The sun's rays streamed through the window, gleaming on my face as it pushed me to open my eyes, while my eyes wished to be closed forever. I dare not to look at my filthy self, lying bare, my arms and legs spread wide apart with blood on my crotch and redness painted my body.
I turned back, I saw the monster sleeping like a baby, his lower body encased in a blanket with his hand clutching the handkerchief he had shoved into my mouth. I can't help but think back to the awful act he showed last night.
Is this what every married woman goes through? Or just me? Is this the life my parents desire for me? Or the married life that women dream of? Every parent does not always make the best decision. I stared at the monster beside me.
I slid out of bed, tying my hair into a messy bun. I pushed myself to walk despite my aching legs. Ouch...! I grabbed my towel and clothes, I stepped into the bathroom.
The thought of cleaning my delicate part sent a chill down my spine. I pressed my palm against my v***** and jerked my hand back, the blood smear still there. I collected myself and started to clean up my area as if nothing had happened.
It's slimy! Not cool.
It cleaned like before. I leave the bathroom after changing into clean clothes.
I made my bed, I mean ours, weird to call us. I grabbed the white cloth on the bed. This white cloth's purpose is now clear to me. For newlyweds who seek SEX, often known as the first night! Thus, all the fluid and blood seep in.
My blood. I gazed at him. He made me bleed, he hurt me!
What am I going to do with this cloth? Is it polite to ask my mother-in-law?
I left the room once I was done cleaning it, holding the white cloth in my hand.
"Hey! Good morning"
Here she comes, Reggie the coquettish. She held a cup of tea.
I curved my lips upward, "Good morning!", I said.
"You're up late, dear", said Reggie, flashing her party teeth.
I looked at the wall clock behind her. It's 7 am! She talks as though I woke up at 10 a.m.
"Emm...we...", I said.
"Should have gotten up sooner," she said.
Is she expecting me to get up at 5 a.m.? or even earlier?! My body has been crushed into pieces!
Look, Who's talking! The bitterness begins! She had just woken up, yet she spoke as if she had up at 4 a.m.
Sometimes, people never look at themselves for how they are!
I went to the kitchen, where my mother-in-law was preparing breakfast by herself.
"Mom, what should I do with this white cloth?" I asked her shamelessly.
She gave the cloth a quick glance before turning to me.
"I mean, once I wash it, should I throw it away or keep it?" I asked.
"Don't throw it away, just keep it, okay?", said Delores.
"Okay mom", I said.
I washed the white cloth as I shifted my eyes to the other side, evading the bloodstain that was stuck in there. I exited the restroom with a tiny bucket full of cloth.
In the backyard, I saw several housekeepers. They glanced at me as I walked towards their workplace. They smiled at me, and I smiled back. One of them approached me, shifting some dried cloth.
"Just hang it here," she said.
"Thank you", I said.
I returned to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for myself.
"This is your breakfast", Delores handed me a plate of French toast.
"Oh! thank you, it looks yummy!", I said.
I entered the dining room.
The first thing I noticed in the crowd was him, my husband, who had just awoken from a deep sleep. He's drinking a glass of water and making dagger eyes at me. I looked away.
I was cheated on by the masked man! I pulled up the chair and sat beside Beth. My thoughts replayed every word he uttered while I nibbled the toast.
Last night, he said, "IT'S YOUR FAULT!" What did he mean by that? One thing I know, I have done nothing but be lied to and framed. He's a stranger to me, then why is he blaming me? Something is up with him. Perhaps there is something his family is hiding. I need to learn more about the Abrams. I don't want to be blamed for the rest of my life.
I picked up my and Luke's empty plates. I washed the dishes.
"I'm off", he came into the kitchen saying goodbye.
"Hmm"
He walked out.
"Escort him", said Beth.
"What? Why?", I asked
"You're his wife, walk him to the front door, that's what every woman does when her husband leaves to work," Beth added.
"Oh okay...", I said
I followed behind him.
"Why are you following me?" He questioned.
"Isn't that what every wife does when her husband leaves for work?" I said.
"Who told you that?", he asked.
"Your aunt, Beth!", I said.
"You know what?! No need to walk me out the door, got it?" he asked.
"If she commands you again, say what I said or I'll tell her personally!" He warned.
I returned inside, saying nothing.
"Well done, Sarah! You're a fast learner", said Beth.
Reggie added, "Not just today, but whenever he leaves the house."
"I'm afraid I can't follow your order, aunt", I said.
"Why Sarah?", asked Delores.
"It's Luke's order, mom", I said.
"Luke? Are you sure?" Reggie asked incredulously,
"Yes, I am", I said.
"Luke never defied us, Sarah," Delores replied.
"Are you making this up?" Beth questioned.
Making this up? She's crazy! Then Reggie now Beth! It's my first day, and they suspect me over a small thing?!
"Why should I do that?", I said.
"Who knows", Beth arched an eyebrow.
The last thing I need is to get treated as a suspect.
"You know what he said? 'No need to walk me out of the door. If she tells you again, say what I said or I'll tell her personally!", I said.
"My Luke would never say that, Sarah", said Delores.
"We can't believe you. Luke, not that guy", said Beth.
"Sarah, I know you newbie here, are you trying on..." Reggie squinted her eyes as she asked.
