Forced Mate

Anger

Jonny carries a paper bag containing cute clothes for Aleeya. It's been three weeks that he hasn't been at Alex's house. He never likes babies, although funny but they are very noisy when crying. Yesterday, Ben sent her a picture of the baby.

He had just returned from England, his father's hometown. He got a lot of lectures from his mother because he was still alone. Somehow he was destined to be born a mother who upholds eastern customs. His father was not so confused with his personal life.

Whistling through the reception desk, he prepared to ask for access to Alex's unit. Suddenly a security stopped him.

"Sorry, you want to pay a visit to Mr. Alexander Jones' unit?"

Jonny nodded. Who doesn't know him. The only unit he came to in the tower was Alex's milk. Or, she might have been to one of her ex-boyfriend's units, I don't know? He also forgot.

"Sorry, Sir. But, you're no longer allowed to visit."

"You must have been the wrong person" Jonny said.

The security shakes. "Sir Jonathan Weber, isn't he?"

Jonny nodded again, because that was his name. "I'll call Alex first."

He walked away from the security, walked towards the reception desk. His one eye winked to tease the beautiful woman behind the table. He put his gawai in his left ear, while waiting for the sound of the answer. However, he continued to be diverted by the operator.

Don't want to waste any more time, Jonny's out. He drove his car away from the building.

***

Alex is already at his desk, after regular meetings with the directors to discuss the widening of the company's wings. He calls Ayu, but is not picked up by the woman. It's been three weeks Ayu's been sitting on it.

Usually, Alex always prepares breakfast before leaving for work. However, since being caught lying, Ayu starts doing all her own homework without asking for her help again. On the one hand, he can focus more. On the other hand the portions were larger, he felt useless, unneeded. Her ego is hurt to see Ayu becoming more independent, as if she insists that without her it is okay.

Alex hates useless feelings. He was happy to do so many things for Ayu. She doesn't care if she has to be tired, she thinks that's what a husband should do.

He misses Ayu, not just hugging, also chatting and nagging her. Like yesterday.

That night, Alex just got home. He had bought flowers for Ayu also ready to cook the food desired by his wife. He entered with a smile. Ayu was holding Aleeya. They seemed to be chatting, precisely Ayu was talking to herself, asking questions and answering herself.

"Darling!" call Alex to give Ayu a fresh rose. Ayu gave a brief glance, then threw away a face that did not care. He continued to play with Aleeya who kept smiling. Since sulking, Ayu also did not let Aeleya play with Alex.

"I don't want Aleeya to be a liar like you." So said Ayu as Alex tried to take Aeleya.

Alex grunts hearing Ayu say that. He thought it was only a day or two. It's been weeks, and the woman hasn't been destroyed. He was confused by what way to melt Ayu's heart. For weeks, he tried, but nil.

"Anyways, your friend can't come here!" omel Ayu who was directly obeyed by Alex. He's already reported to security to arrest Jonny if he wants to visit. Gio, it does not count, because when reasoned, Alex did not mention the name of his friend.

Ayu's anger seems to be peaking after Clara came a week ago. They talked for a long time, I don't know what Clara said. However, Alex believes that the woman is helping to corrupt Ayu's mind.

Alex's daydreams were sidetracked after the door to his room opened abruptly. Jonny's showing up out there in peace. His face looks riled up.

"What do you mean by forbidding me to visit?" blow Jonny as soon as he gets in front of Alex's desk.

"That's what Ayu wants. No need to protest a lot."

"Worse, you forgot yes, if not me you wouldn't have married. Fuck up!"

"It won't be long, Ayu just takes a minute."

"What does this have to do with me? Don't tell me she's jealous because I'm close to you?"

Alex nodded, not wanting to extend the discussion. He feels no need to explain he's been lying to Ayu that the cause of Alex lying is Jonny. He confesses to his wife that Jonny turned off his HP, Jonny also sent a message - all wrong Jonny anyway.

"Your wife is so jealous!" frick Jonny. "It!" He's handing out the paperbag. "Shirt for Aeleya, don't sell!"

Jonny knows Alex's habit of selling things. His friend always knew how to print money. Somehow, but every time he buys something, Alex can resell at a high price.

"A cheap shirt like this, how much you think you can sell!" rutuk Alex after seeing the brand of clothes purchased by Jonny. The clothes were indeed expensive, but the clothes Aeleya had bought were much more expensive. He was willing to spend a lot of money on his son.

