PLEASE, LET MY MAN GO

Ciara

The feeling is quite describable. It was as if one minute I was flying up in the sky and the next minute, I landed hard on the ground without knowing why. 

But if it was going to end this way, I needed to know why; I deserved that much courtesy. 

“W-Why?” I inquired with a shaky voice, bringing my hands to dab away at the tears that rolled down my cheeks; I wasn’t going to let others watch me cry. Never. 

While I was on the verge of a mental breakdown, it iriked me that Ryan; my instigator seemed to be doing just fine. 

Ryan shrugged his shoulders, “Do I need a reason to file for a divorce?”

I clenched my fist stop hard underneath the table; if not, I would have slapped him hard across the face. 

“You need a reason if you want me to sign these papers”, I counterattacked. Not that I was going to sign it anyways. 

Ryan reclined his back against the chair as he heaved a heavy sigh, “Let’s see. Where do I start from? You are a bad cook, bad when it comes to our personal hygiene. I mean, last time I came home I saw my sock on the kitchen sink. Who does that?”

I tightened my fist, “It was just that one time and I’d gone on a business trip. Couldn’t you take care of that yourself?”

Ryan shook his head; disgusted, “No. If I could do that myself, why would I have married you?”

I felt my heart fall to my stomach. This man didn’t really understand the amount of hurt his words were causing me, “Then why did you marry me? Did I beg you? No, you are the one who brought up the idea in the first place so why am I suddenly the bad person!?”

“I don’t know, you just are!” Ryan counterattacked,”So back to my reasons…”

“Enough. I’ve heard enough”

“Wait, this is a really good one. Here it goes..” Ryan paused,”The king reason for our divorce is most especially for this. You are terrible in bed”

His last words cut me deep like a knife. I let out an exasperated short laugh as I remembered those moments when Ryan would tell me he loves me or peck me softly on the cheeks. 

I should have known better than to let myself believe that he was actually in love with me. 

The corners of my lips lit up, “Are you sure I’m the one who is terrible in bed? Last time we checked, you’re the one who couldn’t get IT up”

Ryan banged his fist on the table; angry, “Hey!”

“What?!” I shouted, not caring if we were attracting the crowd, “Are you the only one who gets to say harsh words? Can’t I share my own thoughts?”

I wave the paper Infront of him,”I won’t be signing these divorce papers”

I moved to stand up from my seat but Ryan held me back, “Hey, are you really going to be this way? Why won’t you sign the papers? Why?!” Ryan let out an heavy sigh; he was clearly frustrated, “Do you want to destroy my happiness?!”

Dear lord, this is way too much for me to handle, “I’m destroying your happiness?

“Of course!”

“Please can you two take this outside!?” A customer yelled. 

“Exactly!”

“And you ma’am, just sign those papers. Must you be with someone like him?!”

“You can do so much better in my opinion!”

I dabbed at my cheeks as I bowed down; apologizing to the customers, “I sincerely apologize for ruining your day, everyone”

With that said, I bolted out of the coffee shop; hailing the first taxi that stopped Infront of me and heading straight home. 

What a way to remember our first anniversary! And to think I’d bought him a tie!?. Frustrated to the peek, I threw the disposable bag; which housed the tie out the taxi window as I silently sobbed till I got to my destination. 

When I’d gotten home, I’d payed the taxi driver whilst dragging my feet to the house front gate. 

Memories of when we’d first arrived here threatened to pass through my head; I couldn’t help it either. 

I’d shared a whole lifetime of mine with this man. Everywhere I went, anything I bought were all bound to remind me of him. 

It was going to be hard for me to accept this fact that Ryan was repulsed by me all along but most especially, it was going to be hard for me to move on.

“There has to be something more to this” I muttered under my breathe, “Was he being threatened or to do this or…”

I shake my head; clearing the thought off as soon as possible. I couldn’t believe that Ryan had hurt me this evening more times than I could count but yet, here I was; Still worried about him. 

“Madam..” A young lady called out to me, approaching me. She was dressed in a yellow long sleeve top and a red skirt just a little bit above her knees. 

There was a sling bag over her shoulders. She looked quite familiar…where had I seen her before?. 

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Who else would I be speaking to?” She questioned in a harsh, strong tone; one I didn’t like and didn’t have the time to tolerate as my world was crashing beneath my feet this evening.

I crossed my arms; ready for a fight, “Who are you?”

The lady infront of me shoved her phone into my face; relieving pictures of her and my husband, sorry scratch that; Ryan being all lovey dovey together; Sharing kisses, feeding eachother, going to karaokes. 

I couldn’t seem to understand what was going on this evening; I’d obviously taking more than I could chew so when does it end!?

“Who am I, you asked?” The lady questioned, “I’m Ryan’s girlfriend. I came to you to ask you for just one favor”

She held my hands as if her life depended on it, “Please, let my man go”