My husband, Doctor Adrian

Birthdays

Lula shakes. "There's no problem, ma'am" said Lula politely.

Mom touched Lula's cheek. "It must be heavy, son.." she said motherly.

A single tear escaped Lula's eyes. He doesn't believe it. Her mother-in-law understood her better than the mother who gave birth to her.

"Lula, however, you've thought of her as my own daughter. I can imagine how hard it is to live with an Adrian Wijaya. You're not alone, son. Your mom and dad are always there for you. Even if we were in New York, you'd be on the phone." said Mom, sipping her tea.

Lula nodded slowly.

"So, what do you want to tell me about Mom?" ask Mom again.

Lula shakes. "Ga, Mum. Thank you for your attention. Mother baiiik very same me. But, I guess my problem with Adrian is our own. I'm sure we can finish it, ma'am." said Lula.

Mother nodded. "The right decision. I would be like that too if I were you." Lula smiled hearing that.

"Oh, yeah. These.. There's a gift for you." Mother took some paper bags that had been carried by her bodyguard.

"Next time don't bother, ma'am. But, thanks for that.."

Mother placed some of the paper bags in front of Lula. Brand name. Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Chanel. Lula could buy it herself, but Mom.. He is a true collector. In any country, he has always been a VVIP customer of those brands.

"Sorry Lula ga sepet bring nothing." said Lula.

"Husha.. Don't be like that. This mother is old. Maybe later Mother's room on the third floor that contains all the bags, I'll pass it to you. I don't have a daughter." she said half-jokingly. They laugh.

"Mom, do you want to rest first? I can go home first, Mom. Maybe tonight I can come back with Adrian."

"Oh, okay. You want to rest here too can.." said Mother.

Lula recalls the incident last night when Adrian picked her up in Hyatt and how angry she was with Lula.

"I'm going home, Mom. Scared Adrian find me.."

"Your devoted wife.. Yes, but there are conditions. Mama's driver's dropping off, huh?"

"But, Mom.."

"Ga there is but. Yuk Mother deliver to the car.." she said while pulling Lula softly.

"Lula pamit's.. Rest yes, ma'am." said Lula while waving her hand.

Along the way home, Lula pondered. He felt blessed to have such a good mother-in-law with him. Could Adrian feel the same way? Because Mama Luna was always nice to her (read: be on her side).

Upon arriving home, Lula sees Adrian's car still there. Lula looked at her watch. Eleven o'clock. Lula decides to cook for Adrian. Today he will make Adrian's favorite dish, shrimp scampi linguine.

Forty minutes later, the pasta that Lula cooked was finished. Lula arranged it on a plate. As Lula was about to turn around, he was startled by Adrian's presence. Her hair is still messy. The button on his pajamas is open. He slept less than six hours. Lula hesitated to greet him. Adrian's mood is not easy to read. Lula decided to return to the guest room. He decided that he would sleep here for a few days.

Huff.. Lula sighed. Relieved to learn that Adrian did not invite him to speak. Lula was afraid it would turn back into a quarrel. Honestly, Lula is still very upset at Adrian for easily implying the word divorce.

Lula's phone is ringing.

Nathan.

Lula.

"Hispan?" abugn. He sounded breathless.

"Yes? What's up?" ask Lula.

"You're a gap, aren't you?" ask Nathan again.

"You mean?" ask Lula.

"Your husband.. Emm.. He didn't hit you, did he?" He was heard gasping, his breath hunting.

Lula laughed a little. "Engga. Adrian.. He's not that kind of person."

Nathan breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God.."

Silent.

"Okay, if no one wants to talk anymore.."

BUKKK..

The sound of heavy objects falling.

"Aw! Yes, Lula. Sorry, I just fell off the treadmill." Apparently he was panting because he was exercising apparently.

"Yes my.. It's so dangerous. You gapapa?"

"Yes, gapapa. Okay if that's it.. See you tomorrow?"

"See you.."

Beeping. Phone turned off. Without Lula noticing Adrian who was about to enter Lula's room, stopped at the door and heard Lula and Nathan talk. Adrian clenched his hand. Adrian was overcome with terrible emotions. Without him noticing, the wall in his heart started to reawaken for Lula.

.

.

.

Two weeks later..

The days of Lula and Adrian went on as usual. They don't talk to each other. Lula stays asleep in the guest room, while Adrian sleeps in the master room. They only occasionally cross paths in the living room or in the kitchen. Lula always spent her nights crying. She had no idea what made her husband cool like this.

Twice a week Lula always takes time to Mom's house. Lula did not want to be seen as a brash daughter-in-law in front of her in-laws. The other with Adrian. In these two weeks, he has only visited Mom and Dad once. Lula and Adrian were never seen together.

Today Adrian was gone when Lula woke up. Lula did his activities as usual. When Lula arrived at the office..

"Surprise!" Shouted Lula's office colleagues along with the confetti they detonated.

Lula covered both ears with her hands. Now, his hair and clothes were filled with glitter and small, colorful papers.

"Happy birthday, Miss Lula." said some of Lula's subordinates. One of them brought a cake that was decorated with a lighted candle.

Lula forgot today she had her 29th birthday.

Nissa, Hesti, and Dion also came and wished him a happy birthday. They gave gifts to Lula. So did Lula's subordinates all joint ventures to give a gift to Lula.

"Thank you, everyone." said Lula full haru. He shed tears and quickly wiped them away.

"Oh, Lula.. Don't be sad." said Nissa as she hugged him.

"Yes, why the hell are you, Lul?" ask Hesti. He let down his voice, afraid that someone else would hear.

"Your foot again?" ask Dion.

Lula nodded. He was out of words. What else should he tell his friends? Adrian the ice-cold guy. Her friends did not know she and her husband had been without greetings for two weeks, even sleeping in different rooms. He doesn't even need a story anymore that Adrian must have forgotten his birthday. His friends can guess.

"To the richness of the mallem we have to go together.. Celebrate Lula's birthday." suggested Dion.

"It couldn't be today, huh," said Lula.

"Tau the Dion. Lula wants to celebrate with her husband dong." said Nesti.

Lula just smiled wryly. "Then be sure. It's Friday, tomorrow it's off. How's it?" bring him.

"May be able" said Nissa.

"Yuk yuk" replied Dion.

"Okay tomorrow I ask for my anther. So the malemnya I nebeng lu yes, Di.." said Nesti. Nesti and Nissa are married. Dion is single.

"Good idea too.. I'll take you too, yeah, La malemnya.." Lula nodded at Nissa. Nissa and Hesti have a reliable husband. They often take their husbands.

After the cake cut, they returned to their respective rooms.

Lula was surprised to see a bouquet of flowers on her desk. There's a small card there.

Happy birthday, Lula

Hoping for you a fantastic year ahead

Love, though,

Moms

I decided to go to Mom's house tonight. Maybe with Mom and Dad.