Bittersweet Marriage (Jella)

Chapter 3

Jema POV

We both sitting opposite now. A small table at standard family restaurant. Her eyes had been fixed behind the large glass window next to us which restricts us to outside world. I tried to turn to my cell phone. I refuse to start a conversation with her although I have to admit, it becomes more awkward with our mutual silence like this.

But I think mas okay na din talaga na hindi kami mag usap, because if we talk then we likely have a fight. We are like that. It could be trigger slightest quarrel between us.

On the table between us there was a glass of strawberry milkshake that is mine and hot cup of cappuccino belongs to her. We equally have not touched our drink. Next hand riffling purple drink with straw, making a sound that I like.

If the other people look at us, we were just sitting quietly without taking to each other, even without looking at each other, waiting for orders, maybe they'll think we as a lovers in the middle of a fight. But when one of us start a conversation, and then an argument will provoke between us. From the way we fight, then most likely people will think we are a married couple who had been married long time ago.

I sighed and wrinkled my forehead when a small indicator light blink indicating cell phone battery residual twenty percent. I turned off the phone and put it back into the pocket. I tried to distract myself with the things in the room. Not easy because there is nothing interesting in that room.

Secretly, I keep my eyes on the woman sitting in front of me. Her chin resting on her hand, her eyes still focused on the streets out there. Brilliant brown eyes appear slightly grayish tonight. Her hair was little messy though this morning before leaving for work she had been smoothed it. Her face look more mature. Know since when, whiny girl who lived next door to my house grew to be a woman who.. Uh, good-looking?

Compared with James calm and cool, of course, Ella is not nothing. James, however, is the man of my dream. Unfortunately, I could not marry him.

Since childhood, I never imagined that one day I will get marry with Ella. Ella doesn't look too bad when compared to the average person, but I want so far nothing on her.

I watched Ella face. Ella faced quite handsome and beautiful at the same time if silent. It's just that she almost never silent. The comments are always annoying flung me reluctant.

"Thank you for waiting po."

I quickly turned away so that she didn't realize my eyes looking at her when a waitress arrived with our order.

"Curry rice, fries and beef burger," said the waitress was cheerful while placing our order on the table , "Enjoy the food po"

I turned my attention to the dish containing my beef burger. When she was suddenly called me and invited me to eat outside I was a little surprised. Since getting married, this is the first time she asked me to go to dinner outside. Although as I'd expected, which meant the dinner outside is in a family restaurant just few blocks from our apartment.

"enjoy your meal," Ella muttered as she spooned his curry and began to eat.

I paused for a moment and looked at her. Unfortunately, she was aware of my eyes.  Ella stop the movement , "Bakit?"

I shook my head, "ah, wala lang," I muttered, grabbing a knife and fork to cut my burger.

Back when I was still with James, we always had dinner at an expensive restaurant and classy. Every time he would pick me up at my apartment with his car and took me to an expensive restaurant that often appear in life style magazine.

He will come with rose and opened the car door for me. James didn't talk much but he treats me like a princess. He doesn't talk much but always listening. Occasionally he would chime story with comments.

James voice always made me feel comfortable around him. His hand was large and always feels cold remedy, every time he hold my hand.

I slapped my face hard in my mind. This time I was having dinner with my partner and I even recall memories with my ex-boyfriend. This time I have to admit that I was a little too far.

I don't know exactly what the reason Ella suddenly took me out to dinner. Until last before she left for work, we still fight. Looks like her mood suddenly changed. I don't understand what exactly her planned, but if she wants to make peace, maybe I should just take it. After all, she is the father of the baby in my belly now.

"Bakit hindi ka kumakain? Ayaw mo ba ng food mo now?"

I realized that since I had just cut up the meat on my plate without eating it. In front of me, Ella looked at me with a frown.

I sighed, normally I would throw bitter word that would then ignite a quarrel, but for some reasons this time ayaw kong makipag away sa kanya.

"hindi naman, may naisip lang ako," I said, eating a piece of meat, "and now it is finished, kakain na ako."

Ella grunted but didn't say anything. I think she was trying to avoid a fight with not saying anything that will provoke debate.

"So..." I swallowed my food while trying to start a conversation, "Kamusta naman work mo sa school today?"

Ella continues eating, "normal."

We fell silent. Topics that I picked up was a few second after I said.

"Uh..." this time she tried to start a conversation, "Ikaw, kamusta ka naman sa bahay today?"

I frowned, thinking for a few second about how I should answer this question. Finally, I just lifted my shoulders, "just like usually"

We were silent again and the atmosphere become awkward. I chew my food slowly because I feel like if I swallowed my food I have to say something to start a conversation. We are newlyweds and we don't have ideas for our talk, so pathetic.

"Uh, your stomach...."

I squinted to hear the word 'stomach' but didn't say anything so that she could continue his words.

"looks like it's getting bigger."

I pursed my lips, don't like to hear it, "Anong ibig sabihin? Na mataba na ako!?"

Ella raised both of her eyebrows, stop the movement who want to feed the food to her mouth. "Mataba? Ano bang sinasabi mo? You're pregnant, it's natural if you gain weight, right?"

I wanted to beat the girl in front of me, "you mean I should not say anything insult like this?"

"Insult? I didn't insult you!"Ella put the spoon in her hand back to the top of the plate, her face looks desperate, "Okay, I'm sorry. I didn't want to fight this time. Okay?"

I still wrinkled my forehead but didn't say anything more.

Ella sighed as I didn't say anything for two minutes.

"I just want to know about your condition and, uhh..our baby."

My resentment started feeling a little fade whe she calls 'our baby', somehow the words sounded wonderful in my ear.

"Umm, okay naman", I said as she continued eating, sitting in front of me Ella nodded, "as you say, in the present age is not much I can feel"

"still sick?"

I nodded, "sometimes.."

The she didn't ask anything more and we continued eating. In my heart I felt a little strange, talking about the unborn child condition with her like this is the first time and to my surprise, it feels very natural.

Maybe we can do something about our wedding.

"On Friday this week," I stop my movement when Ella come back to say something, I looked at her and our eyes met, "I'll take off that day."

I was silent, still don't understand.

"Sasama ako sayo sa clinic, for you to get check your pregnancy."

I blushed and something churning in my stomach.

She looked at me and smiled.

Ah, of course..

"Okay," I nodded. "Then I'll call the doctor and make an appointment."

Our wedding can still be saved.

To be continue...