Loving you for who you are

Things between me and Noah had been so awkward. We are already at the dining table trying to open a piece of bottled water but don't want to open it. The bottle cap closes too tightly. I was having a hard time opening it but suddenly, Noah picked it up and opened it. He successfully opened it, and my eyes were still on him.

I was silent and so he did too. I was watching him from where I was sitting. I was still looking at him when he suddenly stared at me. He then smiled, "Why are you looking at me like that?" I averted my gaze and started to eat, but I could see that he was still looking at me.

After we finished our meal, I looked at him, but he wasn't talking as he started to wash the dishes. "Abi, you know what?" he started the conversation between us. I was just listening while looking at him. "You used to do all these chores while I'm at work, but..." he stopped and turned his head and smiled at me.

"When you're gone... I just realized how tiring and valuable what you do inside the house," he added. I just stood in front of him as he smiled, looking at me. Is he ... really my husband? Why can't I remember him? Why?

He was still smiling at me, but he turned his back and continued to wash the dishes. I don't know how I can start being close to him, but as I roamed my eyes inside the house, I could see our wedding photo together. It was hanging in the living room, and we were both smiling. It seemed like... that we were happy back then. Aren't we?

Later that day, Noah and I had been all along inside the house. He talks a lot about how we started as a couple, and how rude and cold he was to me. I was still watching and observing him as he continued to talk about us, about our life together. All about us. The corner of my lips started to slide upwards when he started to talk about how fun and chaotic I was. I'd never imagined that I was that fun.

"Noah..."

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry," I uttered.

"About what?"

"I don't even remember my husband," I saw a smile drawn on his lips when I uttered that word. It seemed like he was happy to hear about that. I smiled at him, "Don't worry. For now on... I'll try my best to remember every detail about you," I added.

He then got closer to me, and gave me a tight hug. He sighed in relief while embracing and patting my back. "Thank you," he uttered. "Thank you for coming back, Abi, my wife," he added. Every time he calls me, I feel that I am safe. He... He's my home.

As the day started to flee fast, I got to know more about Noah. He's not cold and rude as he always tells me. He's kinda sweet and caring. He also asked me and our baby. He was so attentive during my pregnancy, and I hope he will be consistent in doing that for us. I was roaming around our room when I found a photo of us. He didn't even smile at that photo, but... He looks so handsome, and he looks so fine.

As I've been living with him. I noticed that he's the kind of person that didn't want to smile in front of the camera, but... I always saw him smiling at me. He's very different from the Noah he had been telling me all about. He's too far from that person.

I was in the living room while looking at the TV. It was a drama series that I've been watching since I got here. I liked the storyline and the plot of the story. I was sitting on the couch when suddenly the door opened.

"Noah?" A man's voice I heard called Noah's voice. My mouth opened wide when I remembered that Noah had left to buy some groceries. I immediately turned the TV off and went into a corner to hide. I successfully hid in a corner while I still heard the man's voice keep calling Noah's name.

Who is he? What did he want from Noah? Why could he open the door? Did he also live here? I could feel the cold sweat running through my forehead down to my jaw. I wiped them off and started to peek at the man who was still walking inside the house.

"Why did he leave the house while the lights were turned off?" I heard him ask himself as he started to turn off all the lights. I could feel the loud throb of my chest while watching him from where I was hiding. Why can't he just leave? Why did he have to be here at this hour?

As I saw him walking towards the door, I sighed in relief and stood properly, but that was so careless of me. I bumped my head on a hanging rack on the wall, causing it to make a sound. "What is that? Is anyone around?" he asked, and it echoed inside the house. I was still massaging my head while I started to walk away from where I was hiding to find somewhere else safe.

The man started to turn the lights on again. "Is anyone there? Answer me!" he shouted, and it is making me nervous right now. Where is Noah? What's taking him so long? I am sweating so much than earlier. I am so nervous too, that I might get caught by that unfamiliar and suspicious man.

I was taking a step back when I suddenly stepped on something, and it sounded cracking. I saw the man turn his head to where I was. My eyes suddenly widened while looking at him. Oh no! I'm doomed.

"Show yourself!" he raged while looking in my direction. I covered my mouth while watching him, walking towards me.

He was so close to me... I could feel the fastening of my heartbeat. I think I am going to be caught. I closed my eyes and accepted the fact that I would get caught by him. He was already in front of where I was hiding when I heard the door open and saw Noah.

"Ethan? What are you doing here?" he asked, and the man started to take a step back from where I was and walked closer to him.

"Why did you leave the lights on? I thought you were inside. That's why I went inside," he answered, and I sighed in relief.

"Ah. I forgot about that. Is there anything else you need? If none, you can leave," he said to him.

"How rude of you. I just got here. I would love to accept any food offers," he stated. "I don't want to offer anything to you. You can leave," he uttered, and he chuckled.

"You're back. Congratulations!" he said in sarcasm. Ethan started to walk towards the door. When he got out, Noah started to call my name in a low tone. While he was calling me, I started to show myself to him with a smile. He then walked closer to me. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am." Noah started to wipe the sweat on my forehead, and I could sense how worried he was. "I'm sorry. I forgot to change the door passcode," he uttered while he continued to wipe the sweat off my face. "I'm sorry. I could imagine how frightened and scared you were," he added, and I smiled.

"I didn't get caught." He then looked at me and hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry."

"About what? Why are you always saying sorry to me? Are you really bad and mean to me?" I asked him, and he said, "Yes. I was."

I looked at him, cupping my hands on him. "Noah?"

"Hmm?"

"I understand you," those words... I remember how I uttered those words to someone. I could see how his eyes widened when he looked at me. "Did you... just say..." I nodded my head.

"I know. I know that I used to say that word to you. Remember?" I asked him, and he nodded his head.

"It's your memory..." he stopped, and his smile had gone.

"What is it? Aren't you happy?"

"Yes. I am not."

"Why?"

"If you remember your past..." he took a deep breath. "You... will remember how cold and rude I was to you. How I treat you like nobody. How I..."

My body just reacted just like that. My lips were pressed against his.He looked at me with widened eyes. "This... What is this?" he was so surprised while his eyes were still on me. I was pleased and delighted at that moment, seeing how he reacted. His reaction was priceless.

"Noah..." I smiled while looking at him. "I..." I cupped my hands on his face while I was wearing a broad smile.

"I... love you for who you are. Because... you are... my husband."

To be continued...