Misunderstanding and fear

Irwan blinked his tired eyes. He glanced at the clock which showed 3:15 am. Arriving at home, not even for a second did his eyes close because his wife had a fever.

Irwan took the wet towel from Joya's forehead, then directed his palm to where the former towel was kept. Joy's body temperature has dropped. Irwan dipped the compressed towel into the water, then wiped the sweat off his wife's face.

Since Joya's fever had gone down, he decided to lie down next to his wife. Irwan shifted closer to his wife's body. Even though Joya's body felt hot, she was not bothered, let alone afraid of getting infected.

Instead of being closed, Irwan even watched his wife's face. His hands caressed Joya's face which was still swollen from her crying last night.

His mind drifted remembering the photo that Windy sent a few hours ago. A photo of Joya and Pram seen holding hands, even though Irwan knows the photo isn't as intimate as it looks, Irwan is still annoyed to see it. Gio had already told what happened to Joya when the photo was taken. And Irwan's anger was bubbling up because of it. He was angry because he couldn't protect and keep Joya away from the disturbances of a masher like Pram.

Irwan felt very tired of the dual identity he played. He really wanted to end it, Irwan wanted to always be beside Joya as her husband. He wants to take care of Joya completely.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to lie to you," said Irwan. He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head passionately. "I'll explain everything when you wake up," he muttered as he hugged Joya tightly and fell asleep with her.

***

Joya winced feeling the heat all over her body. His head was dizzy and his body felt weak. Joya opened her eyes slowly, saw the clock already pointed at 06.00 in the morning.

"Why didn't Irwan wake me up?" he complained as he got out of bed.

Her body felt unsteady, but Joya still forced herself to walk holding on to the wall. Joya went to the bathroom to wash her face. Then leave the room and go to the kitchen.

"Why are you awake? You're sick." Irwan immediately approached Joya who had just left the room. He supported Joya and sat on the couch.

"I'm fine. Why didn't you wake me up? We could be late for work," said Joya.

"No. Today you can't go anywhere. You have to rest."

Irwan leaned Joya's back against the sofa and folded the cloth for her shoes that hung down. Then he covered part of Joya's body with a light blanket.

"I brought breakfast," he said as he went into the kitchen.

Joya looked at Irwan's back who was busy putting something into a bowl. Not long after, Irwan came with a tray.

"Eat porridge first, then take medicine," he said as he put his tray on the table and sat beside Joya.

"You made porridge?" asked Joya. She stared at the bowl of porridge her husband was holding.

"I bought it at the usual place. I can't cook porridge," he replied.

There was a feeling of dislike in Joya's heart. Again, Irwan left him while sleeping.

"I'm not hungry. You just eat," said Joya when Irwan brought a spoonful of porridge to his mouth.

"It's not a matter of being hungry or not. You have to have breakfast because you have to take medicine." Irwan brought the spoon closer to Joya's mouth.

"I don't want to," said Joya firmly while turning her face away. There was a look of anger on his pale face.

Irwin frowned. Confused by Joya's sudden stubbornness. "What are you doing? Did I do something wrong?"

Joya looked at her husband fiercely. "I don't like you sneaking out. Did you bother waking me up or leaving a message?"

Irwan was stunned. It turns out that Joya was angry because she left when Joya was still sleeping. In fact, Irwan only went to buy porridge and looked for fever-reducing medicine. Without saying anything, Irwan kept the bowl in his hand, then got up and went to the room.

Joya's gaze weakened when she saw her husband walk away. Her tears started to reminisce. Joya knew that Irwan was angry. But, she was always scared every time she didn't see her husband.

Joya wiped away the tears that fell. He hid his face when he heard the sound of the door being closed and the sound of footsteps getting closer.

Irwan's expression hardened, seeing his wife who was crying. "Do women have excess tears? Why do you always cry over trivial things?" Irwan asked, his voice sounding irritated.

Joya looked at her husband intently. "A trivial thing for you but a big thing for me."

Irwin snorted. Women are complex and difficult creatures to understand. Not his grandmother, not his wife. They're all the same. Even his aunt was not much different.

"Look! I left this note for you on the nightstand. I also sent the same message to your phone." Irwan held out a piece of paper and also his cell phone.

Joya took the two objects that her husband gave her. Instantly, she smiled as she read the message from him.

"I went to buy porridge and medicine. Don't get out of bed!"

"Sorry! I didn't read your message," said Joya shyly.

"I didn't go quietly," said Irwan, while sitting beside his wife. He wiped the tears from Joey's cheeks. "Don't cry over trivial things. Don't be prejudiced!"

" Excuse me..."

Irwan is silent. He picked up a bowl of porridge from the table. "Eat porridge, take medicine and then rest. You have to get well soon so that your mind is clear again."

Joya laughed then opened his mouth. Even though her stomach felt queasy, she forced herself to swallow the porridge her husband had fed her. After the porridge in the bowl ran aground, Joya upheld the two pills that Irwan gave her.

"Wait a minute," said Irwan. Then he took a tray filled with bowls and glasses to the kitchen.

Joya looked at Irwan's back sadly, then she glanced at her husband's cell phone. With hesitation, Joya opened her husband's cell phone. He remembered his brother's threat. Joya's eyes widened when she saw the photo that Windy sent.

"Isn't it impolite to open other people's cellphones without permission." Irwan immediately grabbed his cell phone.

"Those photos, have you seen them?" asked Joya stammered. She was afraid that her husband misunderstood.

Irwin nodded.

Joya took Irwan's hand and stood up. "I-Irwan... the photo is not what it looks like. I swear it has nothing to do with Pak Pram. I..."

Joya's body swayed, but Irwan immediately caught her. "Sit down!"

Irwan I can explain. I... I don't-"

"Gio has told me everything. You don't need to explain anything. I trust you," Irwan cut in while helping Joya to sit down, then he sat beside her.

Joya looked closely at her husband's face. "You- you're not angry?"

"Of course I'm angry. I will definitely make calculations with Pramono," Irwan answered with a hardened facial expression.

Irwan, I'm sorry-"

"You are innocent. I was wrong," interrupted Irwan. He convinced himself to tell the truth.

Joya frowned. Confused by the meaning of her husband's words.

Joya... I'm sorry! Maybe you'll be angry with what I'm about to say. Irwan and I are…"

CUP!

Joya pulled Irwan's face and pressed his lips together. Irwan, who was shocked, tried to move away, but Joya pressed his neck and deepened the kiss. Irwan tried to control himself, not replying to the sensual movement of Joya's lips that teased him.

Joya loosened her hands on Irwan's nape, then let go of his grip.

"It's not good to mention another man's name, when the misunderstanding between us is just over," he said. Joya looked at Irwan right in his black eyes. Joya's breath panting. "It's the same when you leave quietly, I also don't like you saying that man's name. I don't like Irwan. Don't talk about that man in front of me."

Joya brought her face closer and pressed her lips together again. He took a sip and crushed Irwan's lips slightly open, Joya immediately slipped his tongue and teased her husband.

Getting a barrage of attacks, Irwan's defense collapsed. Without letting go of their hug, Irwan lifted Joya's body, then sat Joya on his lap. "Make yourself comfortable on top of me honey!"