2. Quarrel

“You told me to wake up, huh?? I’ve been patient for so long!!”

Feby’s sobs grew louder. Her right hand, not holding the phone, clenched into a fist. Even her chest was rising and falling with each breath.

“I’m sorry. We shouldn’t be arguing like this, Feb. Especially since you’re pregnant,” came the voice from the phone.

“Mas, I’m not done talking,” Feby complained, unwilling to accept the situation.

“Sayang, it’s already late. You should rest. Remember, our baby is inside there.”

Feby’s pleas were in vain. The call ended abruptly, leaving her alone with the pain she had to bear again.

The romantic drama playing on her phone screen made Feby cringe. She clicked her tongue as the actor on-screen proved his love for the woman he adored.

Disgusting. That’s how she felt in her heart. Yet, deep down, she wished to be treated that way.

Oh my God! How long would she continue daydreaming? It was impossible for the man she loved to act like that.

“Marni took the day off this morning. Her child is sick,” her mother greeted her as Feby came out of the room.

Feby nodded slowly, then turned her face to avoid making eye contact with her middle-aged mother.

"How come you're here? Usually, you're at school," Feby asked.

Her mother clicked her tongue. "It's a public holiday today, Feb. Look at the calendar!"

“Oh,” Feby murmured in response.

“Don’t you want to eat something?” her mother asked.

“No. If I want something, I’ll just order it. Plenty of delivery services, right?”

Her mother clicked her tongue again. “Don’t do that. Just ask Zaki. Pay him afterward. Poor guy. He still hasn’t found a job.”

“Didn’t you say he got a job as a staff member at the school where you teach?” Feby, who had just plopped down on the couch, turned her head to the side.

“He said it didn’t suit him, Feb.”

“Typical! He didn’t even try before complaining!” Feby snapped. “You’re too soft on him. His attitude is the same as Dad’s.”

“Zaki’s different, Feb!!” Her mother’s voice started to rise. “Enough. If you’re not going to help your brother, don’t act this way. You’re stingy with your own family!”

“When have I been stingy, Mom? I give you everything you need,” Feby retorted.

And for what felt like the hundredth time, the two of them were at odds. Minutes later, the silence settled as her mother returned to her room.

TING!

[Feb, your brother wants to pay for the farewell party. Can I borrow a million from you?]

The message was just one of many requests Feby received every day. She always agreed without ever turning them down, as if she were the one printing money.

The sound of the doorbell made Feby glance over lazily. Luckily, at that moment, Zaki had already appeared. She gave a small signal with her eyes for him to head towards the door.

“Do you have the money, Feb?” asked the woman in her thirties, her face already pleading.

Feby nodded slowly. “I do, but can you tidy up the pile of clothes in the corner over there? Marni isn’t coming today.”

“Oh, of course.”

Her cousin eagerly walked towards where Feby had pointed. Meanwhile, Feby smiled knowingly, folding her arms across her chest.

“When you’re done, let me know. I’ll be waiting in my room,” Feby said, and the woman agreed.

Just as she was about to leave, Zaki’s cough halted her movement.

“Feb, can I have some money?” Zaki asked, cutting straight to the point. “It’s Saturday night, I want to visit my girlfriend.”

“If you take me shopping for groceries at the mall, how about that?” Feby offered. Zaki nodded, and she slowly agreed. “Get the car ready this afternoon.”

The longing still resided deep within Feby’s heart, and she couldn’t resist visiting a place full of memories with her husband. She wandered around the mall as if she were there with the man she loved, until Zaki’s comment made her grumble quietly.

“What else are you shopping for, Kak? Didn’t we already have plenty of fruit in the fridge?” Zaki asked, getting frustrated, especially when his watch showed it was already six o'clock.

“Stop asking so many questions. You’re just annoying me,” Feby snapped, her face sour.

Seeing an opportunity, her brother added, “I want to buy chocolates and snacks for my girlfriend. Is that okay?”

“Do whatever you want!” Feby responded dismissively.

Afterward, Feby left without another word. She walked into a restaurant, the place where her husband had first taken her on a date.

Guilt slowly crept in when she remembered their argument the night before. Feby planned to send him a message to apologize.

Sadly, the message she carefully composed was still marked as unread. Not wanting to dwell on it any longer, Feby ordered a drink to quench her thirst.

“Thank you,” Feby said to the waiter.

“You're welcome, Miss. Enjoy your meal.”

The baby’s kick inside her made Feby freeze for a moment. She quickly placed her hand gently on her belly, a smile forming as she felt grateful that now, she wouldn’t be alone anymore.

“Angga?” Feby muttered when she saw a man she recognized.

Coincidentally, the person she was looking at turned to look as well. They stared at each other in silence. Then, a sight in the far corner of the room made Feby freeze. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.