MDCF

E5

"Do you want some tea?" asked Siana, grabbing Yulia's sleeve. If Siana hadn't done that then Yulia would have remained staring at the children.

"Yes!" said Yulia, "I would love a cup of tea."

"Let's go," said Siana and led the way to the living room. The day was a bit too cold to enjoy their tea in the garden.

They were talking about things randomly when Siana heaved a great sigh and put her teacup down. "Yulia, I have been worried about something for a while now," said Siana, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," said Yulia, "If it is something I can help with, go ahead."

Siana fell silent for a long while. Yulia felt worried and couldn't take the quiet anymore. "What is it?" she asked, "Tell me."

"Okay," said Siana, "Then I am going to ask away, alright?"

"Okay," said Yulia, "Go ahead."

"Well, yes, in a way," said Yulia, "Everyone changes some way or another. But I don't understand what you might be specifically referring to."

"My appearance," said Siana, miserably, running her fingers through her hair, "Have I changed drastically from the time I was pregnant till now?"

Yulia didn't understand why Siana was suddenly asking about such a thing. "Why are you asking that? What's going on?" asked Yulia, "Is it because of Alan?"

"How did you know?" asked Siana, wide-eyed in surprise.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" said Yulia, rolling her eyes. The pregnancy and Siana's being obsessed about her appearance could only relate to one person.

"Is it really that obvious?" said Siana.

"What happened, Siana?" asked Yulia, "Did Alan say something? What made you think in this manner?"

Is he having an affair...? There was no way one could know another person completely. She would never have expected Alan of such a thing, but you never know.

"Uh, the truth is...," stammered Siana. She closed her mouth again before resolving to let it out. "I don't feel good like I used to."

"How exactly do you mean?" asked Yulia.

"About our love life as a married couple...," Siana faltered, embarrassed. But Yulia waited calmly for her friend to regain her composure and continue.

Siana had shared everything about her life with Yulia, the most intimate details. She didn't need to feel uncomfortable with Yulia. "Tell me, Sia," urged Yulia, "What did Alan do to make you feel this way?"

"He keeps avoiding to do it," said Siana, finally.

"Is it because of his curse?" asked Yulia.

"Well, he is getting regular check-ups and the doctor said that he seems to have recovered completely now," said Siana, "But when I want to do it...." Siana picked at the loose skin on her fingernail, "Whenever I try to initiate it, he keeps avoiding me. I heard from other wives that the husbands have a change of heart and lose interest in their wives when they get pregnant and have children."

"So, is there a possibility that Alan might be involved with other women?" asked Yulia.

"No, it's not that," said Siana, "I feel like he has grown colder towards me. He doesn't want to make love to me anymore. It's strange."

Yulia let out a sigh and fell into deep thought. It was certainly an issue and she was worried about her friend. However, she couldn't think of any other reason. Yulia would have been suspicious if there was any other woman in the picture. But seeing that it was just Siana and Alan, she couldn't think of anything.