The Wife Who Escaped
One day in the dark winter

“How can I be sane if there is a woman who can destroy you like this?!”

Ameera who had poured out all her emotions began to tremble. Seeing him like that, Reynand was speechless. It seemed like this was the first time he had seen Ameera this angry. As he approached her and told her to calm down, Ameera grabbed Reynand's hand

“At the end, you and I have the same goal.”

Ameera looked at him with sad eyes and said.

"Have you forgotten what you worked so hard for? He is the one who does not benefit our cause."

"......"

"No. He is the one who can destroy what you have accomplished with great difficulty."

He spoke in a calming tone, yet without losing strength.

“I know this is not an easy decision.”

"......"

“But you have to be strong and make a choice.”

His eyes were facing Reynand. Ameera again said firmly.

“Your whole future depends on your choice. Your life and the life of your mother.”

After hearing that, Kirana closed the door and entered the room. He leaned against the door and thought for a moment.

"......"

Listening to the conversation of the two did not make Him as loud as he thought. Kirana had expected this to happen because when she knew it would be difficult to have children.

My heart ached, but it was worth keeping.I also understood Mama's feelings as she said those words. As a parent, it is natural to worry about the future of the child. And one more thing, I didn't understand until now. I feel like I finally understood Reynand's actions.

Actually, I don't understand why Reynand couldn't let go of me all this time. Since he's a smart person, it's best that he cut his ties with me. There's no way I didn't know it was a line.

'Didn't Mama have the slightest sympathy?'

'Didn't Mama feel sorry for Kirana?'

Now all my doubts have been answered. Minimal sympathy. That's the only reason you can't let me go. I just don't have the heart to throw away that poor fellow, it's no different than the moral obligation of noblesse obliquism. Like an idiot, I didn't even notice it.

Kirana smiled bitterly and looked out the window. Wind blows. There was a dried leaf that barely stuck to the branch of the tree, as if it was going to come off.

It's been a long time since winter began, so how can I survive? A strong wind blew forward, and in the end I would fall.... Why do I have to endure so much hardship?

Kirana saw a scene similar to her just a moment ago, and closed her eyes gently.

'Kirana.... You have to live your own life.'

My mother's voice still rings in my ears

'Now you should also be happy… … ….'.

All answers found. There will be no more pain.

****

It was around sunset. Kirana was standing looking at the living room terrace. The sunset is spread out behind a transparent glass window. The rain fell from the sky in red. The view of the world turning white without sound was beautiful. It's been three winters since I met and married Reynand in the fall.

Winter has arrived.I can't believe I went through one season three times on someone's side. It flashed in my mind once again that the time I spent with Reynand was a very long time. Of course, we didn't spend much time together. As I watched the rain slowly fall, I felt at peace. I've never felt this comfortable in this house.

When I was looking at the dark clouds. Inside the house that was as quiet as the sky was cloudy, I heard the sound of the door opening. The one who opened the door and entered was Reynand, who had just returned from a business trip for 3 days and 2 nights.

Reynand was wearing a black suit, and there were raindrops on his shoulder. Reynand lightly shook the rainwater and headed for the living room.

Reynand entered the living room and her gaze was fixed on the table. He saw rice and side dishes on the table without a second-hand meal. He walked towards Kirana with a stiff expression.

He knew Reynand was approaching, but Kirana didn't see him. He just stood still and looked at the rain outside the window. Reynand looked at Kirana's back. His small shoulders looked thinner. Reynand said to him.

“I heard it when I met the housekeeper on the road.”

"......"

“Aibi says you never eat right when I go.”

"......"

“Even when I asked her to take you to the hospital, Auntie said you didn't want to listen.”

There was no reaction from Kirana. His eyes remained outside the window. When Reynand saw that, he sighed deeply and stroked her hair.

“It's time to wake up. Until when will you stay like this?”

A frustrated voice sounded behind me.

“I don't think your mom wants you to behave like this.”

"......"

“What should I do from now on with a strong mind…"

"Mama..."

Covering up Reynand's words, Kirana finally opened her mouth. Both of his eyes were still staring at the dark scene.

“If it's overcast, I wake up early and sweep the leaves off the front steps of the house."

"......"

The voice full of memories was calm yet silent.

“And when Mama finished working late at night, she walked up the hill every day, but when she came home, her face was flushed red and her hands were icy cold.”

There was sadness in his eyes as he looked towards the drizzling rain.

"That's why I hate winter."

I hate to see my mom suffer. I hate the sound of it saying it's not cold at all if my body feels like ice. So, I was happy when I heard that I was going to have a rich dad. She congratulated me on my marriage more than anyone because she was happy because Mama no longer had to suffer. But another difficulty for Mama began. I had to listen to Grandma's nagging every day, telling me that I couldn't have children because I married someone who already had children.

One day, Sarah asked Kirana.

'Guess.... Are you happy to live in this house?'

At that time, Kirana did not know why Sarah asked such a question. Kirana answered only because she wished her mother wasn't angry.

'Yes Ma, I'm happy.'

So don't worry. Don't worry about me, Mom and Dad are happy. With that in mind I answered. Sarah who heard him hugged Kirana without saying a word.

Come to think of it now, Sarah might want to leave that family. If he answered unhappily, he could have immediately grabbed Kirana's hand and left the house.

I felt like I finally knew how she was feeling, which I didn't know at the time, I felt like I could finally understand the patience, the sacrifice, and the pain that Mama was going through.

“Mama just survives and suffers like that."

Kirana gently bit her lips then spoke again.

“Aki can't wake up overnight.”

It happened in an instant. This winter, Sarah fell asleep.

“Everyone says Mama won't wake up, but I don't trust them.”

"My mom is not the type of person who would be left in vain like that. She's not the kind of mother who'll never leave me."

His story suppressed the grief and continued calmly Reynand listened in silence. Kirana continued to speak.

“I'm very sure that one day Mama will wake up. I never gave up on Mama for even a moment.

“When Mama wakes up, I want to tell her that I'm fine.”

A future full of smiles for him who has been through difficulties, I want to show it to Mama.

“I want to say that I met a good husband, got married, and started a happy family.”

"......"

“I want to show on the face of children that many children are born when his mother is lying down.”

I held on, just thinking about when Mama woke up. I think Reynand will change too. When I have kids, I think our time together will definitely increase. No matter how stupid, I had a vain dream.

Kirana said while staring at the scenery in the distance.

"I'm sure we'll be happy...."

The children who looked like Rey came to Mama and hugged her. Mama was constantly laughing at the behavior of her grandchildren. Seeing that, Kirana and Rey looked happy. That was the only future Kirana wanted.

“I survived just by looking at that one thing.”

The voice trembled a little for a moment. Kirana spoke while biting her lips.

“But now everything is in vain.”

"......"

“Because I will never be able to meet Mama again and I will never be able to have children.”

All hopes and dreams are lost. It doesn't matter anymore.

“There is no more reason to hang on stubbornly.”

I no longer need to worry about what others think, no need to wait for a careless husband, No need to get used to being alone at home, no need to get used to it, No need to take bitter herbal medicine every meal, No need to complain when the mother-in-law calls, No need to feel like a sinner every time you menstruate.

Kirana turned to face Reynand . Kirana's expression was strong and firm, and there was no warmth at all. A face that Reynand had never seen before.

“Rey...”.

Kirana looked at Reynand clearly and opened her lips.

“I feel like I've become someone you don't need anymore."

"......"

“I don't need you anymore.”

The eyes that met each other did not waver at all.

“Let's end here.”

A strong voice immediately sounded.

“I want divorce.”