"Still no sign of them?" Tan asked, swirling the wine in his glass as he scanned the garden, his dark tuxedo exuding an air of elegance. The tailored jacket and crisp shirt gave him a sharp, polished look as he stood beside the koi pond.
Bow, who stood beside him, shook her head while checking her phone. She looked effortlessly chic in her light blue blouse and trousers, the soft fabric moving gracefully as she shifted her weight, her calm presence only adding to the effect.
"What's going on?" Ros asked as she joined them. She held two glasses of wine, handed one to her beau, then adjusted her red dress with a touch of gold as it hugged her figure with poise.
Bow winked at her and answered with a teasing smirk.
"Oh, nothing. Just Fahlada obsessing over her wife."
Ros let out a snort. "So… nothing new, then?"
They all cracked up at the mere thought of the married couple.
"I just thought maybe they could use a night out," Bow said, her voice turning a touch more thoughtful as she spoke. "But with Earn's pregnancy, maybe staying in feels safer for them right now."
Tan grinned and prodded her. "If you and Ros ever decide to have a baby, you might find yourself doing the same thing."
Ros's cheeks turned pink. Bow groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up.
"Absolutely not. I am not having a baby!"
Wisanu, leaning casually nearby, tilted his head with a teasing glint in his eye.
"Don't be too sure. Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you," he added.
"Yeah… what if I do want a baby?" Ros shot back at Bow.
But Bow didn't back down, leaning closer to her lovely Ros with a wicked grin.
"Do you want us to make a baby, then?"
Ros was caught off guard. She hadn't expected a comeback, and since she rarely won an argument with Bow, the sight of her woman inching closer made her mind go completely blank. Before she could answer, Tan's eyes lit up as he looked toward the garden entrance and exclaimed, "There she is!"
A tall figure in a slate-colored dress stepped into the glow of the lanterns, her silhouette familiar to everyone, even from a distance.
'Phew, dodged that one,' Ros thought, slipping away from them with the excuse of getting some food for Fahlada.
"Look who finally decided to show up," Bow called out, raising both drinks in the air. "I was starting to think Wisanu scared you off again."
"Wow. That's how you treat your host?" Wisanu shot her a mock glare.
Their playful banter lingered in the air as Wisanu excused himself to greet his visitors.
Fahlada offered her best friends a small, apologetic smile.
"I'm really sorry… I got caught in traffic."
"It's fine. We're just glad you made it. Where's Earn? I thought she'd be glowing tonight." Tan said and handed her a glass of champagne.
"I tried to bring her with me, but she couldn't," Fahlada replied while her eyes were distant. "She's home… didn't feel up to a crowd tonight."
"Is she alright?" Bow asked, stepping beside them and taking a small sip of her drink.
"Susi and Ingfah are with her; they're having a little get-together of their own."
A sly smile crossed Tan's face. "Let me guess… takeout, endless gossip, and maybe a little wine—Susi's signature combo, with a mocktail for Earn."
"Probably," Fahlada said with a soft chuckle, picturing her wife.
"Anyway, she told me to come enjoy myself, but honestly…"
"She's still on your mind," Tan finished for her and nudged her gently.
"You've always been like this when it comes to her. One foot in the room, the other still at home."
"I can't help it, she's been through so much. Even when she says she's okay…I wonder if she's just protecting me."
"Of course she is," Bow said, soft but direct. "It's because she loves you and doesn't want to worry you."
"I know," Fahlada murmured under her breath, taking a slow sip of her champagne as if to calm herself and her racing thoughts.
The conversation quieted as laughter erupted from across the garden, where Wisanu stood with a glass raised, giving an exaggerated speech and toast. He wore a deep navy suit that fit him perfectly; the crisp white shirt and gold-accented cufflinks caught the light and drew attention as he moved with effortless confidence. It was a small celebration for his family, attended only by close relatives and esteemed guests. Warm lights twinkled overhead, soft music drifted through the air, and tables were laden with good food and drinks, giving the night a special, intimate feel.
Fahlada realized Tan was right, the place was perfect for them. Even with Earn's pregnancy, she could relax, enjoy the evening, and allow herself to have some fun. The thought brought a brief, fleeting sense of relief from the weight pressing on her chest.
'I wish she were with me right now,' but a sudden buzz from her phone cut through the thought, a ripple of unease following as she reached for it.
Susi: Earn had some cramps. Nothing serious. She's resting now. We offered the hospital, but she refused. Just thought you should know.
Fahlada froze, a quick rush of fear gripping her.
"Earn…"
Bow and Tan turned to her, concern flickering in their eyes.
"What happened?!" they exclaimed at the same time.
