Substitute Mother

Chapters 97. New ‘friend’

“Anna? Why are you quiet?”

Tyona cleared her throat as she inched away from Jeffrey's embrace. “I... do routine check only, as usual”

“Oh.. nothing else?”

There was a bit of disappointment in Jeffrey's tone. It was as if the man was expecting some other news from the results of Tyona's examination, which of course was honestly there. But Tyona decided to keep it first. He did not want to see Jeffrey's response, did not want his happiness to be ruined if he had to bring up the matter of his household problems.

Let Tyona keep her own happiness, temporarily.

“Sana shower. After that break”

Jeffrey did not argue, just nodded while heading to their room.

**

“Nayara?”

Judith lifted her face to see who was calling her name. May is walking cheerfully towards her followed by a foreign woman she has never seen before.

“Oh, hi May”

May advances her body, giving the typical right and left cheek peckers to newly met female friends. “How are you? It feels like a long time not seeing you waiting for Aera at school”

“Ah it.” Judith smiled, all the problems Hannah and Mark did take his time, which made him rarely wait for Aera before school. “Yes, my brother-in-law was in an accident some time ago and was pretty bad, so we waited for him at the hospital”

May showed concern. “Sorry to hear it. Is she okay?”

“Ya, thanks to the miracle of Lord”

“Sgratitude” Then May took her partner who had just stood in the back. The woman looks like she's the same age as him, maybe a little difference. Judith realized that during her conversation with May, May's colleague looked at her with curiosity. Makes Judith think she'd seen that woman before?

“Include Nay, this is my friend, Celine. She's the mama of Lea, Aera's friend too but different class”

Judith nodded thinly, extending her hand as a formal introduction. “Nayara”

Celine's still glued. Only a few seconds before he reached out his hand back, shaking the greeting of the introduction from Judith. “Celine. I'm sorry, but. Have we met? your face like no stranger”

Judith muttered, feeling that she had never met a woman with a face like Celine. “I'm not sure we've ever met”

“So please, your face is really no stranger”

May elbowed Celine. “Maybe you've met him at a student meeting”

Celine shook her head. “I'm sure we've met at an event. But try to remember later”

Judith did not think much of Celine's words, as she believed Celine might see Nayara on one occasion. It's not a matter of weight that he should be worried about. While killing time, May invites the two to eat at the cafe opposite the school. The chatter is mostly dominated by May, who is responded to in moderation by Judith and Celine.

Not long after, Celine's phone rang. The woman pulled away to answer the phone. The next thing he came back was just to pick up the bag on his stool. “Sorry I have to go. He's at the airport. See you again”

Judith had no reaction whatsoever to Celine's sudden departure. Unlike May who nodded as if she understood where and why Celine looked so hasty. The woman sipped her tea gracefully.

“She has to go to the airport to pick up her cousin, Sharin”

Judith just nodded. No matter who Celine is, she has to pick up. Who is Sharin? But in honor of May who has explained without needing to be asked, Judith responded modestly.

“Eum.” May's gaze was open. “Since the kids were in the playgroup. We have since agreed to send our children to the same place. But for the next level, I have not decided whether it will be the same or not”

Again, Judith just nodded her head. May is a good friend, but Judith feels she is not as frequency with him, especially with Celine. But maybe because of the intensity of their meetings that is not so frequent? I don't know.

**

Hannah was still wrapped around her blanket even though the sun was upright, giving its rays to the corners of the earth, making the day temperature quite hot. Hannah grabs her phone, breathing out because there's no notification from Mark. After the return of Mother and Helga to their hometown, the apartment was again empty. Much more quiet than usual.

It's been a whole day since Mark ignored it. Last night Maria called, asking what the problem was. Hannah did not get the heart if she had to be honest with Mark's mother who was very kind to accept it. Hannah wouldn't have been able to hurt Maria too with her honesty. Therefore he said that he wanted to rest for a while because his body was not good. Fortunately the woman understood, without wondering.

Last night he closed his eyes at three in the morning. That's because they fall asleep so tired of crying. Hannah had expected the worst possibility if she was honest, had also prepared her heart. But when that moment came and came true, it felt many times more painful. Let alone having to lose Mark, ignored the man alone has made Hannah in a fog.

What if Mark doesn't want it anymore?

What if Mark sees her as a cheap woman now?

What if Mark doesn't love her anymore?

Hannah pulled the blanket to the end of her head. It is full of fear of negative thoughts that do not stop shadowing it. After Louis disappeared, it turned out that his trials did not stop there. But at the very least, the burden on his shoulders had already been slightly reduced. At least, there's nothing else Hannah's been hiding from Mark.

What is that young man doing now? Has he eaten? Has the medicine been taken? Hannah grabbed her phone to call Maria. But he said he was afraid Mark would refuse to talk to him. Fear of his heart is not ready for rejection that he will not necessarily accept. But really, Hannah misses Mark.

Should he come to the hospital?

After weighing long enough, Hannah uncovers the blanket. Hiding is not a late option. He decided to go to the hospital. If Mark refuses, he'll go home. If Mark drives him out, he'll leave. At least he wanted Mark to know that Hannah was always there for the young man.

**

Jeffrey had just finished reading his book when Tyona was already lying flat beside him. He smiled, grabbed a blanket to cover his wife's body to the chest. He saw Tyona's peaceful face in silence. Even while asleep, Tyona's beauty still captivated her. And Jeffrey felt he was lucky to be the only man who saw that beauty when he fell asleep, and when those beautiful eyes woke up.

Tyona who is simple without makeup at bedtime, also Tyona whose hair is messy and sleepy eyes after waking up, is the most beautiful version according to Jeffrey. Beauty that no one else will ever find. That's why that's one of the reasons he didn't want to let Tyona go. That is because it is not willing to share the beauty of his wife with another lucky man.

No, he's the only one who's lucky. Now and forever.

The man looked at the wall clock that had turned night. His body was tired, especially his back. So he decided to stop reading and followed Tyona asleep. The man walked to the bookcase not far from his bed. A little disturbed when he saw a small box at the top of the shelf lying unsymmetrical. With initiative he stretched out his hand, intending to fix the box. But instead, a piece of paper fell to the fingers of his feet. Jeffrey bowed, realizing that the paper with Pelita Hospital letterhead was dated two days ago.

Curious, the letter was opened. He read it verbatim, from the start of the department, the name of his wife who became the name of the patient, also the date of birth and address, and the results of the examination.

Positively contains.

The letter fell out of Jeffrey's hand. His eyes were then poked on Tyona's body. His legs shook, as if unable to support his body up. His heart is beating hard. Not because of nervousness, but because of the happiness that surrounds it.

Still in place, Jeffrey's gaze was pounded on Tyona's flat stomach, which was growing fruit of their love. A long-dreamed baby is present in their family. Unknowingly, Jeffrey's cheeks were wet. Tears must have come down from there, to spice up his happiness to be a father.

For a moment she forgot that there was another woman out there who was also pregnant with her child. Jeffrey stepped forward, banging on the bedside, looking adoringly at the wife who was still drowning in a dream.

“Thank you dear, thank you. I promise to take care of you, keep our son from whoever bullies”

If Tyona was conscious right now, she might get angry and slap Jeffrey for his selfless words. Keep it from the bully when he is actually the bully. He's the one who's a threat to Tyona. That's why Tyona chose to keep her pregnancy a secret from Jeffrey.

But Jeffrey is still Jeffrey. Who still can't choose. Who still doesn't know where his fault lies. Who still refuses to give up.

**