Extra 2

When the alarm went off loudly, I jolted awake. Crazy! Who set the alarm ringtone so loud, anyway? My heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest! But then I remembered, I intentionally set the alarm for this early morning. A smile replaced the frown on my lips. Can't be mad. It's a special day.

I gently push aside the blanket, making sure not to disturb the man who's been by my side for eight years. Gosh... why does his handsomeness never diminish at all? If anything, I think he's getting even more handsome. Seriously. His body's getting fitter, although yeah... a bit of a potbelly. Just a little, though. Not as much as Dad Ro. Dad Ro's over the top. Whatever air Mom used to inflate him with.

"Happy anniversary, Bae."

That's all I say. The long speech can wait. I need to hurry to the kitchen. I have to prepare a special breakfast because this morning, Ganda and Gandi have to pick up their report cards for their promotion to the next grade. Oh God, I think I'll need earplugs later. Don't want to listen to the twin's teachers babble on. Not to mention the other parents' remarks about how active my twin kids are.

Do I have to forbid them from being lively? How could I?

Taking my hair tie, I quickly tie up my hair, twist it loosely, and close the bedroom door softly. It's still half past four. Surely no one's up and about at this hour, right? Before taking these steps down the stairs to my favorite area now; the kitchen, I take a moment to peek into the twin's room.

Just in case they're sleeping all tangled up. Even though their beds are separated. The right side for Gandi, who loves the color blue. So anything with a blue hue is there, including his interest in the underwater world. He says, "Gandi wants to see big whales in the sea, Bubu."

Okay. I'll indulge him.

Different from his twin. He likes the color red. Bright and bold, he says. His hobbies... oh, they suddenly give me a headache! Race cars ranging from small ones to those powered by special batteries are neatly parked in the garage. Even his bed only wants Lightning McQueen. You know, right? That red race car with a cheeky style!

"McQueen is cool, Bubu, just like me."

Seriously, though. I thought when I found out I was pregnant with twins when I was four months along, they were all girls. Well... even though most of my heart was hoping for boys only. But Mr. Thomas wanted girls. Doesn't he know that girls would be the ones causing all the trouble?

How can I give up attention, right? Ugh! Insensitive! It's not funny, is it, if I compete for Mr. Thomas's attention? Oh... now he's the one throwing tantrums because I'm the one monopolizing Ganda and Gandi more often. When Mr. Thomas is close to me, ugh! They're both ready to brawl.

They say, "This is our Bubu, Baba! Don't get close! Forbidden!!!"

I just laugh it off. But the retaliation when we're in the room, oh... it feels like my bones are about to fall apart!

Slowly, I open the door with their names written on it. I remember very well that their name carvings were made with their father during a vacation. There wasn't anything good about it from the three attempts, but truly, the happiness engraved in every moment is what makes me never stop being grateful.

The letter G in Gandi's name is really slanted. The letter I has too many colors. Not to mention the other letters. Ugh... none of it looks aesthetic. Quite a contrast with the arrangement in every room in this house. But the carving of this name is very expensive. The memories created in it are priceless and I wouldn't exchange them for any jewelry in the world.

For me, Mr. Thomas, Ganda, and Gandi are the most beautiful things I have. Plus Mom, Dad, oh... Grandma too. It's a complete family for me.

The corner of my lips involuntarily curls up. My two kids are still fast asleep. Cozily wrapped up in their favorite blankets. I make sure the temperature in this room isn't too cold. Then I quickly head to the kitchen. Can't have my baked macaroni not ready to be eaten this morning.

The two-story house we live in, Mr. Thomas really made it comfortable. Mr. Thomas considered a lot of things because of my pregnancy back then. And there were a lot of clashes with my taste, but Mr. Thomas never minded that. He even said, "The urban modern-style house I conceived collided because of you."

Nonsense, right?

