Chapter 13

The dining table at Orlyn's house was busier than usual. This morning, Cein and Orlyn had breakfast at Orlyn's parents' house after spending the night there.

"Eat a lot, Cein," Orlyn's mother said, bringing the dishes closer to Cein.

"Yes, mom, this is enough," Cein replied politely.

Orlyn's mother smiled and nodded. Orlyn's father was busy eating, smiling occasionally.

"So how long were you out last night? Is Sahla feeling better?" Orlyn's father asked.

Orlyn was a little surprised that her parents knew that Cein had gone to Bogor to accompany Sahla.

"She's better, Dad. Uncle and Auntie came too, so I just came home. I got back almost at midnight, or maybe it was after midnight," Cein replied, thinking for a moment.

"It was almost 2 in the morning, you know. It was Mom who opened the door," Orlyn's mother added.

Orlyn was surprised to learn that her mother had opened the door.

"So Mom and Dad know everything, no wonder they didn't ask me anything," Orlyn thought, then took a bite of fried rice.

"Thanks, Mom, Dad, for letting Orlyn stay here. I'm sorry for the trouble," Cein said.

Orlyn quickly turned to Cein.

"So she was the one who asked Mom to insist that I stay here?" Orlyn thought.

"It's okay, don't be so formal. We are Orlyn's parents. Besides, the child had to be forced to stay here. If you hadn't said anything, we probably wouldn't have known that she stayed home alone for the last two days," Orlyn's mother said.

Cein smiled and looked at Orlyn, while Orlyn pretended not to care and continued eating. Orlyn's father noticed that his two sons-in-law seemed to be having a cold war. Then he noticed Cein's pale face, like someone who hadn't slept well.

"You don't have a fever, do you, Cein?" Orlyn's father asked.

Cein looked at his father-in-law and shook his head slightly.

"No, father. I'm fine," Cein replied.

Orlyn glanced briefly and nodded slightly.

"His face is pale. He probably didn't sleep well watching over Sahla. Serves him right for trying to be a hero," Orlyn muttered to herself.

"You're probably just tired. If possible, take another day off today to rest here," Orlyn's mother said, then took a bite of her food.

"I have to go to the office, Ma. I've been off for 4 days already; I don't want to disappoint my colleagues."

After saying that, Cein looked at Orlyn.

"I'll take you to the cafe. Your phone is broken, right? How will you order a Grab or a Gojek?" Cein offered.

Orlyn choked on her food, surprised that Cein offered to take her to work. How did Cein know her phone was broken?

"Eat slowly!" Cein said, handing Orlyn a drink.

"Yeah, go with Cein. It'll save on transportation costs, and you're both going the same way," Orlyn's father added.

Orlyn's mother didn't answer and looked at her daughter. She smiled faintly, pleased that Cein was willing to take Orlyn to work.

***

Cein had just stopped his car in front of Kozie's cafe. Orlyn unbuckled her seatbelt and looked at Cein again.

"Thanks for driving me to work," Orlyn said.

"Yeah, take care at work," Cein replied.

"Em."

Orlyn replied briefly and then opened the car door. Cein quickly held Orlyn's hand and she looked back at him.

"What?" Orlyn asked.

"Wait!" Cein said quickly.

Cein then let go of her hand and opened the dashboard of the car. He took a small bag from the dashboard and handed it to Orlyn.

"What is this?" Orlyn asked as she took the bag.

"A new phone for you. When the broken one is fixed, this can be your second phone."

Orlyn frowned in confusion. When did Cein buy her a new phone?

"How did you know that my phone was broken?" Orlyn asked curiously.

"From mom," Cein replied briefly.

"Are you using mom as a spy? So you can know everything that happens here."

"Why do you talk like that, Lyn? I couldn't reach you, so I contacted Mom and asked her to let you stay with her. I was worried about you. Mom mentioned that your phone was broken and after I came back from Bogor, I came to get this for you."

Cein explained in detail. Instead of being happy with her caring husband, Orlyn just snorted in frustration.

"Don't pretend to be concerned! Besides, your concern for me is not as great as your concern for Sahla, is it?"

Orlyn glared at Cein, who could only sigh heavily and apologize again.

