LOVE YOU, UNCLE

“I’m leaving now. Be careful at home. If you need anything or if something happens, please notify me immediately.”

Randy was standing at the doorstep of his house. According to the schedule, he had to leave for the airport this morning to fly to Singapore for three days.

Randy was not alone, of course. This time, Alvin accompanied him on the business trip. His assistant was deliberately brought along to help Randy handle all the work and meetings during their time in Singapore.

“Yes, my dear husband. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine here. Also, pray for a high score for my internship and for a good thesis advisor afterward.”

“But, I’ll be sad after this,” Randy said later. The man’s face, which was cheerful before, now looked a bit gloomy.

Ghea, who felt and noticed the change in Randy’s expression, immediately frowned in confusion. What else could make her husband suddenly feel sad when she only asked for prayers?

“Why are you sad again?” Ghea inquired.

Randy took both of her hands. Gently and affectionately, he cupped Ghea’s cheeks.

“Well, I’m sad because after this, you won’t be interning at my office anymore, right? I won’t be able to see you every moment. I’ll miss you a lot. And it’ll be torture waiting for the end of the workday.”

Hearing Randy’s confession, instead of being pleased, Ghea snorted. Why did her husband’s confession sound so exaggerated?

“Can’t you just be normal? No need to be so dramatic. Your expression makes it seem like we won’t meet again,” protested Ghea.

Randy just smiled. He leaned in, deliberately kissed Ghea’s lips, and then said, “I can’t be asked to be normal. I’m deeply in love with you. Just a moment without seeing your smile, and I could go crazy.”

“Exaggerated,” Ghea said, pinching Randy’s waist playfully. Immediately, the man groaned and pouted.

“I’m serious, dear.”

“Yes, I believe you,” nodded Ghea. This time, she took a step forward, encircling both her hands deliberately around Randy’s neck while locking her gaze into her husband’s pitch-black eyes. “I’ll miss you too because we won’t meet Uncle often. But if you want, I can come to your office every lunchtime so we can have lunch together.”

“Really?” Randy asked, making sure. “Are you promising not to complain if I ask you to come to the office every lunchtime?”

Ghea nodded repeatedly, assuring Randy that she would do what he asked.

“I promise. Don’t worry, I’ll come to see Uncle every lunchtime so no ghosts will take the opportunity to invite Uncle to lunch.”

Laughter immediately burst from Randy’s lips when he heard the last sentence from his wife. Before he could respond, Ghea boldly planted a kiss. She kissed, nibbled on both of Randy’s lips alternately.

Randy, who liked Ghea’s attitude, of course, immediately responded. He didn’t care if what he and his wife were doing was seen by the workers who might be passing by, as they were currently on the terrace of their house.

“Okay, enough with the kissing,” Ghea said after breaking the kiss. “You’ll be late for your departure if we continue. You might even miss your flight.”

Randy smiled. He embraced Ghea again before he really left.

“I’ll miss you so much.”

“Me too. Well, hurry up and leave. We’ll continue missing each other through video calls. Remember, let me know when you arrive. Don’t misbehave while you’re in Singapore.”

“Yes, dear. In that case, I’ll go now. Again, take care and be good at home.”

***

A day passed without any problems. Because as soon as Randy arrived in Singapore, he was busy with his work, and Ghea in Indonesia was also busy taking care of various needs and preparing for her thesis. They both only reconnected in the evening, before deciding to sleep. Randy had a lot to tell Ghea, and vice versa.

On the second day of Randy’s departure, Ghea began to feel lonely. If every morning there was someone who always woke her up, carried her to the bathroom, or even pampered her before deciding to go to work, then today she did not feel that. Only now did she feel the longing for the silly antics that her husband often did.

“Why so gloomy?” Denisa teased.

“Yes, from this morning when I was picked up until now, it’s already evening, Ghea has been silent. It’s not fun at all,” Joshua added.

After returning from campus, the three of them decided to stop at one of the cafes they often visited. They intended to have fun celebrating the completed internship. But, for some reason, since this morning, Ghea seemed unenthusiastic. She remained silent and hardly spoke. Quite different from her usual self.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“I miss my husband,” Ghea whispered while sipping on the lemon tea she had ordered earlier.

This response immediately made Denisa and Joshua laugh. Instead of feeling pity or showing concern, the two friends found it amusing.

“Why are you laughing? Is there something wrong?” Ghea wondered, looking at her two friends.

Joshua then brought his hand, deliberately placing it right on Ghea’s forehead, making sure she was in good condition. Or maybe she was sick?

“It’s cold,” Joshua said.

“I’m perfectly healthy, Jo,” Ghea protested.

“I just want to make sure whether you’re healthy or sick. It’s rare for you to confidently say you miss Randy.”

“Yeah,” added Denisa. “It doesn’t seem like the usual Ghea.”

Ghea then pouted. According to her, Joshua and Denisa were strange. Was it wrong for her to miss her husband?

“I seriously miss him, you know. Why are you so mean, laughing like that? I feel weird. Usually, someone spoils me or bothers me; it’s been almost two days, and I haven’t experienced that. It turns out, it’s lonely.”

“See, you just realized it now, right? What does that mean? It means you really, really love Randy. You’ve been getting attention all this time, but you were just too indifferent, too proud.”

“It’s not pride. It just feels different now,” Ghea defended herself.

“But by the way, Ghe…” Joshua continued, leaning closer. Then he put on a serious expression. “Aren’t you worried about Randy going to Singapore?”

Ghea raised both her eyebrows. Listening attentively while wondering why she should worry about her husband going on a business trip to Singapore.

“Why should I?”

“Just afraid that Randy might be disturbed by ghosts there. As you said before Agista appeared in Akasia, she lived in Singapore. Who knows if she might follow him and stick to your husband. Or maybe they really met, and they are on the same assignment.”

Ghea just smiled. She was not at all provoked by what Joshua had just said. As much as possible, she tried to think positively to avoid stress or unnecessary worries.

“Why should I worry? Besides, Alvin is there to stand by and accompany Randy wherever he goes. Moreover, even if that ghost is determined to show up, I’m sure Randy can take care of himself, and he won’t do anything inappropriate.”

“I’ll pray for your wish,” Denisa said sincerely. “I hope Randy’s business trip goes smoothly without any obstacles or disturbances.”

Ghea nodded, silently echoing the hope Denisa had just expressed for her.

“It’s almost 6 p. m. We’re going home now, Denisa and I. Are you sure you don’t want us to give you a ride? Just to make it easier,” Joshua offered. He then got up from his seat, preparing to leave.

Meanwhile, Ghea shook her head. She had already decided not to go home with her two friends.

“I still want to stay here for a while and wait for Randy’s call. Don’t worry; I’ll be picked up by the driver when I leave.”

“All right then. In that case, we’ll head home first. You take care by yourself. If anything happens, just call, Ghe,” Joshua reminded. He then truly left with Denisa, leaving Ghea sitting alone in the corner of the cafe.

After her two friends left, Ghea chose to enjoy the red velvet cake she had ordered while playing with her phone. She deliberately waited for Randy, who promised to call her once he finished work a few moments later.

While waiting, Ghea decided to browse through Instagram on her phone. After a while, she heard someone calling her name.

“I can’t believe I found you here, Ghe.”

Ghea looked up, turned, and found the familiar figure of a man.

“Rio?”