After I finished entertaining Iddin with his antics I called Hans. I missed him so much...I hope he is doing fine. This time he traveled to Bali with a junior architect, Haris. Haris has been with Hans & Hans for almost three years and Hans is impressed with his performance. Whenever Hans busy with other projects, Haris will take over and overlook the progress of our house in Port Dickson.
Me : "Assalammualaikum Hans....", I greeted him
Hans : "Waalaikumsalam....Babe, how are you? I am so happy that you called.", he sounds relaxed.
Me : "Yup I am fine and so is Tariq. He can recognize voices. Bila I called him, he will looked around to find me and smile. He is so adorable Hans.", aku excited menceritakan pada Hans.
Hans : I missed both of you. Insya Allah if all goes well I should be back as schedule, Tuesday afternoon. Abang Razali will pick me up at the airport.", he confirmed.
Me : We missed you too....", I replied.
Hans : "How's work? And Iddin? Has he been taking good care of you and Tariq?", he asked.
Me : "Yeah, too good I may say.....he has and I was just wondering kenapa you asked him to baby sit both me and Tariq? I can take care of the both of us.", I asked Hans and wants his explanation.
Hans : "Baby sit (he laughed), no lah bukan baby sit......I'm sorry I should have told you about it. It's safe to have another man around when I'm not. I know him well and obviously both of you are close friends. He's single and not much family commitment. He lives close by so in case of emergency he will just be a phone call away. Just thinking about yours and Tariq's safety.", he pause. "Anyhow you have to get used having him around more....".
Me : "What's that supposed to mean?", I was surprised by his last remarks. "You're travelling again? You have been travelling awfully a lot these past months."
Hans : "A few more trips and I should be able to settle down. Tariq is growing up so fast and I don't want to miss any moment of his first step and first word...we discussed more when I get back....".
Me : "By the way would it be alright if Tariq and myself accept Iddin's invitation walk in the park? He insisted on it. He said something like he takes his responsibilities seriously. Then he wants to buy dinner. I feel so stupid telling you all this and...."
Hans : "You should go....you need to get out more.....", he interrupted.
Me : "It will feel awkward Hans....I am your wife. How could you plan all of this without telling me? Please, next time don't make this kind of arrangement without consulting it with me. Please, no more of this....especially outside of my working hours....segan lah. I isteri orang and dia tu bujang. Nanti jadi buah mulut orang....". I was not amused.
Hans : "Don't worry...I know what I am doing.....Okay, I promised you, no more....I thought both of you are buddies so there is nothing wrong with that right?", he apologized.
Me : "Well, it's getting late, I'm carpooling with Iddin to safe the environment. How on earth would he thought of that....that crazy mind of his....no more of this Hans....I really, really feel so uncomfortable. Susah you nanti kalau I dah jatuh cinta dengan lelaki lain......", I sounded pissed but saja mengusik Hans.
Hans : He laughed. "Carpool okay apa...jimat minyak and yes less pollution. Tapi ialah kalau ditakdirkan you jatuh cinta dengan Iddin.....itu dah ketentuan. Takdir.....".
Me : "Ewww....! Hans, teruklah you.....benci I....kenapa sampai macam tu sekali....ketentuan konon....".
Hans "Jangan marah...I was only joking. I tahu you pandai jaga diri you. I percayakan you......now, you take care of yourself and baby Tariq. I can't wait to see you soon. Think of a nice place we can go for a vacation, okay. Your choice....Good night babe...", he comforted me.
Me : "Really? Vacation? I missed it so much. I will...Good night Hans....love you." I wish he could see me smiling from ear to ear.
Hans : "I am crazy in love with you....".
We hung up.......
So, where is it going to be this time? I think it's about time Hans takes time off and get away from his work.
Part 2.
Carpooling was not a bad idea. Iddin was on time. I left Tariq with Mrs Kumar and the baby sitter.
I avoided Iddin at work because I don't want him to ask me about the stroll in the park this evening. Kalau I tak jumpa dia at work then he won't ask. Oh no....how stupid I can be. I have to go back with him petang ni. Shoot!!
I was in the break room making myself tea when I sense someone is standing too close behind me. I didn't want to turn because I have a strong feeling, it's him.
"You have been avoiding me this whole day. You know, if you want to decline my invitation you can just say it out right rather than avoiding me. Office ni pun bukannya besar sangat pun......Camera all over the office. I can see you.......Last night you were so sweet and sensitive but now.......this is the attitude shift I was telling you about. What kind of game are you playing with me, sayang?", Iddin sounded annoyed and demanded an answer.
"You're breathing over me, Iddin. I feel suffocated. Please, rasa seganlah sikit. Staff come in and out of this room and you are really making me feel uncomfortable.", I said and carry on to stir the spoon in my mug of tea. "Let's go to my office and talk, boleh?"
"I don't think there is anything to talk about. I got the message...", and a grin on his face. He nodded a couple of times.
