
I was processing frozen fish when my phone rang. There's a video call coming in from Bang Jack. When I answered the video call, a smile like that man immediately adorned my phone screen.
My God, my heart was beating hard. How I miss my heart on the handsome face of my beloved.
"Hi" said.
"Hey. Hi too, Brother." I'm nervous.
"What are you doing?"
"Emm. It's." I pointed my phone camera at the frozen fish that was still submerged in water, then at the seasoning ingredients I had prepared. "I actually want to cook pepes, but I don't have banana leaves. So just want to steamed without leaves," I said, the camera phone has been pointed again to my face.
Bang Jack nodded. "I miss the taste of your cooking" he said softly.
Ah, him. His words make me sad. "Patience, yes," I said. "Later before I leave the apartment, I'll set up a special side dish for Brother. I'll keep it in the fridge. So, if you want to eat, you just heat the side dish."
Again he smiled. "alright. Thank you, dear."
"Together, dear Brother." I smiled back, before I finally woke up and closed my mouth. Oh, my God, Rose, don't talk.
But Bang Jack kept smiling, his eyes twinkling. Whether he realized it or not - about the situation between us - was just as I felt.
"Rose?"
"Emm?"
"How are you?" tanyakanya.
"As you can see, I'm fine. Oh yeah, James took me to the hospital to see Mama. I'm happy, now Mama's situation seems so much better."
Bang Jack nodded back. "Thank God" he said. "I also visited my mom a few days ago. He asks a lot about you. He.. also tell me that... James's meeting him."
Eh? I'm stunned.
"Mama knows about your marriage."
My tears are dripping. I don't know when I was dammed, I know, I cried. "Don't talk about this, huh? Would help?"
"All right."
"We're talking about brother. Healthy brother?"
"Em, as you can see. I'm healthy. I'm fine."
"Thank God." I wiped my tears until I was no longer there. "By the way, the cctv is still active?"
"Yes. I checked the cctv, and I saw everything. Everything was. Without exception." He nodded a few times.
I wish we were on the same telepathy. Check my letter when you come back. "I hope you delete the tape, yeah. I'm ashamed you saw James' affection for me at the door."
"Yes, I'll do it."
"good. So when's brother coming home?"
"Maybe tomorrow morning. I wish I could see you for a minute."
Oh my goodness, if only I could. I'm even more than willing. But truth?
Withstands. We need to be more patient. "I can't promise. Try talking to James first. Maybe we can meet in the pavilion. I'm not staying here. James will come get me."
"yeah. Sure do. I'll talk to him later and ask him for permission."
And, hush. How tormented are we who are forced to communicate within our limitations.
"Sana gih, continue cooking. What time it is, you'll be starving."
And this time I laugh - laugh at myself. Actually I'm kind of surprised, what exactly makes James go so he can't take his lunch with me? He forgot to prepare lunch for me. Obviously, something he prioritized was definitely much more important than me. And I don't think it's about business. Because of business, there's a lunch break. Especially for a boss, he can set his own time and busyness. When he accidentally met at lunchtime? Unless the meeting is already in place before lunchtime, you can only have lunch with other clients or employees.
Ah, what-what, anyway, Rose? Do you understand business? Already, forget it all.
"Hey, don't daydream."
"Yes, yes, sorry."
"Is there a problem?"
"No, really."
"Seriously?"
I'm nodding. "Emmm... Did you eat?"
"Here, we'll be eating soon."
"Good."
"Yes, honey."
"Is there anything to discuss?"
Bang Jack shook his head with a sad look. I know, actually he was reluctant to hang up the phone. "If there's anything, let me know immediately."
"Hu'um."
He's nodding. "I hung up, yeah. Bye, darling."
"Bye."
"Don't forget to eat."
"Yes, Brother...."
"After eating, take a break."
"Yes, Brother...."
Yep. Should have. Although with a heavy heart, the video call must be stopped.
But, I just put my phone back on the counter, you know, the square thing rings again.
Video call from James.
Oh my God, my heart is back. Nothing yet I'm restless.
Calm yourself, Rose. Be calm.
Video call connected. James smiled, and if I didn't think wrong, he was in the toilet. I don't know where his position is.
"Hi" said.
"Hey. Hi too." I'm more nervous than I was.
"What are you doing? Cook already? Already eaten?"
I shook my head.
"Lo's? You haven't cooked yet?"
"Be-yet. I just want to cook."
"Oh my goodness, honey. What were you doing earlier? I called too hard. Your phone's been busy."
Don't pretend you don't know, James....
"Who called you?"
"Well, emm... Jack Bang."
"really? You didn't lie to me?"
"No, kok. Exactly."
"Remember, yes, don't be naughty. Don't cheat."
"Yes, My James. It won't. I wouldn't dare mess with you."
"good. The more you think, the more I'll love you."
I just nodded. The man made my fear come back. I became ketar-ketir made.
"What are you cooking?"
"I-fish."
"What do you want cooked?"
"Emm.. I'd like to cook pepes, but I don't have any leaves, banana leaves. So just want to be steamed using pepes."
The man nodded. And that makes me really upset because I think he's acting like Bang Jack's attitude towards me. "Can you leave a side dish for me to have dinner tonight?"
"Eh? Is that...?"
"Why? I can't taste my wife's own cooking?"
"No. That's not what I meant. But this is a recipe for village cuisine."
Hm... James was chuckling at the fun. "Keep up.. Why?"
"It's okay. I'm just worried that you won't taste my cooking. You're used to high-class cuisine."
He laughed again, but this time it was a little slow. "For the sake of our household," she said, "I will try to adjust to your tastes. The house is one forever, isn't it?"
Whatever you want to say, James. I'll just agree. "alright. Then I'll cook a lot for you."
"Thank you, dear."
"Yeah, you're welcome."
"I didn't bother you, did I?"
"No, kok. I don't feel bothered. Just relax."
"Pa...," a woman's voice was heard with a knock on the door, and, the video call was interrupted.
Wh who? Whose voice was that? Did he call James? Pa's Indeed? Papa's? Oh my...?
As I dissolved into my own thoughts, my phone clinked. James's Whatsapp came into my phone.
》 I'll call you later.
Fix, there's gotta be something. James kept a lot of things from me.
《 Whose voice was it? Looks like a female voice.
》 Don't know. I'm in the public toilet now.
《 Where are you now? Sorry if I'm in the shoes.
No answer, not even James read whatsapp from me.
All right, it's up to you. Continue to be a mysterious man. I wouldn't care. You weird guy.
Foolishness I thought. Because I'm not jealous of him at all. But, even so, a small part of my heart became disturbed.
Please, God, I don't want to be the destroyer of other women's happiness.