My Life

Today marked our Seventh anniversary, and my husband's birthday—Oh! The big seven. Seven years of doing life together. I wanted this day to be special, so I decided to surprise him. I went into his room, holding a cake, and singing the happy birthday song for him.

He blinked open his eyes. "Happy birthday, my love, and happy anniversary to us," I said, stretching out the cake to him, "Make a wish, baby, and blow off your candles." He sized me from up to down and sighed.

"Will you get your ugly self out of my way," he grumbled, shoving me out of the way, causing the cake to splatter all over my dress. My hands hit the side of the dressing mirror, sustaining a little cut.

"Have I not warned you severally not to come into this room, unless I specifically ask for you," he continued.

"Why must I wake up this morning to your face? I need you to leave my life; why can't you get it!" he yelled.

I just stood there frozen, my dress stained with cake, my hand bleeding. Sadly, this wasn't new, I was already used to it — being in a loveless marriage. I met Jerry 8 years ago; I was an intern in his office, and he was so good to him; he picked me up to work and took me back home every day. He would spend hours talking to me, and on the days I felt bad, he would do everything possible to make me feel better.

One day, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I was filled with joy; Jerry Thomas, the most handsome and wealthy bachelor, wanted me, a nobody; I couldn't contain my joy. I agreed immediately. 

Three days after we had sex, Jerry stopped picking up my calls; he told me he wasn't interested in me anymore, and he even fired me. That was when it dawned on me, he only wanted to have sex with me.

Two weeks later, I found out I was pregnant. My father was so angry that he disowned me. Jerry had to marry me to preserve his image, and that of his family.

It's been seven years of enduring this curse of a marriage. We live in the family house, and everyone here hates me. Mrs. Joy, Jerry's mother is a nightmare; the sight of me pisses her off; his sister Janet is no different, they have practically turned me into their maid, and Jerry does nothing about it. He acts like he doesn't see how they treat me. But, despite it all, I still love him, I have always loved him, and I desperately want him to love me back. I do everything possible to please him, but the more I try, the more distant he becomes.

"Daddy... Happy Birthday," Beatrice interrupted, running to hug him. I quickly put on a happy face so she doesn't suspect anything.

"Thanks, Princess," Jerry said, hugging her.

"What happened, mother?" Beatrice asked, pointing at the cake stains on my dress.

"It's nothing, baby, I wasn't careful, I slipped, and some of the cake stained my dress," I explained, faking a smile.

She stared at me like she didn't believe what I was saying, "Mom..., are you bleeding?" she asked, staring at my bleeding hand.

"It's nothing —

"Your mom mistakenly cut herself while arranging the dressing mirror," Jerry cut me off. He turned to me with a fake smile," Honey, let me go get the first aid box, and treat that for you."

Typical Jerry, in the eyes of our daughter and the general public, he treated me like a queen, but indoors, he was a monster.

"Daddy is such a caring husband," Beatrice giggled.

"Come on, princess, go get ready for the party," Jerry said, smiling.

Beatrice playfully left the room. He turned to me, his face cold as ice, "Get out of my sight, you pathetic fool," he yelled. "And don't allow me see your miserable face the whole of today. Make sure you clean up that blood," he continued.

I quickly left the room, tears streaming down my cheek.

I stood by the door to wipe my face, and get myself together, I didn't want anyone seeing me this way.

"Why are you here?" his mom asked, standing in front of the door.

"I—

"Do you know there are dishes to be washed, meals to be prepared, and decorations to be made," she yelled, interrupting me. "Who will do all these?," she continued.

"But mom—

Her hand spread across my face, the weight of the slap nearly threw me to the ground. "Don't you ever interrupted me when I'm talking you silly girl, and I'm not your mother, I can never give birth to a disgrace like you. Now get out of my sight," she ordered, and I rushed to leave.

"Wait. Make sure you finish everything on time, remember you have to be the perfect wife, when the visitors start coming," she commanded, and I nodded.

"Yes Ma'am."

"Now get lost"

As I walked down to the kitchen, my heart felt heavy with the weight of my struggles, I had to cook, clean, wash, and still be the perfect wife in front of the public, what a miserable life. The only thing that kept me going was my daughter.

By the time I was done with the chores, I was extremely tired, I decided to rest a little in my room—will I call this a room, this is a storage, a tiny storage. This has always been my room since I got married to Jerry, but my daughter didn't know, every morning I had to wake up at 4am, and go to the main room, pretending that was my room so she doesn't suspect.

I got interrupted by a loud knock on the door, I stood up and opened the door, Jerry was standing at the door, "Get ready," he said, "Make sure you look really beautiful, guest are beginning to arrive," he continued walking away.

"Oh!," he stopped turning back to me," Don't forget to smile. Remember you must look very happy." His lips twitched into a mockery smile .

I just nodded like the puppet I am.