Cruel Husband – 15

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Xiao Zhan

For the fourth time Zhan changed his clothes.

Nothing was getting fit because of his huge stomach at 7th and half month of his pregnancy.

He knew he will bust up in any minute… how he is going to survive that it’s already so tiring…

Although his workload is quite less as Carmen all of sudden start ignoring him…

Zhan has a feeling Yibo is behind that because after the day of brunch Carmen never called him to do her work, Which is good?

Very good…. even if Yibo is not behind he is relieved.

Because he truly doesn’t like that woman, who hurt him and talk shit about his baby well no one is happy about his baby except Yibo dad.

Yibo dad has come recently home and he is very excited about the baby.

Zhan saw the tears in his eyes when James saw he was pregnant… James also told him that he really wished it is a girl…

But Zhan wants it to be a strong boy, not a girl… if his daughter is just like him who will protect her if he can’t make it in the labor room…

His son will be strong and won’t have to face the same faith that his mother did.

Zhan start looking for other clothes in the bag… maybe he can find something lose…

He found a summer type clothes which looks quite old, maybe it was a time of before his marriage. When he used to have curves and healthy bones…

But now he might be pregnant but lose his curves a long time age… thanks to Yibo and his family member.

Zhan try to wear that somehow it fit but his stomach was now very profound but it’s better than others…

He decided to do some shopping but he doesn’t have the money… normally he never buy anything…

As he never get outside the house, never. Yibo brought him something like Haikuan used to buy for Ann..

He should ask Yibo if he can buy him maternal medicine and other stuff then he can buy him some lose clothes and some baby stuff.

At this time everyone usually buy clothes and do preparation for the nursery but he did none…

how he can.. what’s position he holds in this family?

He knew he won’t even get the nursery room in this huge house he has to manage a small crib in their large room maybe, the tv lounge of his room it’s mostly quite….

But still, he need necessary items now…

He heard Yibo voice in the room, he walked out from the wardrobe and saw Yibo talking on the phone and yelling…

“Do whatever the fuck you want to do.. but make sure those documents are signed today otherwise consider your self-fire!”

Well, Yibo is in the bad mood today… which means no good time for him….

But how long Zhan will put his topic of maternal clothes on rest… he walked towards water dispenser and put water on the glass and give it to the Yibo.

Yibo was still on phone but he took the water and drink it in one sip and give the glass to him…

Zhan saw him sit down and was barking orders to poor PA…

After his call was done he starts scrolling his phone Zhan goes to him and with great difficulty he sit down and start to remove his shoes but stop when he heard.

“What are you doing.” Yibo said in a curious voice.

Zhan replied softly. “I was removing the shoes. ”

“Yeah I can see that, but are you out of your mind your almost what 7 months pregnant and sitting down in this way are you trying to kill yourself for now on don’t do it.”

He said in an authoritative voice.

Zhan looked confused. “I didn’t realize maybe I used to do that. Ok I won’t!”

Zhan tries to stand but as he was very heavy he can’t.

Yibo sighs and hold him by his arms.

Zhan felt that if Yibo can show a little bit concern on his pregnancy then Yibo can understand why he needs clothes.

Yibo was busy with the phone and sending the email.

Zhan said. “Sir… can I talk to you.”

Yibo stop for a moment and looked at him and said. “What say it quickly I’m busy.”

He again looked down at his phone.

“Sir. I need some clothes. I can’t fit in any of my old ones, and I need some baby clothes too and a crib.”

Yibo slowly put down his phone on the table and looked for a moment to Zhan.

“The clothes look fine to me, not uncomfortable.. and as you can see I earn my money with lot of hard work so why should I waste my money on something which I never wanted (he pointed at his pregnant belly) I don’t have time nor any interest in this, you are getting the necessary things like food and medicine to be grateful for that now go make a cup of coffee for me.”

Zhan heart breaks into tiny pieces how Yibo can say this to him why can’t he accept this baby…. When Yibo will let his hate for him ruined his child happiness…

But the bigger issues are how he is going to survive on these fitting clothes, he need the stuff urgently.

Next day an idea come to Zhan mind he asked Mrs Shuli to make him learn some knitting stuff…

Mrs. Shuli looks confused and said.

“I can knit some newborn sweaters, socks, and heavy clothes easily, but you will need other stuff too like a baby bag in which there should be some cute Onesie, feeder, diaper bag and many other stuff my child.”

Mrs Shuli said in laughing tone.

Zhan looks more worried and puzzle, now where he will get this thing.

“Oh I didn’t know about that… I thought clothes will be the first priority.”

Mrs Shuli gently smiled at him and said.