"She had cramps. Susi says it passed and she's resting," Fahlada continued, already reaching for her evening clutch. "But she didn't want to go to the hospital… I'm sorry. I need to go home."
Her friends didn't need to ask more; they understood that this was more important than anything else. Tan placed a hand gently on her arm. "Of course. Go."
"And let us know how she is," Bow added, trying to sound calm, but there was a nervous edge to her tone.
Fahlada gave them both a grateful look before turning toward the exit. As her heels clicked against the pavement, each step echoed lightly in the night, but everything else felt distant to her. Fahlada's mind was already at home, in one room, beside the woman she loved more than anything in the world.
___
The lights were dim throughout the house, except for the golden glow seeping from their bedroom and stretching down the hall. Fahlada's footsteps slowed as she approached, careful not to make a sound. Her hand hovered over the knob, but before she could twist it, the door creaked open, revealing Earn's mother on the other side, one hand still resting on the knob and a stack of wet towels in the other.
"Oh, I'm glad you're here now," Jintana said softly, offering a reassuring smile.
"Earn's resting. Just give her some time."
"Thank you," Fahlada murmured in her gentle voice, "I… I wanted to make sure she's okay."
"She will be," her mother replied, placing a comforting hand on Fahlada's shoulder.
"Go in and see her. She'll be happy to have you there."
Fahlada nodded, waiting until Jintana had disappeared down the hall before stepping inside. Her gaze immediately found Earn, curled up on the bed, the blanket pulled over her legs, and her hand resting just above her belly.
Earn's face was pale and exhausted in the soft light, yet peaceful, her lips slightly parted and her hair damp near her temples.
Fahlada exhaled, long and slow, and crept beside her wife. She reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair away from Earn's face.
Earn stirred slightly at the touch. Her eyes fluttered open.
"…You're home early," she mumbled under her breath.
Fahlada nodded. "I rushed home as soon as I got Susi's message."
"That's why you look tired," she murmured, her brows knitting together.
"You didn't have to rush back. Susi's message said I was fine, didn't it?"
"Yes, but I had to come home to make sure," Fahlada replied, her voice low and gentle but firm. "You're all I could think about. You should have told me you weren't feeling well; I could have stayed here with you."
Earn blinked slowly, then looked away, her voice barely audible.
"I… I didn't want to make you worry…"
"Well… I did." Fahlada pulled her close, holding her tightly and not letting go, trying to hide her tears. Earn felt the steady rhythm of her wife's heartbeat beneath her hand and relaxed into the hug, letting the tension she'd carried all day slip away.
"I always do—whether you like it or not."
There was a slight pause before Earn gave her a faint smile.
"Sorry, I ruined your night."
Fahlada frowned. "Don't say that." Her fingers brushed lightly along Earn's cheek.
"You didn't ruin anything. I was never really there, anyway. I'm glad you're okay."
Earn shifted slightly, trying to sit up, but Fahlada gently guided her back down.
"No, you should stay," she said softly. "Just rest."
"I feel better now. It was just a wave — it's already passed," Earn retorted.
"But you should've gone to the hospital," Fahlada said, facing her wife, the worry still tight in her voice.
"I didn't want to be there." Earn looked at her with vulnerable eyes.
"I'm fine… as long as you're with me."
Fahlada didn't argue. She simply leaned in, pressing her forehead gently against Earn's, letting silence speak for her.
"I'm staying here tomorrow," she whispered. "I'll call in to work. Just in case—"
"No." Earn gently shook her head. "You have that early surgery, remember? And a full day."
"I don't care, I—"
"But I do," Earn said, brushing her index finger over Fahlada's lips to silence her.
"Again, I'm okay now. Just sleep beside me tonight. That's enough."
Fahlada's throat tightened. She wanted to argue, to insist, to never leave her side again—but she could see it in Earn's eyes: what she needed most wasn't hovering or panic. It was trust.
"Alright," Fahlada surrendered.
"But the moment anything feels off, I'm not asking next time. I'm taking you straight to the hospital."
Earn gave a tired smile. "Deal."
They lay down together. Fahlada wrapped an arm around Earn protectively, their bodies fitting into that familiar shape. But Fahlada just stared at her wife, as if a single blink might make her disappear.
'Why am I overthinking? She's fine… she's fine,' Fahlada thought, fighting an inner battle;
'Was it really safe to simply ignore it, or should I insist on a checkup now?'
"Babe, you gotta sleep, or I'll get mad at you for keeping me up," Earn whispered, eyes closed, a teasing curl in her smile as she brushed her fingers along Fahlada's arm.
"Fine, let's sleep, my love…" Fahlada murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her beloved.
And though her eyes eventually closed, Fahlada's mind didn't stop racing.
Something wasn't right. She could feel it.