MARITA

That Feeling that Won't go Away

Men.

Nope.

Never again.

Marita has decided to never again hung her happiness on men. She dumped Arnold, her 9 years boyfriend, 2 months before the wedding. Why did she do that you asked?

Arnold has bought a handsome house without her knowing. He furnished and got all the things ready for a married life. 2 months before the wedding, after a dinner date, Arnold took Marita to the house, gave her a tour, handed her the key and they kissed.

Then morning comes...

Marita woke up in her light grey silk sheets. The cool and smooth sheets enveloped her, comforted her and made her want to continue sleeping. She rolled to the side and opened her eyes.

On the side table, was a key tied with a grey ribbon.

Marita sat up in bed remembering what that she was presented with a definite future last night. She scrunched her now wide opened eyes and took a deep breath.

She was now unsure of her feeling.

Pulling her self up to sit propped up with a pillow on her bed head, she hugged the bolster pillow to her chest.

Am I happy?

She remembered smiling. She couldn't help admiring the house when Arnold showed her around. She remembered giggling at Arnold's dreams of the live they are going to live in every single room of the house. Arnold has said ALL the right things. He answers all her dreams.

But she did not remember feeling happy?

Marita stuffed the bolster pillow to her face and let out a scream.

Slowly she dragged herself out of bed.

Brrt brrt....

Brrt brrrt...

"Hei, Diah" Marita answered groggily.

"GOOD MORNING, INDONESIAAAAA!!!" Marita has to put the receiver at arm's length to deal with the high-pitched greeting of her friend.

"Gosh! I might need a hearing aid after this"

"Awww... that's OK. I choose a cute pink hearing aid for you"

"Ach! Shut up"

Diah laughed out loud on the other end.

"Anywaaaaay.....", Marita sighed to interrupt her laugh. "Do you need anything? It's Sunday, you know?!"

"Ah you sound pissed! Everything alright with Arnold last night?" Diah has stopped laughing but she can tell that her best friend is not in a good mood from her answer.

Involuntary, the scene of beaming Arnold showing her the house and she, the excited bride to be tailing him absorbed in the happiness of what to come came flashing before her eyes again.

"Mari... Mari!!!", called Diah again.

She was now worried because Marita didn't answer as soon as possible. "Hey! I'll be down there in a few ya... You can tell me all about it... I'll bring breakfast".

Diah stood up and rummaged through her bag to find something while walking to the door.

"No! I'm fine! Nothing is wrong", answered Marita quickly. "Really! I'm fine, Diah. Just very tired and sleepy"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"I'm already in my car. I...."