Miriam and I had finally arrived at the condo, having returned on the motorbike with the sweet-looking little girl and a certain orange cat in tow. Ongsa, who had followed us in the van, looked at me with red, watery eyes, as if trying his best not to cry out of guilt.
"I shouldn’t have stopped to drink."
"Don’t act like a child; tears don’t suit you. It gives me the creeps.”
I waved my hands dismissively to tell him to just forget it.
“Go ahead, go home. I’ll be with Mi. What’s up with everyone today, anyway? You’re acting like I’m about to die or something."
Miriam squeezed my right arm tightly, and I had to quickly apologize.
"I was just joking."
"Is this something to joke about?"
"My jokes never work."
I sighed, looking at Ongsa and waving at him again.
"Go ahead. You’re annoying me."
He wiped a tear from his face and then made a neutral face.
"Call me if you need anything. I’m on standby."
"I think you can leave early today since I’m not going anywhere."
"My duty never has a day off. I’ll be with you forever."
"We both know that ‘forever’ isn’t real."
I said, mimicking Miriam’s words, which made her go to the kitchen, leaving me alone with Ongsa.
"It seems like I’ve irritated everyone today. Hurry up."
With that, Ongsa finally left, and after watching him go, I walked over to
Miriam, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, watching the water flow from the faucet as if she was lost in thought."What are you doing, wasting water?"
"Water calms me down when I feel like I’m burning inside."
"Come on, I'm back with you now."
I said, not knowing how to comfort her for something I didn't want to happen. Finally, I hugged her from behind, resting my chin on her shoulder with a little affection.
"Let's be happy together, okay? Life is short, you know."
"You're right... Life is short. That's why I'm going to quit my job and be with you."
Miriam turned off the water and hugged me back. From an angry mood at first, she's now shaking like a puppy.
"What's wrong? You're shaking."
"I was scared."
"..."
"I was so scared when we were talking on the phone and you didn't remember anything. When I was riding the motorcycle, I kept wondering what could have happened to you, if you had been taken or just gone somewhere."
"But you knew I would remember eventually. I told you it was only temporary."
"But what if next time you don't come back?"
"..."
"From now on, I'm taking care of you. This isn’t for you, it’s for me."
Hearing this, I leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the head, nodding.
"If it makes you feel more at peace with your job, then go ahead. Honestly… I’ve wanted you to leave for a long time."
"Look at how much unnecessary money you’ve spent on me, hundreds of millions."