The Confession (Inspirational romance)

The visit

Chapter 10

Roslyn pressed her plump lips together, trying hard not to give in to her emotions. The agony, pain and suffering are too much for her to bear. The past three months have been nothing but pure sadness in the household, no one seemed to breathe. David continues to blame Roslyn for his unfortunate incident. He called her bad luck, but she never reacted to any of his cursed because she knows how depressed he was. She remembered how David kicked the plate of food she dished out to him and then pure the cold water on her body the other day. She left home that day to her parent’s home but her mother was quick to send her back to her husband. Roslyn could remember her mother’s words that day; “go back to your home, your husband needs you now more than ever; my dear never give up on your husband, for God has a purpose for you in that house, now go.” And that was how Roslyn put back her belongings in her car and drove back to David. Unable to control the tears in her eyes, she allowed it to fall freely as she continued to stare out the window.

“Dear Lord, you know I tried my best,” she breathes. “I tried to make David and I work, but it’s almost impossible.” She began holding the old bible her mother gave to her months ago. Slowly and meticulously, she opened to the book of palms, the scripture that has to do with the broken-hearted. “You heal the broken-hearted and bind their wounds, you tell the number of stars; you called them by their names.” Roslyn closed the bible and went down on her two knees, leaning her sour body to the queen-size bed. She prayed earnestly and diligently to God to heal her husband and draw him closer to him. She also begged him to forgive her for complaining, few minutes into her prayers; was interrupted by a racketed sound coming from David’s room. Hearing such sounds coming from David’s room isn’t longer a new thing for Roslyn; she hurriedly stood up to her feet and dashed out of her room to the source of the noise. On reaching there, she saw David struggling on the cold floor with tears stained to his cheeks, a flutter of sadness and pity past her face. David’s face hardened, the moment he gazed at Roslyn and he clenched his hand into a fist, Roslyn had no time to study his face as she rushed to his side, after some minutes of struggle, she got him on his wheel chair and she felt out of breath, her breathing became hard. David stares at her. Roslyn could’ve sworn that she saw him smile, but she thought it was only her own imagination.

“T-thank you,” said David. His voice was flat and toneless, not any form of excitement in his face, but despite his lack of interest in Roslyn, she pulled out a small smile on her face. “Do you need anything’? She asked with concern. He looked strained. She knows he needed her help, but he was too proud and ashamed to speak, so she reiterated. “Do you need help?” he inhaled deeply and slightly nodded his head in response. A faint smile appeared on Roslyn's face as she waits for him to speak. “I didn’t want to trouble you, because I know you’ll be praying to whoever is up there, so I thought it’ll be okay to get my office file from the top drawer but seeing that I’m almost useless. Can you help me get the file, if you wouldn’t mind?”

“O-of course I’ll get the file,” she moved to the drawer and allowed her eyes roamed inside the first drawer, but there was no file. “I don’t think it will be a problem if you asked for help at all times, I’ll be glad to help I’m your wife.” Said Roslyn as she retrieved the file from the second drawer, the settled in an awkward silent, Roslyn was flabbergasted, she would expect David to reject her as he used to each time, she mentioned being his wife but he was silent and sullen; slumping forward on his wheelchair with both hands to his thighs waiting for the file, Roslyn handed the file to him, and he took it without even glancing her way.

“Care for coffee?” she asked, looking down at him. “Well, I suppose so,” he said with his eyes fixed on the file on his things. Roslyn quickly went to the door, afraid that he might change his mind. She came to a halt at the front of David’s room when she spotted her mother-in-law.

“Good afternoon mother,” she greeted with her head bow to the ground in respect. “Afternoon, dear, how are you?” the elderly woman asked. She reached out her hand to Roslyn and patted her shoulder. “I’m fine mother and you?” Roslyn softly asked, looking at her for the first time. “Oh, I’m fine my dear and how’s my son?”

“He’s doing much better. He’s inside doing some office work.” Mrs. Leo slightly nodded her head in response and patted Roslyn again on her shoulder. “Hope he’s not giving you tough time?” “I could never please David.” She wanted to say but Roslyn mutely shook her head saying no and quickly excused herself. She walked past the older woman with her head bow low.

