LOVE YOU, UNCLE

“My dear wife, I miss you so much…”

Randy had just completed his entire work schedule in Singapore. On his way back to the hotel, he hurriedly contacted his wife. Usually, he would call after arriving or shortly before bedtime, but this time he seemed unable to wait any longer.

The overwhelming longing for Ghea could no longer be contained. He wanted to come home and immediately embrace his wife tightly.

“I miss you too,” Ghea responded from the other side. “It feels just as much when you’re far away.”

“See, I told you. But, fundamentally, I am really missable, right?”

“Oh, come on, can’t you be less narcissistic?”

Randy laughed, then spoke again after a while.

“What are you up to? Is your campus business done?”

“Yes, dear. I was at the cafe with Joshua and Denisa. They left earlier. I mean, I wanted to wait for your call at the cafe, but now I’m on my way home.”

“So, who are you going home with?”

There was a noticeable hint of worry in Randy’s question. Usually, if not with him, Ghea would always be with Joshua or Denisa.

“I’m with the driver. I deliberately asked for a pickup.”

“Ah, I thought you were going alone,” Randy replied with a relieved tone.

“Well, I did consider going alone earlier. But you wouldn’t allow that, right? Besides, there are many cars and drivers at home, they shouldn’t be idle.”

“Smart girl,” Randy responded with a laugh. “You know, marrying a wealthy guy, you should make use of his wealth. Don’t just let it go to waste. Besides, I’m working hard to make a lot of money for you.”

“Oh, you and your sweet talk.”

Randy laughed on the phone. Good Lord, he missed his wife even more.

“So, how’s today? Feeling good? Maybe there’s something you want to share or complain about with me?”

Ghea remained silent for a moment as if contemplating something. Actually, she wanted to tell Randy about Rio’s question earlier, accidentally meeting and intentionally teasing and bothering her.

Swear to anything, Ghea felt uneasy. If she could, she would ask Randy to erase her ex-boyfriend from the face of the earth.

Meanwhile, finding his wife silent, Randy was briefly confused. Just as he was about to ask, he heard his wife respond.

“There’s something I want to tell Uncle, actually,” she whispered softly.

“What do you want to tell, dear? Go ahead. I’ll listen. I promised to listen to all your grievances.”

Ghea remained silent for a while. Indeed, Randy was momentarily surprised why Ghea, who was known to be talkative, was now unusually quiet.

“Hmmm… I think I’ll wait until Uncle gets home to tell the story. It doesn’t feel satisfying to just talk over the phone.”

“What’s the difference?” teased Randy. “I’ll listen either way, dear. Instead of keeping it to yourself for too long, it’s better to tell me now. For you, I always have time.”

“Well, it’s obviously different. If I tell the story in person, I can hug and kiss you. Doesn’t Uncle want me to hug and kiss him all the time?” Ghea’s words were clearly playful.

“Oh, careful with the teasing. You’re doing it on purpose when I’m far away. Wait for me to come home. I won’t let you leave the room.”

Ghea burst into laughter on the other side. Before truly ending the call, it was Randy’s turn to tease again.

“Anyway, I miss you so much. Wait, I’ll be home soon, and I’ll get my revenge.”

“Go on, come home. I miss you too. It’s uncomfortable to sleep without someone to hug. Plus, it rains every night here. It’s so cold, dear.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll be back, and I’ll hug you as much as you want. Well, I’m about to reach the hotel. I’ll call again when I’m on the way to dinner and going to bed. Be careful on the road, my love. Let me know when you get home.”

***

“Does Mr. Randy want room service for dinner, or do you want to go directly to the restaurant?” Alvin asked as he and Randy had just arrived at the hotel where they were staying.

“I think I’ll just eat at the restaurant to be with you. It’s not nice to eat alone.”

Alvin smiled and nodded. That meant he had to go down to the restaurant 30 minutes earlier to order and prepare the dinner menu that his boss would eat.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow,” Randy remarked as he and Alvin walked together through the lobby towards the corner where the elevator was.

“Missing Mrs. Ghea?”

Randy nodded with a smile.

“Yes, Vin. I miss her a lot. It’s a shame that she can never come on these business trips. Next month, during the business trip to Korea, I have to bring her. No excuses.”

Alvin chuckled. He remembered the first time Randy was perplexed about choosing a wife. Alvin also recalled how his boss intentionally chose Ghea with the purpose of easily managing his very young wife.

However, reality turned out differently. When they got married, it didn’t meet Randy’s expectations. Ghea was truly a girl who was difficult to predict. Randy even had a hard time trying to conquer his wife.

Now? Alvin felt relieved to breathe along with them. In the end, the marriage that his boss went through could be considered successful. They now seemed to love, appreciate, and possess each other.

“Actually, if Mr. Randy wants to go back to Jakarta tonight, it’s possible. All our work is done, right?”

Randy looked at him and nodded.

