A LOVE THAT IS FOREIGN

Practicality

"I-I will think about it."

Asia can hear her own voice over and over again. That was her answer to Hussain's offer before leaving him alone to his penthouse.

Since the Fulton Market closes at eight in the evening, Asia decided to just go straight home. Besides, she's too exhausted, she don't know if she can make it tomorrow morning. You know, waking up early, cooking and everything. As soon as she gets home, she immediately took off the hook of her brasserie and simply toss it to her sofa. With anticipation, she lay a soft fabric on her empty table, go grabbed her piggy bank, went to kitchen to get a knife and settle back down into the couch.

As promised, she'll be sending her mom the money that is needed for Elisa's surgery. Asia and her colleagues got paid today for the half month of July, her salary was sent to her bank account. Approximately 26,000 USD is the amount she's expecting to see on her account. It was the combination of her savings and the payment she received from TeleConcretè. Those savings, it was meant for her flight back to Philippines. It is supposed to be the money alloted for her first month with her family but she's more than willing to let it go for her baby sister's sake. Yes, future does matter but life is most important than anything else.

Asia sucked reasonable amount of air to fill for her lungs then breathed it all out. Using the knife, she starts cutting the piggy bank that is made of plastic. She used the hole as her guide in cutting the thing open very, very carefully. When the piggy bank is finally sliced into half, Asia pour all the money in the fabric at the table. Coins and dollar bills occupied the whole surface, those are the money she's been accumulating for two months. Thereafter, Asia included the rest of the money left on her wallet as well as the 1,000 dollars from Hussain.

In 20 minutes of counting all the coins and dollar bills, she tally them into $12,372 cash on-hand. The next thing she did was to get her laptop to check her bank account thru internet. As expected, her balance is $26,203.58.

She combined the cash on-hand and cash in-bank coming up with total $38,575.58. That was huge amount already but still, never enough. As much as she wanted to send all her money to Philippines, she can't because just like them, Asia also have needs. The house rent matters, her electricity, water bill, her foods which are also running out. Stressed more than ever, Asia dredged her own hair with her hands.

I can't make it on time. She admitted to herself.

There is one way in sorting out her financial problem but, is that wise? Practically thinking, that is an opportunity but knowing her history with Hussain, is it okay to be involved with him? Again?

Asia's eyes are too wary, unfocused, her eyesight turns almost blurry. That state continues until her phone buzz catching her full attention. She blink multiple times, shook her head rather harshly to wake herself up. Focus, Asia! Focus! Her conscious mind reminded as she slap her face lightly before turning to her phone. She just received a video message from her kuya Francis thru w******p.

In the clip, Elisa is laying on a hospital bed, there's an oxygen supporting her breathing, dextrose attached on her left arm, incubator and holter monitor that is beeping indication of her beating heart. Alma, her elderly mom sit next to her daughter, head leaning on the bed, hands intertwined with the young Elisa. A whole minute of the film were focused on the two woman and on the second half, the camera switched to front showing the restless face of her brother Francis who looked like he aged twice as much. He then spoke.

" Elisa's finally stable and her surgery will be tonight. Don't worry too much, Mosa. We will take good care of mom and Elisa. In return, take good care of yourself too, don't push yourself to the limit. We love you, always. "

There's nothing more painful than seeing all those stuffs. Seeing her family experiencing dilemma and seeing someone she love fighting for her life. Asia is becoming too emotional again. Thoughts really hit differently when you are all alone, when there's just really few who will actually care, when you're feeling homesick but couldn't do anything.

Asia could see that Elisa is holding onto her life. That's enough reason to do the same. She got no tears left to cry and she believe that there will be no more reason to tear up.

┈──╌❊╌──┈

In the morning, she's all set, dressed up like the usual and ready to leave her house when someone blow his horn. Asia go out to check what was that and only realized her deal with Arthur, she went to work with him.

Same stuffs happened for her Saturday except only that she didn't bother delivering anything to her customers. Note also that it's supposed to be a rest day but she decided to went to work.

Asia had lunch with Tamira. They talk about Garett, about how Tamira saw her friend going out of Arthur's car that morning and how they walk into the building. It feels like a normal day. Unproblematic. Untroubled.

Tamira knew nothing about Asia's problem since Asia already decided to keep that matter for herself. She don't want to bother any-who. Besides, it was her problem to take care of not Tamira's.

She's at ease the whole day.

Clock striked to 5:00 P.M more faster that what it felt like. She bid her goob-bye to Tamira, shut all the devices in her cubicle, gather her things and left. During her ride in a cab, she wish to slow down the time but what happens were the opposite.

This time, she did not knocked. Instead, she used the spare key, gets in like it was her house and head straight to the kitchen.

Load of paperworks has keep Mr. Hussain stayed in his office longer. Til each corner of his room turns dark. After signing the last pile of document, he dropped his sign pen. Hussain flew to his feet, grab his coat and slide into it. Coming home wasn't this exciting before. Then there was Asia.

"Ms. Connor, recheck the devices in my office. I'll take my leave now." He ordered before passing thru the desk of his secretary.

"Yes, Mr. Hussain."

Every employee he came across with are greeting him a wonderful evening. Mere glances, those were his only reply. At the underground garage, Rupper escorted him until he's inside his car.

The ride feels the longest ride he has ever experienced. For unknown reason, he's craving to know if Asia came back or she did not. Either way, Hussain is confident that their business would not stop just there.

Upon opening the door of his penthouse, his stomach clenched deliciously as soon as the wonderful smell of dishes hit his nose.

She's here.

Loosing his tie, Hussain headed to his kitchen. There, he found Asia busy designing the plate.

"Glad to see you back. I thought I just scared you away."

Asia raised her head, gazing at him. "Is there any reason to be scared of?"

"Depending on how you perceived my offer."

"Does that still stand? The deal?" She stopped doing anything. Asia made up her mind. She choosed to be practical, like always.

Hussain move close to her, eyes bore to Asia and nowhere else. "Of course."

"Then I made up my mind. I'm in."

Asia stretched her hand for a handshake which Hussain accepted without any hint of doubt.

"A hundred thousand dollars will be transferred, as I promised." He keep her hands inside his, almost gripping on it. "Fuck." He whispered and while she's defenseless, Hussain pulled Asia close and kissed her. Crushing his lips harsh and aggressive against hers.