"I'll call you back as soon as I can."
Mariana just smiled exactly when Naima was waving at her, then the beautiful woman got into the car and left Mariana in front of the hospital door.
The atmosphere at night in the hospital was quite quiet, with only a few people passing by. The nurses on duty were also few, but they seemed busy.
Mariana rubbed against the surface of her own hand to remove a biting chill. Be advised, her dress were too revealing to wear at night so she caught a cold.
Mariana step, no doubt, is to head to the elevator to facilitate the intensive care area where Kevin is being treated. To be honest, Mariana realized very well that now some nurses are looking at her bitterly. They must have heard from him. Rumors that Mariana had betrayed Kevin for Paulino. Mariana reportedly was a compulsive treasure who threw away her own husband. The actual news is not true at all. But, will people care? Whatever reason Mariana took, everyone wanted to screw her.
"Franda!" Mariana called when she found Franda sitting in the hospital ward. She ran right up and hugged Franda. "How's Kevin?"
Franda takes a deep breath and shakes her head. "His condition is getting worse."
"O God!" Mariana looked down, letting her tears trickle.
Franda immediately helped mariana to sit down, before Mariana's body fell. As her friend, of course Mariana's feelings take shape. Big scare. Plus she knew exactly how Mariana felt about Kevin. "Mariana," Franda touched his friend's hand gently. "Let's wish Kevin good luck."
Mariana nodded. "Definitely."
"Wipe away your tears." Franda's hand gently wiped away the tears that fell on Mariana's cheeks. "You can't cry in front of Kevin. He will be very sad if he sees you cry."
"Yes. You're right, Franda. I can't cry."
Instead of being strong, however, Mariana sobbed. Especially at the thought of her husband being all right. Kevin had never hurt Mariana's feelings, nor their children. Kevin is too good and perfect, but what happened to him?
"Oh Mariana!" Franda cradled her as she stroked her shoulder. "Be strong. What Kevin needs now is our support. Not tears."
***
"Honey, is our breakfast done?"
On a sunny day a mid the mild tropical air, Mariana emerged from her cottage. She was wearing only a gray shirt and shorts at the time, while she had a poorly trimmed tail.
Across the street from the building where she was staying, it looked like Kevin was cooking, preferably in an open kitchen that led directly to the pool. They are separated only by the reflection of clear water in the small swimming pool where their young swim.
"What are you cooking?"
Kevin turned, and smiled gently at mariana. "I tried to cook Fried rice like we ate last night. Hopefully it tastes the same as the Fried rice seller."
"Are you serious?" Mariana laughed. "You know what the recipe is?"
Kevin nodded. "Last night, when Abang Nasi Goreng cooked our meal, I asked him about this prescription."
"And he told you?"
"Yes."
"My goodness, Baby!" Mariana gel-head. "Well, I'll give it a shot. Does it make it that good? I mean, you've never even cooked at all. Or do you want me to help you?"
"Don't worry, Honey."
Sure enough, Kevin came in with a tray of five Fried rice plates. He placed it on the table right next to mariana's, then called for their kids. "Eat your breakfast first."
"Oh, dad." Lunar from the middle of the pool answering, "I'm not hungry yet."
"Me too, dad."
"I'm not hungry either."
"All right, dad will put your food in your room. You must finish it before lunch, or we will not continue walking."
"Okay!" Children answer in unison.
Kevin handed Mariana a plate of Fried rice and fresh slice of cucumber. "Eat up."
"It's edible, right?"
"If it's not edible, why would I give it to you, honey?" Kevin laughed. "Did you think I was going to poison you?"
"Who knows."
Kevin glanced at Mariana, signified discomfort with what his wife had said. "You can say anything but nothing with death. How could I possibly poison you? I love you, Mariana."
"I know, but that's not what I meant, Kevin." Mariana placed her plate back on the table and touched the man's shoulder. "Honey, no offense. I had no intention of hurting you at all."
"I also apologize if I've been too sensitive lately," Kevin says. "I feel that there's an empty part of me."
