Love Me Again

18

LISA

At the exact time for lunch, I was waiting outside the enormous hospital building. Tranquility can be found on the atmosphere with a good number of patients being assisted for a walk by their personal nurses. But this tranquility could also translate to undeniable facade for those on the hospice care as if these walks aren't numbered and they have plenty more to count.

Sometimes if I delve, I am still frightened with the idea of death. If not through an accident, then of old age. I think I would never be prepared to let go of my youth. To freely act to things without minding if I have sufficient strength, or relish delicacies and viands which would certainly be bounded to few choices when our systems choose to fail its own.

But we are all gonna be down on the same road, which leads to the significance of what makes our now.

Off guarded, I heard soft knocking through the tinted window. I went out of my side to open the car door, gently placing my hand on the roof so Jennie won't have a chance to hit her head.

She muttered a low 'thank you', as I fix her seatbelt.

I can't help it, she's so close that my lips automatically pressed on her cheek. My wife stared at me for a second with a hint of scarlet before deciding to face the car mirror staring at her own reflect.

A smile landed on my lips realising she did not bother nor denied me at all. That's an improvement.

"How are you this morning?"

I asked while tapping my fingers on the steering wheel waiting for the red light to pass.

"Very busy, there were two patients with big names that needed surgery. One for the blockage, another needs a pacemaker. Good thing Moonbyul and Solar took over the second one so I managed to squeeze a time for lunch."

I stole a glance and saw her yawning attempting to fix her bit of a mess hair which did not minimize how daring she looks, rather if anything it heightened it.

With my other hand, I held hers and rested it intertwined on her thighs.

"Thank you, baby."

Jennie lingered her sight with my action before portraying discombobulated look.

"For what, Lisa?"

"For choosing to spend your free hour with me. You have no idea how this makes me so happy."

I gently lifted her hand in pronation and kissed against its smooth skin.

For a moment, her mouth tried to form words but failed to fathom any coherence so she was silent. Her look far-reaching through the window having a slice of life with her eyes and unbeknownst to me, war on her pretty head.

Less than an hour, we reached the restaurant. We walked hand in hand towards the private table I reserved, I pulled her a seat before I sat myself across her figure.

The waiter queried for our choice, and before leaving a wine was serve.

To my displeasure, Jennie straightly drank the said wine and poured for another as if she was embarking on a mission to finish the bottle in one go.

"Is something bothering you, Jen?"

I placed my hand above hers as I saw it slightly tremble. I played with her fingers until they relaxed but her face was different.

Worry, guilt, and hurt were evident.

Again her mouth attempted to conceive words but I heard nothing but a pair.

"I'm okay."

She lifted her lips but to me it failed miserably. I know when Jennie is truly happy. Her gums would show adorably and her eyes would follow the rhythm.

"I love you."

Right after I profess my love, her phone rang.

Jennie became frantic.

"I'll be on the rest room." She bids and left me hanging with questions from her demeanor. She knows she can take the call right in my front, I am her wife and not an outsider.

Funny how our roles reversed, I turned the one greedy with drinking the wine.

JENNIE

"What is your call for Kai? I told you I'm busy!"

I am pissed beyond degree. I thought we had an understanding that he must not call nor be in any manner at all near me if I am with Lisa.

"I was just making sure you'll be here later night Jen."

I heaved a sigh, this isn't what I signed up for.

"I already agreed, Kai. I will be spending time at your house, but let me be with my wife peacefully can't you?"

I heard him hum on the other hand as he replied.

"Kyler won't be able to sleep if you're not here, Jen."

With the mention of the boy, my heart softened. I hope Kyler is fine at the primary school today, I hope he is already feasting on his lunch I made.

"Jen?..."

"Right. Tell Kyler to wait for me, I'll stop by at 8. Please make sure he eats his dinner and takes his night bath."

"Of course, of course. So see you tonight? I am cooking dinner remember your favourite when we were kids?"

His tone flashed happiness as discomfort burns my whole.

Instead of answering, I pressed the sign to end the call. He is giving me impression far from what I only intend.

This isn't right, none of this makes sense.

I stared at the vanity and noticed dark circles beneath my inferior lashes, and as I went beyond mandible, my clavicles are protruding implicating how miseries of life are affecting me.

I seemed dry, the glow that vibrated once can be seen no more.

I do not see myself beautiful, but how and why does Lisa still see me?

I fixed my dress, satisfied I left the room.
A meter or so I saw my wife silently rummaging through the opaque glass while sipping her wine. She never thrown a glance to anybody worshipping a vision of her completely unaware how ethereal she was.

On her slacks, grey long sleeves neatly tucked with two of the first buttons wide open, a coat hanging from behind.

She roamed her sight and met mine, and then she was smiling.

She did not took away her glance as if I was the only woman she could lay her eyes onto, as if everything so opaque she saw made sense through me.

My heart was racing.

I love her, but she loved me more.