HIS OBSESSION

The sharp air that blew at the grand cathedral was heavy with incense,it was thick enough to blur the sharp edges of pains going on in my heart. The bells rang in triumph,yet to me each sound I heard echoed like a funeral dirge. My parents should have been here, my father should have been the one walking me down the aisle. My mother should have been the one giving me the final glow of my makeup and not Helen, she should have been here whispering courage into both my ears. Adjusting my veil with her loving hands.But life was so cruel,both were gone—snatched from me in the drastic car accident three months earlier. And now I stood in front of the congregation in a white silk dress marrying a man I barely know. “Benjamin”.“Benjamin is just a guy I met few weeks ago. I never believed or had intentions of getting married to him. But the pressure from my step mother just fastened the whole process, and he played along because we both were not getting any younger. And now he stood

The house became so calm after Helen and her mother left but it felt like her presence remained. Her perfume refused to depart with her. The silence we experienced wasn't peace; but suspense. Benjamin and I barely spoke for the rest of the day. The words were too fragile to carry out what was hidden in our heart. Instead, we passed each other like strangers that were trapped in a cage. By evening, he went to his study leaving me by the window, watching the sun drown into the horizon, red as betrayal. Helen began to resurface in my thought. Her arrogance, her evil smiles. But what frightened me the most, was the flicker of fear that flashed in her eyes before she left. "Fear of what"?. --------The tires screeched as Helen's car came to a halt outside an old abandoned building, behind it were tall fences and wild hibiscus bushes.Helen! , this is a risky place which we ought not to be in. Her mother spoke in a fidgeting tone. "I'm trying mom!. She replied.She got out of

Audrey remained seated at the edge of the bed, her fingers crossed. Still in awe about the not Benjamin had left behind . "Don't worry about me, Audrey. I just need time to settle things."She read the words over and over until they blurred. The house was so quiet. He'd been gone two days now, and she doesn't know if to wait or fear.Outside, the sky was losing its colour, assuring that it was about to rain. Somewhere far away, thunder murmured. -------Benjamin pulled his car over in front of Helen's gate. The sight of it sent shivers down his spins and resurfacing old memories. He shouldn't be here, he shouldn't have come. He told himself twice before stepping out of the car. The door opened before he could even knock. Helen stood there, lighted up by a golden light. She left her hair falling over her broad shoulders. Her eyes met his, steady but uncertain. "I knew you'd show up." He swallowed in hard. "I only came here to talk, Helen." She gave a smirk. "You always did

She stood still in the living room, unable to move. She wanted to scream, but no words came out. She watched how both of them swept past her, moving upstairs. Still in motion, Benjamin turned to her once more, his eyes cold. "Go to bed, Audrey," he said flatly. She didn't move. "Are you really taking her upstairs?" He turned away. Without any answer. Helen gave a smirk. "You heard him, darling. It's been a long night." Her lips trembled. Her legs became weak. She stood there watching as Benjamin and Helen walked up the stairs together. How he circled his arm around her waist.She heard their footsteps fade gradually until the house went quiet again. After a while, she heard something different, something else. A soft laugh. That was Helen's voice. "Ben," she said from upstairs, giggling. "She's probably listening." Benjamin's voice followed, quite nonchalant. "I don't care!." Helen, please... not now. "" Why not? " Helen teased." Maybe she needs to know what it feels like to

The sunlight shone upon her face. She opened her eyes tiredly and felt weak.The sun rays penetrated into her eyes, and she shut them quickly.Slowly, she opened her eyes and couldn't recognize where she was. All she remembered was Benjamin taking her on a date to the hotel.And now her head aches badly. Under the duvet she found herself naked. That was when it occurred to her that someone has taken advantage of her, she has been "raped!",she found hickeys on her laps,her waist and her neck."How did I get here"?How come a total stranger had his way through me?. Were questions never answered by anyone. While she remained seated on the bed, she heard footsteps and quickly rushed into the bathroom.The voices were loud enough to slip through the tiles of the bathroom.It was Benjamin's voice that came through at first: soft and cruel. Yes, it is done! . Take a look at the duvet. "I think you should take pictures," Helen said. "Now, you have enough reasons to divorce her and be with me th