The corners of Xaras's lips curved, rubbing her bulging
belly as her feet stood in front of a motorcycle spare parts store. She vividly
remembered the brand of the store which also had a workshop attached. It was
the store her husband, Kendra, always used as the backdrop in every message he
sent. Although every time Kendra made a video call, he did it from the rented
house, she still believed that the business in front of her belonged to her
husband.
"Excuse me, Sir. Is Mr. Kendra here?" Xaras asked
a mechanic who was opening a motorcycle tire.
The thin-mustached man raised his eyebrows. "Mr.
Kendra?"
"Yes, Mr. Kendra who owns this store and workshop. He's
tall, fair-skinned, thick eyebrows. His hair is slightly curly."
Xaras enthusiastically described her husband's
characteristics.
"Mr. Kendra who owns the store?" he asked again.
He seemed puzzled by Xaras's question, then even more surprised when he saw the
expression on her face.
"Yes. My husband said this is our store and workshop,
rented out six months ago." She took out her phone and showed a photo of
Kendra that the man had sent about four months ago.
The man furrowed his brow, staring at Xaras's phone screen.
"Oh, Kendra. He used to work here, but he hasn't come since he got
married. He said..."
"Wait a minute, Sir. Married, we've been married for a
long time, and you can see for yourself that I'm heavily pregnant, and..."
"I don't understand what you're saying. But what I know
is he quit working here after getting married because his wife forbade
him."