“Of course my child clothes are very important and don’t push yourself… young people mostly don’t know about this stuff… but a baby needs a lot of different stuff…. less is never more for newborns.”

Zhan scratches his head and said.

“Actually I can’t buy the baby stuff so, for now, can you teach me how to knit? I know the basic but I’m not expert in that. I just want to be little prepared when I go to labor.”

Mrs Shuli was about to ask why he can’t but then she must have realized why Zhan can’t.

Mrs. Shuli eyes were sad and but she just nodes.

“Why don’t we do one thing we both make some baby clothes together, i have the all the knitting stuff I used to make clothes for my grandchildren, now I will do for this little one.. in the meanwhile, you can also learn from me, it’s easy for you if you know the basic.”

Zhan beamed with happiness… finally he is doing something for his child.

“Great, I’m so excited.. I’m free… so if you are then we can start now.”

Zhan and Mrs. Shuli spend the whole day on knitting and Zhan already made two tiny pairs of socks, a hat and an incomplete sweater, where Mrs. Shuli promised him by tomorrow morning she will be done with two sweaters.

Zhan felt so excited… he used to do simple work in pregnancy which makes him so tired but learning and doing knitting made him somehow calm and fresh.

Zhan thought he still has some time… dinner will be in 7 or 8 so he has at least 3 hours in that time he can complete the sweater and also try to lose some of his clothes…

In 3 hours he can lose at least one of his clothes.

Zhan went to Ann room he remembers he saw electronic sewing machine… he can try his luck here if Ann agreed, it will make his task easier.

He knocked on the door and heard come in.

When he entered the room he heard both Ann and Haikuan were laughing and getting cozy with each other.

Looking at them he felt that what If Yibo is also like this to him, then how he will feel? will he be glowing and happy like Ann is when she saw Haikuan.

But his imaginary thoughts were stopped when he saw Haikuan glaring at him and said in a cold voice.

“What are you doing here in our wing.”

Zhan flinched at his tone, Haikuan never talk him directly. Haikuan always regards him indifferently, the way he talking to him makes Zhan insecure.

Zhan meekly said. “I’m sorry if I disturb you guys.. can I talk to Ann!”

Haikuan curl his eyebrow in suspicious and Ann look uncomfortable.

“What you need from Ann.” he again said in a cold voice just like his brother.

Ann give a look to Haikuan and said. “Yes Zhan… what you want to talk.”

Zhan look uncertain should he asked for the sewing machine or not…

He felt embarrassed and hurt the way Haikuan is glaring at him that Zhan might have some dirty motive.

But Zhan needs to stitch the clothes so he said.

“If you don’t mind, can I borrow your sewing machine? I mean if you need it then it’s ok.”

Haikuan and Ann looked confused at him then Ann said.

“Yeah I do have an electronic sewing machine my mother give it to me but it’s of no use, you can take it but what exactly you will do with that.”

Zhan softly replied. “My clothes are quite tight I need to lose them up unstitch the fitting area but now I have to restitch it so that’s why.”

Ann walked towards her cupboard and take out the machine and said.

“Here it is..(Zhan take the machine from her) but why don’t you go buy the maternal clothes it’s much easy.”

Zhan felt these unwanted tears stupid hormones are making him emotional in front of them… “Ah.. actually, I don’t feel like shopping.”

But both Haikuan and Ann knew the truth when they saw how Zhan hesitate and lied to them; they knew Yibo did not get him anything.

Haikuan break the awkward moment.

“You can go now if that’s what you want.. and give it to Ann on time…”

Zhan looked hurt how Haikuan indicated that like he will never return it…

Zhan nodes and when he was getting out their room he heard Haikuan saying. “I don’t like it Ann. You and him are friends?”

Ann sigh. “We are not friends. I just help him because I feel pity for him and he asked something which I don’t need.”

Haikuan said. “I don’t want you to even pity him, he don’t deserve this.. you know what he did.”

Ann replied “I knew, and I still hate him for that. but I’m a human too, he is pregnant and he doesn’t have any maternal and baby clothes yet…  so I helped him no biggie.”

Haikuan sigh. “Still stay away from him, he is a bad influence and bad news. I don’t trust him.”

Zhan tears were flowing and he can’t listen anymore. Knowing that the people of the house hate him is different but listening to them it’s too much.

Zhan always loves the small sunroom in their wing… it’s very quiet and greenery here…. it calms him.

He start working on his stitching project.

Mrs. Shuli was right if he knew the basic then he can do this easily, he completed his baby cute purple sweater and start working on loosening his fitted clothes…

It took time because he can’t figure out the electronic sewing machine working after putting his lot of time into assembling and reading the instruction he finally start working on his clothes…

By the time he was working on his 3rd clothes he saw Mr Wang smiling at him and saying.

