually just spontaneous. He knew how Clara tastes on items that cost fantastic. He is not as rich as Ben, so it would be difficult to have a wife with a super luxurious lifestyle like Clara.

"I don't want to be away from the father of the same mother," Ayu began to soften.

"They can visit and you can also visit them whenever you want. I'll take you, I promise."

Ayu. In his mind many thoughts raged. He doesn't want to stop working. Besides, he was never far away from his parents. However, if he stays with Alex, he can be calmer because there is no need to worry about Tamara's whereabouts.

"You don't believe me?" alex asked raising Ayu's chin. "Tell me what to do to make you believe!"

Ayu smiled wistfully and stared deeply at Alex's bead. Ayu wishes only one so Alex can forget Tamara. However, he knew that it was impossible.

"I believe" said Ayu. He grabbed a paper and a pen. Alex has given him a book for writing.

"I have to keep handing over, Alex. At least one month after the letter of resignation entered," said Ayu after completing the letter of resignation.

"One Sunday," sizzled Alex. "I'll talk to Mr. Kurniawan. You're sick, that could be an excuse."

***