David’s mother welcomed herself into the room where her son was seated with his back to the door; he busied himself with signing some documents from the office. “That was fast. I hope you aren’t trying to poison me again.” He ventured, not even bothering to glance at the door. “Your wife is too nice to kill you.” said Mrs. Leo. She pulled a small stool closed to her son and sat down, scrutinizing his wounded legs. “M-mother,” he shuttered; it surprised him to see his mother instead of Roslyn. “You did not tell me you’re coming today,” he said, looking all surprised. “Nonsense, must I tell you before coming to see you and your wife?” she asked rhetorically. “How are your legs?” she bargained, changing the topic. David closed the files on his thighs with a loud sigh and star at his mum. “Can’t still move them but the pains are gradually reducing, thanks to the medication and Roslyn’s constant prayers,” his mother stares at him like some alien on adventure. For the first time, he appreciated Roslyn; he achene his brow, not understanding why his mother is staring at him. “What?” he bargained inquisitively,

“Hum, I can see that Roslyn has been doing a great job.” Said the elderly woman with a faint smile plastered on her face. Realizing what he said earlier, his face flushed in embarrassment, he opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out of his parted lips. “Perhaps, you should learn to appreciate her more often.” She began. David looked away to hide his irritation, fortunately for him, Roslyn walked into the room with the steaming cup of hot coffee, she gave Mrs. Leo a small smile before handing the coffee to David, he reached out for the cup and held it tight with both hands, he gave her a grateful look before taking the cup to his dried lips. Roslyn stood patiently waiting for any reaction but there was none and she silently exhaled, and the lines on her face soften; she looked everywhere else except David. The older woman did not allow the tension in the room past her without noticing it. “Come, come seat my dear.” She innocently told Roslyn, Roslyn was reluctant to seat, but she knows better than to obey her mother-in-law, and so she clumsily walked over to Mrs. Leo and sat down at the very edge of the bed. “I want to specially thank you; David told me that you have been praying earnestly for him.” David subconsciously spit out the coffee in his mouth upon hearing his mum’s confession to Roslyn. She had successfully murdered his ego and buried it ten feet down if possible. The anger in his face never drained away as he continues to glare at his own mother. If looks could kill, Mrs. Leo could’ve been six feet down by now, but she cares less than she continues to break her son’s ego. “Thank you so much Roslyn, I bet we never made the wrong decision getting’ you two married.” “Oh, trust me you did,” Roslyn wanted to say but she found herself smiling and nodding her head in agreement to her mother-in-law.

“If you two couldn’t mind excusing me, I have unfinished business to take care of.” Said David courageously; “Of course we’ll excuse you; we’ve some catching up to do, right Roslyn?” Roslyn absent-mindedly nodded her head again in agreement. The two women walked out of the door. David inhaled deeply as the door thumped shut. He opened the file that was still lying on thighs but closed it back; he has lost interest in doing’ office work, staring at the well-polished wall in front of him, David tried to dismiss his churning thoughts but the more he tried the more he thinks of his present situation, he was clearly frustrated and depressed. Not knowing what else to do, he wheeled himself to the bathroom. Deep down, he knows he needed help in the bathroom, but his stubbornness and ego couldn’t let him call for help. He struggled to climb up his wheelchair, but the pains in his legs wouldn’t let him. David continues to hiss and cursed as tears encompassed his tired eyes. Stared at himself in the mirror, but it was almost hard for him to believe what he was seeing in the mirror. He looked like someone who hadn’t slept for months and his neck born was visible on his neck. Now he knows why Roslyn always pressured him to eat and rest. He thought she was just being annoying, but now the result was clearly visible. After an unsuccessful attempt to stand on his own in the bathroom, he wheeled himself back to the room, looking more exhausted and depressed.

