Seconds *COMPLETED*

Chapter 13

Daniel

I had always been an early riser since the accident two years ago. According to everyone at home, I used to sleep in late before. Nevertheless, now I always woke up early even on a Sunday when I had the time to sleep in. According to Rina, only detectives are so alert that their sleeps are light and they wake up early like an alarm clock, without needing to hear the ringing of an alarm.

But I was not a detective; I wonder why my mind seemed to have the vigilance and precision of a detective sometimes.

I was seated in the living room of my house while I sipped on a cup of coffee that morning. A light movement caught my eye and I looked up to see Tiara walking out of her room and keeping her suitcase by the front door of the house.

She noticed me and smiled. I flashed a quick smile at her before turning away.

Why did her gaze and her smile stir something inside me all the time? It made me feel awkward every single time. That is the reason why I preferred to avoid her since my marriage to Narissa.

"Daniel, I want to go today. Will you send me and Mila to the nearest bus stop this morning?" I was startled for a moment to see Tiara standing right before me in the living room. As I had been lost in my thoughts, I hadn't realized when Tiara had walked up to me.

"Bus stop? Yeah, sure. What time do you wanna go?"

"You could send me now. Mila and I are ready."

"Now? But it's only 6.30 in the morning! It's a Sunday; the roads will be deserted at this time."

"That's fine with me."

"I think everyone is still asleep. Can't you wait until they wake up?"

"No, it's quite urgent. I would like to go as early as possible."

"But you know Narissa and my sisters; they'll be upset if you leave without saying bye to them."

"Isma should be awake. I'll inform her. She'll explain it to Narissa and Rina."

"Okay, since you're being so persistent. Give us half an hour. Narissa and I will send you to the bus stop."

"There's no need to wake her up."

"No, I have to wake her up. You just be ready. We'll send you in half an hour."

"Alright, thanks."

***

"But where do we have to go so early?" moaned Narissa, finally getting up and sitting in bed; her eyes were still half-closed. Her hair lay in a mess and she was still wrapped in the blanket.

I smiled, seeing my wife's sleepy face in the reflection of the mirror while I changed into my T-shirt, before answering, "Tiara wants to leave."

"What? Why does she have to leave? Couldn't you have told her to go back to sleep? We'll send her at 11 or 12, whenever I wake up, if she really wants to go."

"I tried telling her already. She said it's urgent, she has to go early."

"Why does she have to go so early?"

"You ask her; she's your friend."

Narissa pouted but didn't budge as she asked, "Why can't you just send her to the bus stop? I don't have to come, right?"

"Come on, you know I don't like to go anywhere with her alone or be with her alone. I've told you, I feel uncomfortable in her presence. You're my beautiful wife, right? Get up for me, please," I pleaded with a smile, before walking over to the bed and taking her hands in mine.