"Trying on what? What the heck is up with all of you? Why are you treating me this way?!", I said.
"Keep your voice down! I'm not allowed any noise in my house", Delores stated sternly.
"My mistake, I should've recorded what he said," I murmured.
"You can ask him, mom", I said.
"I don't need to ask anything, he's my son, I know him better than you", said Delores.
"I believe he said none of that!" Delores exclaimed as she moved closer to me.
Her harsh glance jolted me to my core as she delivered a severe warning. I saw the same wrath in her as I did in Luke last night as if possessed by a demon.
"Be a good girl Sarah, that's the best thing you can do!", said Delores.
I froze. A drop of sweat spilled off my brow, as they went away,
What have my parents gotten me into?
Her keen stare came into view, I suddenly felt cold to the core. I recalled the first time I saw her, the delicate way she spoke. All that glitters is not gold.
No, Sarah! What you see is not true, your eyes could lie. Her anger at you stems from her faith in Luke.
A few days before the marriage, my mom once said, "Squabbling in the household is common, it doesn't make you or them awful people. We can't always get along."
Perhaps that is what she meant.
"Sarah!", Delores shouted.
My heart pounds as though it's going to burst when I hear her voice. Easy Sarah, she won't eat you. I closed my eyes and took a big breath, gripping my hand hard.
"Sarah!"
I jumped out of my seat and moved my legs quicker. I'm terrified of facing her.
I stood in front of her, my hands clenched, trying to hide my quivering and tight face.
"Are you deaf?", said Delores, her arms crossed across her chest, giving me a scornful look.
"I...I...", I stumbled over my words.
I could see Reggie and Beth giggling at me.
"You're being impolite! Have your parents ever taught you to be more respectful of older people?" said Delores.
Each word that flowed from her mouth tore me to bits.
"They have", I said.
"It's the last time! You must be present every time I shout your name, got it?", said Delores.
"I don't want to hear you slander Luke again," Delores replied.
I'm wordless. I couldn't defend myself in front of people who were grinning evilly at me.
"Now, cut all the veggies", said Delores.
Delores never let anybody else cook in her kitchen, only her. She took charge of the cuisine at this mansion. She decides everything!
"Aside from serving your husband, this is part of your duties. As a woman, you should spend the majority of your time doing housework," Delores stated as she disappeared into her group.
My eyes started to well up with tears as I was chopping the vegetables. Can I survive? My mind replays the blissful memories with my parents. The life of delight. I was treated with affection there, and with hatred here.
My parents damned me to hell. Take me home, mom, dad!
"Is it done?", said Delores.
Her brash voice stunned me.
I presented her with a tray of chopped vegetables.
"Good, I expected it to take a long time; I'm glad your mother taught you how to cut the vegetables," she remarked.
I remained silent. I'm ashamed of myself!
"Take the rag, go clean the dining table," Delores instructed.
I leave the kitchen.
"Ma'am"
I briefly paused while wiping the table. I turned around to see Ruth, the senior worker, standing behind me with a broad smile.
"Yes?", I said
"Please allow me to clear the table, ma'am," Ruth requested.
"No, it's fine, my mother-in-law instructed me to do it," I explained.
"I'll talk to Mrs. Silas, ma'am, let me do it,", said Ruth.
"She will be mad at us, Ruth", I said.
"I know, it makes me sad to see you doing my work," Ruth admitted.
I chuckled, "It was my job before I got here."
Ruth answered, "All right, I'll excuse myself."
I nodded as she exited the dining room.
With the rag in my hand, I returned to the kitchen.
"Mom, it's done", I said.
"What done?"
A male voice startled us. Silas Abrams appeared when we turned back.
"Why is there a rag in your hand?", asked Silas.
Delores snatched the rag from my grip.
"To wipe the table," I explained.
"Why do you wipe the table? It's not your responsibility", Silas said.
"Mom asked me to", I put on my innocent face.
"Is that true, Dee?" he asked, looking at Delores.
She glared at me.
What did I do? She'll blame me again!
"That's our house rule, my dear husband; whoever gets our house filthy he has to clean it up," Delores explained.
What is she on about?
"Sarah spilled water on the dining table by accident, so she has to clean it up," Delores explained as she stroked Silas' upper arm.
I gaped at her false statement, she's LYING! SHE MADE IT UP! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!
"You should be proud of me. I helped our daughter-in-law become more accountable", she claimed.
He softened and was touched by Delores' lies.
"I didn't..." Sarah
"Oh, that's one of the house rules, Sarah. Even if I spill the water, your mother-in-law will instruct me to clean it up," Silas chuckled.
"We are used to teaching ourselves to be responsible, no matter how small it is" he explained.
"No... that's not..."
"Dear, let's get you to our room. I'll bring your favorite coffee," she remarked to her husband.
She interrupted me from telling the truth. They leave the kitchen arm in arm, as she stared at me fiercely.
What's wrong with them?! I told them what her son said, she chastised me and blamed me for a mistake I had not made! My first day feels like the first year.
My chest is tight after only a day here. How will I face the next day?
My parents didn't learn everything about Abrams, they simply recognized them as a well-known and rich family.
I'm the sacrificial lamb for their HONOUR!
Humans never changed. People value their reputations more than their loved ones. They must be praised for the rest of their lives while their loved ones suffer for their sake, until death sets them free.