Meanwhile, Roslyn and her mother-in-law busied themselves with dinner. Roslyn practically pleaded with Mrs. Leo to just seat and keep her company while she prepares dinner, but the older woman refused. Although Roslyn was secretly enjoying her mother-in-law’s company; It surprised her when Mrs. Leo told her what David said earlier. She couldn’t be happier. If she was to be alone, she was sure that she wouldn’t hold back her tears. “Are you okay dear?” Mother-in-law bargained, looking at Roslyn confusingly. “A-ah yeah, I’m okay. Why?” asked Roslyn, trying to hide her flushed face. “You look flushed, did I say something wrong?” Roslyn hurriedly shook her head saying no. “Well, if there is anything bothering you, talk to me, okay?” she reached out her right hand and patted Roslyn on her shoulder, Roslyn slightly nodded her head and busied herself with the steaming pot on the cooking gas.

A short time later, dinner was ready, and they set table. Mrs. Leo was kind enough to help Roslyn throughout the cooking process, which she thanked her for the hundredth times. Roslyn swiftly and silently made her way to her mother-in-law stopped to the stairs to get David. “You should seat, I’ll get him.” She told Roslyn, Roslyn was about to object but Mrs. Leo never gave her a chance to do so; she hurriedly went up the stairs while Roslyn clumsily walked back to the dining table, and she sat down forlornly with both hands to her cheeks. As much as she likes family dinner, she pondered how this dinner will be like. This will be the first time she’ll be having dinner at the same table with her husband since the day they returned from the hospital. Roslyn prayed to God that he’ll give her the strength and the patience to bear whatever her wounded husband throws at her. Few minutes later Mrs. Leo returned with David through the small elevator. Roslyn opened her mouth to speak after some preliminary throat clearing. “I’ll take it from here.” She stood up from her chair and approached the two figures, but she was ordered to go back to her seat by her mother-in-law, which she obeyed with no protestation. They settled in silently. Roslyn felt a sudden cold that reminded her of first winter season, and her feet seem to be rigid on the cold floor like the hardened ground with tree branches that are brittle during winters. It hurt her that her husband has such negative effect on her. She wished to feel butterflies and sparkles each time she’s close to David and not what she’s presently feeling. Roslyn felt like a host who was waiting for her predators to jump on her at any time.

“Can we share the grace?” her mother-in-law softly asked. Roslyn nodded her head while David remained quiet. With their eyes closed and bliss with the sweet fragrance of God's promises before them, Mrs. Leo prayed. Her prayers comprised thanksgiving to God, for the meal before them, and asking God to provide for the needy; having served David and her mother-in-law, Roslyn mutely sat down on her seat, she half glance at David but his face showed no emotions, her gazed fell on her mother-in-law with a soft smile pretending to be fine. “What do you do apart from taking care of my son?” Roslyn doesn’t know how to answer that. The question caught her by surprise. She never thought of doing’ anything apart from taking care of David. Now that Mrs. Leo asked, she wondered for herself what life really holds for her outside this marriage. She can’t even remember the last time she’d been to church. Roslyn doesn’t believe in being a stay-at-home wife. She even hated the idea of being one before she got married to David, but now that she’s married her life only revolved around David. “Well, this is just for the prime time until he’s well again.” She breathes. Having puzzled over her mother-in-law’s question, she shrugged her shoulder nonchalantly. “I-I busied myself with house chores. Once David gets well, I’ll get myself a job.” She began, upon hearing that David head shut up and gazed at Roslyn for the first time, Roslyn shifted on her seat uncomfortably. “Why do you need a job, you think I’m not capable of taking care of my wife?” Roslyn could easily see the fury in his eyes, she rapidly shook her head in denial, “t-that was not what I meant, I’m a graduate and I like to work. Is not about the money David,” she said pleadingly.

“Roslyn is right,” her mother-in-law began, “Is not everyone that likes to work for the pay? There is joy in working.” Roslyn gave her mother-in-law a grateful look. She was glad to have someone to back her up against her husband for once. David said nothing’ afterward he busied himself with his food while the two women continue to chit-chat while they eat; the dinner ended well and Roslyn was more grateful to her mother-in-law.