“Yeah, maybe. But is it too much trouble? We already bought round-trip tickets. Rescheduling might not be immediately approved.”

“But if Mr. Randy wants, I can take care of it. Or we can just buy new tickets.”

Randy seemed to be weighing his options, contemplating the suggestion Alvin had made. Should he go back to Jakarta tonight as a surprise?

“I’m going to take a shower first, Vin. But, you can check if there’s still a flight to Jakarta tonight. I’ll let you know soon.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Once out of the elevator, Randy and Alvin parted ways to go to their respective rooms. Randy himself, upon reaching his room, decided to freshen up. His body felt sticky from visiting the outdoor location where his team would be working on building apartments and resorts in the near future.

Randy spent about fifteen minutes in the bathroom. Feeling satisfied, he decided to come out.

Just as he was about to walk towards the wardrobe to get dressed, Randy’s steps had to come to a halt. In front of him, Agista was now sitting calmly on the sofa, throwing a smile his way. Somehow, she managed to enter his room. Randy vividly remembered locking the door.

“Gista.”

Agista continued to smile. Standing up from her seat, intending to approach Randy, who was only wearing a half-body towel.

“Why so surprised?” she asked.

“Well, obviously, I’m surprised. Why are you here? And again, how did you get into my room?”

Agista pursed her lips. She gladly responded to the man’s questions.

“I deliberately came here to see you, Ran. What’s the big deal about entering your room even if it’s locked? I have many connections in this hotel. Remember, this is Singapore. My turf. I clearly know the place the best.”

Randy sighed. Looking lazily at his ex-girlfriend.

“So, what do you need to see me for? Do you have to come into my room without permission?”

Agista advanced further, intentionally closing the gap between her and Randy. Bringing both her hands, she casually draped them right on Randy’s neck.

“I know you’re lonely here. I want to keep you company, Ran. I can even give you what I didn’t have the chance to give you before. Don’t worry, no one will know about this.”

Agista then smiled broadly. Lowering one of her hands, intending to pull off the towel wrapped around Randy’s waist at the moment.

However, her advances were not welcomed. Instead of staying still to feel and enjoy, Randy quickly brushed away Agista’s hand that was about to reach for the towel on his body. Stepping back immediately, he deliberately kept a distance to stay away from the woman in front of him.

“Don’t be crazy, Agista.”

“I’m not crazy, Randy. I know you still love me, right?”

Randy laughed.

“Why should I love you? Why should I love a woman who clearly intentionally left me?”

“Oh, come on, Randy. I apologize for making you angry and disappointed in the past. But seriously, now I deliberately come back for you.”

“Then why should I care?” replied Randy with a cynical laugh. “I already have a wife who is far better than you in every way, Gista.”

“Nonsense. She’s nothing more than a helpless little girl who can’t do anything. I bet she can’t satisfy you in bed, right?”

“Why bother about my bedroom affairs?”

“Because I just want to convince and make sure to you that I am better than the woman you’re married to now.”

Agista then stared at Randy for a moment. As if confident, she slowly brought her hand, untied the knot of the black dress she was wearing, and let it slip down to the floor. Leaving herself completely naked.

With confidence, Agista then stepped forward towards Randy, trying to seduce him. Especially when Randy threw a smile as if welcoming her advances. Agista became even more enthusiastic about closing the gap.

However, when their positions were very close, an unexpected event occurred. Randy, without mercy, grabbed Agista’s wrist and dragged her towards the exit door.

“Randy, let go!” Agista shouted anxiously as Randy seemed indifferent to her struggling. “Randy!” Agista screamed again, and finally, Randy released his grip, throwing Agista’s body against the wall not far from the room door.

“Do you want to leave on your own, or should I drag you out like this, naked?”

Agista shook her head repeatedly.

“No, you wouldn’t be so heartless to humiliate me like that.”

“Who says?” Randy asked with narrowed eyes. “You’re not even a bit ashamed of humiliating yourself. So, why should I bother about your feelings?”

Randy then turned around. He picked up Agista’s dress that was lying on the floor. Carrying it, he deliberately threw it right at Agista’s face, who was still leaning against the wall.

“Hurry up, put it on, and get out of my room before I drag you out.”

“Randy, you’ve gone too far!” protested Agista. Reluctantly, she complied. While crying, she quickly put on her dress.

“Do you think I care? After this, never appear in front of me again. For God’s sake, you’ll regret it if you dare to show up, let alone disturb my life.”

Seeing that Agista had finished putting on her dress, Randy approached. He grabbed his ex-girlfriend’s wrist, then pulled and pushed her out of the room. Once sure Agista was outside, Randy quickly closed and locked the door.

Right away, Randy walked towards the bed. He reached for his phone on the nightstand and immediately called Alvin.

“Vin, just arrange my return tonight. In 15 minutes, let’s go to the airport and head back to Jakarta.”