A day is time. It is like a machine that continuously rotates according to the rate of time. Time is neither too fast, nor too slow. Time is just like a plain piece of paper. You can fill it with scribbles, or you can leave it blank.
However, for Dali, time feels so suffocating. It made Dali almost unable to breathe because of many things; heartbreak, heartache, longing for Edward, to the fatigue of going through her pregnancy in this first trimester.
Dali slumped in this place. She was silent for two months in two places; this old room and her hospitalization. All she did was try to fight off the grief that kept coming back to her when she remembered how much pain Edward's lover was in demanding justice from her.
It also pained him to remember that Edward had secretly laughed at Dali for falling in love too easily. Dali's pride was torn to shreds. But strangely, he couldn't get rid of Edward who had already infiltrated deep into his heart.
So, only an old piano could soothe Dali's feelings. This piano, this was Dali's favorite piano since long ago. Since the day he met that little boy. At that time, he still did not understand that love could hurt.
Dali began to move his fingers on the piano keys again. He chose to play a popular tune that was full of emotion and high tension. Just like his feelings that were twisting and turning, wanting to rage, but had nowhere to go.
Dali's hand movements became more agile as his fingers touched the piano notes in sync with the tones and emotions. He was too focused on enjoying the strings of notes created by each touch of the piano to care about the appearance of a burly finger playing the note next to him. Those fingers matched Dali's lithe finger movements, making the beautiful notes sound even more complex and captivating.
The two of them clashed their skills in captivating movements. Crisscrossing, fast, harder and harder, until the highest note ended with a sweet little touch and a rhythmic piano. Everything ended perfectly. And that perfection somehow instantly made Dali feel relieved. Finally, after all this time, there was also someone who could match his piano playing expertise.
"Hah, it feels so good," said Dali with a smile.
He closed his eyes, savoring the remnants of the beautiful tones that flowed in his head. He was really happy. The weight on his shoulders seemed to fly away with the last note created by his hands and ....?
"Hello, Miss."
"Edward!"
Dali was surprised to stare into Edward's sharp, eagle-like eyes. The man smiled in a way that made Dali doubt that this was just an illusion of herself who had been dreaming of Edward because of longing. There was no way, right, that a man who had been left by his wife for two months for no apparent reason could still smile?
"Yes, Miss. She is very beautiful. But why does she look a bit pale?"
The man's words brought back Dali's consciousness, who gasped with her mouth open. Dali couldn't believe that the Edward in front of her was really her husband Edward. The man was still as gentle as before. Loving, polite, and caring. But, no Dali! Remember, your husband has another lover!
"What's it got to do with you?"
Dali decided to be rude to the man. He didn't want to be swept away by the overwhelming feelings of longing. All day long, she feared she would be humiliated again by falling into Edward's arms. He was ashamed when he remembered that he had often put his pride aside by assuming that their intercourse was consensual, not forced.
But wait, Edward was worried about her looking paler? In fact, on closer inspection, Edward was even worse. The man's eyes were slightly sunken, his stocky body was rather thin, and his lips were also much drier than last time. Why had Edward's physique changed so drastically?
Without prompting, Edward gently touched Dali's cheek with the back of his right hand. The man looked at Dali lovingly. He fought with all his might against his physical defenses that had been weakening lately. The man really missed the woman in front of him.
"Because I love Miss."
Edward said in a low tone. Their gazes met in silence. Edward's weak face, his sad eyes, and his soft voice instantly made Dali's tears melt. How could he still be touched by Edward's words after all this time of disappointment and pain?
Edward said in a low tone. Their gazes clashed in silence. Edward's weak face, his sad eyes, and his soft voice instantly made Dali's tears melt. How could he still be touched by Edward's words after all this time of disappointment and pain?
"Dali, wake up!" she tried to wake herself up.
The woman immediately turned her head, looked away, and hurriedly wiped away the remaining tears that had fallen. She could not be weak in front of others. Especially in front of Edward, whom she was about to divorce in a month.
"What the hell are you doing, coming to say kayang," Dali scolded rudely.
Unfortunately, his feelings were even more hurt. Again, the tears of evil wanted to escape from her nets. Dali really hated this fact. In fact, Dali who tried to distract himself by wanting to play the piano again became silent. His hand movements immediately felt stiff as he found the froth of longing and tightness filling his chest once again.
Suddenly, she felt a warm touch that pulled Dali's body into the arms of the burly man. The man did not hesitate to hug Dali first in order to pour out all the guilt that choked his chest. The man was relieved. His struggle to find Dali for more than 2 months still paid off.
"I'm sorry, Miss. I was insensitive to her. But I really love you. Please don't walk away from me because I'm almost crazy because of this," Edward complained.
Dali could not stop herself from openly sobbing. She was honestly embarrassed. A few minutes ago, Dali was still determined not to care about Edward. In fact, just a warm hug and a few soft words had knocked down the principles she had worked so hard to cultivate over the past two months.
Dug!
"Aw, why did I get hit, Miss?"
Edward spontaneously released his embrace as Dali hit his chest quite hard. Edward was confused. But, seeing Dali in tears made Edward understand that Dali needed time to understand everything that actually happened.
"You, what right do you have to suddenly hug me? Huh?"
Dali's demands instantly made Edward a little relieved. At least his wife wasn't too angry after seeing him. Edward immediately reached for the bag he had unceremoniously placed under the chair when he was about to accompany Dali to play the piano. He took something from there in the bag and showed it to Dali as he smiled gently.
"Because I have this, Miss."
Dali's eyes widened. Dali was amazed. What she saw now was completely unexpected.
"Where did you get this?"
Edward, who saw Dali's confusion, could only smile as he gave her a witty look. The man was delighted that Dali finally gasped at something that Edward had kept so neatly. Who would have thought that something he thought would be of no use would have such a profound effect on the change in his wife's expression? Edward was happy.