“Let’s have some coffee, shall we?” Roslyn’s mother-in-law asked as she shuffle her way to the sitting room, making herself comfortable on one of the brown sofas. Roslyn hastened on. “I’ll get it ready. There are some magazines on the shelves.” She strode down to the kitchen to get some hot coffee for her mother-in-law. “Need help?” the maid asked as she trailed into the kitchen with a faint smile on her face. “Oh, thank you, I’ll be fine.” Said Roslyn with her back to the maid; few minutes later Roslyn walked into the sitting room with two cups of coffee on a small tray clutched to her chest afraid not to split any on the ground, she successful set the tray on the small coffee table and handed one to her mother-in-law, Mrs. Leo reached out for the cup and muffled thank you to Roslyn which she nodded her head in response. Roslyn picked the other cup and sat down at the empty seat next to her mother-in-law. Mrs. Leo preliminarily cleared her throat and Roslyn prepared for herself for what was coming her way.

“Roslyn dear, are you happy?” Roslyn stared back at her mother-in-law. Unable to answer her puzzled question, she shivered slightly. Mrs. Leo stared at the young woman, waiting for an answer. She continued anyway, seeing that she wasn’t getting’ any, soon. “You know, you can talk to me. I’m not here to judge you. I see the way you get frighten each time David glances at you. Does he maltreat you?” Roslyn was quick to shake her head, as much as she respects her mother-in-law and want to say the truth, she cannot tell a single soul what is happening in her marital home, Roslyn will prefer to talk to God even if it means waiting forever. “N-no David does not maltreat me, I’m just worried for him. Sometimes he seems to be in a lot of pains and agony, especially at night. I wish I can take those pains away.” She half lies. Her mother-in-law’s face softened and a flutter of sadness past her already pale face. “Oh dear, I don’t know he’s still in pains, but he assured me he’s getting’ better when I asked him few hours ago.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. “I can say that the pains are gradually reducing but he’s still in pains.” She continued, “What did the doctor said about the constant pain?” Mrs. Leo asked worriedly. “Well, the last time we went, he said it’s a miracle the legs are gradually healing, but he should expect pains now and then; and he gave us some drugs for the pains though he advice he takes them only twice a week to avoid side effects.” Mrs. Leo nodded her head understandably, but Roslyn was ready to cry soon. She swallowed the lump in her throat and averted her eyes to the TV; her gazed lingered on the TV for a while and is not like she’s interested in the show that was showing on the TV. “You know I worried about him every day too, and I know you aren’t finding it easy too. You’ve grown thinner and you look out of shape; is okay to tell me if David isn’t making you happy, he’s my son and I can talk to him. He needs to know that you’re not the reason he’s in wheel chair today; and he needs to learn how to appreciate you, for taking care of him in his condition.” Went on Mrs. Leo; Roslyn nodded her head, pleased with her mother-in-law’s words. “And I admire your bravery and courage; you make things look more simpler, even when everyone knows how hard it is. I pray for God to continue to give you the strength to bear this cross.” She said soberly. Roslyn felt something different inside her. Nobody cares to appreciate her for her efforts, not even David; her mother always advised her to learn to be patience and accommodating, but she never took time to appreciate her like her mother-in-law did today. The tears she has been trying to avoid have freely encompassed her eyes. She used the back of her left hand to wipe away the tears. “You are crying. Did I say something wrong?” Mrs. Leo asked. She started to panic but Roslyn hurriedly shook her head saying no. “I-I’m sorry you did nothing wrong. I don’t know why I’m being emotional.” She said apologetically.

“Oh, my dear, I sure understand; is okay to let your emotions out sometimes.” Roslyn nodded solemnly. “We’re all humans and it’s okay for humans to cry, don’t be sorry.” She went on, patting Roslyn softly on her shoulder.

After some emotional moments with her daughter-in-law; Mrs. Leo decided that it’s time she go back home to her own husband. She went up to David’s room while Roslyn remained seated in her seat waiting for her mother-in-law to return; she felt embittered and sorrowful. Roslyn wished she can beg her mother-in-law to stay with her but she knows better than to let her go. With sour face Roslyn stood to her feet and went to hug her mother-in-law, the tender hugged remained her of her own mother, the expensive sweet fragrance from her mother-in-law’s body molested her nose and she nuzzled further into the older woman. “Ah, Roslyn,” Mrs. Leo murmured. Roslyn quickly nuzzled back, feeling embarrassed, but her mother-in-law assured her it was okay.

Roslyn remembered everything that happened about the rest of the day as she laid down with her face to the ceiling. And she wished her days would always end like this.