The Ex-Wife's Return: After You

SAMIRA COSETTE I have learned the hard way that the word precious is subjective; it could mean so much to you, while it could mean nothing to the other. Something warm painted my cheeks as I took all the aggressive penetration from my husband. Slapping sounds of the collision of our body ring in my ears as I slightly tightened my grip around his neck. I try to reach for his lips while swaying my hips like a desperate woman just to praise him. “Travis…” I have to call for his name just to give me kisses. And it wasn’t soft and passionate like I wanted, but an aggressive and painful one while biting my lips. But I carried the pain in both lips like it’s nothing. I wanted this… make-love, except there’s no passion in him–like he’s just having a mere s*x with me, without the connection I wanted to feel from him. But it’s okay, I’m satisfied with whatever he could offer. “I’m… I’m coming…” I stuck my face into his neck as my nails reached for his back. And it hasn’t been five seconds, when I felt the knot out of my abdomen. But Travis keeps on. As he keeps on riding, all of a sudden, a phone rings in the middle of nowhere. Travis slows down as he checks his phone on the bedside. It’s past midnight, who could be calling him at this hour? I look at my husband’s face as he penetrates me faster and harder, as if he has to end this moment quickly. The satisfaction I felt vanished in an instant. I was slapped into reality as though this s*x is just a dream. It’s not news to me that he’s getting calls at this hour. And I know who it comes from. He pants hard as he finishes inside me. He didn’t even bother looking in my direction and got off the bed in an instant. “Something came up in the company. Don’t wait for me any more, and get some rest.” He starts to get dressed as he mutters those lies to me. “But babe… this is the first we had since our honeymoon two years ago. I want more…” I reply as I wrap my arms around him naked. I just want him to spend his time with me. I just want… to pull him from what’s been disturbing our relationship–I just want him to choose me over my cousin who’s also his secretary, Catherine. I know it’s pathetic, knowing how it always ends up. But… there’s a minuscule of hope in me… that I could pull him… that I matter more than anything. Travis turns around and holds my cheeks while looking intently into my eyes. “I’ll make up to it, babe. For now, I want you to get rest, hmm?” And that voice… I always fall for it, even at this pathetic moment. I ended up nodding as I watched him going out of our bedroom. I could just… never pull him back to me. I was left alone, crying for the nth time and feeling empty. I plop on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Is this relationship still worthy to fight for? That’s the question that only I can answer. And honestly… I’m starting to get tired already. The void carried my heart as I curled up on the bed, until I fell asleep. I woke up to a loud ring banging on my ears, yet the first thing I noticed was my husband’s absence. Then, my eyes cast on the mini calendar sitting on the bedside table–right on the number 12 circled with a red mark and a little heart. “Did he forget again…?” I mutter to myself, feeling heavier than ever. Today’s our anniversary, yet he’s nowhere beside me. But who knows? He said he will make up with me. He could be preparing his present for me as we speak. The same line I always say to myself every anniversary, because of just one minuscule hope. My phone rang again, prompting me to finally grab it. It’s my mom. “Good morning, sweetheart. Are you free this lunch? Your cousin, Catherine, is hosting a gathering. She invited all of us. But I don’t think your dad and I can make it. I have a client to meet and your dad is on a business trip.” Hearing that very name, I halted, creating silence from my end. What is she up to now, huh? I promised to myself that I won’t engage in anything that has something to do with her. “So, you have to be there, okay?” But… it’s a family gathering. I don’t want to look bad in front of them. I heaved a sigh and replied. “...Sure. Just send me the details, mom.” Then, the call ended. It’s just lunch–just a time to pass while waiting for Travis and his present for me. It’s 9 in the morning when I got up and went straight to the bathroom. I just dressed in something casual and put on light make up. The venue is said to be at Haraya Hotel’s restaurant, which is just a few kilometers from the villa where I live with Travis. The moment I got out of the car, it was the very face of that woman that greeted me first. “Samira!” Catherine rushed to my direction with her arms wide open. I would mistake it for a warm welcome had I not known what hid behind those smiles. I played along still. “I’m so happy you made it here!” “I have to… it’s my closest cousin’s event after all.” I replied with a smile as we walked alongside each other to the entrance of the hotel. She led me to the restaurant where everyone was waiting for me. “God, I’m the last one to arrive?!” At this point, I think I could pass as an actress for putting on a mask like that. After the short greetings, we then ate lunch while having some small talks with the relatives. I told them that my mom and dad can’t make it today. “I didn’t notice Travis here either. Did he not come with you, Samira?” Catherine’s mother asked after drinking a glass of water. Everyone looks in my direction, including Catherine who’s so intrigued at the mention of the name. “He doesn’t have time for that, today’s our anniversary after all. He’s probably preparing a present for me.” I answered, sounding so boastful–just exactly how I meant it. Teaseful comments arose next, while I observed Catherine’s face intently. It wasn’t hard for me since we sat across from each other. Her mouth shaped into O as she looked at me gleefully. “OMG, happy anniversary to both of you!” I smiled, sincerely, thinking I’ve won this match. “Now that we’re on to good news, I would also like to share why I invited all of you here.” Catherine added. Just as I expected, she’s making this conversation all about her again. Everyone’s attention was nailed in her direction, waiting intently. “I’m pregnant, you guys! Look!” I froze, shock was written on my face. Everyone celebrated, but I know deep inside that I’m the happiest one here. Not because of the news, but the fact that I’m finally relieved from all the doubts I have with Travis. The thorns surrounding my heart finally detached. I can finally breathe easy. After all, the woman I meant who has been disturbing our relationship was no other than her, Catherine, Travis’ secretary. Catherine’s smile dropped when she cupped her bag. “Oh my god, I think I left the photo in my unit!” She looked at us, flustered, until her eyes stopped in mine. “Samira, could you please get it for me?” She pleaded with me with puppy eyes. Feeling the surge of relief and happiness in me, I accepted her request enthusiastically. “Of course! I don’t want to tire my pregnant cousin.” I said with a big, genuine smile. Compared to my anniversary, this one is better news! Finally! Travis’ attention will be all mine. A wide smile was plastered on my face as I headed straight to the elevator right after she gave me her passcode. According to her, she left the photos on the center table in the living room. It’s that table that greeted my eyes the moment I opened the door. I could see those photos from the doorway already. As I stride my way, the open door to Catherine’s room caught my peripheral vision. I saw a guy’s back full of scratches who’s lying on the bed on his stomach. He moved, but I didn’t mind much of it, and grabbed the photo from the table. This guy must be the future daddy of Catherine’s baby! I didn’t know what came into my head that I decided to make a stop by the room’s doorway to close the door. My hand hasn’t reached the doorknob when my eyes are laid on the guy again. Not on his back anymore, but the side of his sleeping face… pointed to my direction. My heart dropped to my stomach, just like how the photos slipped off my hand. The relief I was carrying vanished in an instant. “T-Travis…” Trembling, I mutter, as my shaking eyes gazed at the sleeping and clueless man. My heart beat like bubbles of boiling water. I was standing with frozen feet, until a memory from last night flashed in my head. I knew it. He lied. He lied to me again. H-He spent the rest of the night here. Slowly, my eyes then lowered down on the photos scattered on the floor. One of the photos was laid upside down. Something was written on it… that became my very last straw to drop everything I have with Travis. Momma Cath and Dada Travis. I… am so f*****g dumb. For the nth time, my cousin took something precious away from me again. For the nth time, I lost against her again.