DIVORCED

Ciara

“All arise” The judge commanded as we all rose up to our feet. “You may all be seated” we took our seats. 

“The case of Mrs. Ciara vs Mr. Ryan dated April 28 is now open” The huge hit his gravel against the table as Ryan’s lawyer stood up to start the case. 

Ryan was the petitioner while I was the respondant.

“Your honor, there really isn’t much to the case. My client, Mr Ryan and his wife has harmoniously decided to call their marriage quits due to difference in personalities” 

I scoffed. Did he just say “Harmoniously”?. 

Ryan’s lawyer continued. “Furthermore your honor, my client and the respondant weren’t in a real marriage”

The judge eyes bulged. “What do you mean by that?”

Ryan’s lawyer held out a brown envelope. “In my hands is proof that my client and the respondant were in a marriage bounded by a contract for both their benefits which I would like to submit as evidence to the case”

The judge looked at me. “Does the respondant agree to this evidence?”

“Yes, your honor” came my short reply. I was shocked to see that I was even still capable of words. 

The fact that Ryan had brought our contractual marriage out to light in court showed that he was going all out. 

“The court will accept the evidence” The judge announced to Ryan’s lawyer as he stepped forward, handing the envelope to the judge and moving back to his seat. 

“I would like to say something, your honor” I spoke up. 

“And what is that?”

“Our matrimonial home, the cars and everything, I would like to leave it to my husband”

“What?!” My lawyer, Mr. Kendal shouted. “What are you doing? This wasn’t what we agreed on”

“Are you sure about this?” The judge inquired of me.

“Yes, your Honor”

The judge turned to face Ryan. “And does the petitioner agree with this?”

“Your honor, I—” Anne cut him off. 

“Yes, we do, Your honor”

“Then so be it. Court dismissed”

As the judge hit his gravel against the table, I turned to face Mr Kendall, bowing my head at him."I'm sorry for acting without your consent”

He didn't respond; he just walked away angrily. As I turned around to leave the court, Ryan appeared Infront of me. 

“What did you do that for?” He questioned. “You said you were going to walk away with all the properties so why did you leave it all to me?”

“So that you wouldn’t have any excuse to look for me. This is where we severe all ties for good”

With that said, I walked out of the court room; going wherever my legs carried me. 

I came to a stop Infront of a chicken shop; a small smile escaping my lips before making my way inside. 

Taking my seat at the first empty table saw, I ordered. “Can I have a bottle of alcohol and two bucket of spicy chicken wings, please?”

“Coming right up!” In a matter of minutes, two bucket of spicy chicken wings and a bottle of alcohol was placed Infront of me. 

Twisting the cap of the alcohol bottle, it came off Instantly as I downed it in a single gulp. 

I let out a huge sigh of relief. “That hits the spot”

Picking up a chicken wing, I tear it apart with my teeths; munching softly. “I’ve missed this”

I had given up a lot of things after I’d gotten married to Ryan; based off our contract. One of the things were eating spicy chicken. Ryan apparently disliked it so he’d added it to our contract rules. 

I hadn’t realized how manipulating that was then but now, it infuriated me that I’d given up eating chicken for him; thinking of the little things I’d stopped doing because of him infuriated me. 

But the alcohol though…why was I drinking it when I couldn’t hold my liquor?. 

“Forget about that” I mumbled. “The alcohol signifies your freedom now, Ciara” I took another bite off my chicken gulped down with another sip of alcohol.

The cycle was on repeat until I felt a strong hand stop me from raising up the alcohol bottle. 

I turned my gaze to see who it was but it was someone I barely recognized. “Who are you?”

“Are you here alone?” He questioned with a low, dark tone. I couldn’t clearly make out his features as my head was spinning right now but I could attest for one thing; he is handsome. 

“Are you going to take advantage of a drunk woman?” I slurped. 

“I wouldn’t do that. I’m just worried how you’ll get home if you are here alone”

Pushing his hands off my wrist, I probed further. “And why would you be worried about a stranger? Just go about doing your thing” I raised up the alcohol bottle as I took another sip; this time he didn’t stop me. “Go on or are you going to watch me?”

This strange unfamiliar man plunged down to the seat infront of me. “Yes, I AM going to watch you but don’t take this the wrong way”

I cocked my head to the side. “How should I take it then?”

“I happened to be at the court earlier today. I don’t mean to be rude but I saw everything”

The corners of my lips twitched in annoyance. “Then you should know that I don’t want to talk about it and you should pretend you never saw that happen either”

“But I can’t do that”

“Then tell me what you want!” I yelled. “I’m getting annoyed as is”

“I want you to think of me as a long lost friend of yours and let it all out on me. Trust me you WILL feel better afterwards.”

“And why should I confide in a stranger?”

This strange, handsome man took the bottle of alcohol from my hand and sipped it. “What’s better than confiding in someone you’ll never meet again?”

He was right. I needed to let out all I’ve kept bottled up; the pent up anger, frustration to freely lift up the weight off my chest but I couldn’t do that with a stranger, even though it was one I would never see again. 

Annoyed, I yank my bottle of alcohol from his grip as I gulped it down. “Who knows? We might meet again. Fate is cruel”

“You sure are hard to reason with”

There. That did it; it unfastened my last screw. I banged the alcohol bottle on the table. “Are you bored?”

“What?”

“There are other persons you could waste your time with. Why are you bothering me when I just want to be left alone?”

“Because I understand how you feel. I’ve been divorced too”

His words unknowingly brought tears to my eyes; I dabbed it off. “Then if you really want to help me just sit there and say nothing”

He nodded his head, ”Okay”

As I picked up my alcohol bottle for yet another sip, this stranger reached out his hands into the bucket of spicy chicken wings Infront of me, pulled out a piece as he devoured it. “That hits the spot”

That earned a smile on my face. “Right?”

My head started to spin as the alcohol bottle slipped out of my hands and I collapsed onto the table; falling asleep.