INCESTUOUS MARRIAGE (Blood Marriage)
CHAPTER 06 - INCESTUOUS MARRIAGE

IM.06 STRAWBERRY FRUIT

ALLURA GIBSON

I've been in Thimphu for over a month. Become a foreign woman trying to survive in a people's country with the help of a good friend. Although there are still many wounds in my heart that have not healed, but I try to stay strong. All the good memories of the past are still clearly in my memory. And those hurtful words still ring clearly in my ears. I've been trying to forget the sadness of the past when I started this new chapter and lived in Bhutan. But still I can't forget the Albert Ma and Adrian Ma who are my family.

When Joshua went out to work and left me alone at home, I always missed the things I did in the past. I miss the office atmosphere, I miss the shopping center atmosphere, I miss the beach atmosphere, and I miss the atmosphere of Singapore that never sleeps. In addition, he also missed the moment of being a mother for Adrian Ma. I miss her crisp voice and her laughter that enlivened the atmosphere. I also miss the moments I spent with her. After a long time I asked Joshua for help to find out where he was, until now I have not received news about him.

Sometimes I miss things about Albert Ma. I miss her soothing voice, I miss her warm embrace, and I miss the wonderful moments she had with me. But alas, the longing disappeared instantly as I remembered the various harsh words he had said to me. 'Damn woman', two words that are able to tear down my various good feelings towards her. Do I still love him? If checked into the recesses of my heart, maybe the love is still there. But that feeling was buried deep in the bottom of my heart by the words of the boneless tongue. Until I finally chose to stay here and get away from her life instead of going back home.

During this stay in Thimphu, I very rarely went out of the house for sightseeing. Even if I go out, it's just to get rid of the boredom of driving around town with Joshua. I never go to a shopping mall to buy things. Because all my needs and household are always equipped by Joshua. Making me who had been helped by him feel that I owe him a lot.

If I hadn't left Singapore and left my life, I wouldn't have been in this position. I went to Bhutan with Joshua's help who was so kind to me. So I don't have a penny in my wallet. Even if there were some limitless cards I could use, I would not use them and choose to keep them. Because using it will make Albert Ma know where I am. I don't know for sure if he's still thinking about me or looking for me. But I, who did not want to be found by anyone in my past and my family, did not think of going home. It would make me much calmer than having to meet the man who had broken my heart.

Being home for too long and just walking around the city on a few occasions, makes me tired of wanting to enjoy a different atmosphere. Luckily Joshua had a day off work. So that he who understands my mood, invites me to enjoy the atmosphere of celebration in downtown Thimpu today. The atmosphere that he said was very pleasant and I never found while in Singapore.

"Joshua, where do you want to take me?" I asked Joshua who was sitting next to me while driving his car.

He turned to me for a moment to smile, then looked straight ahead and replied, "I want to take you to Punakha, Allura."

"Punaka?"

"Yes, Punakha."

"Where's that? Is distant? You have to remember that I'm pregnant young, Joshua. I haven't been allowed to travel far."

"I don't think it's too far, Allura. It is only about 72 kilometers from the capital Thimpu. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan before it was moved to Thimphu."

"What's in there? Is there anything interesting?"

"We're going to watch Punakha Tshechu."

With a curious face I asked again, "What is that, Joshua?"

"A festival in the city of Punakha is always held in February or March every year."

"Is the festival interesting?"

While continuing to drive his car, Joshua replied, "I don't know for sure whether Punakha Tshechu is attractive or not. But some of my employees who came from there, said that the festival was so interesting that it was a pity to miss. You don't have to worry, Allura. I'll drive the car well so that our trip is fine. I'm taking you away because I feel sorry to see you who are still moody after a long time in Bhutan with me. I'm not sure what's on your mind or what's making you moody. But at least I want you to feel a little happiness when you're outdoors. Constantly confining yourself at home will affect your mental health."

How can I be happy if I have not met my son, I said deeply.

