Things Like This Happen V: Through the Years

Prologue

What does it mean to truly love another? I know one thing for sure: I love my wife. In fact, I would do anything for her. She means the world to me, and that's why I married her.

I know she loves me too. Why else would she have agreed to marry me? Why else would she have spent her time with me for at least five years before we got married? There was no doubt that we both love each other. But something went wrong… and it was all my fault.

I remember it like it was yesterday, the day when it all fell apart. It happened last year: Everything started out like a normal day: I woke up, took a shower, got dressed, and proceeded to the kitchen. There, I saw Asuka, preparing breakfast for me. I walked up behind her and slid my arms around her waist. I rested my head on her right shoulder, gave her a sweet kiss on the neck and greeted her good morning. She giggled, greeted me good morning, and asked me if I had a good sleep. I didn't need to elaborate more on what happened that morning, except that I noticed that Asuka was strangely more loving than she usually was. She was extra nice that morning, and she even asked if I could get home earlier. Her request surprised me, but I promised I would.

"Great!" she said, a hint of excitement in her tone. "I'll be waiting for you." Then, she threw her arms around me and gave me a kiss that literally made my whole body tingle. When we broke off, she was smiling and biting her lower lip, and was looking at me with eyes full of hunger and lust. The thought of her wanting me made me feel happy.

I remember coming home even earlier than she had hoped.

When I arrived home that night, I instantly caught the scent of beef fillet in the kitchen. Beef fillet, Asuka knew, was my favorite thing to eat. I remember my face instantly lighting up as I declared to Asuka that I was home. I caught sight of her running towards me and gave me a welcoming hug and kiss. Although I enjoyed whatever she was doing, I still didn't understand why she did it, and I assumed she just wanted to spend a wonderful night with me.

I remembered enjoying the beef fillet that she prepared. While I was eating it though, she seemed to be examining me- at least that was how I saw it at the time. "Is there anything you want to say?" she asked after a moment. I momentarily stopped my chewing and looked at her curiously.

I looked at her from head to toe, trying to notice a difference in her appearance. I especially took note if she had a new hairstyle or outfit that I failed to recognize. But when I eventually convinced myself that I've seen her outfit before and she had the exact same hairstyle the day before, I glanced at my food, then looked back at her, and said, "Where'd you buy the beef? It tastes wonderful."

She gave me a strange half smile and turned away. There was a moment of silence between us, and Asuka decided to break it by proceeding quietly to the bedroom. I've never felt so clueless all my life.

That night, while we were both in bed, I heard her sniffling. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but when I heard it again, I suddenly got up, faced her, and asked, "Hon, are you crying?"

It took a few more moments for Asuka to gather up the courage to turn to me. Sure enough, she had been crying; her eyes were red and puffy, and fresh tears were still visible all over her face. I felt my throat tighten as I saw her. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" I asked.

She tried to force a smile. "You just don't know." This statement made me even more desperate.

"What… what did I do?" I asked almost defensively.

Somehow, the more that I made her feel that I didn't know, the more she got hurt. "Why don't you check your bedside drawer to find out?" she answered, her voice weak and strained. For a moment, I thought I didn't hear her right. Then, I decided to do as she told me; I turned to my bedside table and slowly pulled the drawer open. There, resting on top of the other items that I had placed in the compartment was a neatly wrapped parcel, complete with a stylish golden ribbon stuck to the front. The card attached to it read, "To my beloved Edo, This is for you, for being the husband I've always dreamed of." I looked back at Asuka. Knowing that I was still clueless, she gave me a friendly smile, although I knew full well she was hurt inside. "Open it." She said.

I carefully unwrapped the package. It eventually revealed the watch that I was dying to have since last month. I was about to marvel at the beauty of it just as much as I did when I saw it on the shop's glass window, when I noticed Asuka turning her back on me. My heart sank when I heard her whisper the words that she wanted to hear from me all this time. "Happy anniversary," she whispered.