Aku rasa serba salah. Aku terpaku.
He smiled, turned and left me standing there. "Iddin! Wait!", aku memanggilnya but he ignored me. I gave a short chase and that's when I saw Hans's dad. I stopped and stood still.
"Well, good......since both of you are here, join me in the conference room.....", said Tan Sri. I was so nervous that if he found out about Iddin and me. Office gossip? Rumours floating around that me and Iddin are an item?......all out of nervousness........................
"Puan Atika, your tea....is all over your feet...". I didn't even notice it until a staff called out my name. Only then, I felt the burning sensation and let go of the mug. It fell off my grip and broken into pieces.
"Subhanallah......", I cried in pain.
Iddin turned and saw my feet soaking wet and hurriedly grabbed me before I fell down. Tan Sri came over. "Atika, macamana boleh jadi macam ini? Are you alright?", he asked. I felt my leg was numb and holding on to Iddin tightly.
"Tan Sri, I'll take her to my office. She's quite hurt from the hot tea. We'll call the doctor and I'll be right with you.....", Iddin replied.
"No...., no....., don't worry. You take care of Atika first. Atika, you take a rest. I have a video conference with the Board of Directors and I'll drop by to see you once I'm done." He kissed me on the forehead. Both Iddin and dad helped me walked into Iddin's office. "I'll get your assistant to call the doctor...", Dad said as he walked out of the room.
Iddin kneel on one knee and slowly took off my heels. He looked up at me while aku memejam mata cuba menahan kesakitan. When the shoe were off aku tunduk dan lihat ada tanda-tanda melecur pada kaki aku. Iddin placed his palm on my face. "What happened just now...?", he asked.
"I don't know....when Dad, I mean Tan Sri, called the both of us I panic. I assume that he was going to ask about you and me....", I answered. I quickly sat up and lean on the chair.
Fazura came in with the doctor. "You are in good hands. I'm going to see Tan Sri and I will be back soon." Iddin kissed my hand. I saw Fazura standing behind the doctor and I am sure she saw the whole thing. I feel so embarrassed. "Fazura, make sure she does not leave my office. Sometimes she can be stubborn and I don't want Puan Atika walking around with that kind of injury. Once the doctor leave you can continue with your work.", Iddin gave specific instruction to Fazura.
"Yes En. Fazidin.", replied Fazura.
Once my feet were all wrapped up in with bandages, I sat on the leather sofa with both feet up on the coffee table. Fazura left to continue with her work. I wanted to call Hans so bad and tell him about the accident but I decided to do that after work. I must have fallen a sleep until I felt someone called my name. "Atika...? Atika...? wake up....". I opened my eyes and saw it was Iddin and Dad.
"Maybe we should take her to the hospital....", Dad said. I immediately force myself to sit up and Iddin helped me. His touch was comforting as he rubbed my shoulder.
"No, I am fine and I can manage myself.", I tried to convinced Dad. "The doctor said I should be up and running in 2-3 days."
"So, Iddin your dinner plan kena postponed la nampaknya...?", Dad looked at Iddin. "Yes, Tan Sri...I don't know if Hans would ever trust me taking care of his wife."Iddin replied as he looked at me.
What?! Dad knows that Iddin has been looking out for both me and Tariq? Except me? I looked at both of them in a strange way. Is this a joke?
"Iddin take care of Atika. Come here girl....", and he hugged me. "Your mom misses Tariq so much. Bising dia nak tengok cucu dia. Come around the house once Hans is back okay?" I nodded.
"Please send my regards to Mom.... and thanks Dad.", I replied. Tan Sri left the office and Iddin closed the door behind him.
He came over and land his hands on my shoulder. Hmmmmm.......hilang rasa tension, rasa sakit.....apa aku rasakan kepantasan degup jantungku and kehangatan jari jemari Iddin di bahuku.
"You know, I can kiss you here...." Iddin said and gave a soft blow on my right side of the neck.
I slightly jerk. "And I can kiss you here.....", he said and this time he blew behind my ears. I curled up my body and leaned against Iddin's chest.
I tilted my head and whispered, "Do try that.....kalau you nak rasa my high heel stuck to your brain.........". I pushed him a part. He laughed....
"Hmmmm......sewellah you ni.", I felt intimidated by his actions. By now he had both hands mengenggam pinggang aku. Terasa kehangatan genggamannya. "Okay..., okay....", he said.
Then,...Iddin let go off me. He leaned against his desk and took off his sports jacket and neck tie.
"Can't say I didn't try......(he giggle)....the real issue here now is......, how are we going to get you down to the basement?", Iddin looked at me and scratched hid head.
Aku menyandarkan badan aku dan memandang Iddin. "I can walk you know, I bukannya cripple. I just need your weight for me to hang on...can you do that for me?", I asked.
