Only I Love
Chapter 24

Syauqi approached Ala who was crying on the bed, feeling guilty for her words that turned out to hurt his wife's feelings. She sat down beside him and gently stroked Ala's back.

"I'm sorry, Humaira. I didn't mean to hurt you. I know how hard you try to keep our relationship harmonious. I really appreciate that. But sometimes, emotions and words can just slip away, without me noticing the impact."

Ala lifted her head from the pillow and looked at Syauqi's regretful face. "So, sometimes I feel overwhelmed by your suspicious feelings. I try to be a good, loyal wife, and every day try to improve myself. Yet, for some reason, Uda never appreciated that?"

Syauqi regretted and grasped Ala's hand with tenderness. "Humaira, I really appreciate your efforts. You are a wonderful wife and I can't ask for more than that. I knew that I had to work harder to understand and trust you completely. I promise to learn to be a better husband and no longer raise doubts or hurt you."

Ala felt the touch and words of Syauqi were sincere. Slowly, the sadness and disappointment began to subside. He hugged Syauqi tightly and said, "Uda, forgive Ala. Perhaps for Uda, Ala was childish and very unstable. However, Ala will continue to strive to be a good wife for Uda."

"You should also try for Ala. Do not just Ala alone who try to strengthen the relationship in our marriage. Ala's tired, Uda."

Syauqi put her flat face behind Ala's embrace. "It's okay."

🎵na na🎵

The ringing tone of Syauqi's phone echoed with an extremely high volume. This made the couple flinch. Syauqi hurriedly got up about to come out of this room.

Ala held her husband's hand. "Where are you going? Isn't this Uda's room, too?"

"Oh yes, I have to answer this call first" Syauqi said, staring at the name on his phone screen.

"Why should get out. Answer aja. Ala won't interfere. Ala's gonna take a shower for a second." He let go of his grasp and got up into the bathroom.

After making sure his wife was already in the bathroom, Syauqi answered a call that read Salma's name.

"Assalamualaikum Banged. Tonight go home to my house, Bang?" salma sounded spoiled.

"Moskalamic. Salma, I'm sorry. Tonight I can't go back there" Syauqi said in a soft voice. "There's an urgent matter that I need to finish now. Tomorrow I'll go there and talk further. I hope your understanding, here I also have a life of my own."

Salma was silent for a moment at the end of the phone. A disappointed voice sounded from the other side. "Some, but please don't ignore the promise and make me wait. Miss you. Last night you were with him. You should be with me tonight."

Syauqi was silent and felt a little guilty. "I don't know what else to say to you, Salma. You already know I'm married. You forced me to get married and said you were sincere about being second. Doesn't that mean you know for yourself what the consequences are."

"I love you, Uda. I'm doing this because I don't want you to marry her! You should be mine, only mine. However, instead of not getting you at all, I was willing to be second. Although I actually do not want to be the third person to damage your household," Salma said in a sad tone.

"Salma, don't worry. My wife and I will solve our problems. I don't want to lose you both. Thank you for your understanding and patience," Syauqi said sincerely.

He did not know that his chatter was making someone in the bathroom cry. Apparently, Ala heard clearly what her husband said to the interlocutor who was none other than Salma.

"What does that mean? What's with her lady named Salma? Didn't he say he had ended his relationship with Salma?" Ala sat on the floor leaning against the door crying.

Ala was devastated and disappointed to hear the chatter between Syauqi and Salma. Doubt and pain again struck his heart. His efforts to rebuild trust do not seem to be enough.

"He's still in touch with Salma. Am I not enough for him? Is there something wrong with me?" ala thought in despair.

However, along with the cries that filled the room, the determination within Ala also appeared. He did not want to continue living in doubt and sorrow. He wants to solve this problem and seek clarity.

After wiping her tears, Ala got up from the bathroom floor cleaning herself. In the chest, wanting to immediately talk to Syauqi wanted to know certainty about what he heard.

He walked out of the bathroom and headed to the room where Syauqi was. In his heart, he was determined to resolve this matter and search for the true truth.

Ala took a deep breath to calm down for a moment before finally speaking firmly. "Uda, I heard your conversation with Salma. I want to hear the truth from your own mouth. What exactly happened between you two?"

"I'm sorry, Humaira. I've been hiding something from you. Actually, I was still in a friendly relationship with Salma after we got married. However, this has never gone over the line and I have never cheated on you. I understand that this is a breach of your trust, and I'm very sorry."

Ala feels mixed between the relief because Syauqi is not having an affair, but is also disappointed that Syauqi has hidden a friendly relationship with Salma. He felt the need to assert clear boundaries in their relationship.

"Sir, I appreciate your honesty. However, Uda needs to set clear boundaries in your relationship. Ala is uncomfortable if Uda still has close relationships with others outside of our marriage. Ala wants to build a stronger trust between us and commit to each other to be a loyal partner and support each other fully."

Syauqi nodded with regret. "I'm really sorry I made you feel this way. I'm ready to change my behavior and focus entirely on our relationship. I promise to be a faithful husband and rebuild lost trust."

Ala saw a sincere sense of regret in Syauqi's eyes and felt there was hope to improve their relationship. Despite being injured, he chose to give it a second chance and began the healing process together.

"In an effort to rebuild our relationships, we need to communicate openly and honestly. Let's work together to overcome the mistakes and challenges. Ala's in love with Uda, and wishes we could get through this together."

Syauqi grasped Ala's hand gently and smiled. "Thank you, Humaira. I promise I will do my best to make you happy and fix what is broken between us. We'll face this together."

*

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*

At night, Syauqi and Ala had just returned from dinner together outside. Their hands were clasped into one step towards the door of their house.

Syauqi smiled meaningfully opening the door of their home. After he opened the door, he lifted the body. A body he had never touched. Somehow he felt his desire was so great to conquer the woman who became his first wife.

"Humaira, Beloved ... Could tonight be both of us?" whispered to the woman while locking the door.

Ala's face blushed, burning with seduction made by her husband. However, within his head seemed to be at war in one thought.

"But, Uda ...."

"But why? Are you rejecting your thirsty husband?"

"It's just coming in today's month."

Syauqi was shocked to hear Ala's confession. His face turned serious as he became aware of the situation.

"Duh, I'm sorry, Humaira. I forgot to ask you about your monthly cycle. I don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable" Syauqi said in a regretful voice.

Ala smiled gently, "It's okay, Uda. I understand that it was an unintentional mistake. We must always communicate and understand each other."

They hugged each other in warmth and gave each other support. This was their first night in one bed. Syauqi asserted that they will always respect and maintain each other's needs and boundaries.

"Tonight, let's focus on our emotional intimacy, dear. There are many ways to strengthen our relationship without having to involve physical contact" Syauqi said affectionately.

Ala smiled and nodded in agreement. They continue their night by talking, sharing feelings, and building a deeper bond between them.

After Ala fell asleep, she got up slowly turning on her phone. He looks for Salma's contact and pulls the car keys.

"Darling, I'll be there right now. I need you."