Linger

Talking About : December

Irina thought that when she finished her bath and came out of the bathroom, Gavin was already gone. Turns out he was wrong. The man was still there, lying casually on the bed as if nothing had happened between them before. It was as if a debate existed where Kalea's position in Gavin's heart had never been something they discussed. It was as if they were still in good shape and the tears he had shed before had never existed. In an instant, Gavin had transformed into the figure that Irina used to know. The figure of a lover who likes to spend time lying on his mattress while sipping the scent of his perfume left on the pillow, exactly as the man does now.

On several occasions, this matchmaking has made his relationship with Gavin a sickening grey spot. Irina has not never tried to betray Gavin so that the man can live his match quietly without being overshadowed by guilt towards him, and he must not end up being the third man in this household of his beloved. For God's sake, Irina had tried various ways since the first time this matchmaking plan Gavin conveyed to her.

Once upon a time, he asked Taruna to take him on the run abroad so that it could be easier to forget Gavin and his feelings for this man. But, no matter how hard she tried, in the end Irina would return to the starting point where she had gotten used to living with Gavin beside her. Coupled with Gavin's stubbornness not wanting their relationship to end and the man always telling her that nothing will ever change, Irina becomes increasingly difficult to break away.

"You really don't want to go home? Is Kalea not going to?" he asked after being silent for a long time in the bathroom doorway. He then walked to the wardrobe, only to be glued to a few pieces of Gavin's shirt neatly arranged in his closet.

In the past, before this matchmaking agenda, the existence of the shirts did not mean much to Irina. Because almost every night Gavin would be here with him, hugging him tightly to sleep and then sneaking out before sunrise. But now, the shirts seemed to be a reminder to him that things had completely changed. Now, only from the shirts can Irina lament the fragrance of Gavin's perfume, because the owner will not have as much time to visit as often as before.

Satisfied with her grief that brought her to a smile, Irina pulled the training sweatshirt and pants from the closet and carried them into her arms.

"Later." That's all Gavin said. When Irina turned around, she found Gavin already sitting leaning back while hugging his pillow tightly. The man looked at her.

Irina decided not to ask anymore. He went into the bathroom and returned shortly afterwards in a different suit. After which, Irina sat down in front of the dressing table. Ignoring the existence of Gavin and began to apply various kinds of beauty products to his face in accordance with the order of use.

On the bed, Gavin still could not take his eyes off Irina's back. In the past, the back was the only thing he would look at until such time. The back that he would wait until completely disappeared behind the turn before he turned around and left. But now, there was another back that he treated similarly. And Gavin still wants to act greedy not to let go of one of them.

"Taruna picked you up at what time?" ask Gavin after a long time.

"He should be on his way now. Why?" Irina twisted her body, looking at Gavin as her hand rubbed lip balm onto her lips.

"I'm waiting for you as Taruna to leave first, then I go home."

"December." Gavin said suddenly, it did not sound too clear but Irina could still understand it. "The sender used the name December, Rin."

For a moment, Irina thought. Squeezing his low-capacity brain to digest what Gavin was trying to convey. Then, as the hard work of her brain came to fruition, Irina smiled obliquely. "That's why you thought it was me."

Gavin nodded with his chin still leaning on Irina's shoulder. His embrace grew more and more stiff, along with the commotion inside his head which grew increasingly. "Because among those closest to us, only you are born in December. More than that, it's a set of jewels I once gave you." Said Gavin then distanced himself from Irina. He looked at Irina fixedly before continuing his words. "But I know you're not the culprit. I just..how can I say it..."

"I know." Sela Irina fast. "I know you didn't mean to accuse me. Sorry for my overreaction."

Gavin. "You're not exaggerating. If it was in your position, I would definitely do the same. Not being trusted with the people we love is a painful thing, and I've made you understand it. Sorry, Rin. But..." Gavin hung up his sentence again. For a moment, he was silent. Being busy sorting out which diction is more appropriate for him to say represents the unrest that has plagued him over the past few days.

"It looks like someone's trying to meddle into our plan, Rin." Finally, it was that sentence that slid out of Gavin's mouth. "When I was on my way here, I was completely in confusion. On one occasion, I hope that it was you who sent the package to vent your frustration over my and Kalea's marriage. I think it's better, because if it turns out you're not the culprit, then it must be someone with malicious intentions."

Irina tried to digest every word that came out of Gavin's mouth. Understand it one by one with a stormy head condition.

"And it's not you." Gavin smiled at the end of the sentence. Her gaze turned sad and it managed to make Irina feel another tightness in her chest. Gavin's fragile side like this was one of his weaknesses. Every one of these dark beads lost their binaries, Irina always wanted to hold this sturdy body tightly, treat the wound until it healed until the twinkle returned and this wide back could be straightened again.

"I'm afraid he's not just bothering Kalea, but you too."

As Gavin said that, Irina knew that this man was telling the truth. Because of the few people present in her life, there were only two people that Irina knew were truly sincere in looking after her. The two men were Gavin and Taruna. The rest are only hypocrites who will be kind to him when they can benefit. If not, then he will be kicked and no longer cared.

"I'm scared, Rin. I-" Gavin's speech was interrupted when his cloud caught the sound of someone entering a security code on the door. Gavin raised his gaze, looking at Irina with a big question mark on the head. Wh who? Who besides her has access to Irina's apartment?