A man's promise could appear as a strong branch or as a wilted, yellowed leaf that is about to fall.
The sun had just appeared when Naomi woke up. She glanced at the bed beside her. Alfian was still there, snuggle with his back to her.
Naomi inhaled deeply. Time passes rapidly. Alfian underwent a positive change. Almost three days a week, her husband spends the majority of his time at home.
But even so, Alfian never touched her or helped her from within. Only his expression softened and became less stiff than before.
They no longer discuss having kids or IVF. Everything went smoothly, as usual. Naomi didn't enquire either.
Naomi slid her eyes shut. After a while of silence. She got out of bed, went to the restroom, and then entered the kitchen.
Naomi was taken aback when I entered the kitchen to see everything so clean. However, not in a nice way.
"Empty?" Naomi asked herself. When she noticed that her refrigerator was empty,
She sighed. She rarely cooks in her home during this time. She is lazy, therefore she prefers to eat out.
Naomi grabbed her handbag and jacket right away.
"Where are you going?"
Suddenly, Alfian appeared behind her. Naomi is nearly in tears, aghast. She did a chest rub. Stop her heart from pounding suddenly.
"You startled me," Naomi exclaimed.
Alfian rubbed his forehead. He moved in closer as his wife searched the grocery bags.
"Get me jacket, Al." She said.
Alfian swiftly went back to the room to get the thing his wife mentioned.
"With the wallet together!" Naomi yelled once again. when her husband was at the door. He mumbled.
Alfian grabbed Naomi's jacket and gave it to her. He inquired again, "Where are you going?"
"Minimart, there's nothing in the fridge."
"Take a taxi?"
"Walking. The place is not far. " Naomi struggled mightily to tuck her hands inside the jacket's large sleeves.
She cast a quick glance towards her husband. There is a unique expression compared to than usual.
Alfian looked at her as a destitute poor who deserved to be pitied, also feeling guilty.
Naomi inhaled deeply. Anyway, this is what's weird. Walking is her daily life so far. Furthermore, it is not a far journey from their home to the minimarket.
"I'll deliver," Alfian instantly said.
He continued, "Wait until I get the keys first."
Naomi kept quiet. Her tiny mind worked quickly. Alfian had already gone back to his room before she had a chance to process things.
"What happened? He suggested driving? "She questioned.
"It's impossible."
Alfian has undergone a significant transformation recently. Naomi never thought that Alfian would volunteer to accompany her shopping, not even in her dreams. But typically, the husband shows no concern.
"Should we leave at this time?"
Alfian appeared nearby, he dressed well and sporting a dapper and alluring appearance.
Naomi's train of thinking was interrupted. She is mesmerized. Next, awkward.
She whimpered, "Y-yes."
****
After Naomi went to the nearest minimarket to buy groceries with Alfian, it was over. At the Point Cafe in front of the minimarket, Naomi was observed.
She sipped her chocolate drink while relaxing on a chair in the minimarket's patio. Naomi's eyes swept the area.
She was waiting for her husband's return to check for items that hadn't been there weren't there twenty minutes ago.
"Why did it take you so long?" she mulmed.
Several times, Naomi had noticed the clock hands circling her wrist. The chill of the morning had given way to warmth.
Naomi softly sighed. She didn't carry a phone or any other means of could contact with Alfian.
"Naomi?"
When Naomi heard someone calling her name, she turned her head.
"Is that Naomi?" someone asked.
Naomi's brows wrinkled.
She was being approached by a short-haired woman who was moving swiftly.
Naomi lowered her eyes in a suspicious manner. She asked hesitantly, "Who?"
The woman burst out laughing. Without consulting her, she sat in the side chair.
"I was correct. You are indeed Naomi. You're the only one who can forget people so easily."
She continued, "You probably don't forget that one thing easily."
Naomi remembers the woman.
"Stephany?" Naomi asked uncertainly.
She has some vague memories of Stephany's appearance from her high school years.
a fat physique with black hair that is wavy and flows. And now? She looks like someone else. Beautiful with a slim body, straight blonde hair and slightly wavy with charming gray contact lenses. She has an alternate appearance. gorgeous with a skinny.
"You are Stepheny?Stepheny, my freand?" Naomi asked.
"Will, so why? not similar. I changed didn't I? " The woman waved her hand and laughed.
"You have changed so much from before, you are so beautiful." Naomi said.
Stephen made a little laugh.
"Your expression is cute," She remarked. "What are you doing here, by the way?"
"Shopping. What else do customers do in gas stations?"
"No, but it's strange that you're here. Usually, you favor fast food establishments. coffee is preferred over mineral water and chicken."
While looking at the coffee that Alfian had earlier ordered, Stepheny uttered those words.
Her friend was unaware that it wasn't her.
Naomi grinned. It's equivalent to telling her relationship with Alfian if she doesn't acknowledge it.
"Let's just assume that you wish to change the mood." Naomi exclaimed awkwardly .
Fortunately, her friend didn't talk anymore. The woman took a document out of her bag and set it down on the table.
"And what is that?"
"Invitation to the reunion," Stepheny said. "Have you moved your residence? We just came by your house a few days ago"
"No, I stay there." Naomi was silent. "Maybe you came while I was outside."
"Possible." Stepheny mulmed. "Because of our early arrival, it's possible that the address was wrong."
She contened "You say you'll be there, don't you? Reuni. We'll meet up with some old friends. Perhaps we'll meet our real love after all."
Naomi chuckled lightly because her friend didn't realize that she was married and had a husband.
'It's a secret.'
"I'm not certain. Maybe I should first speak to someone."
Stepheny went after the short conversation was finished. Alfian then arrived carrying many shopping bags.
"Sorry about the extremely long line at the cashier." Alfian elucidated.
Naomi simply grinned as before.
"Where is my coffee now? Alfian unintentionally turned to look at his wife's desk. There is a very interesting invitation paper.
"What's this?" he pointed.
"Ahh... it's a reunion invitation."
"High school?"
Naomi nodded in agreement. "Are you going with me?"
Alfian remained silent for some time while giving it some serious thought before refusing.
"I can't. I have a busy schedule. Sorry..."
"No problem. I don't want come along anyway."
Naomi had the impression that she wouldn't want to go unless her husband did. There was no point in her attending the celebration as Alfian had made the decision to remain at work on the weekends. Apart from Stepheny and Ethan, Naomi doesn't have many other pals with whom she may interact.
To be continued....