Part 183

183

Nicholas didn't want anything to happen to their unborn child. So, he tried his best to grant her wishes. Besides, Alesya's request was relatively easy to fulfill, and it had been quite some time since they had visited her hometown.

"Are you happy?" Nicholas asked.

Alesya turned and nodded. "I've really missed my hometown. As nice as it is to live in the city, the hometown is the number one place to visit," Alesya replied. "Besides, all my childhood memories are buried there."

Hearing Alesya's response, Nicholas could only smile. He, who had lived in the city since childhood, never experienced life in the village. So, he didn't fully understand what Alesya meant. In his mind, Alesya might just miss the peaceful atmosphere of the village because the city was quite noisy.

"Get some rest; I'll wake you up when we arrive," Nicholas said after a moment of silence.

"Okay."

Alesya adjusted her seating position to make herself more comfortable. She also slightly reclined her seat to make it more suitable for sleeping. After feeling comfortable enough, Alesya closed her eyes. Meanwhile, Nicholas remained focused on driving, occasionally stealing glances at the contented woman beside him.

The journey was quite long, but it didn't make Nicholas feel tired or regretful, especially since Alesya had been asleep for most of the ride, leaving him awake on his own.

After nearly five hours of traveling, they had arrived at Alesya's hometown. They pulled up in front of a modest yet cozy house, surrounded by several large trees.

"Al, we've arrived," Nicholas said gently, shaking Alesya's shoulder lightly.

Alesya, who was sensitive to touch, immediately woke up. She slowly nodded and opened her eyes. Nicholas patiently waited for her to fully wake from her peaceful slumber.

A few minutes later, Alesya managed to wake up and sit upright. She looked around, relieved to see that she had finally arrived in her hometown. It was a place she had missed dearly.

"Ready?" Nicholas asked.

Alesya nodded.

"Let's get out."

Alesya nodded again and quickly exited the car, followed by Nicholas. They were warmly welcomed by a middle-aged couple, Sari and Sakir, who had been entrusted by Nicholas to take care of and maintain the house to keep it clean while they were away.

" Alesya! Nicholas!" Sari, the middle-aged woman, exclaimed. Sakir, her husband, also waved to them enthusiastically. They were both delighted to welcome the young couple.

Since Nicholas had informed them about the visit, Sari and Sakir had prepared many things for their arrival.

"How are you?" Alesya greeted her parents as she shook their hands.

"We're well, dear. How are you?" her mother inquired.

"I'm good, Mom," Alesya replied.

"Alright, let's go inside. Nicholas, come on in," Sari said.

"Sure, ma'am."

Knowing that their journey had been quite long and tiring, Sari and Sakir advised Alesya and Nicholas to rest first. They were confident that the couple would be exhausted by now.

Sari suggested that Nicholas join Akya (a term of address for an elder sister or a woman slightly older than the speaker) to rest. The middle-aged woman knew that Nicholas had come prepared to find something for Alesya.

"I'm sorry; I slept for so long earlier," Alesya apologized once they had reached her room.

"It's okay."

Nicholas placed their suitcase on the side of the bed and then lay down on the bed beside his wife. He did feel tired after the long journey. Nicholas wasn't used to traveling, so it wasn't surprising that his body felt fatigued even though he had only been sitting while driving.

Alesya lay down beside Nicholas. Without wasting a moment, Nicholas gently embraced her. He didn't forget to shower her with affectionate kisses on her cheeks and forehead. Of course, he saved a more passionate kiss for her lips.

Alesya simply accepted Nicholas's affection. She was used to this kind of treatment. Alesya knew that Nicholas was very tired, so she didn't want to make a fuss about it.

"Sleep, my love. I'd like to take a walk around the village tonight," Alesya said.

Nicholas nodded without saying anything. As per Alesya's request, he closed his eyes and began to sleep. Alesya, who couldn't leave Nicholas even though he was sleeping, also closed her eyes and returned to her husband's embrace. Although she was eager to enjoy the scent of the food that had been teasing her nose.

