Sarah's Perspective. Seven Years Ago,
Some women picked the wrong men out of many. I have heard women complain of a whoring husband, but I always counted myself an exception. My husband, can be best described as every woman’s dream. He is handsome looking – well-built, intelligent and smart. Besides, he is a man of his words. Furthermore, he attached so much love and interest to his family because he was out to ensure that he distinguished himself from his father. He grew up with a father who was a polygamist and an irresponsible one, who was also known as a wife beater with many legitimate and illegitimate concubines. Fortunately, none of my husband's siblings took after their father, except the step siblings. When he asked for my hand in marriage, my mother was afraid, judging from his background. But today, he had proved everyone wrong by living beyond their expectations.
As a policy, he hardly kept late night except of recent, and I was surprised at his sudden change of attitude. This was not the same man that I married and loved so much, who also loved me in return.
“Welcome back, dear.”
I greeted with a warm smile when he got into the house with his key. Although, I had been angry while I waited for him, but decided to control my anger. After all, I did not know what had kept him that long, but he was surprised at my calmness and smiles because that was not what he expected. He expected that I should be angry and jealously asked where he had been, but he saw calmness that he misunderstood as lacking concern and love. What he failed to understand was that I had been crying while praying for his safe return. Every woman who loves her husband should be distraught when he keeps late night. Notwithstanding, I truly had a full doze of it. Unfortunately, Evans only saw my smiling face that covered a broken heart. Then, I walked towards him for a hug and if possible, a peck, but I was disappointed. He threw my love back at me the hard way.
“Slap”
At that point, my head spun around, and I was confused for some seconds. The tears which I had suppressed flowed freely as though a tap was turned on.
“Evans.”
That was the only word that could come out of my mouth because I was experiencing that for the first time in our marriage, so I could not think of how else to react. Then, I looked at my lovely husband of twenty years, and I could not believe that he could act in that strange manner. All the same, I managed to ask amidst tears droplets and surprise
“You slapped me, hubby?”
Then, he blurted out at once as though he was waiting for me to speak.
“Yes, and I will do it again and again. I have heard people say that they mistakenly married witches instead of wives. I thought they were fairy tales, now I can see the wisdom in their claims.”
I looked at my husband who was attempting to lose his tie while holding back my tears and restraining myself from crying out. At that point, I was afraid that he may be under a spell and may do something that both of us would regret. Meanwhile, his eyes were as red as a coal of fire, which scared me to my wits. Furthermore, he was panting and sweating profusely like one who just completed one thousand five hundred meters race.
'How would I explain to the children that the love, peace, and unity they enjoy in the family were about to give way?'
I mumbled. I looked at the time and, it was past 11pm, and I imagined that his meal, that was on the dining table may need to be warmed, so, I decided to do that. Not only that, but I carried the food and headed towards the kitchen.
'What has come over Evans?' Iwondered.
I could not understand why he thought I must be responsible for his plight. He felt I did not care any more about him, that was why I did not give him a call to find out where he was. But I did not do all that because I did not want him to feel I was suspecting him. I did not call or complain like other women when they were about losing their husbands because I would not want to make life more miserable or complicate things the more for him. I was aware that he had been through a lot in the office that week.
(Hiss)
A woman has no possession of her life; if she complains, she would be beaten up, if she does not complain, she would be beaten up as well. What an unfair life for women.
He felt that by slapping me, he would remind me that he was still the husband as he thought I was fed up with him and wished him dead. I could see the picture of an intimidated man, who was about losing his ego. Then, he decided to walk to his room to avoid another violent move that may lead to a fight, thereby disturbing the children's sleep and the neighborhood. After placing the food in the microwave, I walked back to the living room to see what his next line of action would be.
“Where are you coming from, Evans?”
I asked as he was climbing the staircase to our bedroom.
Now, the question came like a two-edged sword which pierced through his heart and crippled his steps. I guessed that my voice reminded him of the first time we met. Or better still, he was not expecting the questions.
'How can I ever slap my wife? This is madness.'
He muttered. Then, I divulged.
“Evans, do not let it cross your mind that the fact that I am calm connotes cowardice. I only stand by my principle, which says that two wrongs do not make one right. I hope it sinks into your head.”