Chapter 43
Tshabina
A new day, yet it felt the same as ever in my routine. My life revolved around editing, creating content, and following Zioh.
Repeat.
For the past few days, Zioh and I had been joined at the hip, always moving together, eating together, breathing the same air.
After leaving the office, I’d either head to Zioh’s penthouse or he’d drop me home.
We enjoyed spending time together at the penthouse, filling the hours with light conversation or simply watching something together. Zioh would even cook for me.
It was a homecoming of the soul. I was alive again, breathing in the life I had craved for so long. It was as if, slowly, the universe had begun to lend me its quiet support.
I was content to wait, giving him all the time he needed to open up and speak more. I’d stay right by his side, doing whatever I could to help him, and I would drag him out of any darkness that sought to lead him astray, because I knew he was still him somewhere deep inside.
I’d wipe away the gray, and I’d erase the black. I’d do it until Zioh was pure white again—until I could recognize the man I loved fully once more.
This time, I’d be the one to save my hero.
“Just put the camera on the tripod,” Zioh’s soft voice reached me, and I lifted my head to look at him. He sketched before me, smiling when our eyes met. “I’ll be in this position for a long while, don’t worry.”
I returned his smile, then did as he suggested, setting my camera on the tripod and adjusting it into a good position.
Carefully, I walked over to stand not far from him, slipping to his side, and letting myself get lost in the drawing he worked on. It was so neat and precise; it looked like a diagram or perhaps a floor plan.
Around him lay stacks of papers filled with drawings, materials, colors, and textures. It wasn’t just papers; even the computer screen before him showed much the same. Many types of pencils and other tools were scattered, leaving me confused yet in awe.
A soft warmth bloomed in my chest. He was bent over his work, his focus so absolute that the rest of the room seemed to fade away.
He was doing what he loved.
Standing in silence, I was caught up in my own thoughts until at last Zioh glanced at me and rose from his chair. I was startled by his sudden movement. He crossed the room, grabbed a cushioned armchair, and dragged it towards me, making me smile.
“Thank you.” I sat down, and he offered a small smile before sinking back into his seat.
Within seconds, his focus had returned to his work, and I found myself pulled into that same quiet concentration.
The room remained still until he broke the silence with a gentle question: “When you visit a building, what is it that strikes you the most?”
His sudden question made me turn my head. “Hm?” I replied, caught off guard, unprepared for such a query.
He flicked a glance at me. “You heard me.” He tapped the end of his pencil against my forehead, urging me to pay attention. I clicked my tongue in mock annoyance but began to think.
He held my gaze for a long while, patiently awaiting my answer. I searched my memories. Buildings… I’d been in plenty. My job often brought me inside different offices around the city and beyond.
Or sometimes, Tsabinu and I would explore, visiting the national library, museums, and other places he loved.
But was there ever a building that genuinely impressed me? Besides, I wasn’t Zioh, who had travelled around the continent several times.
Ah… but then I remembered.
Meeting his eyes, I spoke with a spark of excitement. “I once visited a media office in South Jakarta, and I really loved the design of the walls.”
Zioh’s gaze deepened, attention on me. Straightening in my chair, I went on.
“It was beautiful and made the space feel comfortable. On the ground floor, the walls blended warm brown tones with wood. One side had a mural of trees painted in a soft brown ink, while the other was lined with long wooden panels.” My voice grew more animated as I relived the memory.
“Simple, yet elegant, and everything felt harmonious.”
Zioh’s lips curved when he heard my enthusiasm. I wasn’t sure if my description did it justice, but I hoped Zioh understood. He let out a low, warm laugh, clearing his throat as he edged his chair closer to mine. “Anything else?”
I frowned, trying to think again. Another memory surfaced, one from Bali.
“I once went to a restaurant in Bali, and the walls were covered in drawings and paintings.” I glanced at him, gauging his reaction.
As he continued to watch me, I kept talking.
“They were all food-themed. Some were done in pencil, others were like sketches. It amazed me; it was such a unique idea. I’ve always liked places where the decor feels cohesive, and the drawings were good and quirky. Maybe the owner made them himself?”
A low hum vibrated in his throat as Zioh locked his eyes on me. He cleared his throat, then gave a slight, solemn nod. Why was he so absorbed in my answers?
Then his hand brushed against my cheek, stroking it gently, sending heat into my face. Adjusting himself, he turned back to his work. I mirrored his movement, and we both fell quiet until he spoke again.
“What about the things you don’t like?” he asked, giving me a quick sidelong glance. “Or things you wish your office had?”
His calm question pulled me into thought. This time, I didn’t need long. A hundred little complaints came to mind at once.
Ahh… I’d been whining a lot about work, hadn’t I?
“I loathe our office toilets,” I blurted. “The entrance is ridiculously complicated.” The thought made me grimace. “Sure, maybe it’s meant to be aesthetic, but to me it’s just a hassle. Gives me a headache.”
I found myself complaining freely beside him, comfortable enough to ramble the way I had been all these past days.
“For a mall, fine. But in an office? I nearly ran straight into a wall once when I was desperate.” My cheeks warmed as I admitted it.
“Honestly, we don’t care about fancy toilets.