In the evening, as Alesya had requested, she and Nicholas prepared to take a stroll around the village. The sound of post-rain tranquility and the lushness of the trees along the road made the night atmosphere even cooler.

Alesya led Nicholas to a simple but well-known eatery in the village. It was a small place that served a variety of fried snacks and traditional dishes with distinctive flavors.

At first, Nicholas seemed hesitant to eat at the eatery, as he was accustomed to dining at clean and hygienic restaurants. Now he had to eat at a simple place with a slightly muddy ground due to the rain.

"Don't worry; it's delicious and healthy," Alesya reassured Nicholas, who appeared to be skeptical about eating the food in front of him.

With hesitation, Nicholas began to eat the food in front of him. He didn't want to upset Alesya or create a negative impression among the villagers by showing that he was a city person.

He managed to take one bite, and Nicholas's expression began to change after tasting the simple yet delicious food. It was a new flavor for him – a rich combination of spices that was truly delightful and tasty.

"How does it taste?" Alesya asked after seeing the change in Nicholas's expression.

With his mouth still chewing, Nicholas turned to Alesya, who was sitting next to him. "Delicious. It's the first time I've tasted food so rich in spices," Nicholas replied honestly.

A happy smile graced Alesya's beautiful lips. She was pleased that Nicholas was willing to eat their hometown's cuisine. Considering he worked as a chef in a high-end restaurant, he was accustomed to luxurious dishes. Yet, now Nicholas was genuinely enjoying the village food, something he had never tasted before. When they visited briefly the day before, they hadn't had the chance to explore. They had to rush back because Alesya's father needed a blood donation.

Unbeknownst to them, Nicholas managed to finish a plate of food placed in front of him, just like Alesya, who had emptied her plate of rice and its accompanying dishes.

After paying, Nicholas suggested that they head back as the weather was getting colder. He didn't want anything to happen to his wife or their future child. Additionally, Alesya had mentioned that she wanted to take Nicholas for a river bath the next day.

Initially, Nicholas hesitated and didn't want to fulfill Alesya's somewhat peculiar request. However, Alesya burst into tears, making Nicholas unable to resist. He quickly realized that it might be their child's wish. Besides, they wouldn't always be in the village. Tomorrow, they would return to the city. So, whether he liked it or not, Nicholas had to go along with Alesya's plan.

"Where did you two go at this time of night?" Sari asked while sitting with her husband on the porch.

"From Darmi's place, Ma. I missed her cooking, so I took Nicholas along," Alesya replied with a joyful smile.

"Did Nak Nicholas eat there?" Sari asked Nicholas.

Nicholas smiled and nodded. "Yes, Ma. The food was surprisingly delicious," Nicholas replied.

"Well, I'm glad if Nak Nicholas liked it," Sari responded, her previous fears dispelled since her employer was pleased.

After chatting briefly on the porch with Sari and Sakir, the couple excused themselves to rest. Alesya felt a slight cramp in her stomach after their walk, and Sari and Sakir understood and encouraged them to rest, considering Alesya's pregnancy. They were aware of Alesya's physical condition, and she tended to tire more easily.

Nicholas and Alesya entered their room and prepared to sleep. As usual, they would have a short conversation before closing their eyes.

At the moment, Nicholas and Alesya were sitting side by side on the bed, with Alesya resting her head on Nicholas's shoulder. Nicholas's hand was on Alesya's waist.

"Are we really going for a river bath tomorrow?" Nicholas asked Alesya.

Alesya nodded. "Yes, we are. When else can we take a river bath?"

"Alright. Just be careful, Al. Remember, there's a baby in there," Nicholas said while gently caressing Alesya's belly.

Alesya nodded. "I will."

"Alright, let's go to sleep."

They quickly lay down. Alesya nestled into Nicholas's embrace and began to close her eyes. In a matter of minutes, both of them drifted away from the real world and into the realm of dreams.

Tonight was a very joyful night for Alesya. After living in the city for so long, she could finally experience the nighttime atmosphere of her hometown again. She savored the simple, village cuisine she had longed for, especially when accompanied by the man she loved. Together with her husband, who always made her happy with his every action.

