Chapter 37 - Playing for time

Part 1.

We landed at KLIA airport and went though immigration and while waiting for our luggage Hans was already on his mobile; reading his text messages and making calls. I checked my cellphone but nothing. No messages. I updated my Facebook....

> Safely arrived KL. Welcome home to the real world:) <

Hans walked over to Iddin who stood next to me and they exchanged a few words. Then Hans collected our luggage. 

We walked past customs and straight through the exit door. Outside there was a car waiting for us.

“You're okay babe?”, Hans asked and kissed me on the cheek.

“Yup.” I answered short and simple.

All three of us got into the car.

“Fazidin, we will put you a night in Cyberjaya.” Hans said to Fazidin. I looked at Iddin as he nodded a few times. 

We arrived at Cyberview Hotel and Resort around eleven in the morning. We got out and headed to the reception to check Iddin in the hotel.

“Okay man, you have a good rest. I will come by again later to drop off my car and you can drive it around until your new car is ready. I'll call you before I leave the house.”, and both man shook hands. I went over to shake hands with Iddin. “Take care and sleep well”, I said. I let go and took Hans hand and we waved Iddin goodbye.

We arrived at our apartment complex and the driver was very helpful as he carried our bags to our penthouse unit. For the first time I am now a permanent residence here.

“Thanks Hans for your hospitality...” and I kissed him. He kissed me back. Aku bersyukur kerana aku ada tempat selamat untuk berkongsi hidup dengan Hans. Bismillah Hirrahmannirahim......aku melangkah masuk.

Hans tiba-tiba bersuara,"Just be mind of your steps. Come, hold my hand.". Aku menghulurkan tangan kanan aku as Hans guided me into the apartment.

"Hans, what's going on here? Boxes and boxes and more boxes.....it's a mess...", aku terkejut melihat keadaan ruang tamu yang bersepah. Were we robbed?

"Don't worry. This is part of my surprise to you. Semua barang ni dalam process of shifting to our new house." Hans explained as I looked around the living and dining room. Half filled boxes, furniture wrapped in plastic......

"A house? You're not serious are you? Why do we need a house? I thought you're building a house in Port Dickson? I mean this unit pun good enough for our small family." I said and continued, "Jangan salah anggap, I am sorry but isn't it a waste of money?".

Hans led me to the sofa and explained, "Tika, I'm doing all this for you and also for our children. You guys mean the world to me. I am renting out this unit. We will move to Setia Ecoglades. Plenty of rooms andbigger space for the kids to grow. I want us to start a new life and a place where both of us can call as our own....."

"Well, what can I say…..you have basically made up your mind......". I was a bit disappointed that Hans decided to buy a house without discussing it with me. Aku rasa macam menumpang saja. Maybe my input is not important to him. Aku mendiamkan diri.

Aku berjalan menuju ke bilik tidur, hmmmm….mujur katil masih ada lagi. Then I heard Hans called my name.

"Tika? You don’t sound happy?". Hans couldn’t have guess better.

Aku hanya tersenyum. "Tak da apa-apa lah, I’m okay. I am just tired. I nak take a shower and take a short nap. If it’s alright with you?". Soalan aku seolah menunjukkan ketidak puasan hati aku.

"Yeah, sure you…go a head. I'm sensing that you are not happy about the move. You go and rest. We’ll talk about it later okay babe?"  he said.

Aku terus berjalan masuk ke bilik tanpa menoleh belakang lagi.

"Babe, I love you babe…..", namun aku tidak menjawab kembali. All I think off is hot shower and catching up on my sleep.

After my shower I heard Acoustic Alchemy was playing from the living room. I went over to peak and saw Hans sitting alone on the sofa, watching to their instrumental jazz video clips on TV and smoking a cigarette.

Credit to Wala Lang and You Tube.

"I would love to join you for a cigarette….but...", I said and rubbing my tummy. He immediately put off the cigarette and held out his hands and I sat close to him. "I didn't know you listen to Acoustic Alchemy?". Hans smiled and said, "I went to see their performance at the Java Jazz Festival in 2011". Wah....impressive. Aku yang sudah sekian lama meminati Acoustic Alchemy sejak zaman Universiti pun belum dapat tengok their concert.

"Hans, (I kissed him on his cheek)... I like  to apologized for the  way I acted just now.", and I hold his hands. "I am sorry. Bukan I tak appreciate what you’re doing. I cuma nak you include me in when you decide to do something major like,….buying a house. I tahu it’s your money but I harap you boleh ajak I berbincang sebab I am a part of this family now…..", aku berterus terang.