“Zhan, hi what are you doing here. I was looking for you everywhere, damn this wing of yours is so huge a person can get lost here. I don’t know why Yibo choose this, it’s scary here.” Mr Wang with a humor.

Zhan smiled and stood from his chair and said. “Do you need something… I’m almost free”

Mr. Wang shakes his head.

“I was looking for my chess partner.. you know I’m going tomorrow and only you can give me a tough competition in this game and no one else.”

Zhan laughed.

“But what are you doing with sewing machine and look at these small knitting sweaters and socks, my grandson or daughter will look so cute in this did you make this?”

Mr Wang picked these knitted clothes and locked them with so much affection.

Zhan replied. “With the help of Mrs Shuli I made it…. Mrs, Shuli is also making some… so by the time at least 4 sweaters will be done.”

Zhan said proudly.

Mr Wang smiled and said. “Oh yes the time is close…. But why are you tiring yourself.. go for a shopping buy some stuff… what are you doing with those clothes.” (he pointed at Zhan clothes)

Zhan hesitantly replied. “Oh these are mine.. they are very comfortable clothes but are getting tight so I thought I should lose them up.”

Mr Wang looked confused.

“Why did you not buy maternal clothes? I’m sure you can get more comfortable clothes in the market and what about the nursery stuff sure you need that.”

Zhan looks down and nervously said.

“I’m always so tired and weak, I don’t feel like shopping and Yibo is tired from office work so I don’t want him to burden him…. He is already so considerate, and now I was feeling fine so I try my luck with knitting and sewing and I will think on nursery stuff.”

Zhan was impressed how lies come from his mouth so easily.

Mr Wang looked very uncomfortable and disturb.

“He is the father, it’s his right to take of this stuff… but if these things make you happy, then who is to stop you!”

Zhan changed the topic and said.

“I’m free, so why not we play a chess game. I really need to make you lose in this game.”

Zhan said with a straight face but his eyes were smiling.

Mr Wang start laughing loud. “Oh let’s see.”

×××××

Zhan was finished with dinner, Yibo did not come home… maybe he was busy in the office again…

Zhan enters there room and start getting ready for bed and a good book…

He was busy doing that when he heard bathroom door to be open and saw Yibo standing naked with towel on his waist.

His body was wet with the shower and he was looking extremely hot.

Stop it Zhan… these damn hormones are making him out of control…

Yibo looked at him and said in a demanding tone.

“Where were you?”

Zhan walked towards wardrobe and bring out Yibo night clothes…

He then replied. “I was having dinner with Mr Wang.”

Yibo said something but Zhan can’t pinpoint it clearly…

Zhan then asked. “Have you eaten or should I brought your dinner here.”

Yibo shakes his head.

“I already had the dinner and listen did dad ask some questions.”

Zhan looked scared what should he say, and how Yibo will react.

“Nothing we were just playing chess, I swear to god… I didn’t say anything to him.”

Zhan start tumbling.

Yibo looked disturb the way Zhan reacted but he just nodes, his eyes went to the small baby clothes he looked at them…

“Did you go shopping today?” he said suspiciously.

Zhan hurriedly shakes his head.

“No I didn’t… I knit them… and just loosen some of my clothes through a sewing machine that Ann give it to me.” Zhan nervously said in a one flow.

Yibo looked strange and his eyes were not angry. It was something that Zhan can’t understand…

Yibo nodes and said. “Put them somewhere else and come to bed soon.”

With that, he went to bed and start looking at his mobile.

Zhan stand numb how a person can hate his own child that only looking at his child clothes can make him anger…

Zhan put a hand on his stomach and felt the kick and he smiled, his baby is with him that will love him… that’s what most important.

×××××

In the next morning.

Zhan saw Mr Wang standing next to his room holding huge bags, and said.

“Look I forget to give you something so here are some baby stuff and your clothes too and I order a crib too that will be delivered tomorrow.”

Zhan lost it and hug him and said. “Thank you so much. your grandchild is so lucky to have you.”

Mr. Wang looked into Zhan’s eyes and said.

“Sometimes a tough man can also get softer with time, don’t lose hope and take this (he put an envelope on Zhan hand) don’t say anything just accept it.”

He kissed Zhan forehead and said his goodbye.

Zhan was shocked by what Mr Wang said…don’t lose hope… about what…about this marriage or on him…

Zhan looked at the envelope and saw some money inside it, he closed his eyes and said to his baby. “You are lucky to have a grandfather like him?”

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