We just want them clean, with enough stalls, proper water, and smelling heavenly. ”
Beside me, Zioh’s laugh slipped out. A wide smile broke across his face, though his eyes remained fixed on his work. I noticed he’d slipped one of his AirPods out, listening as I rambled on.
He turned to me with a smile so deep and calm. It softened his whole face. “I’ve missed it so much.”
I stared back at him, raising my brow.
“I hope I can hear it forever.” His fingers brushed my cheek again, slowly moving down to my neck. “It’s good to hear you ramble again like your old self, the true you.”
I smiled, familiar warmth seeped back into me.
We are going to be all right, aren’t we, Zioh?
I lifted my shoulders in a slight shrug.
“And the office feels so stuffy, you know? There’s nowhere to unwind.
We often work late, and my team sometimes struggles to find a proper spot to make content.
” I exhaled. “The rooftop would be nice, but it’s freezing and usually raining, plus the wind’s too strong. ” I groaned.
“Once, I went to Google’s office, and you know what?
Their office is amazing!” My voice rose with excitement.
“They had rooms full of games, snacks and drinks, gardens, and many cozy, relaxing spaces. It was incredible. I kept imagining that if my team worked there, we could shoot content literally anywhere!” I shook my head in disbelief, recalling my visit years ago.
Zioh nodded along, his eyes focused solely on me. His arms folded now as he watched. Then it hit me: Oh no. Hadn’t I been talking far too much?
I must have been distracting him. And my recording… it must have been full of nothing but my voice, chattering away.
Biting my lip, I lowered my gaze. “Am I bothering you?”
Zioh frowned. “Did I say that?” His voice was low, steady. He pressed his thumb against my lips, firm enough to stop me biting them. My heart stumbled into a frantic rhythm, but I gathered myself and regained focus.
I shook my head. “No.”
He nodded, his expression softening. “Then you aren’t.”
I grimaced, whispering. “But I’ve been so noisy… sorry.”
“Have you seen me complain?”
Again, I shook my head.
Because he’d been smiling the whole time, his face calm, focused, serene.
“Then I don’t mind your noise, Tshabina,” he said with a reassuring tone. “I told you earlier, I’m glad to hear you again.”
He let out a quiet breath, smiling softly. “That’s it, then?”
I blinked. “Hm?”
“All your grumbles, finished?”
My cheeks heated up. I smiled, letting out a tiny snort. “Yes…”
That made him chuckle. “Feature wall,” he said, leaving me utterly confused.
My face crumpled into a frown, making him laugh more. “The wall you described earlier is called a feature wall. It’s designed to be the focal point of a room.”
“Oh…” I nodded, murmuring my little “oh” as if enlightened. His smile lingered as his hand rose again, tenderly brushing my cheek. “Do you fancy some food?”
I looked back into his eyes, watching him glance at his watch. “Andi beat you to it,” I teased, and the pair of narrowed eyes snapped back to me immediately. “Andi beat me to it?” The sharp tone echoed my words, heavy with challenge.
I nodded. “Yes, he already asked me first.” Resting my hands on his shoulders, I added. “You know how he is; otherwise he’ll start bitching again.” I pulled a face at the thought of Andi’s eccentric ways before smiling at Zioh, who still stared daggers at me. “So… another time?”
One corner of his mouth lifted. His hand slipped to my waist, tugging my chair until my thigh collided with him.
Gasping, I clutched his shoulders as our bodies were alarmingly close. Zioh’s gaze bored into mine before he lowered his head, aligning himself with me. My heart sped up, wild and unsteady, while the heat of his hand on my waist seemed to burn through my clothes.
He leaned closer, our lips nearly brushing, before murmuring against me. “What a nuisance, that bloke.” His eyes followed mine with an intensity that made me swallow hard. “Bad company, I see...”
I bit my lip. The weight of his gaze pinned me in place.
He whispered. “That blind date you went on… it was his idea, wasn’t it?”
My whole body flushed. I held my breath as his lips were hovering just inches from mine, as if the breath I drew in were the breath escaping his lips.
I licked my lips, scrambling for words. But Zioh leaned in and softly kissed my cheek before I could speak. “Good job for today,” he said, tilting my chin so I had no choice but to look up at him. “See you later.”
He caught my lips in a slow, tender kiss, nibbling at them before pulling away with another smile.
I let out a shaky breath.
And then he was gone.
But before the door closed behind him, Zioh spoke into his AirPods. Andi was right; they were that busy.
A few steps later, I saw Natasha running up to him. She never appeared while Zioh was with me; she only emerged once he finished work.
My hands rose to my face, trying to cool the heat on my cheeks after he left. But then it struck me, I’d forgotten to tell him.
Zeraiah had rung me last night, inviting me to dinner at their place this evening. I had waited for Zioh to bring it up for a moment, but he hadn’t, and something about it felt strange.
When I told Tsabinu, he looked genuinely shocked. Apparently, Mas Zaeem had invited him, too.
Both of us were going to the dinner.
Was there something going on? As far as I knew, there wasn’t any special occasion today. Yet since last night, Tsabinu had been acting odd, almost forcefully insisting that I shouldn’t go.
Even after I begged him because Zeraiah himself had invited me, Tsabinu only relented with great reluctance. Even this morning, he still didn’t look pleased about it.