The Untouched Heart

Chapter 67 - New Strategy

~Za~

“Welcome back!” I said when Hendra came home after two weeks. I greeted her while holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Thank you.” She looked at me confusedly and did not rush towards her room as usual. I gave her that bouquet. “What is this for?”

“Flower for you. Red and pink carnations mean I miss you.” I touched my stomach, which was already visible. “We missed you.”

“Thank you,” he said slowly. He looks tired.

“I have turned on the warm water in the bathroom, so you can use it directly. Rest up. You must be tired,” I said with a smile to him. He nodded, then walked towards the stairs. I saw him go upstairs, not following him as he always did.

Maybe he noticed another oddity because he stopped and looked back. We met her eyes when she saw me still standing where I was. It was easy to get attention from him. Just by changing a little bit of my habits.

“Do you need anything?” ask me while walking closer to him. He didn't answer, just shook his head slowly. Then he continued his steps up the stairs.

By the next morning, I was already in the dining room when he entered the room. He looked at me confusedly, but immediately covered it by sitting in his chair. We eat in silence. I didn't ask him anything because I knew he would get angry and thought that I was figuring out if he was right to work or be with another woman.

I drove him to the office to the front door and stood on the porch until his car came out of our yard. We didn't say a single sentence from the dining room until he left. But at least we didn't fight.

From today on, I don't have to go to the gym anymore. I can do my own gymnastics at home. Of course both my mothers don't believe me. They came and did gymnastics with me. Yeah, God. I'm so scared. They would hate me so much if they knew that I had betrayed my husband.

At lunch, I texted my husband and told him what I was doing since morning, including gymnastics with both of our mothers. There was nothing in return from him, I did not put him in my heart.

When Hendra came home, I greeted him with a bouquet of blue salvia flowers combined with pink carnations. According to the florist, both flowers can be interpreted as I am thinking about you or can not forget you. My husband just shook his head as he received the bouquet from me.

She still invites me to accompany her to an invitation event on evenings or weekends. I don't care if we meet Aldo or not. I directed all my attention to my husband. Whenever she felt uncomfortable having to stand by my side, I paid her to go to the toilet so she wouldn't have to pretend in front of her colleagues.

For some of the invitations we attended, I was lucky enough. Sometimes one or two of my best friends are also present with their husbands. So, we could sit or stand together and chat without disturbing our husbands who were talking to their business partners.

“I can't believe I'll ever witness this.” Qiana laughed giggling. I pouted, unable to respond to his temptation. “Zahara and Hendra got into a fight? How magical is this?”

“It's a shame Lindsey's not here. He did not stop talking on the phone about Hendra's attitude to our dear friends when they attended the same event.” Darla doesn't want to lose. “What's with you two? I never saw Hendra want a second away from you.”

“Nothing. Just a regular quarrel.” I shrugged both of my shoulders, then looked towards him who was talking to his business colleagues.

“You haven't done anything to make it stop sulking?” qiana asked meaningfully. “Me and Darla can give you some advice that is guaranteed to work.”

“I don't need any advice. You can only mock me. I can find my own way,” I said annoyed. They both back giggling. So annoying.

“He's right no lunch appointment, ‘kan?” I asked to make sure I got back.

“True, Bu.” He nodded politely. I smiled with satisfaction.

Sherry knocked on my husband's door, then told him of my arrival. “Please, Bu.” He opened the door wider so I could get in.

“Thank you, Sherry.” I stepped up cheerfully.

Hendra stood up to welcome me. I smiled as I walked closer to him. “I don't remember we have an appointment this afternoon.” My husband looked at me in surprise.

“Indeed no.” I stopped in front of his desk. “I want to take you to lunch with me.” He looked at me for a moment.

“I can't,” he replied.

“You have no lunch appointment, why can't you?” many confused.

He pressed the intercom button on top of his desk. “Sherry, I have a meeting this afternoon with the marketing division. Can you raise it to lunch? Then you order food so we can meet while eating together.” I ignored the pain in my chest hearing that.

“Good, Sir.” There was a confused tone to Sherry's voice.

“I have an appointment.” Hendra sat back in his chair. I smile.

“Then, I'll see you tonight. I've asked Fahri to cook your favorite food. You came home before dinner ‘kan?” my many. I knew he'd refuse and say he had a dinner appointment. Butno. This time he nodded slowly. I smiled seeing him.

I don't want to feel defeated. I can still try again. So, I walked out of his room with firm steps. Sherry apologized to me, then drove me to the front door. Even though he's innocent. Hendra is angry with me and I deserve that treatment.

Liando must be having lunch somewhere not far from here. I didn't know where to go, so I decided to have lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. Going home will take longer because traffic is jammed. I'm starving already.

Almost all the restaurants are full of visitors. I found a restaurant that had an empty table for me. I ordered food and drinks while keeping a note to the waiter of food that is safe for pregnant women.

The situation around me was boisterous with the office employees who were taking lunch breaks. The conversation I heard wasn't just about work. I secretly miss this mood. Since marrying Hendra, I resigned from my job because she couldn't afford to see me close to my male co-workers.

Remembering that, I sighed softly. I don't know when we'll sleep in a separate room. I understand he's angry with me. How could he possibly forgive me who had given my body to another man, shaking hands when meeting a man just couldn't.

I took a deep breath and suddenly felt a tightness in my chest. This time I did not hold back. It is painful to be ignored by those we love so much. How could he survive these six years?