Inside the car on their way to the airport, Pam has been silent. She avoid looking at him or speaking for fear of bursting out to tears. Although she was used and abused last night, Tim managed to let her rest until its time to go and arrange for her stuff while she sleeps. The feelings she had 7 years ago of being treated like a queen is once again happening.
Tim noticed her silence. "Hey are you mad? We still have time to grab brunch in the airport. I'll drop you off the departure gate then park the car. I can just put the luggage in a cart. Message me which café you will be in, get me a coffee too."
Tim said this like he has thought about it carefully. Pam can no longer control her tears. It started to rush down her face. She tried hard not to sob, still Tim saw her tearing.
"Pim why are you crying?" In his shock he maneuvered the steering wheel aiming for outer lane. He wanted to do emergency park so he could check on her.
Pam realized what he is doing. "Go ahead don't park on the side." She held his hand with her left hand while her right hand is wiping her face.
Tim did as what he is told and proceed with his drive. "I am sorry for tiring you, it was so selfish of me. I can't help it. I will miss you."
Pam leaned on his left arms, "I will miss you too hubby."
She just called him hubby… a ripple of happiness filled Tim's heart. One of the sweetest things he heard from Pam. If he pretends to be an irrational one, he would have quit and join her in Sydney, or he could have asked her to resign and stay with him as plain housewife.
"I suddenly realized that its harder to part this way."
They reached the airport. As agreed, Pam is dropped at the departure area while Tim looks for parking space. It will save them time if Pam orders for something as she waits for Tim. She spotted a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Café; Tim likes the double shot espresso. She immediately ordered and took one of the tables from the side.
Pam: I am at CBTL, see you.
Tim: Ok, I just parked.
In reality Tim has checked in his carry-on luggage so he can continue with the act. Unknown to Pam he had his flight arranged to join her in Singapore for few days before she leaves for Sydney. The actual parting is still on Monday.
Tim saw Pam, the orders were already in the table, but he has not started to eat. She was spacing out. Tim placed the two big luggage on the side and sat in front of her. "Did you wait for me to eat?"
"Hmm"
Tim sipped on his coffee, he noticed there is just one sandwich. "Are you not eating?" Pam just moved her head left and right. "Didn't I tell you to fatten up a bit? Breakfast is important!" He sliced the sandwich to half and handed over one half to Pam as he ate the other half.
"Eat it!"
Pam was reluctant, she had no appetite, but Tim was commanding. As they are parting today, she doesn't want to piss him off or make him worry. She bites the other half of the sandwich, she realized they are truly husband and wife. Because of the surge of emotions, the act of sharing the other half of his sandwich triggered once again the tears she had been trying to hold. This has alarmed Tim.
"Pim is eating so hard to do? Give it to me if you don't want to. You can't be like this when you're on your own." He was willing to pamper and give in to her just for today. Afraid that the others might think there is something wrong happening between them. Tim dragged his chair to sit adjacent to Pam. He wiped her tears.
Pam hugged him as she chews on the sandwich. Tim was taken aback with her sudden action; he hugged her back. "You are making me worried Pim." He kissed her head and straighten her up. He patiently wiped her tears and cupped her face to give her kisses on both cheeks.
"I didn't know you will be like this. Makes me wonder where you got the strength to leave me before." He was holding her one hand squeezing it.
In the past, Pam had the impression that she is just one of those girls in Tim's life. Although he treated her right, it felt surreal. Today she realized that he really cared about her and love her, this is now making it hard to part ways with Tim even if this is just temporary.
"Because I never thought you are really like this." Her voice is still choking. "Now everything feels so real."
Tim could understand this, he just hugged her back again and kissed her on her head. "Finish your sandwich, we will just take the coffee away otherwise we will miss the flight." He finished his espresso shot.
Pam did not catch the last 5 words he said. She finished the sandwich in less than a minute. She stood and took the two luggage with her.
"Hey, do you think I am this useless, give it to me!" Tim snatched the luggage from her. "Take your coffee and your handbag. "
Pam in a very soft voice said, "I can just check in my baggage…" she is insinuating that Tim stop here and leave her alone. It will be harder if he goes any further. She does not want to cry again later. She will be conditioning her mind to be strong.
"I am going with you, let's check this in." Literally Tim means it yet Pam had no clue about it, so she let Tim go with her reluctantly. She was taking deep breaths to calm herself. There will be more people later. She cannot cry her heart out.
They went inside the check in counter. Tim had his boarding pass with him, inside inner pocket of his jacket along with his passport.
As Pam was checking in, his phone vibrated there was a chat message.
Lissy: Why did you announce we are married? You are too much Tim!
Tim: What makes you think I am referring to you?
Lissy was annoyed but come to think of it if Tim announces it this way, it means he is still hung up to her. Recently there were saga between her and Li Bin's family. With this declaration from Tim, she had Option 2 however it was puzzling. She cannot ask him directly whether he is indeed married to another woman, somehow it is going to be disadvantageous for her to know.