SAVING MY MARRIAGE

SAVING MY MARRIAGE (Chapter 2)

Chapter 2 (Leaving Home)

As I walked down the stairs, I spotted my Dad sitting at the dining table.

True to his motto, ‘food is life,’ he was already tucking into a hearty breakfast.

'Good morning, daddy,' I greeted him.

'Good morning, my beautiful princess. How did you sleep last night?' he asked.

'I slept like a baby, dad. Isn’t it a bit early for breakfast?’ I questioned.

“My princess, it's 8:45 already. Besides, you know what they say, food is life,’ he chuckled. ‘Would you care to join me for some breakfast?’

‘Oh, daddy, I can’t. I’m already running late for work,’ I replied.

"Always running late" my mother chimed in sarcastically.

I gave her a sideways glance, trying to ignore her comment.

"Darling, did you hear? Esther is getting married in a few weeks!" my mum said, turning her attention to my dad.

“‘And Sandra is 15 years older" my mum continued smugly.

"Eight! Eight! Eight!" I snapped

"Darling, please stop!" my dad yelled, clearly frustrated with my mother’s relentless needling.

“What’s the difference between 8 and 15?" she asked with a shrug, her smirk betraying the fact that she knew very well how hurtful her words were.

"It's high time you learned how to filter your words" my dad retorted, his voice laced with anger.

He rose from the table and stormed out of the dining room, clearly fed up with my mother’s sharp tongue.

I grabbed my car keys and made my way to work. I had promised myself not to let this situation get the better of me. So I acted as if nothing happened.

"Latecomer! Latecomer! Latecomer!" my colleagues taunted as I entered the office.

I mustered a faint smile.

“Thank you, Jesus" I whispered under my breath as I sank into my seat, grateful for the small bit of normality at work.

Before I could even settle in, Mr. Adewale's voice cut through the air, startling me from my thoughts.

"Good morning, Sandra. Have you received the files from the secretary?" He asked.

I blinked, confused. When did he enter? Had I been that deep in thought?

“Good morning, sir" I responded

"No sir, I haven't received them yet."

'Alright' he said

"Please do, and report back to me in an hour."

'Yes sir,' I answered and he left

Mr. Adewale was the branch manager, a man of few words.

His easy-going nature was a breath of fresh air in our often high-stress environment.

Despite the office rumors of us dating, Mr. Adewale and I were strictly professional colleagues, and nothing more.

I placed my work as my number one priority, am so dedicated to it. But trust me I'll definitely work on my lateness.

I picked up the telephone and dialed the secretary's number, requesting the files be brought to my office.

As I began sorting through the documents, I dialed my father's agent. It was time I found my own place.

"Yes, I need a well-furnished apartment for lease" I stated, my voice firm.

My heart leaped when he confirmed there was an apartment available.

Finally, my own space.

A weight lifted from my shoulders as I quickly transferred the funds.

"Please arrange for the cleaning service to prep the apartment as well" I added, eager to settle into my new home as soon as possible.

"I hope all is well, Sister Sandra?" the agent asked.

"Yes, thank you" I said, offering a weak smile. How could I explain my need for space without causing offense?

As soon as the workday ended, I hurried home, my mind already drifting to the possibilities of my new life.

"Oh no! I completely forgot to visit Esther" I'll make it up to her I promised.

I arrived at home to find my mother engrossed in her favorite series, "Beautiful Marriage."

'Mtcheeeeew!' I scoffed under my breath. She should also add "The wedding party" to her series.

But this wasn't my concern anymore. I had a future to plan, and I wouldn't let anything hold me back.

“Good evening, mum" I said tersely as I headed straight for my room.

As I was taking off my clothes, suddenly, the door flew open and my mum burst into the room.

" I can't remember the last time I undressed myself" she scoffed.

"A man is supposed to take off his wife’s clothes.’ Her words stung, a cruel reminder of my apparent shortcomings.

"Sandra, you should be ashamed of yourself, when I was your age, I was already a mother to an eleven year old daughter. Look at yourself•••alone with no husband" she continued

"Mum, please!" I shouted,my anger boiling over.

"I'm already stressed. I don't need this right now.''

“Stress is just one of the many disadvantages of being single, don’t you know?" she quipped, her words like knives twisting in my gut.

"I don't know if I birthed an unfortunate child,' she muttered as she stormed out of my room, slamming the door behind her.

'Mum...' I choked out, my voice cracking. Tears streamed down my face. I heard her Every painful word.

My mind raced with hurtful thoughts as I sobbed uncontrollably. It was too much to bear.

Grabbing my bags, I fled from that house, from that toxic environment.

"Get a husband before you come back!" she screeched.

"And stay gone!" I yelled back, slamming the door behind me.

You saw that, didn't you? This is the least of it.

I didn't leave the house because of her spiteful words, I left for my own sake....

I took my car keys and drove off to my new apartment, eager to start this new chapter in my life....

Wish me luck....