Winter in Hokkaido
Chapter 15 part 2: Lega

The days change without spawning much passion in the heart. Bored and annoyed often approached in his spare time.

It's been 3 days that my husband came home late at night. The reason, meeting with clients and pursued deadlines. Though I longed for him to insert more time so that I could be spoiled.

But for today, he said he would be home in time. In reality, he had not arrived home when dusk began to disappear.

If he comes back this mysterious, how can I get rid of worry and suspicion?! Is it true that lately he met with clients to often go home at 10 pm?

This kind of situation is playing with my trust. On one hand I'm sure my husband is honest, but on the other hand I still feel there's something he's hiding. Rather than being pressured by speculation it was better for me to call my husband.

“Halo Bun, what's up?”

“Where is it?”

“It's still in the office.”

“Say today is not overtime?”

“Yes, this is Dad still working on the file.  Soon to be home.”

From the other end of the phone, there was a faint sound of vehicle noise. My husband doesn't feel like he's in a more soundproof office.

“Say in the office, but how can there be the noise of the vehicle?” I was careful to ask this so I wouldn't be impressed by the interrogation.

“Daddy is indeed on the side of the road. Just sent the client home, and hold Siomay's uncle for a moment. Just wanted to go back into the room.” The answer is quite convincing.

“Oh gitu.”

“Oh yes, Mother eat first yes. Don't wait Dad!”

“Why? Want to eat out?” Just felt more relieved, I was actually made to guess.

“Ngak. I reminded Mother. Mother can not be late to eat.”

“Emang how much longer will Daddy be home?”

“Ya most hourly again.”

“Yes already, see you.” I hung up too.

Tonight we're having dinner alone again. I hate getting used to things like this. I want my husband to think not only about my physical health and pregnancy, but also psychologically.

After eating, I lay in my room reading a book. But my eyes only lasted less than 10 minutes, after which it felt sleepy.

I noticed the clock stuck to the wall, the movement felt slow. Waiting for my husband to come home in an hour is like waiting for the day I used to do.

Bruyuk! It was like someone was closing the door. Apparently, I was asleep. While rubbing my eyes, I got up and looked at the source of the sound.

“Daddy just got home?”

“Iya,” she answered while taking off her clothes.

I saw a clock stuck to the wall. The clockwork position jolted me. It's half two in the morning. Is the clock right? I fell asleep for a while, though it was quite good. Grabbing cellphone. The clock on the phone cannot be wrong. After I looked, it turned out that the time shown on the phone and the wall clock were the same.

“Daddy just got home this time?” With a little emotion I asked for an explanation.

“Iya”. Just one word he said. There is no guilt for the promise made this afternoon. “Daddy shower first,” she continued.

I set my breath for a moment. As much as possible get rid of any speculation that quickly attacks the mind.

Then, I waited for my husband to come back from the bathroom while holding back his emotions. On the phone he said an hour would come home, but in reality he was coming home this early. Is it possible that he's overtime until this late?

My husband is back. I immediately asked for an explanation from him.

“Daddy came home midnight, even this was morning, without giving word. Where is Dad from?”

“Yes from the office, Bun. After tidying up the files, Dad fell asleep in the office.”

The answer is really does not make sense. Why not just go home and sleep at home?!

“From one more hour just go home until this late?” I put emphasis on my words so that he can more concretely give an explanation.

“Iya. When you want to go home it turns out there are some reports that you should check, and that's urgent.”

“It should be tonight too? Like there is no tomorrow.” I became cynical.

My husband's a workaholic, but this is not uncommon. My direction changed, I doubted him overtime until this early. Is that how the office assigns tasks to him? He was also one of the leaders in the office who had men.

“Lusa Dad has service abroad.”

“Daddy is really overtime right this week?” My annoyance culminated in seeing his indifference. I was asking for an explanation, but he dropped his head on the pillow and started to close his eyes.

“Iyaaaa..”

“Or not just an alibi?”

“Alibi what does it mean, Bun?” He spoke with his eyes closed and a voice like a half-asleep person.

I couldn't help but raise my voice. “What's Dad in touch with Ken?”

My husband woke up to hear that question. Seeing her response made me feel anxious. If my fear is true, my husband is completely outrageous. Make the job as a shield back.

“Why still associate his name?” His voice is louder. Both of his eyes were red.

“Ya.. Mommy just asks. Can't it? Is Mommy wrong if Mommy is afraid Daddy is lying again like before? It used to be Dad's attitude like this at first, right? Before everything was revealed.”

He sighed. “Dad asked, why should Mother bring Ken again anyway?”