Carefully stepping on each step, but my eyes are fixed on our wedding photo. Um... not a wedding, no. It's an engagement that turned into a solemn vow. Oh my, God! It was funny back then. I become silent, not continuing my steps. Instead, memories of when Mr. Thomas kept approaching me replayed in my head. Even though I don't know how many times I rejected him.

Gosh! Really rejected? Why do I suddenly feel like giggling?

The first time I knew Thomas Dimitry Adam's figure, my beloved Mr. Thomas, was at a gathering one year before I moved to Senayan. When Gajah Mada became my comfortable home. Many words about him circulated, especially from the female staff. They said the Branch Manager of Senayan is irresistibly handsome. Like, really handsome. I don't know.

I, who only had a glimpse of him, wasn't too curious until...

"Sorry!" I was so startled when I looked up, the person being talked about appeared in front of me. His eyes glanced at me briefly, a thin smile formed, then he just left.

Well... it's no big deal for me. It doesn't affect me either. Maybe it's because we accidentally bumped into each other. No need for further drama, right? And the event went on as usual. Exciting and lively, although I could still hear many compliments rolling towards that guy.

Where was God when destiny lines were drawn and we couldn't predict anything, right? I was placed in Senayan. I reluctantly accepted it because my goal was to become the Head Teller. Who wouldn't be tempted by that offer, right? At a time when I was trying to save money for capital and asking Mom to quit her job. Anyway, whatever happens, I have to be able to reach that position.

Still, I work honestly and fairly. Geez, like I'm running for election, huh? But no. I'm honest because my job involves money. I don't want my reputation to be ruined just for a hundred or two hundred thousand.

That's where I met Mr. Thomas again. His eyes, oh my God! I don't know what's wrong, but I felt watched with cynicism. But still, I'm not going to give up first, okay? Although he's handsome, I admit that from the start, but if his behavior is like that, his handsomeness isn't enough to win my heart.

Eh... I got caught. Totally caught up in my own words.

But I can't be far away from him. Not at all. There was a time when Mr. Thomas had a task in Newcastle.

"Bogor-Senayan is only a four-hour drive, Bee," he said, trying to persuade me a bit. I know, it's kinda selfish of me. But, you know, lately Mr. Thomas has been busy. I feel sidelined because of his activities. Especially with the promotion he got. Area ShopaShop Manager.

God! It's not that I'm ungrateful, but this self needs Mr. Thomas who sometimes squeezes in his time for me. My eyes just blink at him. Trying to persuade him not to go on duty. Maybe if my tears fall, they could stop him from leaving us. Again.

"I invited you to come on duty with the kids, you refused. You still have responsibilities at SAVEFUND, right?" He sits beside me. Stroking my hair as usual. Sometimes those strokes are so soothing, sometimes they make me feel lost. Because when he's on duty like this, there's no one to be my sleeping pillow, right?

"You know, right, that all layers of the division are audited? As a good and proper Head Teller, I can't leave Clara and Hanny alone there."

Yossie and Andre resigned a few years ago. Replaced by other interns who are equally competent in the field I have mastered. I've also rejected the promotion as Deputy Branch Manager because of the time. Right. The first problem for a career woman who's already a mother and has active kids is the heaviest dilemma. Very.

I don't want my busy life to take up so much time that I don't have time for my kids.

"Same goes for me, Bee." Mr. Thomas now looks at me intently. "I also have responsibilities."

"Should I just resign?"

Mr. Thomas is the most patient with me. Throughout our eight years of marriage, his voice never raised at me. Never yelled at me either. Whatever he doesn't like about me, including opinions and desires, Mr. Thomas always talks in a way that makes my brain cling. Bright. His thinking becomes calm and I can make the right decision.

"Sure?"

I'm silent.

"I don't make it a big deal, Bee. I work hard to support you guys in a sufficient manner. Not excessive because it's not good, right? I've also often asked you to help out at the café, right? Whether you want to work or not, I never forbid it. You work for yourself, Bee. Enhance all the potential you have. Proof is, Mr. Matthew dared to promote you to DBM even though you refused."