The long night had passed peacefully for Alesya and Nicholas. They seemed to sleep soundly, unaware that a new day had begun. The moonlight that had accompanied their night stroll had now been replaced by the bright and beautiful sunlight filtering through the lush foliage.

Eventually, the aroma of cooking from the kitchen stirred them from their slumber. Nicholas woke up first, drawn by the delicious scent wafting into his nose.

He slowly opened his eyes, his nose continuing to sniff the air. The aroma of the food was undeniably enticing.

"The aroma of this food is incredibly delicious. Is this Mrs. Sari's cooking?" Nicholas mumbled.

Not long after, Alesya also opened her eyes because she too caught the smell of her mother's cooking. She stretched and glanced at her husband, who looked handsome despite just waking up, with his messy hair and a pillow-marked face.

"You're awake, Nik?" Alesya asked.

Nicholas smiled softly, then kissed Alesya's forehead. "I just woke up because I smelled this delicious aroma. Is this Mrs. Sari's cooking?" Nicholas asked.

Alesya nodded. "Yes, it's Mrs. Sari's cooking. She used to sell fried rice."

"It seems very delicious."

"Definitely. Do you want to try it?"

"Of course."

"Alright. Let's shower and have breakfast together."

"Shower together?" Nicholas teased, raising both of his eyebrows.

"No, or you might end up eating me," Alesya replied. She got up from the bed and left Nicholas sitting there in silence.

Half an hour later, they were both ready for breakfast. They intentionally didn't shower because Alesya wanted to take Nicholas for a swim in the river, just as she had mentioned the day before.

As expected, the meal prepared by Mrs. Sari surprised Nicholas with its delicious taste and rich blend of spices. Despite its simple appearance, the food made Nicholas ask for seconds, filling up two plates.

They ate while engaging in light conversation. Nicholas occasionally asked about some of the ingredients used in the dishes. As a chef working in the city, he was delighted to learn about regional cuisine. Because, until now, he had mostly prepared foreign dishes and had limited knowledge of his own country's regional cuisine.

With pleasure, Sari answered all the questions Nicholas posed. They exchanged information and knowledge about cooking ingredients. Before they knew it, the day had turned to noon.

"Oh, by the way, are you two going to the river? This morning, I just passed by the river. The water is very clear, even though it rained last night," Sakir mentioned.

"So!" Alesya replied enthusiastically.

"If so, you'd better leave soon because it's getting late in the day. We don't want you to get too hot," Sari added.

"Alright, Ma. We'll leave right now. Come on, Nik!"

With enthusiasm, Alesya pulled her husband's hand and walked out of the house. Nicholas, on the other hand, just resigned himself to the situation. He remembered Alesya's request about swimming in the river but had deliberately stayed quiet, hoping Alesya would forget. However, she was now reminding him. So, whether he liked it or not, he had to go along.

On the way, the two of them encountered a young man, none other than Diki, the son of the village head who had harbored feelings for Alesya for a long time. However, he had to give up because Alesya was already married. A dark memory was also etched in Alesya's mind from their past interactions.

But today, Diki seemed like a man without sin.

"ALESYA!"

Alesya and Nicholas stopped and turned to the source of the voice. Alesya forced a smile in response to Diki's call, while Nicholas struggled to contain his anger.

"When did you come back? Why didn't I know?" Diki asked, a wide smile on his face, as if the memory of that night had disappeared into thin air.

Alesya didn't know if it was an act to avoid confrontation or what, but she decided to play along.

"Oh, I've been here since yesterday. My husband had a day off from work, so I brought him here," Alesya replied with a smile, nodding toward Nicholas, who stood beside her.

"Oh. Let me introduce myself, I'm Diki, the village head's son," Diki said as he extended his hand toward Nicholas.

"Don't pretend you've forgotten who I am!!" Nicholas retorted. "Step aside if you want to live!" It was both a threat and his final words before he took Alesya away.