"Sure, it'll be my pleasure..... You rest sekejap and let me finished a few paper work. Then we leave, okay?", he said and I nodded.
It was almost 6:30 pm when Iddin finally completed his work. Aku dah naik boring menunggu dia. Habis semua majalah di atas coffee table aku baca. Kerja aku terbengkalai. "Iddin before we leave can we stop by my office? I need to bring home my work. Lama sangat I berehat di office you ni and kerja I tak buat, please?"I pleaded.
"No work for you for 2 days. Doctor's orders.", he came over and helped me up. He had one arm on my waist and the other under my armpit. "You're okay?".
"Yeah, I think so.....boleh you tolong grabbed my handbag from my office?", I politely asked for his help.
"Hmmm, come let's walk to your office.", he said as he slowly help me to walk. We walked slowly towards my office and he lean me against the doorway. He quickly grabbed hold of my handbag and came back to where I was standing. I immediately held on to his waist for support and he does the same. Mujur ramai staff telah pulang....
When we get in the car, he slide the passenger seat behind and lift me onto the seat. Once I am seated I grabbed his arm, "Iddin, thank you for doing this....I really appreciate it." I don't know why but I felt so emotional that I hugged him. He was surprised by my reaction. "Are you making a pass at me?", he suddenly said. I pushed him and he laughed. "Benci...!", I snubbed at him.
"Tak pe sekarang benci....nanti lama-lama sayang lah...", and he laughs again as he finds it very amusing! I stuck out my tongue in protest. He fasten my seatbelt.
Iddin seated in the driver's seat. "Are you all comfortable? Here,.....", he covered me with a Burberry blanket..."Just in case it gets too cold in here...", and he smile. That took my breath my away. He slowly reclined my seat so I can lay back. Instead I turn to my right and I have him in full view. He said, "Whichever way you are comfy......", and switched on to his selection of songs.
Credit to Thedieguitomusic2 and You Tube
The drive was very slow due to the heavy traffic. He was searching for a particular song and when he finally found what he was looking for, he stroke my forehead. "You're alright?", he asked. I did not resist and I closed my eyes. And he started to sing to Scorpion. "You really can sing you know. You should be a recording artist if you ever decide to leave the architect world....", I complimented him. He laughed.
"Do you have contacts?", and he laughed again. I just smiled and closed my eyes.
"Can I hear the song again?", I asked. He replied, "Sure." He played the song again.......I listened to the wordings....
You make me dream
By the look in your eyes
You give me the feel, I've been longing for
I wanna give you my soul
All my life
Cause you are the one I've been waiting for
I've been waiting for so long
He kept quiet. And so did I.
"Would it change of how you feel about me, if I say, I am falling in love with you, again?", he asked.
"Hans, once said that I am lucky to have 2 men who loves me very much. He was referring to you and himself. I was quite surprised when he said that....", I said."Maybe kalau I am single, I will definitely.....but it's impossible for me to love two man at the same time.", I replied and kept looking at him.
"But do you? Do you love me, Atika?", he insist for an answer.
"The past two days,.... you have been nothing but generous with your time : spending hours with me and Tariq. I love you for it. I do like you and love you but.....as a special friend. Your are irreplaceable. However, Hans is my husband and I tak mahu menduakan suami I. Syurga isteri dibawah tapak kaki suami, Iddin. You can have any woman in the world but yet you still want me, your friend's wife. I can't offer you anything new. If you make me choose between Hans and you, I will definitely choose Hans." Aku jelaskan dengan panjang lebar.
"You're missing the point here.....I'm asking you again, do you love me, Atika?" Iddin wanted to know....he took and hold my hand.
"You are very persistent....", I commented and let go of his grip.
"Do you love me, Atika?", he asked again.His eyes was on the road.
I kept quiet......"I would if I could....", I finally accepted my true feeling towards Iddin. He never stopped smiling the entire journey back home. "That's good enough with me....", he said.
By the time we arrived my place, it was almost 8 p m. Iddin helped me out of the car and walked me to the door. Mrs Kumar opened the door and looked relief. I asked her what was wrong, she said she was worried that I haven't returned home. I told her of the minor accident I had and the traffic was pretty bad in KL.
I sat down and rested my feet up the sofa. She said the baby sitter already bathe and feed Tariq. He is already a sleep. I thanked Mrs Kumar and told her that she can go home. "But how are you going to manage yourself and Tariq with the injury.?", she asked. I told her not to worry. "I can handle things around here...".
"Do you want me to stay with you, Atika? Or can I get dinner for you?", Iddin offered his assistance. I gave him a polite smile.
"You would like that right? But I feel that it is not appropriate for you to stay here, Iddin...", I replied. He nodded in agreement. "However, since I'll be off from work please drop by for breakfast tomorrow morning. We can make pancakes. How does that sounds?", aku pujuk dia.
He smiled. "It's a date!"
"Alright, it's a date...", I laughed. Iddin was thrilled.
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