"I faham and you have every right to be upset with me. I apologized. Silap I jugak. I was overly excited. I wanted everything to be perfect for you when you return home.", he replied.

"Hans, people try so hard to be perfect but they can never be one. Only Allah saja yang perfect. So I minta that you ajak I sekali berbincang okay on,....anything." I added.

"Okay, when are we going to see our new house?" I asked untuk mencairkan hatinya.

He smiled broadly, "I thought you'd never ask....", and he kissed my hand. I hugged him.

Part 2.

After our long talk I fell asleep on the sofa. Hans woke me up around four in the afternoon. I was still tired from the flight and not feeling myself that afternoon tapi aku gagahkan diri ini untuk menemani Hans. He said he wants to prepare dinner. We drove both his and my car which was left in the basement parking since the kidnapping incident. 

We arrived the hotel and saw Iddin was already waiting at the hotel main entrance. Hans and Iddin exchanged a few words and Hans walked back to my car. We drove to Jaya Grocer in Dpulze to get groceries.

While Hans was selecting  fresh salmon I went over to the frozen area to get 3 bags of bagel and then to the cheese section. Yes, found Philadelphia cream cheese. I was already imagining toasted sesame  seed bagel with lots of cream cheese. I smiled from ear to ear.

I walked over to join Hans and placed my bagels in the cart, “Don’t you think of touching them. They’re all mine….”, I grinned at him and gave an evil smile. Hans menggelengkan kepala dan tergelak melihat gelagatku. “Hmmm…, I see that you are eating for two now….?”, sambil matanya memandang ke arah perutku. I giggled.

Sesudah membayar we left Dpulze. Hans drove  to Setia Ecoglades and we reached in front of a semi-detached house. Nice. We stepped out of the car and Hans took out the groceries we bought just now. He opened the main entrance door and said, “After you….”. I smiled broadly as I am now starting to fall in love with the house.

Credit to Setia Ecoglades.com.my

As I stepped in the house, the dining and living area were already furnished. The furniture were brand new. “How did you manage to get this furnished when you were away with me all this time?”, aku bertanya serasa pelik.

“Well, you know,....I know this guy who knows another guy who…..”, and interrupted him. “Hmmm…pandai  je you ni ya. But I have to give you credit, this is a really huge surprise and you got me this time.” I spin around and followed Hans to the kitchen. The kitchen was fully furnished as well. He placed all the groceries in the fridge.

“I naik atas and look around ya?”, I said.

“Sure go ahead. Atas masih without furniture. ” Hans replied. I left Hans in the kitchen and I walked upstairs.

I came down about 10 minutes later. “So macamana? Just take a seat and relax. I belum install TV yet but you can put on the CD player if you want to listen to some music. In the mean time I’m preparing grilled salmon for dinner.” Hans said and started to put on the grill on the stove.

“Can I help?”, I asked and stood next to him.

“I’ll manage it but if you insist you can clean the asparagus, cut the hard end and marinate them with olive oil, salt and pepper.” Hans instructed.

“Sure, I can do that….”, I smiled, looked at him tiptoe a bit to give him a kiss.

At dinner, Hans was telling me his company will be organizing an annual dinner next weekend. He would like me to come and accompany him. There will be performance by local artist, lucky draws and interdepartmental talent competition.  I was so excited to hear about the talent competition and shared my experience when my company had ours two years ago. It will be out of town and we will be putting up two nights at The Kabin in Kuala Selangor.

“So you haven’t told me how you like the house?”. Hans asked. He wiped his mouth with a clean napkin and placed it on the table. He poured ice water in my glass and then into his glass. Placed the water container on the table he then took a sip.

“I like it….very much.", and I just smile. I placed my arm upright and chin rested on my knuckle. I just look at him until it hit me. Should I tell Hans about the kiss between me and Iddin? Does it mean I'm being unfaithful to him? I mean bukannya sengaja I nak cium Iddin but he force himself on me....who am I kidding......aku berlaku curang ke? Ergh.....Houston we have a problem........

"Babe? Babe...?" aku terkejut dari lamunan. "Yes, where was I?" I responded.

"You were some where else.....apa yang you mengelamunkan?", Hans asked and continued to eat asparagus on his plate.

"So how's the asparagus?", aku cuba mengalih tajuk perbincangan.

"Good.....and you are trying to avoid my question....", Hans knew me too well but I smiled and replied, "Tak ada apa-apa. I rasa sungguh bertuah sangat to have you in my life."

Hans looked at me. And it was a strange look on his face.