Chapter 5 - Chapter 5

Willa

I got home and I sat on the couch, my heart was racing as I stared blankly at the wall. My mind wandered back to the mysterious lady I met at the store. Her words echoed in my head which brought confusion.

The statement "your husband will soon divorce you" kept playing in my head over and over again. I had no idea who the lady was and the certainty in her voice haunted me.

"How did she know about my marriage with Damian?" I asked no one in particular.

I tried distracting myself with some chores but it didn't work. Throughout the day, the conversation with the strange woman kept replaying in my head which fed my anxiety.

At night, I thought of discussing with Damian about what transpired between I and the strange lady. I stood up and went to his room. On getting to his room, I was about knocking on the door when the fear of how he might react if he sees me overwhelmed me.

Instantly, I went back to my room.

"Damian won't believe whatever I say to him and would think I'm hallucinating" I said to myself.

"I do not want to anger him so I rather keep this to myself and hope nothing comes between us" I thought inwardly and went to sleep even though I was scared.

Days went by and I realized I haven't been seeing Damian in the house. He leaves for work very early before I wake up and he comes back late at night when I'm asleep. I couldn't bring myself to question him so as not to cause argument between the both of us. Most times I would ensure I wake up early so I can see him before he goes to work but I couldn't beat him to it. One night, I concluded within myself not to sleep early. I prepared myself to confront him about his disappearance often in the house.

I sat in the living room waiting for him. I switched on the TV to watch the news in order to keep myself busy so as not to fall asleep. Not quite long, an accident which happened minutes ago was said by the newscaster and lot of people were involved in the accident.

I was frightened by the news. The location the accident happened was around Damian's office. I started panicking.

"I hope he is fine" I said out loud.

I picked up my phone and dialed his number. His phone kept ringing but he refused to pick up. I called him countless times but he still didn't pick my calls.

After some time, his phone wasn't reachable anymore. This got me worried. I started pacing around the living room.

I decided to call Damian's dad and my dad to inform them about Damian's late nights.

I was about putting a call across to them when it struck me that if Damian finds out I involved our families and they discover how he has been maltreating me, he would be pissed at me and he won't forgive me which would make him maltreat me the more.

I decided to hold on a little with the hope that Damian will be back soon.

Hours later, there was still no sight of Damian. I checked the time and I realized it was past 1am. I was getting scared and I started crying.

I was left with no choice but to call our families. I was about calling them when I saw the door opened.

I ran to the door to check who it was and I saw a staggering Damian coming inside. He was reeking of alcohol badly.

"Was this the man I was worried about" I thought to myself.

"And where are you coming from by this time?" I asked him putting on a bold face in front of him.

He acted like he didn't hear me and walked away. This nonchalant attitude of him pissed me off.

"Damian" I called out his name angrily

He stopped walking immediately and turned to look at me.

He gave me a deadly glare like someone who is ready to pounce on me at any time.

The look on his face made me shudder in fear but I wasn't ready to give in to his glare even though within me I was scared and I wished the ground could open at that moment and swallow me.

"Where are you coming from, Damian?" I asked again

"I was worried when I didn't see you and the accident that happened around your office increased my fear" I added not giving him space to reply the question I asked him.

He didn't reply me but rather kept staring at me. This made me wonder if I've said something wrong.

After some time, he finally spoke up and I let out a breath which I didn't know I was holding.

"Why were you worried about me?" He asked angrily

I couldn't say anything.

"Did cat cut your tongue?" He asked

"I…I…Erm…" I stammered.

I couldn't find the right words to use. The boldness I put up before left me instantly.

"Now listen to me carefully, don't you ever ask me silly questions like you did earlier. You have no right to know of my whereabouts." He spoke

"Why can't I know of your whereabouts, Damian? You leave home very early in the morning before I wake up and come back home late at night drunk. Don't you have any iota of shame in you" I spoke back at him angrily.

I was getting tired of all this drama and nuisance he had been displaying all this while.

"Willa, do not push me to the walls. Don't make me do what you would regret." He said sharply

I looked at him in the face and saw his eyes had turned red. He was looking at me with anger written all over his face.

I concluded within myself not to be afraid of him. This rubbish must stop tonight.

"Damian, I have every right to know of your whereabouts. I am your wife for crying out loud and you should always be accountable to me" I said back to him

It was like what I said triggered out all the anger in him. I looked up and I saw Damian raised his hand about to slap me.

Without being told, I closed my eyes.