WIFE INSTINCT

Between Jealousy and Jealousy

Devan and Emma stared at each other for a moment.

"Thank you for the phone first" Devan said. Emma nodded. He picked up his phone and stared at the screen for a while and put it back in the bag.

"Why not get caught?" Devan asked.

"It doesn't matter" Emma replied.

"Who would I know from?" Devan asked again.

"He is," replied Emma briefly. Devan understands Emma's intentions.

Devan slowed down the car. Emma's house is visible. Moments later, Devan stops his car right in front of Emma's house. Richard's motorcycle is not there. That means Richard hasn't come home yet.

"Devan, thank you for everything" Emma said.

"Thank you back, Emma. Stay strong yes" Devan replied as he picked up Emma's big bag and gave it to Emma. Emma thanked him with a smile.

"Devan, that thing I didn't have time to say, I'll tell you tomorrow" Emma said.

"No problem Emma. I-i understand. I'm going home yes. Take care. See you tomorrow" Devan replied.

"Devan, be careful. You too, take care of yourself." Emma waved her hand. Devan nodded with a smile then got into his car. Emma stares at Devan's car until Devan's car disappears around the corner. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly and walked into his house. Both of his sons were very happy to welcome him. After giving up longing and playing with her children, Emma took a break. He threw his body on the bed and closed his eyes. One by one the shadows of the events that had just happened on the trip had started to flash back inside his mind. He also thought about all Devan's words. He pensively for a moment. For a moment, she re-imagined the events of the past, when her husband had an affair with Tasya, when her husband almost left her because of Tasya. Her husband who had never been rude to her suddenly turned violent. The shadow of those bitter memories lined up neatly within his memory. He recalled how he struggled to get through it all. She recalled how she had to widen her patience and strengthen her heart when people labeled her as a foolish wife just because she was silent when she was treated unfairly, when hurt and betrayed by her husband.

(Why didn't you hit Tasya? Why don't you berate the woman who has ruined your household? Why didn't you slap him? Why are you keeping quiet? You fool, why don't you repay your husband? Why don't you just leave that traitorous man behind? Why do you still want to give him a chance?) All those questions were back in his ears. Emma took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She tried to re-imagine it when she saw her husband holding another woman and lying to her.

Suddenly, his phone shook. He took his phone and checked it. A message came in from a friend. Emma opened the message and read it.

[Emma, how are you? Where are you now?]

"I'm at home. Good news, how about you?" Emma began to reply.

[I'm good too. Emma I'm sorry. I want to tell you something. I heard rumors that your husband was having an affair.]

Emma was no longer surprised. He clasped his phone tightly and did not reply to any more messages from his friend. Several times his phone vibrated again but he refused to check it.

She imagined her husband's face. The face of the man who used to love her so much, somehow with now. Emma's confused. After she imagined all the bad deeds of her husband, now she tried to imagine one by one the goodness of her husband, especially to her children, as well as the shadow of the face of her children who love their father very much.

"Nobody perfect's. I don't need to tell the world why I'm sticking with him. Someday they, they, and those who question my folly, who regret my silence, who doubt my sanity, will understand by themselves" Emma murmured.

As she stepped out of the room, she heard the sound of her husband's motorcycle. Emma held back her steps.

*****

"Dear." Richard's voice called out to him in a soft voice. Emma did not answer. He felt something soft on his cheek. He opened his eyes slowly. Richard is peeping his cheeks.

"You're not sleeping, honey?" Richard asked. Emma got up and sat down. He shook.

"Have you arrived since?" Richard asked again. Emma nodded.

"I'm sorry, honey. I can't pick you up." Richard said as he stroked Emma's hair.

"No problem" Emma replied with a smile. The forced smile. Richard stretched out his hands and tightly hugged Emma's body.

"I'm sorry" whispered Richard.

"Sorry for what?" Emma asked.

"Because you have let yourself go home" replied Richard.

"I didn't go home alone. I was ushered in by my boss" replied Emma. Spontaneous, Richard let go of his embrace. His face suddenly changed. He looked at Emma deeply.

"Sir Devan you mean?" Richard asked. Emma nodded.

"Why? Why did your face change?" Emma asked.

"How can he take you home? Did you ask for it?" Richard asked. He seems very curious.

"I waited too long for you. I didn't ask for it. He offered to drive me home" Emma replied casually. Richard took a deep breath and exhaled violently.

"alright sweetheart. Have you eaten?" Richard asked. Emma shakes.

"Prepare, we're eating out." Richard said with a smile. Emma was very tired, but she appreciated her husband's offer. He can't refuse it.

"alright. I'll be ready. I'm going to take a shower first" Emma replied. Richard smiled. Emma got out of bed and out of the room. Richard slowly followed Emma. He peeked out from behind the door. After making sure Emma had gotten into the bathroom, Richard immediately took Emma's phone.

"Thank God. The phone's not locked" Richard murmured. He started checking Emma's phone. Starting from calls, texts, whatsaap, instagram, facebook, all checked one by one. A moment later, he frowned.

"Nothing is suspicious. But I have to find out more about Devan. I don't know why I get jealous when I hear that he's taking my wife home. I feel so unsettled." Richard muttered and put Emma's phone back on. He laid his body. Suddenly, his phone rang. He immediately took his phone.

"Rani?" richard murmured when he saw who called him. He didn't answer Rani's phone.

"I'm busy. Call now. I'll call you." Richard sent a message to Rani. He turned off his phone and put it on the table.

'Why am I so disturbed by my wife's words? Was he sent home by his boss? Why is my heart beating so fast? Should I tell him I'm jealous? Ah, naw. It's humiliating.' Richard. Moments later, Emma's phone vibrated. Richard moved quickly. He immediately took Emma's phone and checked it.