It all started with two love birds, Damsel and Stephen in a small town known as Freeland. Damsel was a dress maker and Stephen, a fisherman. They loved each other so much that, no one could come between them although Damsel's father was not in support of their relationship because Stephen was a pauper and he wanted his daughter to marry a rich man he picked out of his numerous friends for her.
She vowed to run away and never return if not allowed to marry the love of her life. Her father had no choice than to accept her wish because he loved her so much and always wish for her happiness.
Their love was an unconditional one, a love brought together by destiny. It was so deep that they feel each others every pain and weakness. Even if one is unwell, the other feels same. That is how beautiful these couple begun.
THE DRAKE'S HUT
" Damsel....honey....where are you....got a great news....", Stephen called, blissfully from the entrance of their hut but was met with cold silence
" where could she be.?" He thought to himself as he sauntered into the hut.
Meanwhile, Damsel was behind her sewing machine, spacing out with tears in her eyes. Her heart ached with the thought of her childlessness and her mind brooded over her misfortune.
"Why...me..God...why– why can't I bare just a single child? We've been married for 5years– For how long shall I wait for a child to call my own?; Is my womb so weak that it can't hold one?"
She was in desolation, that she didn't realize when Stephen walked in neither his calls.
" Damsel...hey...." He softly called, tapping her on the shoulder with a worried look, just when he neared her.
She jolted, instinctively drying her eyes in a swift.
" Hey, honey...welcome...have you been here for long? She asked, hiding her tears.
" Not really" He answered, settling next to her. "But why were you crying–what's wrong with you ;Please tell me.." He persisted but Damsel spontaneously denied.
" I'm not crying dear, something just fell on my eyes–that's why..." She opted an explanation but Stephen snapped in, stopping her in her words.
" Dear, you know there's nothing you can hide from me– I know you were crying badly and I can feel it...please tell me...."
He stared into her eyes, holding her hands in his.
" Are you still crying because of our childlessness..?", he added, looking through her teary eyes as if he could read through her soul.
She instinctively broke down in tears, falling into his bosom as she hugged him.
" For how long, Stephen?– How long?, I've tried everything possible and I've done all the rituals needed yet still nothing is happening... People have started calling me names already; Why me....God...."
She moaned and Stephen sighed in devastation.
" Its okay, dear....I'm your husband and I'm not complaining. Let people say what they can say. What matters is– I still love you no matter what" He consoled. " Come, come here"
He led her to the porch and made her sit on a stool at the corner of the barrel, seated at the right corner. Stephen crunched in front of her, forcing a smile.
" I'm always happy and proud to call you my wife, Damsel– Is God that gives children and I know at the right time, he'll make us proud. Just endure for me, okay?. I promise to be by you no matter what happens." He assured and she smiled.
This words seem to had lightened her up. She stared at his face and hugged him.
" Thank you dear, I love you so much."
" I love you too dear. Now cheer up....I have good news for you." He exuded which made her glance at her with smiles which told her curiosity.
" Really, what is it...tell me now." She hastily asked, beaming with smiles.
" That's it" Stephen exclaimed with a smile. "l like it when you put on this look, you're more pretty when you smile." He offered a tease which made her chuckle.
"Knock it off Steve, stop teasing and tell me now–what's the news about?"
He chortled. "I didn't know you were that , impatient " He stated and they both chuckled.
" Well, the news is that,Mrs. Prisca, the owner of the big shop at the middle of the town, Prissy's clothing had agreed to allow you work with her." He announced and for a moment, she stared with an O mouth and eyes glittering with pure joy.
" Are you kidding me.?" She exclaimed, surprised.
"No, dear,I'm serious here– She said you can join them next Monday."
" Wow, that's really good; I promise to put out my best."
" I trust you,dear." He smiled and rose to his full length. "Now get me something to eat, I'm starving."
He turned to the dinning table to which Damsel hastened to get his meal.
" Sorry dear, ill be with you in a minute."
Stephen sat at the settled over the mini dinning table at the centre of the kitchen as he kept staring at her back with smiles.
" I'll do anything to keep you happy, always– Damsel" He vowed.
THE WALTER'S MANSION
At the other end of the village, 40 meters away from the Drake's hut lived the Walter's family, Leyla and her husband Daniel Walter.
This family was the exact opposite of the Drakes, Stephen and Damsel. They were very rich and own a lot of businesses both in the village and the city but one thing was common with these two families, childlessness.
Leyla and Daniel had been married for 10 years but unable to bear children. Daniel had travelled her, in and outside the country and other cities to find out the cause but to no avail. Due to this, the love between them grew cold with each passing day. They soon had quarrels with every little thing, whenever they encounter each other.
IN THE HALL
Leyla was in the kitchen, getting dinner ready when Daniel stormed into the house, calling at her. She flinched at the sound of his voice, her attention instinctively travelled to the door.
" Leyla.....Leyla– You barren woman. How dare you come to my office to threaten my secretary.."
He approached the kitchen with swift steps. Just when he got to her, she barked back her fury.
" So what are you coming to do....beat me.....?"
" I'll do worse if you try that again." He roared with harsh breath, his veins throbbing in his neck with anger.
" ooh...I see.." She chuckled and as if on an impulse, added. "Until you stop flirting with all those girls out there and give me the love and attention I need–l'll never stop." She drummed home her point to which Daniel glared.
He angrily raised his hand to hit her but then, suddenly paused in the air, midway as if something held him back.
" Were you about to hit....me....?" She chortled. "I dare you to try it Dan–Hit..me..., go ahead. " She yelled, pulling his hand.
He angrily snatched his hand and left to the room without uttering any word. Leyla glanced at his back and suddenly, her knees felt numb as she trembled with tears. She instinctively faint into a chair over the dinning table and the tears which she had all along, fought back, trekked down her eyes.
" Oh...God...when will all these nightmares end." She sobbed. " I can't lose my marriage just like that...I need to do something.... and very fast...before its too late...."
She vowed in tears.