MY ESAN HUSBAND: CHAPTER 39
“Now where exactly did you say she left to? She is still my wife regardless of this imaginary debt she thought she paid. The marriage is legitimate and we didn’t sign any divorce papers. Please Gubgib and Taew, I am pleading with you. You know your sister as well as I now know; she is a very stubborn woman but I am willing to fall upon my knees to confess everything. Especially that I love her. I do very much, I should have realized sooner and I hope you both can help mend it. Help me mend her broken heart. I am not assuming that she loves me but I can only pray that she gives me the rest of my life to prove it to her. To cherish her and allow her to do what she wishes with me. “He pleaded with both his current sister in laws. They eyed him suspiciously. Everyone now knew the debt was a lie between the older men, their fathers and Nadech. Yaya was an innocent party to all of this, but if she didn’t care for Nadech and their marriage, why did she run away?
Yaya seemed to have vanished from them all. He tried contacting Ken but the man was tight-lipped and did not accept back the cheque from him until Nadech relay the whole situation regarding his marriage to Yaya. Ken stayed silent and then he smashed his fist into Nadech’s face; Nadech was both shocked but did not retaliate, he knew he deserved it and more. He was wondering if Yaya would be so gentle with him as soon as she found out about his deceit.
It had been an agonizing two months since he let Yaya go. He was pulling his hair out. She left without a word to anyone. Their fathers didn’t know where she was hiding but Nadech knew her sisters too well. The three women were very close. Seeing Gubgib gaping at him, he decided to question her further.
“You realize that I am related to your husband? I will do whatever it takes, private investigators what have you and eventually Yaya will be found. Sooner would be best than later. It’s all just a misunderstanding and my pride. I love Yaya but didn’t want to accept the circumstances of why Yaya accepted me as her husband. Out of debt or out of love? I want to be fair to all and especially myself to get the true answer from her. Please Gubgib. She may be pregnant as well. We didn’t take any precautions, please don’t let history repeats itself.” The last statement seemed to register with Gubgib. She stared at her brother in law pointedly.
“Alright, but you must promise you will no longer force my sister to do anything she does not want. Explain yourself and let her decide. I swear you better realize that you are one lucky man. I know Yaya. If she didn’t care, she’ll be standing here right now, demanding an answer but I think you know she’s hurting.” With that Gubgib, sent him a text with her sister’s address in New York.
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Staring at the woman, who looked gaunt and her parlour pale; his heart hurt to see her in such a state. It had been a week of observation and finally he had the nerve to confess to her. How did she keep under the radar? If not for Gubgib’s help, he knew it would’ve have been too many months until he was able to locate her. Here in New York, the quieter suburban area. She still commuted to her university, as she was teaching an arts program there as a volunteer work and working for an unknown organization. The business was starting to pick up because of Yaya’s unique designs. At least she was continuing to what she studied and loved. He too was glad to have found the woman he could not live without. Finally have the nerve to walk towards her, he shadowed her movement, making sure she arrived home safe and before she finished unlocking her door. He called her name.
Yaya thought she was going mad again. Over the past couple of months, there were always people and things reminding her of her soon to be ex-husband. This time it was even eerier as she swore she heard his voice calling her. The voice was louder. She took a deep breath and turned. He wasn’t part of her imagination. He was here, looking at her intently, with a pleading look. She finally remembered she hated him or as close a feeling she thought she had.
“You! What are you doing here and how did you find me. I thought I made it clear that my family’s debt has been absolved. Get away from me.” She shrieked.
Looking around, Nadech made sure there weren’t witnesses. He rushed her inside her rented condo and slammed the bolt lock shut.
He saw that her anger was still present. Shakily running his hand through his too long hair, he looked around the sparsely furnished room. Yaya stood there gaping, did he not have anything to say to her and why was he inspecting every crook and cranny in her apartment?
“No wonder you are looking half starved. There’s barely anything in this fridge of yours. I know you don’t cook very well, but this is a bit much no? What happened to all the income you received from your boyfriend?” he inquired.
Boyfriend? Thought Yaya in confusion. “Don’t you dare insult me again, what and who are you talking about? I just haven’t been having an appetite as of late, not that it is any of your business. My shopping happens Monday each week. I asked you to leave me alone and how in the world did you get this address? Did you pay someone a ridiculous amount of money to track me? I thought I made it clear that we are done and you cannot control me any longer!” she exclaimed.
