The Hidden Wife

“How is it?”

 The question was answered by Feby with a shake of her head. Then she gave a bitter smile while staring at her phone screen that had gone dark.

“Ares might... still be in a meeting. So, he hasn’t been reachable all day,” Feby murmured after that.

“Are you sure?” asked the woman in front of her now.

“Maybe he’s busy with—”

“Mom!” Feby cut her off quickly. The middle-aged woman stopped speaking, especially when she saw Feby’s sour face.

“Well, I’ll remind you again, don’t expect too much,” she said.

After that, the atmosphere went silent as Feby chose to retreat to her room, spilling all the restlessness she had kept inside all alone. The clock showed it was already eleven at night. This meant the man she had been waiting for had finally finished his busy schedule. Feby, who was still awake, quickly approached her bedside table.

DING!!

[“Are you asleep, honey?”]

Feby smiled as she read the message. Soon after, her phone rang.

“Hello, Baby!” she exclaimed happily.

“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for your news all day.”

A playful whine slipped from Feby’s lips, expressing all her complaints for being ignored by the man on the other side. Not long after, just about a minute, since their conversations were often brief.

[“Yeah, honey. Sorry. I thought the event would finish by the afternoon. But Angga said it continued until dinner.”]

Feby didn’t immediately respond to this explanation. Instead, she switched their communication mode to a video call. A few seconds later, his handsome face appeared on her phone screen. “Okay, I forgive you then.”

[“Thank you. By the way, any news today, hmm?”] Instead of answering the question, Feby chuckled to herself. Her hands even caressed her growing belly.

“Our baby is a boy, Mas.” Feby’s eyes sparkled with joy as she shared the news, hoping for the same excitement to show on the man’s face.

[“Oh really??”]

Just as she had expected, her husband was surprised and smiled happily. Feby nodded enthusiastically, even showing him the ultrasound printout of their baby from her checkup that afternoon.

“What do you think? Are you happy, Baby?”

[“Of course, honey. He’ll be handsome just like me.”]

Feby then shared everything she had heard from the doctor during the check-up earlier, while her husband listened and smiled.

“I miss you, Baby,” Feby began to whine again.

[“I know. Be patient, okay? When I get a free schedule, we’ll meet up. Angga said the Governor wants to join the project inauguration too, so we’re still busy.”]

Feby sighed in resignation. She knew well she couldn’t force it. She also couldn’t go to him because the situation had to be understood. In the end, she gave in once again, not for the first time. The longing she had built up had to be bottled up alone.

The news of a celebrity's pregnancy on the TV made Feby pout. She felt a sense of jealousy because she wanted her husband by her side, especially after a week had passed without any news from the man she loved. The pregnant woman seemed melancholic.

"How does it feel, Feb? Living in wealth but feeling lonely, huh?"

The voice made Feby roll her eyes lazily. Instead of comforting her, her mother actually made a sarcastic remark.

"It's my choice, Mom," Feby finally said.

Her mother nodded slowly. "I know, Feb. Regret won't be useful now. You're already pregnant."

If this conversation continued, it would likely escalate. Feby, not wanting to argue, quickly switched the TV channel. Unfortunately, the next show was about something similar.

"Do you want to watch it, Mom? I'm getting sleepy. If you do, I’ll leave the TV on," Feby said as she got up from her seat.

Her mother nodded. "Sleepy or... just want to hide in your room?"

"Up to me. Talking to you just makes my heart hurt more!" Feby snapped, starting to get upset.

Luckily, her choice of action turned out well. Not long after, her phone rang. The screen displayed the name of the person she missed dearly.

"I'm sorry, Sayang. I turned off my phone on purpose to keep it safe."

"Mm," Feby, still upset, exhaled sharply.

The hormonal changes during pregnancy made the beautiful woman have to manage her emotions well, especially since her husband was not by her side at the moment.

"Hey! Why are you silent again?"

"What do you think? I miss you but there's no cure for it!!" Feby complained, almost crying.

"I'm sorry, Baby. The situation just doesn't allow it."

"When will you come home, Mas?"

Eventually, the question she never thought she'd ask slipped from Feby's mouth. She didn't know why, but suddenly, it just came out.

The atmosphere became quiet. Feby had already started to cry due to the overwhelming feelings at that moment. Meanwhile, the man on the other end was also silent. Then...

"Do I have to answer that question?"

"I'm sorry." Feby's sobs grew uncontrollable. "I—I just miss you."

"You should know better, Feb!!"

"What did you say??"