Still don't want to speak up. Between not wanting Mr. Thomas to go on duty and still wanting to talk to him about resigning.

"If you resign, think carefully about what you want to do. At home, there's Ganda and Gandi who will definitely be happy to have you around longer. At the café too, I would gladly accept your help there." Mr. Thomas laughs. "The bonus is, if Mr. Thomas is on duty, you can come along. Consider it a date."

"Just remember the date part," I grumble, not accepting it, even though my heart is overjoyed! The real drama queens in the household are, well... the wives. They can hide what they feel so perfectly, that's right, they miss the target. Bingo! They get what they want! Cool, right?

"Huh? Don't wanna go on a date with me anymore? Are you bored?" he asks, lifting my chin gently. Making these eyes stare at him even more intently.

"When am I ever bored with you?" My confession immediately gets greeted with a quick kiss. Mr. Thomas always says my lips are as sweet as strawberry jam. Smooth talker.

"Can I go on duty this time, okay?"

Well... what else can I do? How can I ask him to stay when it's like this? Not because I'm weak for a kiss like this. No way. But what you said is true, he has responsibilities. So, five hours after he leaves, unable to resist the urge to bother him, I call him.

"Hello, Honey."

It takes a while for Mr. Thomas to respond even though our phones are connected. I even check the screen again. Nothing weird. "Honey?"

"Try again?"

"Ugh!"

"Try again, Bee," he requests. Well... I comply.

"Honey," I say softly. On purpose. So he remembers how sweet his wife's voice is when she's being persuasive. Especially when it comes to exchanging breaths. I'm the champ, right?

"Oh... I can't concentrate on work like this."

"Exaggerating!" I say, smiling. Leaning comfortably in my chair while making the lunchbox.

"You hardly ever call me that, Bee."

I laugh. Yeah, true.

"Again, Bee."

"Honey," I repeat. I don't know how many times I've repeated it before he finally starts talking about work and his journey earlier. He also asks about the kids' activities at school, which are always updated by their caregiver.

"Bee?" Mr. Thomas calls, making me jump in surprise. Wow! I really didn't expect him to be awake. Maybe I stared at our wedding photo for too long and lost track of time? But if I look at the clock, it's not even been five minutes.

"What were you daydreaming about over there?"

"Nothing." I just grin. "Why, are you up?"

"The one I hugged isn't here. I thought she disappeared."

"Jerk!" I laugh.

"Why are you up so early?" My husband follows me down the stairs. When his steps are near me, he immediately hugs me but it ends up turning into a full-on embrace. "I'm actually still sleepy. Let's go back to bed. Today, I'm off, right?"

"That's why I woke up early to make breakfast, we're going to school to pick up the report cards, and you promised to take the kids to the movies."

"So, you didn't forget." He playfully pinches my nose. Typical! "No need to make breakfast. Let's just have breakfast at KFC. The kids will definitely love it."

"Yeah, KFC is their favorite, Honey."

My husband chuckles. "Come on, join me back in bed. Spooning you is the best."

I scoff but can't refuse. "Couldn't you say that in a less vulgar way?"

He still laughs, giving me plenty of kisses, and...

"MR. THOMAS!"

"Let's hurry. Don't scream; otherwise, Double G will wake up. He's my tough competitor in winning you over, Bee."

I can't help but laugh. Can Mr. Thomas really talk like that?

But... my prayers to God never fade. I pray that we always remain under His protection. In His love. In my husband's heart, there's only me and the kids, without the need for a third person who could mess things up for us. Let us be enough for each other.

"Happy anniversary, Honey," I whisper softly in his ear. He carries me as if I have no weight. So light. His strength is always on fire when it comes to touching me. Playfully, with the tip of my tongue, I tease him. Mr. Thomas rarely resists when I touch him there.

"Replace your words with something else then."

"Anything you want, Sir."

"My wife, the most tempting temptress."

The End.