Second chance

1. "Cute"

-

“Hey Babe! You’re home! You could have told me so that we could order something to take out.” New gave him a smile.

“Daddy!” Pluem happily greeted and he scrunched his nose as his Dad ruffled his hair.

“Wash up now. Papa and I need to talk.”

New faced him and his smile soon faltered when he noticed his husband’s regretful face and fidgety stance. “What is it? Did something happen?”

The husband stared at New long and hard, as if searching for something. After a while he let out a deep sigh. “I’m leaving.”

“Oh. For how long this time? You know Pluem’s graduating from kindergarten soon, right?” New turned his back on his husband to hide his disappointed face. He was busy with preparing their dinner and almost dropped the plates when he heard the next words.

“For good.”

New stiffened and slowly turned to look at his husband – properly this time. He saw his disoriented look – tired body, unkempt hair but despite that he noticed the spark in his eyes. A spark which he hasn’t seen for a long time. He swallowed hard trying to process what’s happening but the more they stood there in silence, the more New kept glancing at their son’s room.

“Was it me?” New whispered, his eyes silently begging his husband to not do this.

The husband shook his head and bit his lip. “It’s never you. You’re perfect in every way. Too perfect. I-... I just fell out of love. I have for a long time now.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I tried but we both got busy and the timing wasn’t there. I don’t want to hurt you anymore New.” The husband took an envelope by the kitchen counter and he stood in front of New.

New stared at the envelope before looking up with questioning eyes. “What’s this?”

“Divorce papers.”

The silence of the room made the words all the more clearer.

DIVORCE.

It was said so sharp that it cuts through every breath, wind and space around New. Sure they’ve had their ups and downs from time to time. They even decided to have a child in hopes to become better. And it did, at least for a while.

But it was all for naught.

“Who is it? Do I know him/her?” New forced the words out of his mouth.

The husband only shook his head and took one of New’s hands and placed the envelope there. “Knowing won’t help any of us. I tried. I really did. I just… fell in love with someone else and I don’t want to keep on hurting you. Nothing happened between us.. yet. And I don’t want to cheat on you. I just want a clean break.”

Was New supposed to say thank you for that? What about their son?

“What about Pluem? Did-.. Did you even think of him? Never mind me. Our child…”

“He will understand in time New. I know with you here, he will turn out to be a fine man. I-.. I have to go. You can send the papers to my lawyer.” The husband slowly walked backwards before turning his back on New and grabbing his luggage. He moved towards the door when the sound of glass shattering made him look back.

New gasped as he saw Pluem standing by his doorway. “Pluem.”

“Daddy? Where are you going?”