Glenn's Apartment
I returned to the apartment when the sky outside was starting to appear an orange tinge. I opened the apartment door and the first thing I realized was that the apartment was quiet and dim. Seeing the dark living room with minimal lighting, I guessed that Aileen had not returned from her training.
It had been more than a week since Aileen and I lived together. Before leaving, Aileen always told me that she was going for her dance training. She said that there would be a fundraising art show, as well as an assessment for dancers selected by art universities from abroad.
Aileen told me, if she managed to impress the representatives from overseas universities with her performance, then it was very likely that she would be selected for a full scholarship to continue her studies at the master's level. And I could only nod, because for me if it could make Aileen succeed in achieving her goals, I would be happy too.
I entered my apartment unit, after pressing the light switch so that now I could see my tidy apartment, because Aileen always cleaned it before going to practice. I flung myself onto the sofa in the living room, and sighed wearily as I untied the beautiful tie around my neck, then unbuttoned the top button as the heat hit me.
I winced when I felt a vibration of the cell phone I kept in my pocket, then I took it out to see who was calling me at a time like this.
"Oh no." I groaned a little annoyed, when Mom's name appeared on the screen.
I was sure, that she wanted to ask about me and Aileen who hadn't had time to visit my parents' house because we were both busy.
Click!
"Yes, Mom," I said when I picked up the call from her.
[Glenn honey!]
"Hmm? I'm here, Mom," I replied when Mom called me in a strange tone, believed me if she had made a sweet voice then there should be something.
[Is Aileen in the apartment, Glenn?]
"Ai? Ai happens to be still practicing at her college, Mom," I explained frankly.
[Aren't you pick her up? It's almost midnight.]
"Ai said that she was going home with her teammates, Mom." I explained patiently what my mother was asking.
Luckily, I had asked Aileen before, so I didn't have to lie about Aileen's activities when Mom asked me.
(Still, you should have picked up Ai. After all, Ai is your responsibility, Glenn.)
I scratched my head that was not itchy. Mom was right. Ai was my responsibility. Ah! If only Mom knew what happened.
"Yes, Mom. Next time before returning to the apartment, I would call Ai first so that we can go home together. But Mom, what do you really want to say? I know that this must not be the reason you contacted me, right?" I asked successively.
I didn't care if it seemed rude. Because I knew Mom very well, she would not finish talking, if I didn't ask her to the point.
[You always know what I'm thinking, Glenn.]
"See.... I am right, because Mom will always be Mom. " I thought to myself.
"Hmm," I mumbled in response, while standing up from my seat and walking towards my bedroom.
Creak!
[So Glenn.... didn't you say you were rescheduling your honeymoon? Then, when will it be Glenn? I want to show my friends your honeymoon pictures.]
"Oh my God, what is this?" I thought speechless.
I immediately stopped when my mother's questions entered my ears.
[Glenn, do you hear me? Is something wrong?]
Mom's voice that called out to me worriedly, broke my silence and made me shake my head. I tried to get rid of the overwhelming thought of responding to my mother's words. Showing off photos of her son's honeymoon to her friends was really out of the of box. My mother was absolutely amazing.
"Yes, Mom. I am opening the bedroom door at the moment, so I didn't focus," I explained.
[Ah.... You make me worry.]
"Sorry," I said curtly and sat on my king size bed, then looked up at the ceiling.
[No problem. So, how about my questions?]
"You don't have to worry, Mom. We will go to Germany for our honeymoon and send you the photos later. Ok?" I said.
I chose to answer like this, if not the matter would be long.
[Ok, I will remember your words, Glenn. Then, greet Aileen from me. If the time is right, I'll come to your apartment. Ok?]
"I'll tell her Mom. Who knows, Ai's schedule won't be too busy, Mom. So, Mom and Ai can talk together." I answered, then the call ended when Mom turned it off.
Beep!
"Huft.... I have to be happy with this marriage. I know God. It is my fault and I admit it. I will not complain and live it until our contract marriage ends." I thought inwardly.
"I'd better take a shower," I decided, then stood up from my seat and walked towards the damp room where I cleaned myself.
Thirty minutes later
Creak!
I came out of the bathroom with my hand busy stroking my half-wet hair, and walked towards the nightstand where I put my cell phone before taking a shower. I meant to call Aileen to see if she was on her way home or if she was still practicing dancing.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
My eyebrows furrowed, when my first call was ignored by her. Usually if my call was ignored like this Aileen was still practicing. I decided to call her back later. I better went out and checked what food I could eat for tonight.
Still wiping my hair, I went out only in boxer shorts, without clothes so that now the abdominal muscles from the results of my training were exposed freely.
I didn't have to worry about anyone else, and if it was Aileen, she would scream if she was around me and saw me like this.
Aileen looked cute, when she saw me like this. Her mouth screamed with a sneer at the end and her fingers would close her eyes. However, from between her fingers, she peeked right at my six pack. I knew that of course because she said clearly if....
Creak!
"Ahh! Ish.... Always showing off your ugly six pack. Can you not put on your clothes? Or at least cover it with something!"
Well.... I was just talking about her and now the person stand already at the end of the entrance. It turned out, when I opened my bedroom door, she also happened to open the door to my apartment.
I just snorted, when Aileen closed the door with her back to me and her hands still covered her eyes. I casually continued walking towards the kitchen, past her who was taking off her shoes and changing into house slippers.
"Glenn, have you showered?" Aileen asked as usual, always looking for trivial things to start our conversation.
"Hmm," I mumbled softly, reaping an annoyed snort from Aileen who was now standing behind me.
"What are you doing?" Aileen asked again because she would not be satisfied if I didn't answer her question properly.
"Hmm...."
"Glenn, answer my question correctly," Aileen said in a spoiled tone, like a kid.
" I am looking for something to eat, Ai. Aren't you hungry?"
"Yes, I am, he-he!"
I was right. She acted like a kid again. I already answered properly, but Aileen would respond to me cheerfully and happily like a kid.
"Then you cook," I said and turned my body to face her who suddenly closed her eyes again.
"Ahh! Don't turn around. Do you want to be hit?" Aileen cried frantically with one hand went up to signal that she wanted to hit me. While the other hand remained on the eyelid, covering her eyes that could still see through between her fingers.
"It's useless Ai. You cover with your hand but still is visible, right?" I teased with a lopsided grin making her quickly turn around and grumbling.
"Tsk, showing off."
Living with her for one week, I knew one of her habits which was grumbling. Especially if it was related to my arbitrary behavior, for example like this when I deliberately went bare-chested in front of her.
"Tsk, fine! Go take a shower. I have something to tell you after dinner," I said ending our unimportant debate that had been happening almost in the last few days.
"Alright.... Cook something delicious, ok? I go take a shower," Aileen replied and walked out of the kitchen without being asked twice.
After Aileen left, I continued my initial activity, which was checking the refrigerator to look something for our dinner.
"Huft.... Is she my wife or my little sister? But why do I feel like I am taking care of a little sister rather than having a wife?" I muttered as I checked the contents of the refrigerator.
To be continued.