MARRIED BY MISTAKE

Another Evil Act

After their meeting, Jason came back home. Still, he didn't release me. And for the first time truly I questioned the order of things in my life. I no longer understand why bad things happened to me and only me. I was really beginning to get frustrated. My heart has been shattered into a billion pieces by different men right from childhood. It was only later that I realized that my step-mom had been the one orchestrating everyone I ended up with as well as how my relationships ended. She chose me behind my back, destroyed my relationships and had even ensured that one of my ex's assaulted me. Now, it really feels like the universe is against me. I really never expected someone to hate me so much.

Swiftly, my train of thoughts was invaded as mighty footsteps approached the door, the one I was locked in which happens to be the tiniest room in the basement. The stumping on the ground drawed flickers of hope into me. I was really happy that God touched Jason's heart to finally release me. Instantly, I screamed, “Jason, Jason, please I'm sorry.” I said. In my view, I screamed but it came out as a muffle.

I believe he heard me because he hastened his steps for a moment. I wanted to scream for joy but as soon as that feeling landed, he halted and my hopes flew into a billion pieces. He halted, no longer approaching the door then he started to take a few steps backward. I wanted to faint. At that moment I mumbled and his name escaped my lips as loud as I could muster, “Jason,” I said again.

“No, no, no.” I mumbled.

“A little bit and I might consider letting you go.” He said then hastened his steps. In less than a minute, the mighty footsteps retreated. The sound of the receding steps sounded louder, probably because my mind had already been stationed in alertness and hoped that I was going to be released soon. Sadly, that didn't happen.

“Jason! Jason!” I said, raising to the best of my ability but the man I was calling out to was nowhere to be found. He left, just like that, abandoning me in the little cave he carved out for me.

That was the last incident I witnessed on Tuesday. And Jason left me all by myself in the dark room, shivering from cold and fear. I just wanted to die. Left alone with no comfort, I looked back at my life.

***

“Young man, do you accept this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her, adore her and be by her side, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad times, through thick and thin?” The officiating pastor asked.

“Yes,” Jason replied, smiling at me, from ear to ear and I felt like collapsing.

That day, 27 October 2021 was the best day of my life and I could do anything to go back to that moment. The crowd jeered after Jason's statement. The screams became louder when he slid my wedding ring on my finger. Soon, it was my turn and my 'yes' was no less than his. The ritual was concluded and we kissed. Left to me, I wouldn't have but our guests wanted that section so much, so yeah, we kissed passionately. I was sort of new to Jason's kind of love so I felt shy.

That was three years ago, the most wonderful day in my life but not the day I valued most. That one would be the day we met three years before my wedding.

***

It was stormy that day and it rained heavily. That evening I caught my boyfriend and first love, James sleeping with my best friend Olivia a few days before my eighteenth birthday. James and I dated for three years, right from when I was fifteen up till when I was about to turn 18. I gave everything to him, my heart, body, soul and virginity. I really thought he felt the same way about me but I was wrong, he not only didn't love me but had also gone on a bet or the sorts that he could use me, waste me and dump me. If you ask me, he did just that.

After finding my then boyfriend with my best friend who had also been pretending to care for me, I was heartbroken. I felt all manner of things judging that these people were the most precious things to me. I didn't have a mom, nor did I have a dad; my step-mom was hell and step-sister the embodiment of evil. I had no one and the last ones betrayed me beyond what my mind could hold up on. I wanted to die that day and I did just that. Two days after the incident when the pain became insurmountable, I hurried out of the Michaelson's Mansion then settled at the rims of the lagoon.

Yes, I jumped. The hatred was too much for me to bear. Anyone in my shoes would choose to do the same thing. Growing up, I heard all manner of things about my mother. I was told that she hated me so much that aborting me was the first thing she thought of doing with me. I also heard that she abandoned me with my father because I was too sickly and too much of a hassle for her. That's who I was, a child hated by all, including my own mother, the woman who gave me life. If my mother hated me, then what was I thinking, that others would cherish me? My mother's rejection only proves that no one will ever want me.

After James broke my heart, I believed greatly that I would remain unloved but then Jason crashed into my life like a tornado. I jumped then he jumped too. I recall the scenario as I found myself a few moments later on dry land coughing out all the water that consumed me in that little space of time.

That's how I met Jason. Of course to me he was simply my good Samaritan, my rescuer and saviour. Opposed to my theory of gratitude, Jason saw more in me. He wanted me; at least he really looked like it and knowing where we are now, he got me. The images of his look on our first date after deciding to give him a chance brought tears to my eyes.

That's our story!