THE NO-MAN'S LOVE
21. LAYOVER HOUSE
I surrender! I decided to share this heartbreaking story with the side who could help me take the best step. Not to disgrace, but to seek to change fate. Expecting my husband to change, it felt like there was no hope anymore. She had already enjoyed her beautiful world with the woman she loved, with no desire to understand my feelings and also my struggles so far.
***
“Egi, I'm sorry! Actually, it was ...”
“Sorry, Mom! No need to explain anything to me. Didn't we already agree not to talk about other men and women in our household?”
“So, it's best to stay like this only, unless you want to change the deal at the beginning of our marriage first.”
Out of nowhere, Egidia was able to speak at length to avenge the husband who had not even finished his sentence. He already knew Genio's purpose following him into the kitchen, after ending a voice call from Monita.
While stirring the warm tea made to calm down, Egidia did not turn her head towards the man standing in the connecting doorway, with his hand still clasping his phone.
As much as possible he strengthened himself, even though his body had almost lost energy altogether. His head again felt pain, piercing and made him have to close his eyes and bite his lips to hold it.
Strengthen me, O God! I don't want to be weak, especially in front of him. I want to face all this with a strong heart. Both to face my husband and to face the worst possibility of my illness.
Egidia took a sip of her drink bit by bit, after walking past her husband then sat down and calmed down in the dining room. He let the man catch up with him and sat down next to him.
“I admitted wrong and I'm sorry!”
“What's your mistake, Mom? I just don't want to talk about it so that we're both innocent by breaking our agreement.”
“If we continue this conversation, it means we are not consequent.”
Egidia emptied the cup because it deliberately made it not too hot so that it could be quickly spent. He stood up to return to the room, but Genio held back his hand.
“Listen to me first, Egi!”
There was a rustle inside the chest of the woman wearing the short-sleeved home shirt, as she felt the touch of her husband. Although not a romantic scene, but still make her heart beat hard.
Why should I have this taste? A beautiful feeling that only grew in my heart, not in his heart.
Egidia simply fell silent without saying anything. Stay standing but delay the move to get from there. Just waiting for Genio to do what he wants.
“I must explain to you, so that you understand and do not misunderstand.”
“Me and Mo .., sorry, she and I have gotten used to this and there is no intention of me to intentionally show it to you or make you feel uncomfortable because of it.”
“If it turns out you feel objection, I will not do it again when we are together or together are at home.”
Genio's reply made Egidia's heart ache even more. It is unexpected that the man will propose a solution that remains on the side of other women, not his own wife.
It seemed, I couldn't possibly hope for him anymore. He made his choice clearly and with great confidence. I'm nothing more than a wife on paper. Black on white. Without taste, especially love!
***
After last night and rethinking Mutia's advice, the woman made an appointment with Tiara to speak together. Incidentally, that day the neighbor was free and there was no agenda outside the house, so he could take time for himself.
After Genio's departure to the office and he finished all the housework with the energy that arose-sink, accompanied by symptoms that are still the same as the previous days, Egidia was getting ready to visit the other house.
As a party in need of help, he chose to come there as well as bring a cake that this time only ordered through an online application.
“Sorry, I did not make it myself because ..”
“It's okay. I understand and you don't have to force yourself.” Tiara cut off the speech of the hijab-wearing woman alone.
“Prize your health and healing!” He invited his guests in and sat in the living room.
After Tiara prepared drinks for the two, they sat together in a long chair facing outwards. Egidia begins the story while looking at the house that Genio once called our home, but in fact it only feels like a halfway house for him.
“I don't know what to do to maintain my marriage which is even just a few weeks old.”
“Or is it better that I do nothing and let everything stay like this?”
The room equipped with aroma therapy that Tiara deliberately used as a means to cool the room as well as calm the feeling, making Egidia feel more comfortable telling anything.
He put aside the thought that he was indulging in domestic disgrace and considered it as part of an effort to cure his sick marriage condition and did not work as it should.
“Do not get discouraged and give up before trying!”
Tiara held Egidia's hand and gently rubbed it. His gaze was shady and soothing, far different from his usual attitude which was more open and childish. Currently, he positions himself as a consultant, such as a side job that has been involved all this time while completing his professional education.
“I've tried, Tia! I relented and became an obedient wife, but she still did not consider me at all.”
“Maybe it was me who was wrong because from the beginning had agreed on his request to undergo our marriage even without love.”
“Not without love, but one-sided love!” it was Erat Tiara who had heard Egidia's story before.
“Should have, you guys talked about this issue with openness.”
Egidia lowered her head, feeling that Tiara was insinuating herself who secretly loved the husband without daring to admit it. However, Tiara immediately straightened out her statement after seeing a change in the attitude of the woman currently considered to be her client.
“I don't blame you for harboring feelings of love. I just regret the attitude of Mas Gen who did not even a little try to open up opportunities for your relationship in the future.”
“He behaves as if he and the woman have a special relationship other than friendship. In fact, the woman is also engaged and will soon be married. Then, what did she expect from their relationship?”
“Or else, they have another relationship that no one knows about, including you and her fiance?”
