28 Consummation of Marriage

"What happened, why is your leg bandaged?"

Grep. Aileen was transfixed. Farez hugged her tightly. Tears gathered in Aileen's eyes ready to come out at any time. Mixed feelings. Realizing they were outside plus people were starting to pay attention to the two of them, Aileen was forced to let go of the hug. Villagers can misunderstand.

"Come in first. I don't have the key to your rental house. You're still renting this place, right?"

"Um. Come on."

Aileen sighed, she helped Farez to the house.

Until the front door, Aileen asked for the second time, Farez rested on his body leaning on his wife's shoulder while Aileen opened the door.

"You must have been in an accident, what caused it?"

Farez snorted and winced in pain. "A duck passed by and in front of me, there was a hole. I couldn't avoid it and fell."

"Next time, be careful. It's your fault you drive at above-average speed," Aileen babbled. She knew exactly how Farez rode. The boy's hormones for high-speed driving stuck to him perfectly.

"Why didn't you tell me you had an accident if I knew I was going to pick you up at the hospital."

Farez feels guilty for not informing his wife and makes Aileen worried about waiting a long time without news. "Sorry, earlier I was assisted by the community and didn't have time to look at my cell phone. I'm still conscious and not seriously injured. It's not only you that I didn't notify, I didn't even tell my father and mother. I tried to get here quickly," Farez said, scratching his hair. that doesn't itch. He's awkward.

"Hah...."

The room in the house is dirty. As a good wife, Aileen took a broom after she laid Farez on the couch.

It's not that Farez isn't grateful that his wife loves cleaning the house, he just feels that the little time they have shouldn't be used by Aileen just to clean the house.

"Don't sweep the floors, Leen. Come here. The place isn't too dirty anyway."

"Just a moment Farez, I won't be long. I just clean this living room." Aileen was adamant. A dirty room is uncomfortable to see. So she will still get the job done.

Aileen's phone rang. Aileen was about to pick up if Farez didn't prevent her from doing that. Usually, Farez doesn't act like that. Aileen gets confused. Her brows knit together as she asked the question. "Why are you holding me, Farez?"

"I said not to pick up the phone. You won't listen to me?"

Aileen pouted. Farez's attitude reminded her of Jack who was both bossy and stubborn. In the end, Aileen gave in to avoid a fight. Aileen didn't see who the caller was either.

They sit side by side.

"You just came and just had an accident. You'll sleep here tonight. But sorry I can't accompany you. Our group is busy. Right now we are running an MSME business cake-making program for the village community and a final program. So... I'm busy."

Farez understood Aileen's meaning and immediately shook his head firmly. He has another proposal for them to do together. Farez's goal is to meet Aileen to let go of her longing. Since he didn't go to Aileen's post but to the woman who approached him at the rental house, Farez thought it was the right time to do what he wanted. Counting just one hour Aileen left. Farez was sure his group mates would not be angry.

"Wait a minute. I want us to do what a husband and wife are supposed to do."

Aileen's brows knit together in disapproval. "Can't it be postponed?" Aileen stared blankly. Farez is not usually like that.

"No, we have to do it anyway," Farez insisted.

Aileen sighed. If Farez is like that, Aileen is forced to obey him. Aileen's duty as a wife is indeed for that. Delaying the return by about half an hour probably won't be a problem.

She nodded. "Okay, but please hurry. I can't take long."

"Em. You can trust me."

Maybe that's what had to happen. Aileen has also been thinking for a long time about when they will consummate their marriage. Honestly, Aileen was scared. It must be painful.

Cold sweat ran down Aileen's back, temples and face.

"Hey, you nervous?"

"Yeah."

Farez chuckled because of Aileen's cute treatment. "Don't be afraid. I'm taking it slow."

Bugh. Aileen lets go of hitting Farez. It happened spontaneously.

The situation was quite supportive and Farez didn't want everything to be destroyed even if he was hit. Farez was not angry, instead, he pulled Aileen into his lap. Aileen's heart seemed to stop beating. She struggled to catch her breath.

"Hey, don't be nervous. I won't be rude." Farez tucked Aileen's hair behind her ear.

Aileen doesn't know and is confused. In the future, only Farez, Aileen, and the pleasures of the world can be felt. Others don't.

***

Aileen's breath hitched. She was tired, and his core ached. Aileen had never felt this bad before.

"Sorry," Farez squeaked softly. If he had done it he would be hurt by the promise not to hurt Aileen.

"You said not rude." Aileen wanted to be angry and she pouted, but because it was her duty, Aileen tried to understand.

Maybe it's a bit natural for that to happen. Farez got out of hand for some reason. Aileen also had to do it the first time. It's normal to feel sick.

"Oh yes, who is the girl who picked up your phone?"

"My friend. She's a widow. I helped her when the loan sharks asked to pay above average."

"How did you two meet?"

Aileen was curious, so she asked further. This story about Rumi is both interesting and disturbing to Aileen's mind. The situation was quite supportive and Farez didn't want everything to be destroyed even if he was hit. Farez was not angry, instead, he pulled Aileen into his lap. Her heart seemed to stop beating. Aileen struggled to catch her breath.

"Hey, don't be nervous. I won't be rude." Farez tucked Aileen's hair behind her ear.

Aileen doesn't know and is confused. In the future, only Farez, Aileen, and the pleasures of the world can be felt. Others don't.

*****