Substitute Mother
Chaptre 72. The Door Open
The day passed so quickly. One day, one week, then changed until it did not feel like it had reached the end of the month. Two weeks since the event at the Iris hotel, two weeks since the unexpected encounter with Arman, two weeks since Mark's little altercation with Hannah, and.. Two weeks since Jeanno and Judith's hot romance for the first time.
Three stories here, passed like a rollercoster. Some are happy, some are stricken with sadness, there is anxiety, there is also betrayal that becomes a spice in marriage.
Mark came home the same day, after hearing a message from his mother, the man immediately headed to his apartment. But his intention to talk Hannah apparently had to be undone, when he found his unit empty. Oh, naw. Hannah did not leave, as her clothes and belongings were still neatly arranged in the room. But he found a message from his girlfriend on his cell phone.
Mine – Busy's
Mark, I'm going home.
My mother and sister are sick, I have to take care of them.
Sorry for our little fight.
Can we finish it after I get home?
I love you, Mark. Always was.
Since that day, Mark and Hannah have been communicating by exchanging messages. It's not intense because the signal in Hannah's place of origin sometimes goes away and reappears. Once Mark tried to call, but their conversation was interrupted. Make the two decide it is better to just send a message to exchange news. At least once a day, better than nothing, right?
Judith continues to live her life as usual. Accompany Aera, prepare the food. Nothing has changed. Oh, there might be a new addition. When there are nights where Jeanno needs it. Not every time, just a few times. Judith greeted him with the door open. Yeah, they still do it in Judith's room. Or the library and the Jeanno workspace. Never once did they touch the man's room. For the reason why, Judith could guess. But too reluctant to ask, did not want him to feel the pain in his heart again. Called ‘Nayara’ every time you finish making love is already quite painful for him.
How is Tyona? The rumors subsided, probably because the medical personnel were preoccupied with the patient's blasting due to the covid that was spreading. Makes them not have time to even gossip. Tyona also touched the ears. No matter the cynical look of others, or the sneer of how ungrateful she is to have a husband as perfect as Jeffrey, but instead playing back with the doctor who is also their close friend. Tyona doesn't care, one more time. As long as the rumors are not true, there is no need for him to straighten anything.
“Do not daydream”
Tyona raised her face. Found Darren already sitting in front of him with a bowl of soto and a cup of warm tea. “You surprised me, Darren”
“You should thank me for breaking your daydreams. You know yourself daydreaming at night watch like this is dangerous, especially this canteen is close to the famous inhabited ward of Jasmine”
Tyona throws the straw wrapper towards Darren who chuckles. “Do not talk carelessly, Darren”
“How are you, Anna? We're in a hospital, but we barely cross paths. It seems like pediatrics are busy once huh?”
“You asked me a question I didn't need to answer, Darren”
Darren smiles. “At least answer my first question. How are you, Anna?”
“I.. is fine. Tired as usual, but after sleeping and taking vitamins, I refreshed back”
“Regarding the rumor, I haven't had time to apologize directly to you”
Tyona raised her eyebrows. “What are you apologizing for? It's not your fault, Darren. It's not my fault either. Such cheap gossip is only spread by irresponsible people who lack work. Then disseminated by fool”
“But it must be bothering you, seeing a lot of people who see us cynical since the rumor circulated”
Tyona smiled. Smile according to Darren. “Not that rumor bothers me, Darren. I don't care about people's views. As long as I don't do what they think, I won't bother straightening out who I really am”
Tyona did not answer, still smiling. But this time his gaze went down, as if avoiding Darren's netra from behind his glasses.
“Anna, if I say this.. would you believe it?”
“What?”
Darren sighed. “I know this is not my domain. But I was in the same scope of work with your husband, I met almost every day. Maybe even my time with Jeff more than you who incidentally his own wife”
“What's your point, Darren?”
“I just want to say. Don't trust Jeffrey too much. I know you've known me for a long time. You know Jeffrey pretty deep. But Anna, Jeffrey is different now. I don't want you to be hurt later”
Tyona nodded. “Thanks for the advice, Darren. But I guess I'm the one who has the right to judge my husband”
“Anna, don't misunderstand”
“You're a good friend, and I'm grateful to have you by my side. But for my household, let me and Jeffrey take care of it. We're fine, Darren. And I think you know it”
“Tyona.”
Anna first got up from her chair while carrying a tray from her dinner. “I'm done eating. You don't mind if I go back to poly first?”
Without waiting for Darren's response, Tyona left her friend alone.
**
“Anna?”
Tyona turned her head, looking at Kiran in her maid uniform as she stepped closer to him. “You keep the night too?”
The woman nodded. “Hey, why do you have the heart to hide this happy news to me, hm?”
Tyona gave no other response but a confused expression. “News.. happy?”
“Iya. You know my sister Obsyn's resident is also at Harapan Hospital. He said that your husband went there several times with women to check the contents. From his description of the age of the womb has passed the first trimester. My brother recognized Jeffrey because he used to be a speaker at one of the seminars on his campus. I'm telling you that your husband is very popular on my sister's campus because of his good looks and thin brain, and—“
Tyona could no longer catch what Kiran was talking about afterwards. His ears paled after Kiran told a shocking fact about Jeffrey. Can't it be that Kiran's sister is lying?
“—Omong-by the way, I'm so glad you finally made it. Right, I said, it's all just a matter of time. In the end, that beautiful moment came too. I'm so happy, Anna!” Kiran hugged him tightly while continuing to chatter about how happy he was. On the other hand, Tyona was no longer able to hold back her tears, returning Kiran's embrace.
Really, he was not ready with the news that Kiran delivered suddenly. So this is the reason? Is this why Jeffrey rarely came home and changed his attitude?
Kiran took off her embrace, surprised to see Tyona tearfully. But he thought it was a tears of happiness. Once again, Kiran hugged Tyona. And indeed, Tyona needs a backrest. Even if only for a moment. Before he returned home and faced the real tempest.
