NUKILAN CINTA [BAHASA MALAYSIA]

RACHEL

“In this marriage, there shall be transparency and no form of cheating. Whatever I own is yours and vice versa. If there’s a misunderstanding, it must be cleared up before anyone goes to bed.”

When my husband, Jeremy, laid down those rules three years ago, I thought I was going to have the best marriage in the world. I mean, he was the one who condemned cheating, so there was no way he would cheat on me.

But alas, it was all a lie. The whole facade crumbled six months after our wedding when his new assistant resumed work. He started coming home late and giving excuses like he didn’t realize how late it was while working.

Like a fool, I believed him. Oh yeah, I did. Yunno, he couldn’t be cheating since he was the one who made the rule, but nothing prepared me for the shock and heartbreak when I walked into his office and caught him pounding his assistant on the table two years ago.

The music played softly, and everyone slowly swayed to the rhythm and soft lyrics. It was our college reunion, and most of our friends were gathered at the bar.

Everyone was smiling and having conversations, but my eyes were fixated under the table, precisely on my husband, whose hand was smooching another woman’s lap. The duo were talking and laughing hysterically while something else was going on under the table. I could see it. The evidence was right before me, yet I couldn’t do anything about it.

“Rachel, what are you looking at?” My college friend, Sarah, wanted to look, but I stopped her before she could see it.

“Nothing. Just thinking about how everyone has changed after seven years,” I mumbled.

Sarah clutched my hand. “That’s so real, Rachel.” Her eyes lit up. “I’ve been looking at everyone, especially the boys, and I can’t believe the glow-up. They are all handsome and so fucking hot,” she whispered-shouted, squeezing my hand.

I nodded, my eyes brushing under the table. I still saw Jeremy’s hand on her lap. This time, it was slowly moving closer to her coochie.

Sarah nudged me. “Rachel, I thought Clara was an Art major.” She gestured toward my husband’s direction with her head.

Clara. That was the name of the woman beside my husband. The new bitch he was cheating on me with.

“Yes,” I responded, my brows creasing, unsure why Sarah was asking. I just hoped she hadn’t discovered what was happening. That would be so embarrassing. Everyone thought my marriage was perfect. They thought Jeremy treated me right. I didn’t want them to know it was all a facade. No. I didn’t want anyone to have a glimpse into my reality. “Is there a problem?”

“Why did she come to our reunion party? She isn’t even in the same major as us. And why is she so close to your husband?” Sarah inquired, her tone laced with suspicion.

My breath hitched when she took a closer glance at them. “Have they always been this close, or is this their first time together?” Her brows knitted.

“First time!” I swiftly responded and chuckled while covering them with my body. Don’t call me a fool. Covering them equaled shrouding my shame. My husband’s humiliation was also mine.

“Let’s join the others over there, Sarah. There are still a lot of people to catch up with,” I muttered, standing up and dragging her away.

Thirty minutes after chatting with others, I glanced at the table, and they were still there — my husband and Clara. With the way her eyes and body were moving, I could tell they’d gone deeper. My eyes stung with tears lurking at the corners. It would have been better if he at least respected me outside, but he didn’t.

He wouldn’t be the only subject of mockery if anyone caught them making out in public. I would also have to face the embarrassment of being a foolish, understanding wife. The gossip would be taken to our college alumni group, and that might gradually spread to the college’s news channel.

Anger coursed through me, and my vision blurred from jealousy and tears. I marched to the sound system, turned off the music, and picked up the microphone.

Silence filled the room.

“Hello, everyone!” My voice shook as my emotions grew stronger and overpowered my sense of reasoning. “I’m sorry I killed the fun so suddenly. I need everyone’s help,” I mumbled.

Then my eyes fell on my husband and Clara. Their attention wasn’t even here despite the sudden change in atmosphere. They were in their own world, having fun.

At that moment, my eyes reddened, and I clutched the microphone tighter. I really didn’t have anything to say. I just needed something to distract them, but it seemed like it wasn’t working. With my lips pursed, I brought the microphone closer to my mouth and said, “It’s a prank, guys,” I mumbled.

There wasn’t a single reaction. Everyone exchanged confused glances. At that moment, I hoped the floor would split apart and swallow me whole. The embarrassment was enough to weaken my knees and make me stumble to the ground.

Ashamed, I dropped the microphone and turned the music back on.

Standing there, I clenched my jaw and fists while staring at those two. I had had enough of this. All I’d been running from was embarrassment, and I had already experienced it.

Without thinking, I dashed toward them.

“Clara!” I called. As soon as she turned her gaze to me, I met her midway with a resounding slap. The music stopped immediately, and everyone’s attention shifted to us.

“Rachel!” everyone shouted and moved closer. “What are you doing?” Sarah asked.

I chuckled. “Answer that, Clara. What are you doing?” I snapped. “Do you want to stand up and leave quietly, or do you want me to tell everyone what you’re doing with another woman’s husband?” I asked.

There were gasps and murmurs among everyone.

Jeremy glanced at me, shocked. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and the veins in his neck popped out. I could tell he was fuming but couldn’t lose control of himself in public.

“I…”

“I mean it, Clara. Do you want to leave here quietly, or do you want me to tell everyone what you’re doing?”

With her hand clutching her reddened cheek, she sprang up. “I promise you, Rachel, you will regret raising your hand against me today,” she swore and walked out of the gathering majestically.

No one could say a word. I knew they had already connected the dots without knowing the full story.

Jeremy stood up, fire blazing in his eyes. He grabbed my hand and grunted, “Let’s go home.”

I snorted. “It’s gonna be a long night.”