“Returning”
584 Words
As he got closer to the kitchen, he saw her.
Kia.
Standing there, with her back facing him, gently moving as she cooked, humming softly with her earpods on.
He stopped.
Just staring at her.
For a moment, he didn’t move.
Like he was making sure she was real.
Then slowly, he walked toward her.
And wrapped his arms around her from behind.
⸻
Kia froze.
Her body went still.
She didn’t even know how to react.
For a second, she just stood there.
Then his voice came, low and soft.
“You’re here… Kia.”
She nodded slowly.
“Yes… I am.”
She removed her gloves and turned to face him.
The moment her eyes met his—
She broke.
Tears fell immediately as she touched his face.
“See how thin you’ve become in just two days…” she said, her voice shaking.
She couldn’t hold it in.
Mustekim sighed softly.
“Don’t cry… it’s nothing serious,” he said gently, patting her back. “Just a small sickness.”
He led her to sit down.
⸻
As they sat, Mustekim held her hand.
Kia wiped her tears, still staring at him.
“Why did you become like this in just two days?” she asked again.
Mustekim squeezed her hand slightly.
“I think it’s stress,” he said. “I’ve been too stressed. The doctor said he needs to run some tests… the results will be out today. He’ll come tomorrow.”
Kia moved closer and hugged him tightly.
Before anything else could be said—
A smell hit them.
“Ah! The food!” Kia suddenly stood up and rushed to the kitchen.
⸻
They ate together after the food was ready.
Kia made sure he ate properly.
After that, she gave him his prescribed drugs.
She also sent a message to Tia, telling her how thin Mustekim had become and that she might need to stay with him for now.
But she hadn’t told him yet.
⸻
Later, they both sat in the living room, watching dramas.
It felt… normal.
Like before.
Mustekim kept glancing at her, wondering if she would stay.
But he didn’t ask.
He just held her hand tightly, like he didn’t want her to leave.
⸻
As time passed, Kia slowly fell asleep on his chest.
Mustekim adjusted himself slightly, holding her carefully.
They both spent the night on the couch—
In each other’s arms.
⸻
The next morning, Kia woke up to her alarm.
She stood up quietly and went to pray her solat.
After that, she went upstairs to take her shower.
When she entered the dressing room, she paused.
Her clothes were still there.
Neatly arranged.
Just the way she left them.
She slowly picked one.
As she got dressed, memories hit her.
The times she used to come here.
The times he bought clothes for her—different ones for different occasions.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“What a big loss… if I lose him,” she whispered.
⸻
Mustekim woke up too and prayed his solat.
After that, he went upstairs.
He saw Kia getting ready.
He smiled softly.
“You look stunning… beautiful.”
Kia smiled.
“You can say that again,” she teased lightly. “I’m late already. I have a lot to do. I’ll be back… don’t miss me too much.”
Mustekim nodded.
“You know I will.”
They both smiled.
Then Kia picked her bag and left for work.
- Writer