***

After Orlyn got out of Cein's car, Cein's black Pajero drove away from Kozie's cafe. Orlyn sighed deeply and entered the cafe.

"Who were you with, Lyn?" The sudden question startled Orlyn.

Orlyn looked up and saw Kozie standing at the door of the cafe. Instead of greeting Kozie, Orlyn looked at Cein's car as it drove away.

"Did he see that I was with Cein?" Orlyn wondered.

"Lyn, who were you with before?" Kozie asked again, waiting for Orlyn's answer.

"Oh, that was a Grab," Orlyn lied.

"Grab?" Kozie asked, not believing Orlyn's answer.

"Grab, but in a Pajero?"

Kozie found it strange that someone who could afford a Pajero was a Grab driver.

"Oh, don't be so surprised! There are a lot of college students doing Grab now, right? Maybe the driver is a rich kid who's bored," Orlyn said, then walked into the cafe.

"Let's go inside! My report is waiting," Orlyn said, walking past Kozie and gently rubbing her chest while turning her back to Kozie.

Kozie still looked confused and couldn't believe Orlyn's answer.

***

A doctor read the lab results. He sighed deeply, then put the paper down. The doctor looked at Cein.

"This is not good, Mr. Cein," the doctor said.

"What do you mean, Doctor? What's not good?" Cein asked for clarification.

"It seems that your heart is no longer functioning properly. Surgery is needed to fix it. Your arterial blood vessels are swollen and causing the pain you're experiencing. If left untreated, it could become serious and possibly fatal, especially if you have a heart attack," the doctor explained.

Cein was silent when he heard the doctor's words. He clutched his chest and stared blankly ahead.

"Are there any risks, Doctor?" Cein asked, looking back at the doctor.

"Don't worry, Mr. Cein. After all, you've survived heart transplants before, right? It's not such a big operation this time," the doctor reassured Cein.

Cein remained silent as he listened to the doctor's explanation, then smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Then why am I worried now? My condition was even worse before and I wasn't afraid or worried at all," Cein thought.

"Explain the results to Orlyn. This time you won't be alone, Orlyn is waiting for you to get better. Don't worry, Mr. Cein," the doctor encouraged.

Cein looked at the doctor, smiled, and nodded in agreement.

"How will I explain this to Orlyn?" he thought.

"The operation will be scheduled after you discuss it with your wife," the doctor said.

"Okay, Doctor."

Cein nodded again while he thought about how to tell Orlyn.

***

Night came quickly. Cein sat on the bed, leaning back and reading. Orlyn had just entered the room and looked at Cein.

"Just got home? Did you have dinner, Lyn?" Cein asked, closing his book.

"Already at the café," Orlyn replied and went to hang up her bag.

Cein got off the bed and approached Orlyn, who was now taking off her jacket.

"Lyn, are you still angry with me?" Cein asked from behind Orlyn.

"It seems I'm not the one who's angry," Orlyn replied.

"Orlyn, can you stop being so childish? I was wrong to yell at you that day, but you were also wrong to leave without telling me. You know it is your duty as my wife, don't you?" Cein said.

Orlyn clicked her tongue in annoyance and took off her jacket roughly. She looked at Cein and glared at her husband.

"I am like this because I am still young, have many friends and need to have fun now and then. That's very different from Sahla, your childhood friend, isn't it?"

"Why bring Sahla into this, Lyn?"

"Because she is a comparison for you. If I, being childish, am no better than Sahla, then why marry me? You're the one who insisted that we get married, aren't you? So don't be surprised if I behave like this."

Orlyn expressed the feelings she had been holding back. She had been forced to marry Cein, but she hadn't expected him to compare her to Sahla. It hurt her feelings and she couldn't forget it.

Cein sighed heavily

 and approached Orlyn. He took Orlyn's hand gently.

"Sorry, Lyn. I was wrong."

"Good that you realize that. If it's so hard to deal with someone like me, then let's just part ways, Cein. We don't seem to be suited for each other. You're better suited for Sahla, both mature and understanding of each other."

Orlyn pulled her hand roughly away from Cein and went into the bathroom. Cein stood stunned and watched Orlyn's retreat.

***