The seventh day in Ardi's house.
Fiya woke up at 5:30 AM. Like her habit.
Even in the new big and luxurious house, Fiya was still used to waking up early.
At this time, everything was still dark. The house was still quiet.
Fiya showered with warm water. Water that was gentle and calming.
Fiya got dressed. Fiya chose simple clothes. Comfortable home clothes.
Fiya went down to the kitchen.
The kitchen was still dark. Fiya turned on the lights.
Modern lights turned on brightly.
Fiya started cooking.
Fiya washed rice. Fiya put it in the rice cooker. Fiya pressed the button. The rice started cooking.
Fiya chopped eggs. Fiya chopped vegetables.
Fiya took a pan. Fiya heated oil.
Fiya fried the eggs with a familiar motion.
The sound of eggs frying in the pan. The aroma of eggs being cooked.
This was a sound and aroma that Fiya had known since long ago.
In the luxurious kitchen, the sound and aroma felt more special.
7:45 AM.
Fiya was done cooking.
On the dining table, plates were already prepared.
There was white rice. There were fried eggs. There were stir-fried vegetables. There was a glass of water.
There was also hot tea that Fiya had prepared.
Fiya sat at the table. Fiya drank tea.
Fiya waited for her family to wake up.
7 AM.
Desi woke up.
Desi came down from her room while rubbing her eyes.
Desi walked toward the kitchen while yawning.
"Good morning, Sister," said Desi in a sleepy voice.
"Good morning, sweetie," answered Fiya. "Is Desi hungry?"
"Yes," answered Desi while sitting at the dining table.
Fiya served breakfast for Desi.
Desi ate eagerly.
"Delicious, Sister," said Desi while chewing.
Fiya smiled.
7:30 AM.
Ardi left his room.
Ardi came down to the kitchen.
Ardi wore a gray suit and black pants. Ardi was ready to go to the office.
Ardi looked at the dining table.
Ardi saw breakfast that was already prepared.
Ardi saw Fiya who was cleaning the table.
"Good morning," said Ardi.
"Good morning," answered Fiya. "Breakfast is ready."
Ardi sat at the table.
Fiya served breakfast for Ardi. White rice. Fried eggs. Stir-fried vegetables.
The same as what Fiya cooked for Desi.
Ardi looked at the breakfast.
Ardi took a spoon. Ardi started eating.
Ardi ate slowly.
Ardi chewed carefully.
"This is delicious," said Ardi.
Fiya heard that sentence.
Fiya felt strange. Strange with the way Ardi said it was delicious.
Not like yesterday.
Yesterday, Ardi said "this is delicious" like he was performing a task.
But today, Ardi said "this is delicious" like Ardi was really enjoying the food.
"Thank you, Fiya," continued Ardi. "For the breakfast."
Thank you.
Two simple words.
But those two words felt different to Fiya's ears.
Fiya felt something changed.
"You're welcome," answered Fiya. Fiya smiled. A small smile. A natural smile.
Ardi looked at that smile.
Ardi stopped eating for a moment.
Ardi looked at Fiya.
Ardi also smiled.
A small smile.
A thin smile.
But it was a smile.
The first smile that Ardi had given to Fiya since they got married.
Fiya felt her heart move strangely.
Fiya didn't know why.
Fiya just knew that something changed in that one second.
Ardi continued eating.
"Does Fiya cook this every day?" asked Ardi.
"No," answered Fiya. "It depends on what ingredients there are. But simple breakfast like this is what I often cook."
"Delicious," said Ardi again. "I like eating breakfast like this."
Fiya didn't know what to answer.
"Okay. If Ardi wants, I can cook every day," answered Fiya.
"Good," said Ardi. "I would like that."
They didn't talk after that.
But the atmosphere between them felt different.
Felt warmer.
Desi spoke.
"Sister, we're going to the hospital later, right?" asked Desi.
"Yes, sweetie. We'll go at 9," answered Fiya.
"Is this for surgery?" asked Desi.
"This is a check-up first. The doctor will see Desi's heart condition. To make sure Desi is ready for surgery," answered Fiya.
Desi nodded.
"Will Ardi come too?" asked Desi, glancing at Ardi.
"Yes. Ardi will also come," answered Ardi. "Ardi will accompany Desi."
Desi smiled happily.
8:15 AM.
Ardi was about to go to the office.
Ardi stood up from the table.
"Thank you, Fiya. The breakfast was very delicious," said Ardi.
"You're welcome," answered Fiya.
Ardi took his bag. Ardi was about to leave.
But Ardi stopped.
Ardi looked at Fiya.
"Fiya, I'll come home at 4 PM. We're going to the hospital at 9, right?" asked Ardi.
"Yes," answered Fiya.
"Okay. So I won't go to the office. I cancelled my meeting," said Ardi. "I will wait for Fiya and Desi at the hospital."
Fiya was surprised.
Ardi cancelled his meeting because he wanted to go to Desi's check-up?
"Ardi doesn't need to cancel the meeting," said Fiya quickly.
"No," said Ardi. "I want to come. This is important for Desi."
Ardi left the house.
After Ardi left.
Fiya still sat at the dining table.
Fiya thought about what happened.
Ardi said "this is delicious" with sincerity.
Ardi said "thank you" with a different tone.
Ardi smiled.
Ardi cancelled his meeting to go to Desi's check-up.
Something changed.
Small. But real.
Desi looked at her sister's face.
"Sister why? Sister is smiling to herself," said Desi.
"Huh?" Fiya came to her senses. "I'm not smiling."
"Yes, you are smiling," said Desi. "What is Sister thinking about?"
"Sister is thinking about your surgery, sweetie," answered Fiya. "We'll go to the hospital later, okay?"
"Okay," said Desi.
Fiya stood up. Fiya cleaned the table.
Fiya washed the dishes.
Fiya thought about Ardi.
Ardi who was cold.
Ardi who looked like a machine.
But this morning, Ardi looked different.
This morning, Ardi looked like a person.
A person who had a heart.
Fiya didn't know what changed.
But Fiya knew something had already changed.
And Fiya felt that the change was... good.