Heartbeat by Iem_Aivlis

I was confused by Christ's question to me.

"You've chosen a lot of books?" I asked him in surprise.

There were three thick books in his arms. And finally I found the information of this place from the shelf right behind Christ. 'PREGNANCY BOOK' is written on the description. No wonder all the books here have that title.

"You must be a newly married couple. The book you are holding is as good as the one your husband chose." Suddenly the bookstore keeper approached us and took the book that Christ had brought.

Maybe this girl intended to help Christ carry his book to the cashier's desk, to make it easier for Christ to choose other books freely.

"No, we are not a couple. And she is not my wife." Christ answered the girl who was still holding some books.

Suddenly my naughty idea came. While Bie was still busy with her comic, then I will try to prank Christ. I started walking beside him.

"Yes, we are not husband and wife. And this man is not my husband." I said with a smile at this girl.

Instantly the girl in the bookstore lowered her head in embarrassment. "Sorry."

"It's okay, you're not wrong. This man still hasn't acknowledged me as his wife because we got married through an arranged marriage." I said while holding back laughter.

"What a pity for that woman." I heard a woman's voice from across the shelf where we were standing.

I could see from the corner of my eye that Christ was starting to cross his arms over his chest. His gaze was fixed on me. Maybe he will be mad at me. Even though he won't do it now, I'm sure I managed to annoy him. The proof is that Christ just kept quiet without denying the statement that I had made up.

"That's right, even though the woman is already pregnant with his child," said another woman, echoing her friend's words.

"Eh?" That was the only word that came out of Christ's mouth.

It wasn't an angry expression that Christ was showing now, but he looked like a confused person. Then he looked at my stomach. Maybe Christ wanted to make sure if I looked like a pregnant woman. And his eyes stopped on the book held by me. Of course they thought that, because we were on the bookshelves that stocked books about pregnancy. I tried not to smile even though I really wanted to laugh.

"What's wrong? Are you trying to blame me?" I asked him, pretending not to know.

"It's not like that, look, this gentleman is choosing some books for his wife." The bookstore clerk started talking again, seemingly defending Christ.

Suddenly the two women approached the girl who was working at the bookstore. They started reading the title of the book that Christ had brought earlier. Because I was curious, I also read the title of the book. The first book was bright red and had the title 'HOW TO ATTRACT YOUR PARTNER's ATTENTION'. Then the second book has the title 'SHARPENING THE BRAIN OF PREGNANT WOMEN FOR FETAL BRAIN DEVELOPMENT' I think I saw the title of this book earlier. Then the last book is engraved with the words 'HOW TO DEAL WITH MOODS DURING PREGNANCY'. Wait, aren't those two books the ones I saw earlier? So Christ has been following me all this time? I didn't notice it because I was too focused on the titles of the books. No wonder this bookstore girl thinks that Christ is my husband.

"Wow, it seems like your husband has accepted your marriage," said the woman who spoke first.

"It seems like your husband has started to love you, miss. May you be happy. And may you and your baby always be healthy." Those words were uttered by the second woman.

I heard Christ sigh. Then Christ started walking away, leaving us women who were still standing around the girl guarding the bookstore. Because I was embarrassed, I also followed him to the cashier's desk. Previously, I had just placed the book with the vegetable cover down there. It turned out that Abigail was also at the cashier's desk. There are several comics that she brought. I immediately looked for my wallet to pay for my daughter's book bill. Silly me, I forgot. I left my bag in Christ's car. And my wallet is in my bag.

 "Can I borrow your ca..." Before I finished my sentence, Christ had already handed me some banknotes. 

"You forgot your wallet, didn't you?" Christ asked as he put his hands in his pants pockets.

I actually wanted to borrow his car keys. But never mind, I can pay him back later after we're in his car. I only took two bills from the money he handed me.

"Mom, which of these three books do you think is the most interesting?" Bie showed me her three books.

"Hmmm. Mom thinks all three are equally interesting. How about we take these books home?" I said as I scooped up all three books at once from Bie's hands. Then I put them on the cashier's desk.

"Sorry, just this one." While separating the four books, I handed the cashier two bills.

There was no way I could buy the books that the bookstore keeper had brought. I can't possibly read books like that. So I only paid for three of my daughter's books and one of Christ's books. When the cashier who served me was going to pack the books, I asked her to separate the package into two parts. After getting into the car I started looking for my bag.

"This is the money I borrowed earlier." I handed over two bills that had the same denomination as Christ's money earlier.

Christ just stared at me silently without any intention of taking the money I was still offering him. I don't want to owe him anything. It was enough that Abigail was already in debt to him. Who knows, after paying for this book he might ask for something strange in return.

"Just take it. I don't want to owe anyone." Pulling his left hand, I placed the money in his palm.

Then I handed him a plastic bag, containing the book he had chosen earlier. Judging from the title of the book he chose, it seems like he has a crush on someone. I feel sorry for the woman he is targeting. With his sharp mouth that likes to make sarcastic remarks, can that woman stand him?

"Isn't the money you returned more?" He frowned as he looked at me.

"No. Didn't I borrow two bills from you? Where did the extra come from?" I started to follow him, frowning.

"You haven't deducted the cost from this book." Christ pointed to the book I had handed him earlier.

"Oh, that. Just think of it as me treating you." Then I started to put on my seat belt.

"Are you guys hungry?" Christ asked as the car stopped at a red light.

"No. We'll just eat at home. It's already late anyway. We'd better go home." I said to convince him.

Hey, I've spent a lot of money today. From buying the dress I'm wearing to buying Bie's book. If he takes us to a restaurant, how many more bills will I have to spend in one night? No way, I have to save money. I think there are still instant noodles at home.

"Thank you, Uncle Christ." Bie said happily, after we were in front of the house.

"Then good night." I said as I entered the house.

Maybe Bie still wants to chat with Christ. I went straight in leaving them on the terrace. Actually, I've been wanting to pee. Maybe I should take a shower, so I can make dinner right away. After finishing my shower, I rushed to the kitchen. I started opening the refrigerator and taking out some ingredients that I would process. After finishing mixing these ingredients, I started lighting the fire on the gas stove. I started to get busy with my cooking activities. After I felt it was cooked enough, I turned off the gas stove. I looked for a large bowl to be a container for these instant noodles. After finding it, I started pouring all the instant noodles into this big bowl.

"Bie, let's eat." I shouted from the dining room.

I put a big bowl of instant noodles with steam still rising on the table. I put two medium-sized bowls on the table. I put two pairs of forks and spoons on top of the bowl.

"Wow, it smells so good, mom." Bie's voice came from behind my back.

"Of course, whoever cooked first." While taking the noodles in the big bowl, I said.

"Are you hungry?" I teased Bie.

Bie still hasn't sat down in her chair. My daughter walks towards the dish rack. She seemed to be looking for something. Suddenly Bie brought an empty bowl and placed it on the table.

"I'm hungry too." I heard a man's voice from behind my back.

*Continued *