Second Time Around

"You're drunk," I said, shaking my head when I greeted Enver as soon as he entered our home. “Again.”

This was not the first time that he went home drunk, so even though I didn’t like it, I didn't say anything and just let him in.

I helped him get inside our room because he couldn't stand up on his own anymore and when I laid him down, I started to remove his shoes and socks one by one.

I went down to the kitchen for a while, got a small plantain with only warm water, and then returned to the room.

I placed it on the side table as I began to take off all of Enver's clothes.

"En, stop resisting," I said annoyed because he was still fighting with me for his clothes. "I'll just wipe you."

"I can manage," he said. But he doesn't stand up so I'm still struggling to remove his clothes.

And I let out a deep breath when I completely undressed him after he kept resisting.

Well, I am used to it because for almost six months we have been doing this every night he comes home drunk.

I sat on the edge of the bed and started wiping his face down his body.

"You already told me that you will stop drinking too much alcohol," I said softly. "You just recovered from the illness last time and here you are again."

He didn't answer so I just sighed and continued to wipe him.

Enver and I were once schoolmates when we were in college. We don't have the same course, but we often meet in the library where we review when there is an examination.

We always shared a table and often talked about a certain topic in the books that we were reading back then.

That's where our friendship started. And as often happens to a woman and a man who are always together, we both fell for each other.

He courted me and I said yes to him within just a month.

Well, I have this belief that a relationship doesn’t define how long a man courts a woman. And I think I would just waste our time if I made him wait long just to make our relationship official.

Besides, he could still court me even though we are already in a relationship.

And he did.

He showed me how much he loves and cares for me. Not a day goes by that he doesn't tell me how much he loves me. And that hasn't gone away even after a few years.

He was three years older than me, so he finished his studies earlier than me. But that doesn't change anything in our relationship even though we started to rarely see each other because we are not in the same school anymore.

Until he asked me to marry him right after I graduated from college when I was 20 years old. And I didn't think twice and accepted him because I knew that he would take care of me for the rest of our lives.

And I am willing to do the same for him.

But since he was still busy with his work, we rarely saw each other even when we got married.

I lived in the house that he provided for us. While he mostly stayed at the hotel where his work called him.

And I understand that because he was just starting to manage their family business. He needs to be on-site all the time to make sure everything goes well, as part of his training.

Besides, he never neglected his duty to me. He always makes enough time for me.

He calls as soon as he wakes up and we talk while having breakfast together. It was the same at noon, happy lunch break, and even at our dinner. And before going to sleep.

I see all his efforts and appreciate all of it, so who am I to want more when he gives me the attention I need as his wife?

And when he was finally able to study everything about their company, two years after our marriage he finally came home to me.

It was the happiest day of my life because I could finally share the same roof with my husband.

That was the moment we realized how much we love each other. And how we take care of each other even though we both have jobs.

We never lacked and went above and beyond in taking care of each other as the day went by.

But…

I sighed again as I kissed him after I wiped his whole body. I also put aside the basin with only water in the bathroom and stared at Enver who was now fast asleep.

Six months have passed since he began drinking every night.

At first, I thought it was normal because he hadn't been with his friends for a long time. That's why I didn't overthink it and just let him do what he wanted.

But with each passing day, his attitude also began to change.

He is always mad and irritated even though I just call him on his cellphone. And he doesn't let me know every time he leaves to go to work, or he and his friends go out.

And when I asked him about his changes, he always said that I was just thinking too much.

He insisted that maybe I was just overthinking things. That I should just relax because it will only put stress on me.

But I know something is going on.

And I can't even do anything to find what might be the reason behind all of these changes in him.

I just shook my head and lay down next to him.

I can't do anything with this thought so it is better to just rest because I still have work tomorrow.

I had just closed my eyes when Enver suddenly faced me followed by his tight hug.

And because of his hug, everything I had been thinking about earlier gradually started slipping into my mind.

So, I just hugged him too.

But just a few moments later, he started kissing my neck while his hand wandered to different parts of my body.

I thought he was already sleeping.