"You're devastated, Bro!" hiss Jonny saw Alex's tangled face. He was just met with a faint smile. "It seems, getting married is a bitch."

"When can I visit again?"

Alex shook his head. "Until Ayu can melt."

"Why is your life so complicated, anyway. I think Ayu is sometimes stronger than Clara, "soon Jonny. He used to hear Clara nagging and yelling at Ben. However, Tidka even though the woman threw him out or Ben's other friends. When Jonny came to see you, he was still very welcome.

"Don't talk about my wife like that!" rutuk Alex does not accept.

Jonny scratched his head. There are many thoughts in his mind. What plans to get married are canceled.

***

Ayu held Aleeya. Since giving birth, she has never been out of the house. She stayed home to play with her baby. Every day, her son became more active. His hands and feet were always dancing in the air. In fact, the baby often makes sounds, as if talking.

"Dedek's hungry too, huh?" ask Ayu when she starts bribing the food she makes. Yes, it's been a few weeks that he's been independent. For example, cooking by yourself. He was eager to eat tempeh, so he asked Bu Ina to buy some ingredients to make tempe bacem.

She had already called her mother to ask for a recipe, as the mother-made tempe bacem was second to none. Despite following the recipe, the taste is still not the same. Mother's cooking is always the best. The vegetable is simple, stir-fried bitter melon mixed with tempe oseng.

It seems he misses his family so much, to want to eat the dishes that his mother often cook. He was lonely, in a strange place and had no friends. Alex is busy working, she is also sulking so she does not have a conversation with her husband.

He's angry not only because Alex was caught lying while going to a nightclub. However, when Clara said that she had seen Alex sitting together at the cafe a few days before visiting. Clara of course does not know that Ayu is jealous, she only knows that Alex and Tamara are indeed friends.

Ayu grew angry because when she asked, Alex where, the man just said from the office. The man did not discuss Tamara's arrival. She felt sorry for seeing Alex trying to persuade her, but she was always upset whenever she saw her husband.

The door that opened made Ayu turn away. Alex came home early like the days before. Since being caught lying, the man has never been slow to go home, even earlier than his working hours.

There was no welcome from Ayu, she took Aleeya by her side, and scooped up the food on the table. He chewed his food, winking to comfort Aleeya. The baby was gleeful, his legs were kicking.

Alex took off the suit and delivered it on the shoulder of the sofa. He immediately sat down beside Ayu, hugging without a word. He sniffed the scent of Ayu that was churning out in the basin of the neck. Eyes closed. He's never this tired. Completed work quickly so you can go home quickly.

"Darling, I Miss You so much" Alex moans and kisses Ayu's cheek for a long time.

Ayu unmoved. He didn't even smile a bit. For some reason, he felt that there was a barrier between him and Alex.

"Honey, just tell me something. I love you" Alex said.

Ayu bit her lower lip. If only Alex's words really came from the heart, he would be happy. However, he knew that Tamara's position would not be changed. As Alex said, once in love, love should never go away.

Aeleya muttered specially baby in Ayu's lap. The baby extended a hand towards Ayu's unraveled hair. Once he could reach it, he pulled it cheerfully.

Alex who heard Ayu grimaced. Start touching those tiny hands, letting go slowly. " Mommy don't torture, honey." Alex spoke to Aleeya.

Alex took off his arms. He grabbed Ayu's hair and rolled it up. "Your hair is getting longer" said Alex. Now, he festive Ayu's plate and bribe her. Despite initially refusing, Ayu opened her mouth and started eating again.

"I'm full" said Ayu. He got up after Aleeya whined. The baby is hungry.

Meanwhile, Ayu breastfeeds her baby. Alex went into the kitchen and got the food there. He likes to drink bitter melon juice, but never at all eat vegetables. He also doesn't like white rice. He scoops one tempeh and eats it. Well, at least he likes tempeh. However, he is a meat lover, although sometimes there are thoughts of becoming a vegetarian.

Alex went into the room. There Ayu was sitting next to the baby box. Aleeya is asleep. He wrapped both hands around Ayu's shoulders, peeling briefly again before the space on the floor. He leaned his head on Ayu's thigh, staring at the face of the woman who also happened to be staring at him.

"Darling!" shirih Alex.

"Aren't you going to take a shower?" ask Ayu.

"I'm gonna take a shower. But, you have to promise to hug me after that."

Ayu scrunched her forehead.

Alex got up and ran to the bathroom. "Not answering means, yes." He shouted before closing the bathroom door.

***