Nadech sat down on her softly cushioned sofa. At least this was comfortable. He saw her standing there and patted the seat beside him. She decided to sit at the opposite matching chair to the sofa. Glaring at home and crossing her arms, she made it clear there wasn’t any time allowed for him.
“I came here to make peace. You shouldn’t have disappeared like that. I honestly was very worried. We need to talk and I hope I can explain things properly.” He started.
“Please no, I don’t really care. I just want to live my life in peace and whatever you have to say it doesn’t matter. Our marriage was a convenience or a debt arranged. You never wanted me as a real wife and so it’s best that I realize it even if I could’ve easily waited it out but Ken gave the excuse to do it sooner. We are all much happier that it happened. Now I can be courteous enough to give you coffee but after please go.” Yaya got up and hurried to brew the coffee.
Nadech followed her, asking where the mugs were and trying to abide his time. At least she didn’t toss him out immediately.
“Yaya. At first we were both forced into this marriage but how do I say this. There was never any debt. Your family owed us nothing.”
The clatter of the pot and water in the sink explained Yaya’s shock. There was no debt? How in the world could their fathers do this to her, do this to the both of them.
Nadech watched her tense frame. He didn’t know what she would do next. But definitely not expecting her next words.
“I am sorry our fathers did this to us. I had no idea either but if it is any consolation…” she replied.
“Stop Yaya. I knew about the debt well lack of it as well. I am very sorry to put you through all of this, it’s just that…” he didn’t get to continue.
The sharp and quick slap to his face explained it all.
“How could you? How dare you decide what and how my life was to be? You ruined almost the past two years of my life.” She was shaking one moment and the next she fainted into his arms.
Nadech was shell shocked and quickly dialed the one doctor friend he knew in New York. At least he made private house calls.
An hour had passed and still Yaya did not regain consciousness. He almost screamed out loud with worry, as he waited impatiently for Rob to finish with his check up.
“Well, this is a surprise. You are not only married but going to be a father soon. Wasn’t only two years or so that you vow you wouldn’t every consider marriage? But let me digress; take care of your wife. She seemed to be under a lot of pressure and stress it seems. Stress is not good for her or the baby. I will leave you these prescriptions for vitamins and prenatal essentials. She should be up soon but if not, let her rest. It wouldn’t harm her.” Rob explained and patted his friend on the back.
“She is pregnant? How far along?” Nadech asked, already knowing the answer. It must have happened on the night he returned from Singapore. Their first time at the Esan village didn’t create this new life which was probably a blessing as there was animosity between them. But their second time, he knew she must have some feelings as she didn’t resist him.
“Oh a little over two months now I assume but we can hash out the exact details tomorrow morning at the clinic preferably. How long have you both been married? I think the sooner the better but that is just a non professional opinion. You aren’t getting any younger right?” He chuckled to himself not realizing the worrying strain on Nadech’s face.
Nadech was worried Yaya was not going to take the news in good spirit. She didn’t want anything more to do with him and now by having his child, the bond was even more secure. He thanked the doctor and started to tidy up Yaya’s apartment just to keep him busy before she awoke. His stomach growled and he looked up quickly the closest Chinese take-out shop. He didn’t cook either so it was order in tonight for their meal.
He checked in on her sleeping form. She may not be awake until the morning so he decided to eat alone. He turned on the television and realized for the first time in a long time he actually had a chance do so but he quickly lost interest in the current shows available with the entire reality theme. His life story was more dramatic than the script written for these shows. He heard and murmur from Yaya’s room and quickly checked in on her. Her eyes were open and upon seeing him she turned her back on him. At least she didn’t try to attack him again. He slowly approached the bed.
“We will continue the last conversation tomorrow. Did you want something to eat? I ordered the best Chinese food in town for dinner. How about some Kung Pao chicken? I can quickly reheat it for you and bring it in here or can you make it to the kitchen?” Trying to keep the conversation light but the room was silent. “I’m sorry Yaya, and you don’t know how much. I truly owe you a huge explanation but I think it is probably for the best that you get your strength back. Let me warm up some wonton soup for you at least. I shall be back.” He walked out the room and heard the bed sheets rustled.
Entering the room he noticed Yaya had propped herself up on the bed. He brought the tray with the wonton soup towards her. A whisper of thanks was what he received from her and he decided to let her eat in peace. Now the next step was to explain everything to her and lastly let her know she was expecting. How would she react, would she be happy or will she want to seek termination? Quickly his thoughts went to over my dead body mode. He knew he loves her and wanted their baby together. He only now had to convince his wife that she’d want the same.