Babymonster One Shot

Hanging by a Thread (1) | RUPHA

Pharita was always the first to arrive at the office. Each morning, as the sun barely peeked over the horizon, she would slip into her sleek high-rise building, her heels clicking against the polished floors like a metronome, keeping time with the rhythm of her ambitious heart. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, illuminating the sprawling open space where her team was already gathering, their conversations filled with excitement about upcoming projects. Pharita was the driving force behind it all-a dedicated manager who thrived in the fast-paced corporate world.

She poured herself a steaming cup of coffee, its rich aroma mingling with the fresh scent of the morning. With her laptop open and a determined glint in her eye, she tackled her to-do list with the ferocity of a lioness hunting for prey. Emails flew back and forth, meetings filled her calendar, and by noon, she was already engrossed in strategizing for the next big client pitch. Each task was a puzzle, and Pharita relished the challenge, her heart racing as she pieced together the intricate details of her work.

But while Pharita immersed herself in the hustle, her wife, Ruka, navigated her own career in a different realm. As a graphic designer at a boutique agency, Ruka reveled in creativity, turning abstract concepts into visual masterpieces. She adored the artistry of her job, the satisfaction of bringing ideas to life, but what filled her heart even more was the time she spent with Pharita. The vibrant evenings they once shared, filled with laughter and shared dreams, became a cherished memory that Ruka clung to fiercely.

Ruka made it a point to leave the office early, eagerly glancing at the clock, counting down the minutes until she could escape the confines of her workspace. She envisioned evenings of cozy dinners at their favorite restaurant, where they could steal glances across the table and share intimate conversations over candlelight. But as the weeks turned into months, those moments began to dwindle.

Every time Ruka entered their apartment, her heart would flutter with anticipation, only to be met with a disheartening sight. Pharita was often sprawled out on the couch, her papers scattered around like fallen leaves in autumn, the glow of her laptop illuminating her tired face. The once vibrant spark in Pharita's eyes seemed to dim under the weight of uncompleted work. Ruka would call out softly, "Hey, love," hoping to draw her wife from the depths of her exhaustion.

Pharita would stir, glancing up with a weak smile that barely reached her eyes. "Hey, I'll be done soon. Just a few more things to finish."

Ruka would nod, forcing a smile of her own, even as disappointment churned in her stomach. The conversations grew shorter, and the laughter that had once filled their home faded to a whisper, replaced by the sound of silence and the dull hum of work-related stress. Each night, Ruka would watch as Pharita slipped into bed, too drained to even whisper goodnight. It broke Ruka's heart to witness the woman she loved retreat into the shadows of fatigue while she longed for a connection that seemed to vanish with each passing day.

One evening, after a particularly grueling week, Ruka gathered the courage to voice her feelings. She had prepared herself, rehearsing the conversation in her mind. As she entered their dimly lit living room, Ruka found Pharita hunched over her laptop, the glow casting a harsh light on her tired features.

"Pharita," Ruka began, her voice tentative. "Can we talk?"

"Not now, Ruka. I have a deadline," Pharita replied, her tone dismissive as she continued typing.

Ruka felt her heart sink. "It's just... I feel like we never spend time together anymore. I miss you."

Pharita sighed, not looking up from her screen. "I know, but work is really demanding right now. I'm doing this for us. I promise it'll pay off."

"But when was the last time we went on a date? Or even had a conversation that didn't revolve around your work?" Ruka's frustration bubbled to the surface, her patience wearing thin.

"I'm trying to build a future for us!" Pharita snapped, finally looking up, her eyes flashing with irritation. "You don't understand the pressure I'm under."

Ruka's heart ached. "I do understand! But I can't keep waiting for a future that feels so distant. I just want you here with me now."

"I'll be here when I'm done. Can't you be a little more patient?" Pharita replied, her voice softening but still laced with irritation.

Ruka nodded, her shoulders sagging under the weight of unspoken hurt. "I'm not sure how much longer I can wait."

The words hung in the air between them, a heavy reminder of the distance that had formed in their relationship. Ruka felt a wave of hopelessness wash over her as she turned away, feeling as if she had just thrown a pebble into a vast ocean with no ripples to show for it.

The more time that passed, the more Ruka began to notice something even more troubling-she couldn't remember the last time she and Pharita had been intimate. It felt like a lifetime since they had shared a passionate kiss or felt the warmth of each other's bodies entwined in the soft sheets of their bed. Their once vibrant sexual connection had faded into a distant memory, replaced by an awkwardness that hung in the air like a thick fog.

Ruka lay awake at night, staring at the ceiling, feeling the emptiness in her heart deepen. It wasn't just the physical aspect that she missed; it was the intimacy, the connection, the way their bodies used to meld together as one, an expression of their love that transcended words. She found herself thinking back to those nights filled with laughter, soft whispers, and the exploration of each other's skin. Now, even a simple touch felt foreign, like a relic of the past that no longer had a place in their lives.

"Why can't we just be us again?" Ruka whispered to the darkness one night, tears pooling in her eyes. "I love you, but I don't know how to reach you anymore."

As the clock ticked, Ruka clung to the hope that things would change, but deep down, a terrifying thought took root: what if she lost the love she had for Pharita altogether? Each time Pharita buried herself in work, Ruka felt a piece of herself slip away, like grains of sand falling through her fingers. The more Pharita immersed herself in her career, the more Ruka felt invisible, a mere shadow in the life they had built together.

One fateful night, after yet another long day at work, Ruka tried to engage Pharita in a heartfelt conversation over dinner. "I just want to feel close to you again. It's been so long since we've done anything together, like we used to."

Pharita, her fork paused mid-air, looked at Ruka with tired eyes. "I'm sorry, but can't we just enjoy this meal? I don't want to fight about it right now."

Ruka's heart sank as she replied, "I'm not trying to fight. I just miss you. We used to dream together, but now it feels like you're only dreaming about work."

Pharita's expression hardened. "Ruka, I can't just stop everything because you're feeling neglected. You knew what I was like when you married me."

The pain in Ruka's chest grew sharper, an unbearable ache. "I did, but I didn't think it would mean losing you completely."

With that, Pharita resumed eating, and Ruka stared at her plate, the emptiness consuming her. The laughter that once filled their home faded to a whisper, replaced by the sound of silence and the dull hum of work-related stress. She wondered how they had gotten to this point, where love felt like a distant memory and intimacy was nothing more than a fleeting thought. The warmth of their shared life was a flickering candle, dimming with every passing day.