~EPISODE 6~
"What… are you serious?" Jaya said softly, covering her mouth with her hands as she looked at Marcus. For a few seconds, she couldn't understand what was happening. Her mind felt blank. They had been together for three years, but even after all this time, she never expected something like this. In the beginning, Marcus was never important to her.
He was just someone she talked to when she felt lonely. Someone who listened to her complaints about her marriage, her life, and the constant silence at home. She never planned to fall in love with him. But slowly, without noticing, Marcus became a part of her daily life.
She started calling him first, meeting him often, and sharing things she couldn't share with her husband. Over time, her feelings changed. She didn't stop herself. She didn't question it. She just let it happen.
"Why wouldn't I be serious?" Marcus replied with a smile. He looked calm, confident, and happy. "I'm really happy that my baby is growing inside you."
He placed his hand gently on her stomach. His touch was careful, almost respectful. Jaya was two months pregnant. She had told him about the pregnancy a week ago, feeling nervous and scared about his reaction.
At first, he was silent and confused. He asked many questions. But after a few days, his attitude changed. Now he was standing in front of her, holding a ring, ready to accept everything. "You're suddenly acting very romantic," Jaya said with a small smile.
She touched his face lightly while he bent closer to her stomach, as if trying to feel the baby. "Not more than you," Marcus replied, laughing softly. He looked up at her face, his eyes full of excitement. Jaya slowly took the ring and slid it onto her finger. She stared at it for a moment.
"It's beautiful," she said. "It fits perfectly." Marcus held her hand. "I chose it for you," he said proudly.
"Our baby will be very happy." Jaya nodded and touched her belly gently. "Yes," she said quietly. Marcus started talking about the future.
He said he would work harder, earn more money, and buy everything the baby needed. He talked about toys, bicycles, clothes, and even school bags.
Jaya listened and smiled, though her heart felt heavy for reasons she didn't want to think about. She joked that he needed to earn a lot first. Marcus promised again that he would. He placed his hand on her stomach once more, as if making a silent promise to the baby. They hugged each other and stood there quietly, looking like a family. A family that existed without Ivan.
At the same time, Ivan was in his room. The room was messy and uncomfortable. Clothes were lying on the floor. Books were scattered near the bed. Empty food packets were thrown carelessly around.
The sound of a video game filled the room loudly. Ivan sat in front of his computer, leaning forward, fully focused on the screen. His eyes looked tired and dark, but he didn't blink much. He had been playing for hours.
"Kill it! Kill it!" he shouted again and again while pressing the keyboard hard. His fingers moved fast, almost aggressively. The screen flashed with a victory message, and the computer made clapping sounds.
But Ivan didn't react. He didn't smile. He didn't feel happy. The game was not finished yet.He had reached one of the hardest levels. Zombies surrounded his character from all sides.
Ivan felt irritated and angry. Sweat formed on his forehead. His jaw tightened as he focused harder. He pressed the buttons faster, trying not to lose. For him, the game was no longer just a game. It was the only thing that made him feel in control. After a long struggle, he finally cleared the level.
The screen showed another victory sign. Ivan leaned back for a second, then straightened up again. "Again," he muttered and restarted the game without any break. He didn't care about time. He didn't care about his body or his hunger. Playing the game helped him forget everything else. He didn't think about his father anymore. He didn't think about how his father died. He didn't think about his mother either. Whenever her face appeared in his mind, he pushed it away.
Marcus's face, however, never left his thoughts. Ivan hated him. In his mind, Marcus was the reason his family broke. He believed that if Marcus had never entered their lives, his father would still be alive, and his mother would still be the same. Ivan blamed Marcus for everything.
For the silence at home. For the fights. For the distance between his parents. Even though no one said anything clearly, Ivan had already decided who was responsible. The game continued on the screen, but Ivan's mind was full of anger. He kept playing, trying to escape his thoughts, but the hatred stayed with him. The room was loud, messy, and dark, just like the confusion inside his head.