Chapter 2 - Former Husband
1039 Words
Five years ago…
“Thank you for the incredibly valuable year, Eva. From the moment our marriage contract was made until today, our last day as a married couple... you truly did an excellent job. You also didn't violate a single rule in our marriage agreement,” said Ardi.
Eva smiled. Had a year really passed? Why did it feel like time went by so quickly? Perhaps because she felt comfortable living with a husband like Ardi—a husband who wasn't truly a husband, even though they were bound by a legal marriage.
However, it would be untrue to say that the year didn't stir deeper feelings in Eva. It's just that she always tried to hide them. Unlike Ardi, who seemed to have no feelings for her at all, because from then until now... Ardi remained the same.
“After this, are you immediately moving abroad Ardi?”
Ardi nodded. “Yes, I will be settling there.”
This time, Eva nodded in agreement.
“Thanks to you, my grandmother could feel happy in the last moments of her life. Once again, thank you, Eva.”
The contract marriage between Eva and Ardi began because Ardi needed a woman to be his wife. At that time, Ardi's grandmother was already ill, and the doctor had diagnosed that she didn't have much time left. Her last wish was... to see her only grandson marry. Meanwhile, Ardi wasn't truly ready for marriage. He didn't even have a prospective wife.
Finally, through a dating app, Ardi was introduced to Eva. At that time, Eva was only 21 years old—a young woman about to be married off by her parents because a man wanted to propose to her.
Honestly, Eva didn't want to build a household at such a young age. However, her parents insisted, which made her think hard to find a way out of the unwanted marriage.
That's what led Eva to decide to find a man who could save her from that fate. And fate brought her to Ardi.
Ardi needed a fake wife, while Eva needed a partner for formality. They agreed to a one-year contract marriage. That way, Ardi could make his grandmother happy before she passed away, and Eva wouldn't have to get married.
After a year, Eva would return to living freely—without the burden of having a husband, children, or managing a household—while Ardi could continue his life as before.
And now, the time had come. They truly would part ways.
Honestly, Eva felt a heavy heart, even though it was agreed from the start that they would divorce after one year of marriage.
Although she didn't show it, Eva had secretly fallen in love with Ardi—his warm nature, his handsome appearance, the way he spoke... everything. She liked everything about him.
Sometimes Eva hoped Ardi secretly reciprocated her feelings, but unfortunately, that was impossible. Ardi didn't have any feelings for her.
Truly, during their year together... Eva thought she wouldn't fall for Ardi this deeply—to the point where it felt hard to part. But those feelings grew without permission.
But still, Ardi was leaving. Not only leaving for abroad but also leaving Eva's life, and they would act as if they never knew each other. Eva also realized that it was almost impossible for her to meet him again.
For that reason, Eva would bury her feelings forever and pretend she had never fallen in love with Ardiansyah Kusuma Wardana.
“You're graduating next month, right?” Ardi asked then. During the marriage, Eva was still a student, and Ardi played a significant role in helping her with her thesis until she reached this stage.
“Yes . At the end of next month, to be exact.”
“Then it's a shame, I can't come.”
“It's okay .” Eva tried her best to smile.
On her last day meeting Ardi, she must not let her feelings be revealed. All this time, Eva had managed to hide her feelings. Today, she must do the same.
“In that case... I wish you happiness. I won't say see you again because we really won't meet again.”
“I hope Ardi is happy too. I also want to say thank you for all you've done.”
Thank you for a year that meant so much to me ....
Who says a contract marriage always has a happy ending? Maybe in novels, sure, but in real life—like what Eva experienced—it ended in divorce. It couldn't really be called a sad ending either because everything went according to the agreement, but still, Eva felt sad. It was hard to say goodbye to Ardi.
I promise to move forward and, of course, move on from you ....
Ardi then extended his hand to Eva for a handshake. Although hesitant at first, Eva returned the gesture, and they shook hands for quite a while.
After that day, they truly never met again.
***
“Eva? Hello? Wake up.”
The voice of Eva's coworker, accompanied by a nudge to her arm, startled her out of her reverie.
She couldn't believe she had been daydreaming about events from five years ago—events she had tried so hard to forget because her separation from Ardi had made her cry for days.
Eva wanted to curse herself for getting lost in the past. She even tried not to look surprised when she realized that the man she had been daydreaming about was now standing right in front of her.
Eva, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up, facing him just like she had five years ago. The only difference was the desk between them. Yet, she still felt a sense of déjà vu.
“I've already introduced myself to everyone, except you,” said Ardi.
His voice, his gaze—everything was still the same.
This was unmistakably the Ardi Eva knew.
Ardi extended his hand to Eva, but this time, it wasn't a farewell handshake like five years ago.
“Let me introduce myself—I’m Ardi, the new branch manager at Savanna, starting today.”
Oh God, is this a dream?
- Writer