"You mean?"
Kevin replied, "I miss my mother."
"Your mother?"
"It's been so long since I've seen her."
"Since before we got married."
"Wonder if she'll remember me?"
"Why are you suddenly bringing it up? I mean, it's been a long time since we went back to our parents' house."
"What if after this vacation, we go visit my parents and yours?"
"Do you think they'll be receptive to us?"
"I'm not sure, Mariana." Kevin looked up at the bright sky above them. "But it's been a long time. Will they still not accept our children?"
***
Mariana smiled back on the memory. Think of mariana to stop that second too, but what do you think?
Mariana touched Kevin's hand gently, then kissed him. The man showed no signs of life, except the monitor showing his heart rate, and the sound of a ventilator that was keeping Kevin breathing.
"I'm sorry, Vin! I'm sorry, Baby." Mariana whispered. "Please wake up, Honey. You must be strong and strong for me and our children. We love you very much. We need you desperately.."
Mariana's face flooded with tears. She pressed her heavy chest with weeping, then leaned her head against the edge of the bed.
"Kevin," she said, still holding her husband's hand. "I've made a mistake, Kevin. I broke our marriage vows, but I hope you understand.
"Our children hate me now, and I don't know if I still deserve to be their mother. I'm not even sure if you'll take me back, but I clearly love you very much. I want you to wake up.
"I ask nothing of you, Vin. I just want you to get well."
"Excuse me, Ma 'am. Visiting hours are over." A watch nurse gave a warning.
Mariana nodded. "Give me a moment." She wiped away the tears, then stood up. "I'll be back tomorrow," she looks at Kevin's closed face and kisses his forehead, and then whispers, "I love you, my husband."
Mariana realized very well that she no longer deserved to refer to Kevin as her husband. But their divorce was strictly a state administration, and in God's eyes and in her heart, she and Kevin were still in love. Their souls are still valid as husband and wife. Besides, Mariana would still think she was Kevin's wife. Paulino or nobody. She was the only one.
"Franda? You're not home yet? "Mariana inquired when she found out her friend was still sitting on a long hospital bench.
Franda nodded. "Harris and I made a pact to stay here in shifts. We were worried that something would happen to Kevin."
"Thank you," Mariana said. "I can't imagine what we'd be like without you two."
"Mariana, we have taken you as our family. You're our family. So it's only natural to help each other. Besides, Kevin's cousin Harris."
"Did Harris call Kevin's parents? "Said the sign carefully.
Franda nodded. "Unfortunately, they no longer cared."
"What do you mean?"
"Kevin's parents stopped seeing him as their son." Franda took a deep breath. "You know, your father-in-law is very upset about your marriage. Even if Kevin's mom still accepts you, but if his dad doesn't want it, then nothing. They also refuse to take care of your children."
"Really no hope?"
Franda close her eyes for a moment, a sign of desperation. "Why don't you go ask your parents?"
"My parents? It's more likely to ask them for help."
"Why?"
"Because they dumped me." Mariana squeezed the dress herself in a fit of rage. "My mom and dad even got divorced when I was little."
"What about your aunt and uncle?"
"They're too old."
"Mariana!"
The sound spontaneously caused them to turn to the end of the hall. Sure enough, a man in a black suit walked up to both of them with a flushed face.
"Paul? Paul? "Mariana mumbled. "Why are you here?"
"Should I be the one asking why are you here?" Paulino tugged on Mariana's hand.
"Get off me, Paul."
"I won't let go of you because I know that you will cheat me again."
"No, Paul."
"No what? Won't it fool me?"
"Paulino, please."
"Are you coming home with me or am I sending Kevin to the house of eternity?"
"Paulino, let mariana go!" said Franda.
Paulino didn't even ignore the sign.
"Mariana, we have to go back to the party now."
"Paul, I implore you,
"Mariana, do you want violence? I you no longer understand human language? Go home or do I collect your ex-husband's hospital bills?"