When the car we were driving passed through a supermarket, Joshua turned his car's drive to the supermarket's drive area and stopped it. While removing her seatbelt she asked, "Allura, do you want to buy something? I'm gonna go downstairs for a while and go inside that supermarket to do some shopping. I'd like to buy some snacks for the two of us during the trip."

"I want strawberries and some strawberry-flavored food, Joshua."

Joshua was stunned for a moment looking at me who was still sitting in the front passenger seat. Then in a low voice he asked, "Why do you suddenly want to eat strawberries, Allura. Usually you will eat a variety of foods made from strawberries."

"Don't know why, all of a sudden I want to eat strawberries. Maybe I miss Adrian, Joshua."

"alright. I'll buy it for you. Just wait for me in the car. I'll be right back."

"En..."

As I sat there, glued to my own thoughts, the car door suddenly opened. Joshua got into the car with a bag of food in his hand. Then he gave the bag to me and said, "Allura, all the food inside is strawberry. You can eat it to your satisfaction."

"Are you angry with me?"

Joshua shook his head as he replied, "No. I'm not mad. What's the matter, Allura?"

I smiled faintly at him and replied, "You bought too much. Where's your groceries, Joshua? Didn't you buy food for yourself?"

"No. I have no restrictions when it comes to eating. So I can eat the food in that bag."

"alright. We'll share the food." I said with a smile to Joshua who was putting a seatbelt beside me.

I who can't wait to taste strawberries immediately open the grocery bag that is still in my hand. When Joshua went shopping earlier, I felt very anxious to taste the forbidden fruit in my family. But when the fruit was in my grasp, I felt sad. At the same time my longing for Adrian Ma grew. Making me who until now has not heard from him also asked, "Joshua, have you got word about Adrian?"

"Sorry, Allura. I haven't heard from Adrian. Do you miss him?"

"Yes, I miss him a lot. I know this is a fruit he cannot eat. But seeing this strawberry made me think of her and miss her. Didn't Albert look for his whereabouts?"

Joshua was silent for a moment hearing my question involving the name Albert Ma. I know if he's lacking that name. But he seemed to be trying to stay calm and answered my question, "I don't know, Allura. Don't you know that I never communicate with him again? Even if he called me a month ago and confirmed your whereabouts, I said that I didn't know. So I don't know if he's still looking for Adrian or not. But you don't have to worry. I'll keep finding out Adrian's whereabouts and tell you the results."

"Thank you, Joshua. You are my best friend. I'm sorry if I'm always troubling you and bothering you."

"I don't feel bothered let alone troubled by you." Joshua who had been sitting properly and was about to drive his car out of the parking area, suddenly stopped moving and turned his head towards me. With a flat face he again voiced, "Allura, the day I haven't seen you taking the medicine. Have you taken your medicine?"

"Yet. Being busy getting ready, I forgot to drink it."

"Then, take your medicine and vitamins now. I don't want anything to happen to you and your baby-to-be. We'll leave after you drink it."

"OKAY. Oh yes, Joshua. I feel like there's something weird about this medicine and the vitamins I'm taking."

"You mean?"

"After I took this medicine and this vitamin, I always felt an uncontrollable emotional state. Suddenly I felt so sad and angry. I also experienced a lot of stress when I remembered some things about the past. Every time you go to work, I cry alone. And it lasted long enough. Fortunately when you get home, those excessive emotions subside."

"Why didn't you tell me about it?"

"I don't want to worry you. As long as I can handle it myself, I won't trouble you. I am pregnant at the moment anyway. Maybe it's because of homon pregnancy, so my emotions aren't stable."

"Thank God. I hope everything's okay."

"Yes, I hope everything goes well until this baby is born."

"Now take the medicine and vitamins. We'll leave after that."

Just as I was about to take my medicine and vitamins, Joshua's phone suddenly rang. He stared at his phone screen for a moment, then opened his seatbelt and said, "Allura, wait a minute. I have to answer this phone call first."

"All right."