Burning Summer

"Just a few more touches and everything is perfect!" A woman said as she placed two folding chairs beside the tent.

Afterward, she sat on the folding chairs while watching the sunset. The sight of her beautiful backyard made it even more perfect. Summer smiled. Her memory went back to her memories with her husband, Keifer. She and Keifer used to love exploring. They went hiking, camping, and did many other nature activities. Summer even remembered clearly when Keifer proposed to her. At that time, they were traveling to the Rocky Mountains. They stopped and camped at a beautiful lake.

Summer smiled. She had cooked Keifer's favorite Paella. She was preparing barbecue and wine on the table, which she placed between two folding chairs. Instead of turning on the taillights, Summer had put on a camping lantern. Perfect! The atmosphere was exactly the same as when Keifer proposed to her. Summer even wore the clothes she wore back then, when Keifer proposed to her. Brown cargo pants, ivory yellow t-shirt, combined with her brown jacket. Summer even tied her hair into a ponytail.

"Keifer will remember this memory!" Summer said happily. "5 years, huh? Isn't 5 years a long time? We've been married for 5 years."

Even though since the second year of their marriage, they have never done outdoor activities anymore. Funnily enough, Summer's heart was still pounding like when she accepted his proposal back then. Summer watched the campfire with warm feelings.

"I love you, Keifer!" Summer whispered.

***

The sound of a car engine and the closing of the garage door could be heard. Summer opened her eyes slowly and looked at her watch. It was 10 pm. Keifer had been busy working lately. In fact, he often came home in the morning.

Slowly, Summer walked towards the garage. Summer prepared herself and quickly walked over to greet her husband. Inside the house, Keifer was putting down his briefcase. His clothes looked messy. He had loosened his tie, his hair was disheveled, and his face looked sleepy.

"Keifer?" Summer called softly.

Keifer turned his head. Summer put on her most beautiful smile. However, Keifer turned around again while taking off his shoes. "You haven't slept yet?"

Summer blinked her eyes. Didn't Keifer realize the clothes she was wearing? "I fell asleep earlier. I was waiting for you. "

"I'm really tired and sleepy. Go to sleep!" Keifer said, then turned around and took off his tie.

Keifer threw his tie on the sofa along with his briefcase. Summer blinked her eyes. "Aren't you hungry? I cooked something special today."

Keifer raised one eyebrow. He walked into the kitchen and got a glass of water. "I need sleep more than food. Save it!"

"But, Keif..."

"Can't we talk about it tomorrow?" Keifer asked in a raised tone. "I'm really tired!"

Summer fell silent. Her eyes were heating up. Keifer almost yelled at her. Summer just looked down. Ten o'clock at night. Didn't 10 o'clock mean nothing back then? Wouldn't Keifer still hug her warmly even if he came home at midnight?

"Yeah, right! Ten o'clock is late," Summer said bitterly.

Keifer looked at Summer coldly. He took off his shirt and threw it on the sofa. "Don't make me angry, Sam! I'm sure you won't like it when you see it."

After saying that, Keifer walked away to their room, leaving Summer still gazing at the floor. As soon as Keifer left, her tears started to flow. Don't make her angry? Why did Keifer change?

Sam limped towards his tent. She cleaned up the food, folding chairs, and even the camp lantern. Summer looked at her tent and cried. Sam thought she could warm up their relationship again after making Keifer remember all this. Why did Keifer change?

Sam closed her mouth and went into the camp alone. She pushed aside the blanket and curled up like a cold child. That night, Sam wanted to melt into the cold night. In the end, Sam couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Keifer had turned violent now. He was rarely home and always looked at his wife with anger. Remembering all their sweet memories, Keifer's hugs and even his warm words made her hurt even more. Sam felt suffocated. She clutched her chest and sobbed. Why is everything more complicated today?

"Keif, what did I do wrong?" Sam said softly.

No one answered. Sam was finally exhausted and fell asleep. On the verge of consciousness, Sam hoped Keifer would find her and hug her. Sam just wanted Keifer's hug and his warm words. Sam hoped that last night was just a dream.

Sam woke up in the morning. She could feel that her eyes were heavy. Oh, shit! Sam's eyes must be swollen by now. Sam noticed that the tent was getting light. It was already morning, and Keifer wasn't looking for her at all.

Sam fell silent. He tried to hold back her tears. Maybe Keifer was still sleeping. He was exhausted last night. Sam smiled bitterly. Tired? Wasn't she also tired of crying all night? Did Keifer consider her as a wife? Why didn't Keifer appreciate her anymore?

Sam clutched her chest as she walked towards their room. At that moment, she heard the sound of water from the bathroom. Apparently, Keifer was awake. Sam sat on the edge of her bed. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were puffy, and now he wanted to cry even more. What's wrong?

Ting! The cell phone rang. Not long after, it sounded again repeatedly. Sam wiped her tears and picked up Keifer's cell phone. At that very moment, she read a message from someone with the initials D.A.

You left your ring behind! Lol! What if your wife finds out?

I'll drop it off!

I wanted to see you this morning, baby! Did last night's overtime wear you out?

Sam's body cooled down instantly. Ring? What ring? Sam stared at her wedding ring on her ring finger. D.A.? Who's D.A.? Did Keifer really work late last night? While remembering the way Keifer dressed last night, Sam's body got colder. So, his clothes were a mess because of that? Yes, Keifer has always been neat all this time. As soon as he realized, Sam covered his mouth in disbelief. Keifer has only been working overtime for the past two years.

Sam's mind was in turmoil. At that very moment, Keifer came out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. His hair was messy and wet. Upon seeing Sam, the man frowned.

"You didn't change your clothes," Keifer said as he walked away.

Keifer walked into the walk-in closet. Taking his watch, he picked out a shirt and pants to wear later. Unable to contain his anger, Sam walked in after Keifer. Did Keifer just ignore her? Hearing the sound of the door, Keifer raised one eyebrow but ignored Sam.

"Don't you remember what day it was yesterday?" Sam asked bitterly.

Keifer stopped wearing his watch. He seemed to remember, then sighed. "Sorry, I forgot! Let's celebrate next time."

Keifer didn't turn around. Damn it! How much could Keifer hurt Sam? Sam was getting closer. However, at that very moment, she saw a red spot on Keifer's shoulder. Sam's chest churned. Her anger and pain were mixed. She grabbed Keifer's left hand and raised it roughly.

"Where's your ring, Keifer?" Sam shouted.

Keifer was surprised by Sam's sudden movement. He looked at his finger. At that very moment, Sam noticed how Keifer's face became sour.