“Why defend him if it has nothing to do with him?” I'm getting more emotional. “Why still have to lie?”

My tears flowed unbearably.

“Who is lying? Dad explained everything. However, Mother does not believe and still concerns the routine of Dad with Ken. Who is wrong?”

She looked at me sharply, with her eyes getting redder. “OK, Mommy wants to know about Ken, right? Dad doesn't know about that. Her number is already Dad block, including all the friendships on social media with her. Dad never saw her again. I don't know where he is and where he is now. I also tried not to think about him. What else?”

I started the question well, but instead he scolded me. If he had come home late at night because of work, he should have explained without emotion. Which wife does not suspect if ever lied to her husband even though sure her husband is a very good person.

“Come, sleep! We both need a break,” his voice is weakening. Then, he tidied up his pillow position to sleep.

I am not satisfied with my husband's answer. However, continuing to ask him would only cloud the atmosphere.

Until the sun came up, I couldn't sleep anymore. Cry overnight until the tears run out and dry up on both cheeks.

I see my husband still asleep. I'm not trying to wake her up, 'cause it's Saturday. Then, it flashed to pick up his phone, checking every incoming call and message.

After struggling with the call history and WhatsApp chat on my husband's phone, there was no trace of communication with the man. Even so, it does not immediately make me calm. I still need an affirmation from the other side. Then I called Ferdi.

“Hello, Fer. Good morning!”

“Morning, Fay,” greeting like just waking up. Maybe he woke up because of my phone call.

“Sorry Fer, interrupt early in the morning like this.”

“Yes, it's okay. Just relax. What's up, Fay?”

“You're still in Bali?”

“Ngak. Already in Jakarta.”

“Have been in work?”

“Already.”

Thank God, at least I can check the truth of my husband's answer from Ferdi.

“You went abroad?” As much as possible I asked without making Ferdi suspect that I was looking for information about my husband. I'm afraid he's conspiring with my husband, too.

“No, Fay. I really want to come along. Say dong to your husband so I can come.”

“Loh, why not come?”

“That was the show of the leaders and big bosses with foreign investors.”

“My husband is coming?”

“Well yes, he is one of the leaders in the office. Therefore, I said please convey to your husband so I can come.”

“Emang big project?”

“If it is not a big project, it is impossible for your husband to come home early last night until he is willing to sleep in the office to settle the file.”

So my husband didn't lie. “Serious he was last night at the office until the early hours?”

“I lied, Fay.”

“Oya Fer, lately like someone coming to the office looking for my husband?”

“Many.”

“Serious, Fer?”

“Iya, much. Foreign guests, investors, or business associates of other companies.”

“That is not them, but someone else is.”

Ferdi tried to make me joke, he didn't know I was worried.

“Recommend me first to your husband to be sent abroad!”

“Jawab first my question earlier!”

“Not there, Fay.”

“Serious?”

“Iya. You just know me. Let's say I'm honest and what it is, but girls still no one wants me to marry.”

“Yes already, no need to vent too. You're just a playboy, not serious as a woman. Anyway, thank you Fer for being disturbed early in the morning.”

“Eh jerk, Fay?” I just wanted to turn off the phone. “That was how?”

“Which one? Haha..”

“Fay?”

“Iya, I'll try to tell my husband. But no promise will work. That's the internal affairs of the office, I can't interfere too much.”

“It's okay, Fay. It's also the Big Boss' business. See you, Fay!”

“See you!”

Ferdi is a fun guy. He was very humorous and what he was. One thing I don't like about him is that he's a playboy. The whole office knows about it. But, it was natural that he could hook many female hearts. In addition to her good looking appearance, she also actually has a good personality and is very caring to anyone.

At least, this problem is starting to clear up. However, I still have to make sure Ken's whereabouts so that I'm sure he won't come near or disturb my husband again. Yeah, I was thinking of asking the receptionist of the apartment where Ken lives.

At first, the receptionist asked me who I was and what was the need to ask Ken. After it was explained that I had some important business with Ken, he was willing to give me some information. He said Ken had been in his apartment for almost two months. That's the only evidence I can get.

If Ken's been out of his apartment from almost two months ago, then that's after I asked him to stay away from my husband. Good then. I can be calmer now. Maybe I should also apologize to my husband for being overly suspicious.

Now I'm excited to do the routine of housewives in the morning, clean up the house, then cook.

I saw my husband's desk a little messy. I began to clean up from my husband's favorite place. While tidying up his paperwork, I noticed that there was a visa tucked away. Oh yeah, my husband hasn't told me which country he's going to. I became curious, and immediately opened the visa. Whahuh? To Japan?