Substitute Mother
Chaptre 54. Warm Hug's
Tyona was not surprised when he came home, Jeffrey still did not reply, or even read the message. But finding the fact that the husband had not yet returned to their home, made him a little astonished. Where was the man, didn't Darren say that in psychiatric poly there was only one consul, one resident and four koass who were on guard? And there's no Jeffrey name among them.
Once again, Tyona tries to contact Jeffrey. At least he wants to know where the husband is, at least he just wants to make sure that the man is okay.
“Thank God, darling.”.
The woman let out a frustrated sigh, repeating it again. Again and again until Tyona got tired of trying. Until some effort, Jeffrey's phone was missed by the operator, indicating the object was inactive. Either running out of power, or accidentally turned off by the owner because it is considered annoying.
Tyona bit her lip, she was really worried. What if something happens to Jeffrey? He never came home before, but at least the man gave him news. Either stay at the hospital, or stay at his parents' house which is closer to the hospital.
It was like he was calling Rianti. But she was afraid that her mother-in-law would judge her all kinds if Jeffrey wasn't there. The word as a wife is not becus will certainly be shown to him again without the shady aling-aling. If Jeffrey was there, the in-law's answer would be no better. She will be considered a wife does not care because she just found out that her husband did not come home. And in a tired state all day working like this, Tyona was not ready if she had to hear such a painful sentence.
“Hey, Darren. Sorry I called you”.
“No, I'm fine. I just wanted to ask for help. Um.. can you confirm to anyone's psychiatric poly who's there?”
“Yes, I'm waiting. Thank you very much, Darren”
Tyona puts her phone on the table after disconnecting from Darren. The only temporary solution that occurred in his brain was to call the hospital, make sure Jeffrey was there, or not. He could have called poli directly, but was afraid if news spread that did not hit his household. Be he asks Darren for help as an intermediary.
Five minutes later, the phone rang. Call from Darren. “Ya?”
“I've called. The ones guarding there should be doctor William and doctor Yulia. But doctor Yulia came home 10 minutes ago. Be stay doctor William with koass and nurse”
“You sure there's no Jeffrey there?”
Darren was silent for a moment. “There's no point in them lying to me, Anna”
“Jeff hasn't come home yet?”
Unknowingly Tyona's hand crept her phone tightly. “Not yet. I don't know where he is, neither my message nor my call has been answered. I'm so worried, Darren. I'm afraid something happened to her”
Like that, Darren was silent for a moment. Only the regular breath of her interlocutor could Tyona hear. “You want me to help you find Jeffrey?”
“Not necessary. It's getting late. I'll wait till tomorrow. If he doesn't come home tomorrow, or give me news, maybe I'll call the police. Thanks Darren, sorry to interrupt your break”
“Anna.”
“Ya?”
“Sleep, rest your body and mind. I'm sure tomorrow your husband will be home”
**
The simple act of burning corn turned out to be quite fun. Judith and Aera laugh at Jeanno's corncoat, until Judith discovers Jeanno's new skill, which is good at making all the food he touches gosong. Until Aera who cried pungency because of Jeanno's careless hands that accidentally smeared spicy seasoning into Aera corn. The man was showered with the flat gaze of Judith sitting across from him.
“How's Aera?”
Judith who was washing the cutlery that had been used when eating corn, turned her head as flat as before. “It's been lightening after drinking two glasses of milk. Sir, if I'm to be honest, I almost threw the master with the corn skin earlier”
“Ya is indeed wrong tuan”
Judith finished with her last wash. He grabbed a tissue, dried his hands. “I have to admit you are very bad at cooking business”
“Yes how else, I don't have time to take care of kitchen”
“Don't you can't cook instant noodles so bad” Judith's eyes are squeaking, being stared at face to face while clacking. “Can. Just yes it is, between still too hard or too soft because of the maturity”
“Geez sir, then who will handle the kitchen affairs if I am not there?”
Jeanno nodded, her expression completely changed and her jaw hardened. “Do not. Don't say it”
“But true right? Six months will pass and in the end will come the day of terak—“
“Said don't say!”
Judith's mouth shuts. A little trepidation would Jeanno if he had used a high tone, reminiscent of the night when the man scolded him all out. “Maaf”
“Not” Jeanno rubbed his face rough. “Sorry to have yelled at you”
A stiff silence enveloped the atmosphere of the kitchen that night. Fortunately Aera was busy watching cartoons in her room, so she did not hear a small quarrel ‘her parents’.
“I.. will see Aera, maybe she needs me” Judith walks past Jeanno, but her steps come to a halt when her wrist is held back by the man.
‘Ck, let alone’ Judith implied, every physical touch the man gave sent out strange and comfortable vibrations simultaneously. Scared Judith if she began to falter at her stance and at their covenant.
“What's up, sir?”
When Judith turned sideways, she hit the chest of Jeanno's field which pulled her into a hug. The man's hands encircled Judith's body, which was much smaller than his. Making that beautiful figure was like drowning in her arms. Jeanno lowered her head, hiding her face on Judith's shoulders as if she were a child seeking her mother's comfort.
While Judith was still struck by shock that had not yet subsided, she only silently stared as her body was hugged so tightly. His hands are still hanging. That hug, felt different from the hug of all the men he had ever experienced. Other men just hugged her while picking up ‘white’ when they made love. But Jeanno, in his arms he felt protected. Not only comfortable, but also makes him want to stop the time so that their position remains like this. Judith did not lie, her heart trembled violently as the next second Jeanno tightened her embrace. He could feel his master's nose touching the niche of the neck, making the hot breath greet the surface of his skin.
Judith closed her eyes. I don't know what this hug means. But can he be selfish tonight? Can he pretend he doesn't have the principles to not fall in love just yet? Can he pretend not to remember the last point of their agreement?
‘It's okay, Judith. Just once. And tomorrow you can close your heart again, as usual’
After believing himself, Judith's hand was lifted, returning Jeanno's arms carefully. Afraid that his touch made the man startled and instead let go of his embrace. But apparently not, instead of being released, Jeanno actually bent and moved his hand which was originally on Judith's neck, down to the woman's waist. Make their position more intimate.
Nayara, allow me to feel your husband's embrace.
Allow me to feel the tenderness of Jeanno's treatment as he did you.
Nayara, let me taste the sweetness of having a whole family..*
*
