After returning from Laila's house, Nayra became unusually quiet and withdrawn. Albi hadn't noticed his wife's behavior yet because he was extremely busy handling a major project at the company. In fact, Albi had often been coming home late these past few days, but Nayra didn't complain as much as she usually did. That was because Randi, her husband's personal assistant, always kept Nayra informed—on Albi's orders, since he knew she would otherwise keep asking questions.
Albi had just come home when he saw his wife sitting on the balcony off their bedroom. Only then did he realize how she had been acting lately. He approached and sat beside Nayra. Glancing at her from the side, Albi could see that she was lost in thought.
“Why are you still out here so late at night?” Albi asked.
“Mas, when did you get here?” Instead of answering, Nayra threw the question back at him.
“Just now. What are you thinking about that you didn't even notice your husband come home?”
“Nothing, Mas.”
“What is it? Why do you seem to be lost in thought all the time? What's bothering you, Nay? You usually tell me anything that's on your mind. Why are you suddenly staying quiet and making me worry?” Albi asked again.
“I want to ask you something, but I hope you'll answer honestly.”
Albi furrowed his brow. “When have I ever lied to you, Nay? I feel like I've always been honest with you. I've never kept anything from you.”
“If the reason we still don't have children is me, will you stay with me?” Nayra asked sadly, looking at her husband.
“What do you mean by asking that?”
“I just want to make sure, Mas. Will you still stay with me even if you know I'm the one with the problem? Or will you look for a replacement who can give you children?”
Albi shook his head, unable to believe what his wife was asking. “You're talking nonsense, Nay. Why are you taking your thoughts that far? We've only been married for two years. Why would you think I'd look for someone to replace you?”
Albi stood up, intending to walk away and leave Nayra behind. But Nayra quickly hugged him from behind. She cried silently. Seeing her husband's reaction, she was certain he would stay with her. Albi gently stroked Nayra's tiny hands wrapped around his waist.
“I was just afraid that if I couldn't give you a child, you'd leave me, Mas. I'm sorry my fear made you uncomfortable. I promise I won't ask something like that again.” Nayra's voice broke as she began to sob. Albi turned around and pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Listen to me! I would never just leave you. I chose you to be my companion and my life partner. So there's no way I'd leave you just because we don't have a child yet. We still have plenty of time. Maybe now just isn't the right time. But I'm sure that one day we'll have a child. God will bless us with a child. Never listen to what other people say. Just focus on our life together. Understand?”
Nayra nodded. “Yes, Mas. I understand, and I won't let my thoughts run wild anymore. I'm sorry for taking things so far. I won't think like that again. But if you ever change your mind someday, please tell me first so I can prepare myself mentally.”
“I already told you, don't ever think like that. I don't like it!” Albi said firmly.
“I'm sorry.”
Albi smiled, then pressed a kiss to his wife's small lips. “I'm going to take a shower first. Being outside all day has left me feeling sticky. I'll be right back.”
Nayra nodded. “I'll get your clothes ready, Mas.”
“Or do you want to join me?” Albi teased.
“Oh my gosh, I already showered, and I don't want to do it again. Besides, it's already nighttime, Mas.”
“All right. Though a nighttime shower wouldn't feel cold if we took it together,” Albi quipped.
“Oh my gosh! Mas Albian!” Nayra shouted with a smile. Albi had already run into the bathroom to perform his showering ritual.
“I hope you'll always stay like this, Mas. I hope that when Mom speaks up and tells you what she wants, you'll firmly refuse. I hope you won't be influenced by her. I always pray for that. I also pray that we'll be blessed with a child soon, so you won't run away from me someday. I'm still afraid that might happen, Mas,” Nayra whispered as she quickly prepared her husband's change of clothes.
The next morning, Nayra woke up early. She prepared breakfast and then took a shower. Once she looked refreshed, Nayra woke her husband. She did it because she didn't want to look disheveled in front of him. She would do her best to look beautiful for her husband, even though she always dressed beautifully and neatly every day.
“Sweetheart, where are you going?” Albi asked as he opened his eyes.
“Good morning, Mas. I'm not going anywhere. I just wanted to greet my husband when he woke up with my beauty,” Nayra replied.
Albi smiled. “You're beautiful every day, sweetheart. You don't need to get all dressed up like this. I actually like seeing your face right after you wake up. You look so natural and adorable, especially after our nighttime exercise.”
“Oh my gosh, since when did my husband become such a pervert?” Nayra teased with a giggle.
“That's just the truth. Your expression is always burned into my mind whenever we're—”
“Mas!” Nayra quickly covered Albi's mouth with both hands.
Albi smiled. “No one can hear us, sweetheart.”
“You're unbelievable, Mas.”
“Since you're already looking so beautiful and put-together today, would you like to accompany your husband to the office?” Albi asked.
“You want me to come to the office with you? What for?”
“So I'll be even more motivated to work. Especially when I look at you. I'll definitely finish my work faster,” Albi replied.
“Ugh, that's such a lie. But... sure, I guess I can come to the office with you. It's been a long time since I last went. If I won't get in your way, I'll come along.”
“Wait here. My secretary will bring you your favorite food and drinks,” Albi said after they arrived at the office, specifically in his room.
“Okay.”
Nayra had been sitting in her husband's office for two hours. All kinds of food had already made their way into her stomach. Albi remained absorbed in his work, with stacks of documents still piled up on his desk. Every so often, Albi smiled as he watched his wife happily enjoying her food and drinks.
“Sweetheart, I'm going to the meeting room for a little while. Rendi is leading the meeting, but I want to check on its progress.”
“Don't be gone too long. It's almost lunchtime, and I want us to eat lunch out,” Nayra replied.
“Okay, wait here for a bit.”
Nayra had been waiting for almost an hour, but her husband still hadn't returned. She paced around, looking at several photographs displayed on Albi's desk. A smile remained on the beautiful face of the twenty-six-year-old woman.
“Mas, why are you taking so long?” Nayra asked without looking at whoever had opened the door to her husband's office. Her back was turned toward the door.
“Nayra, why are you here?” asked Laila, who had apparently come to her son-in-law's office.
“Mom.”
“Oh my gosh, sis. You even have to follow your husband to work everywhere. Isn't Mas Albi annoyed?” Aninda taunted.
“Exactly. You should have stayed home and waited for your husband to come home from work instead of following him to the office,” Laila added.
“Then what business do you and Anin have with Mas Albi?”