ABSTRACT LOVE

CHAPTER 2-MARRIAGE LIFE

Gill and Laurel could not have dreamed of a better beginning. The things they did and the financial support they earned from friends and family made the marriage rites more enjoyable.

2 yrs later......

Two years later and the couple were still barren with no children. Gill became frustrated about this and called on Laurel for a brief talk. "What is wrong?, why are we still childless. We have done all the necessary requirements all to no avail. I am beginning to think that this marriage was a mistake". He looked at Laurel for a response but instead got an innocent look from her. "What is the matter, can't you talk" Gill shouted angrily. "Babe I have to tell you something. I have been trying to hide it but the sudden look on your face makes me to spill the beans". "Talk and stop speaking in parables for me please" Gill said without hesitation. Laurel took a few deep breaths and looked at her husband on whether it was time to speak. Then she spoke, "In my university, I had lots of boyfriends which wanted to have fun with me. Normally I refused but they took it to desperate measures and attacked me during the night. I got pregnant and did abortion in which the doctor said that I might not be able to give birth again". "Is that it", Gill said while restraining himself from a slap. "You did it. Before marriage, you damn did it". Gill was so upset that he slammed the table to the floor and it shattered. "Ah, ah. Babe calm down...". "Don't you dare, don't you dare play it safe with me. I loved you, I put all my effort to make this marriage work and this is how you repay me. You will regret this, I promise you that you will regret this" Gill said while storming out of the room. Late that night, Gill layed on his bed and thought, 'This woman will never seem to amaze me. It is a new thing. So she kept it until we finished marriage so that it will not disturb the process. What a wicked soul. GODFORBID', Gill thought as he closed his eyes to sleep.

Five months after the incident and for the first time in over 4 months, Gill returned from work with a smile on his face. "What happened my dear" curious Laurel queried hoping for a positive response. At that moment it felt like Gill had completely forgotten about the situation at hand which to Laurel's luck did not excalate. "I finally got a promotion", Gill said beaming with smiles. The two celebrated while Laurel was especially over the moon of the current observations. Late in the night and so did Laurel begin a conversation asking him about his promotion and to her luck got a positive response. She did this in hope that her husband was back to normal. "I just got up to Head Man the third highest personnel in the organisation". "Oh, I'm so happy for you", Laurel sqeeled as she hugged Gill and pecked him on the cheeks. 'He's back. Hallelujah'. Laurel thought as they both retired back to bed.

Another five months later...

Gill was enjoying the time he spent with his new promotion and with extra financial ability the hope for a happy family was going well until one night an argument broke through the atmosphere. "No, we are not adopting a child", requested Gill after understanding that was Laurel's intentions. "We need a child we really do. I am barren and there is no other way, pls listen to my advice". Gill wasn't all ears, he turned away and left her wandering in self pity. Sometimes, Laurel wished that her husband would be more understanding.

The adoption was arranged and on the day of the inspection Laurel was nowhere to be seen. Bring..... Bring, sounded the phone from where Laurel was. "Where are you", said a desperate Gill. "I'm with my mom. We're kind of hanging out". "What! With your mom at this time of the day really. Don't you realize that today is inspection day". With no response he continued, "You are really pulling my leg here Laurel; you always seem to find ways to make this marriage seem like a mistake", Gill angrily said and caught the call. "Who was..... that", Mrs. Randy said but stammered due to her old age. "Ohh! It was nothing don't worry about it", replied Laurel. Mrs. Randy saw the troubled look on Laurel's eyes but decided not to say a word. She was beginning to think that this marriage was having an effect on her daughter's emotions.

This habit of leaving Gill stranded and alone continued for quite a long period of time. It was beginning to seem that Laurel found more solace with her mother than with her husband. Gill got frustrated about this and took it into act. He plotted to kill her mother so that the only thing she would need was him. So one day, Gill rose up the topic, "Let us visit your mother". 'Wow, I always thought he hated my mother', Laurel thought without getting a reply. "Okay, let's go" Laurel approved. "Fine, we will set out tomorrow". With that, the couple got in the car and drove to the Fantasy village or so it was famously called. Once they arrived they exchanged pleasantries and went out for dinner. "Don't worry you are old I can handle dinner" Gill reported when he saw Mrs. Randy attempting to go to the kitchen. "Oh, you can handle it". "Yes I can" replied Gill confidently. "I like that your husband, he is really generous and handsome too". "He is not usually like that, I don't know what has gone over him". "Be happy for the change", Mrs. Randy replied smiling. About 15 mins later he arrived with three plates filled with amala and obong soup. They ate and enjoyed unknown to Mrs. Randy that a hefty amount of poison which kills slowly but surely had attacked her system. They bid their farewell and went home.

One week later and Gill returned from work hearing sobs from the bedroom. He rushed there and saw Laurel crying before he heard the most depressing but exciting words of his marriage life. "My mother is sick".