<
P
.
“Is something wrong?”
Jerry seemed to be holding something back. “Do you know what day it is?”
I racked my brain but couldn’t think of anything special. “What day is it?”
“It’s our three–year anniversary. I’ve been waiting for you at home all night.”
“Don’t tell me you forgot?”
In the past, I was always the one to prepare for our anniversaries. I remembered every special date.
Last year on our anniversary, I carefully decorated the house and prepared many things, waiting for Jerry all night.
I called him, but Ivy’s voice came through first. “Susie’s calling you again, Jerry.”
Jerry impatiently took the phone. “What is it? I’m out of town right now.”
But if he was out of town, why did he bring Ivy along?
“Today is our anniversary. Did you forget?”
Jerry clicked his tongue. “It’s just an anniversary. What’s the difference if we celebrate it or not? We can make it up next year at worst.”
I looked dejectedly at the table full of food I had prepared. “But I made all your favorite dishes, waiting for you to come back.”
“So annoying. I’m hanging up. Just eat by yourself.”
In the end, I was left to eat that big table of food alone.
I rolled over indifferently. “It’s just an anniversary. We can make it up anytime.”
“I’m really tired. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
I hung up the phone and slept comfortably. When I woke up, I saw Jerry had sent me a long string of messages.
I couldn’t be bothered to reply to them one by one, so I simply didn’t reply at all.
After leaving Yuri’s place, I went straight to work. Jerry was waiting downstairs with breakfast.
“Susie, what’s going on with you lately?”
Jerry felt increasingly uneasy. He always felt like I was quietly distancing myself from him.
I shook my head, acting nonchalant. “Nothing’s going on. I’ve been eating well and sleeping well lately. I’ve never felt so comfortable.”
In the past, I had a mountain of worries. Every day I had to keep an eye on Jerry and Ivy’s every move.
I also had to worry about whether he was staying up late, if he had eaten breakfast, if he was smoking. Every day was full of trivial concerns
that left me exhausted.
“Susie, I’ll pick you up after work tonight. Let’s go meet my parents together.”
Jerry grabbed my hand, but I subtly pulled away.
“Why are we going to meet your parents?” I had suggested meeting Jerry’s parents before.
But he always used the excuse of “not wanting to bother the elderly” to brush me off.
“Susie, I know I’ve been neglectful lately, I think we should put our marriage plans on the agenda. Let’s get married.”
I was stunned for a moment, then said flatly, “You arrange it then. I have things to do.”
3:44 PM W
<
Jerry felt a bit dejected. I should have been happy, not this indifferent.
He stood there thinking for a long time, until his last cigarette burned out, before leaving.
I specially changed into a more presentable outfit and waited for Jerry at the entrance for a long time.
His figure was nowhere to be seen. Even calling and messaging got no response.
I instinctively opened Ivy’s Instagram. She had just posted something new.
Jerry was behind her carrying lots of shopping bags, while she was hand–feeding him bubble tea.
[Even after all these years, he’ll still accompany me shopping whenever I say I’m bored.]
I casually liked the post.
No wonder Jerry didn’t come. He was out shopping with Ivy.
Itook a cab straight home, cooked some sim
Jerry was back, with Ivy following behind.
simple food, and was about to eat when I heard the keypad lock.
“Susie, Jerry accompanied me shopping today,
guys couldn’t go see his aunt and uncle. You’re not mad at me, are you?”
