Chapter 3 — Why, sweetheart?

“I’m just kidding, sweetheart,” said Dallas, laughing as he saw the panicked expression on his girlfriend’s face. Mira didn’t find Dallas’s comment amusing. From his face, it was clear he was serious. “Come on, sweetheart, I was just joking. I’m not that crazy. I know you still have a husband and I also have a wife,” added Dallas.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the food delivery driver calling out from below. Dallas stopped Mira from getting the order and took over the task of setting the table. Dallas arrived at the dining table with his hands full of food. Mira felt happy because Dallas had gotten all the food she wanted.

“Try this, it’s really good. The fried rice with beef tripe is delicious. Come on, just a bite,” said Mira, trying to feed Dallas. But Dallas refused. He didn’t like fried rice with soy sauce, especially since it looked greasy. He couldn’t stand it.

No matter how hard Mira tried to persuade him, Dallas still wouldn’t eat it. He chose something else instead. Suddenly, he stopped eating, making Mira confused and worried.

“What’s wrong? Is the food not good?” Mira asked as she approached Dallas.

“No, the food is great. I just forgot the last time I had lunch so cheerfully. Thank you, Mira,” he said, smiling widely. Mira responded with a quick kiss on his lips. They continued their lunch, chatting casually.

Dallas helped Mira carry the dirty dishes to the kitchen. Mira was used to washing the dishes right after eating. Dallas took on the task of cleaning the dining table. As Mira was washing the dishes, Dallas suddenly hugged her from behind.

“It tickles, sweetheart,” she said when Dallas kissed her long, white neck. Hearing Mira’s words, Dallas became more persistent. He turned Mira around so they were facing each other. Dallas wanted to repeat his actions, but Mira pushed him away.

“Why, sweetheart? I’ll be lonely over there without you,” he said. “So let me—”

“You won’t be lonely there if you treat your wife the way you treat me. What woman would refuse to be treated so sweetly by her partner?” said Mira softly.

“I can’t. I can’t if it’s not—”

“You can, you’re so sweet to me. You just don’t want to,” Mira continued. “You’ll be celebrating your wedding anniversary. Make it a moment to remember.”

“Why did I meet a woman like you so late, Mira? Why do you have to have a husband, hmm?” Dallas said. He pressed his lips against Mira’s. Mira’s hands now moved to Dallas’s neck. Their quick kiss turned into something more passionate.

“Make your wife as happy as you’ve made me,” said Mira between their kisses. Dallas felt lucky to have a woman like Mira who wasn’t manipulative and didn’t monopolize him. Mira still thought about his wife.

Mira said that to take responsibility for her sin of cheating on her husband with a married man. It was also a way to win Dallas’s heart, so he would love her more. The more Dallas loved her, the easier it would be for her to ask for anything, especially when it came to financial matters.

After their passionate moments, Dallas said he would go home to pack. Once again, he asked Mira to come to his house. Mira’s answer was still the same; she didn’t want to. She walked Dallas to the front door.

“Since you’ve made me happy, you don’t need to take me to the airport. Go, see your husband,” said Dallas. Mira smiled broadly. See? When you do good, it comes back to you. “Do you want me to bring you anything, sweetheart?” Dallas asked.

“I don’t want anything except for you to come home safely,” she replied. Dallas kissed Mira’s forehead for a long time. Then he walked to his car. The engine roared, and the car slowly reversed. Dallas waved before the vehicle disappeared.

After Dallas left, Mira went back to the kitchen to finish washing the dishes. Once she completed a few household chores, she prepared to return to the hospital. She made sure all the doors were locked, then ordered an online taxi to take her.

Now, Mira was halfway there. She couldn’t wait to see her beloved. Despite her relationship with Dallas, Mira still loved her husband. No one could replace Matteo in her heart.

The taxi stopped right in front of the hospital entrance. After paying the fare, Mira got out. She walked lightly into the multi-story building. Her eyes immediately focused on the people waiting in line for the elevator.

“I guess I have to wait in line,” she murmured. Mira stood at the back, with about five people in front of her. She prayed that the elevator would be empty when it arrived so she could go up. Her prayer was answered; she managed to join the group of visitors in the elevator.

Mira stepped out as soon as the doors opened. She was the only one to get off at that floor. Her destination was in the fourth row. When she reached Matteo’s room, Mira, already wearing her ICU visitor gear, apologized repeatedly to her husband. She felt guilty for not being there for Matteo during his critical moments. The nurse she met earlier had told her that Matteo was still in critical condition after the surgery. The medical team was still monitoring him closely.

“Get well soon, my love. Please wake up,” said Mira as she caressed Matteo’s hand, which was free of IV tubes. She kissed it several times. Her mouth continuously prayed to God for her husband to wake up soon. She missed his voice and gaze.

Mira kept holding Matteo’s hand as if trying to transfer her energy to him, but she had to let go when the doctor came in to examine him. Mira was asked to wait outside, and she did as the nurse told her. Mira waited anxiously for news about her husband.

When the doctor finished the examination and came out of the room, Mira immediately approached him with questions. The conclusion was that Matteo had not shown any progress. If he remained the same by tomorrow, he would enter a coma—brain death. Mira’s legs suddenly felt weak. She sat on the floor, unable to believe Matteo’s condition had become so severe.

“I thought the surgery would make him better, but now he’s in a coma,” she whispered. She covered her face with her hands. Memories of the accident they had on their way back from their honeymoon replayed in her mind. Mira’s quiet sobs turned into full-fledged crying. After she had cried enough, she went back into Matteo’s room.

“Darling, wake up. I miss you. Don’t stay like this, please. Wake up,” she said into Matteo’s ear. Yes, Mira was trying to wake Matteo up. She knew Matteo could hear her. The touching moment was interrupted by Mira’s phone ringing.

She knew it was Dallas calling. She wanted to ignore the call, but considering Matteo’s condition, which still required a lot of money, she reluctantly answered it.

“Hi sweetheart, are you about to board the plane?” Mira asked softly. As she said this, Matteo’s finger twitched.

“Sweetheart?”