MARRIAGE AGREEMENTS
LETHICIA-ALVARO

Then the atmosphere of the dining room became quiet. The couple enjoyed each other's porridge. After the meal, Samuel looked at his wife who was still eating. His facial expression looked serious. He wanted to talk about something very important.

After Aileen's porridge ran out, the man ventured to say, “I thought about cooking last night. About your pregnancy, Aileen...”.

The wife's heart was beating fast. What's Sam gonna talk about, huh? thought worried. I'mscared….

“I agree with your opinion yesterday that..ehm.James need to know about the fetus in your womb. He is, after all, his real father. About the fate of the child in the future, we can later talk about three.”

Aileen's heart was like being watered with cold water hearing her husband's words just now. She's so happy. It felt like the burden on his shoulders was halved. Thank you, Lord, the inner woman is full of gratitude. You are truly loving. Now I can tell James without any hesitation.

“You'll say that your girlfriend is still craving. It's hard to contact,” Samuel said again. “Mumpung I'm on leave today, what if I take you to meet him? I'll explain to her that during my stay together with me in this house, you really never touched me. So the fetus in your womb is purely the fruit of your love. If he still does not believe it, DNA tests can be done to prove it. How?”

“James sure believe, Sam,” sergeant Aileen sure. “He knows I'm loyal to him. He knows...”.

Samuel nodded. He agreed that his wife was a very loyal woman. Papa didn't choose Aileen to be my wife, she said in her heart. Too bad it's too late. Aileen's heart already belonged to someone else….

The man's heart was so sore. It really wasn't easy for her to support Aileen's desire to tell James about her pregnancy. But his little heart said that it was the thing he had to do. James is Aileen's real partner. She's not.  Samuel Manasseh, who was just pretending to be her husband!

“Te..thank you very much for your understanding, Sam. Ka...you are really a good person,” said the wife stammered. Her eyes looked at her husband full of gratitude.

Samuel smiled sincerely. “I'm glad we can always solve the problem well, Leen. Now you take a shower first. Let me clean the dinner table and wash these dirty bowls.”

“Let me do it, Sam,” reject his wife smooth. She felt constantly being served by her husband.

“Already,” said the man gently. “I'm happy to do it, really. Let's get it over with. You can also meet James soon, right?”

 Finally Aileen gave up. Samuel took care of the dining table. He himself climbed back to the second floor. Get ready for a shower and dress up as beautifully as possible. He did it all to meet his beloved lover. The biological father of a fetus that has grown in its womb.

***

“Now it's eleven o'clock in the afternoon. James has a gym?” ask Aileen astonished.

He's at Uncle James's diner. One of the employees there said that James had arrived at ten o'clock in the morning to briefly review the restaurant. But soon the young man decided to go to the fitness center which is also located inside the mall.

“Last-lately Mas James does like that, Ma'am,” replied the employee straightforwardly. “Jam ten in the morning once the mall opens directly check the restaurant for a while, continue to go to the gym. Not long for James to be there. Twelve o'clock at the most noon I've come back here again.”

“Self?” ask Aileen suspiciously.

“Yaaa. Sometimes alone, sometimes the same..”.

“Chick or guy menu?” the woman in front of him.

“Ngot necessarily either. Sometimes girls, sometimes guys. Mas James will have many friends, Ma'am,” replied the employee carelessly.

The deg! Aileen's premonition said there was something the person was hiding. I really want him to find it again. I was saddened by Samuel who had been standing next to him. Her husband has not spoken since. But Aileen was sure the man was watching all his conversations with the employee.

“Thank you, Mas. Then I try to find James in the gym,” said the woman later.

His opponent nodded. He smiled broadly. Aileen's heart grew increasingly uneasy at that smile. It was as if the young man was mocking him.

Heartbroken at the abandonment of the restaurant where her lover's work. Samuel, who had been silent since, sighed softly. The man was disappointed. It seemed James had wasted this sacred love of his lover. From the way the restaurant employee smiled broadly at Aileen earlier, she could surmise that James had wished her love.

“Now we go to the gym yes, Sam,” said the woman took her.

Samuel agreed. He said, “On the top floor right, his gym? You walk slowly, Leen. No need to rush. Remember, you're in two now.”

Aileen sighs. It feels like he ran as fast as possible so that he could soon meet his girlfriend in the fitness center. But Samuel was right. He can't be rash. The content is young. Must be taken care of.

“Or do you want to take the elevator, Leen? Let's not get tired,” said the man offered.

The wife shook her head. He prefers to take the escalator. Because his gaze can still be directed here and there to look for the figure of James. If he suddenly saw the young man from a distance, he could still shout calling.

“Mal is still quiet, Sam,” said Aileen spontaneously. “No need to take the elevator. Let's take a slow walk to the escalator.”

Her husband had to agree. He did not want to argue with the woman who seemed to be clearly distraught. Samuel remembers the doctor yesterday telling his wife not to stress. Because the first trimester of pregnancy is very vulnerable.

The couple walked to the escalator. When standing on the stairs walking is clearly visible Aileen's eyes look towards all corners of the mall. There was absolutely no visible figure of the person he was looking for. Samuel kept silent to watch his wife's actions. A sense of compassion arose in his heart.

After riding a few escalators they finally arrived on the floor where the gym was located. After walking a few steps, Aileen said, “We wait here only, Sam. No need to get into the gym.”

Her husband nodded. The two of them stood in front of the highest floor void of the mall. Aileen's two hands rested on the edge of the void. His eyes focused on the front door of the fitness center that was wide open.

Two men entered through the door. On their shoulders are draped in a sports bag. Aileen sighs. His body is starting to feel tired. But he still wants to wait for James's appearance. Samuel was able to accompany her all day.