BURNED

Chapter Two

"Halal a wife is supposed to be the problem solver in the family and not the problem. In our case, you're the problem Halal. You're a big problem!" Valentino spat venomously.

Halal stared at the ceiling blocking out the harsh words by humming a Tasha Cobb's song. "You're the problem Halal, the problem in my life Halal. If you like act like you can't hear me" Valentino hissed.

Halal shot out of the bed unable to hold back the hurt anymore. "If I'm such a problem to you Valentino, then why don't you divorce me?! What's holding you back Valentino, there's nothing tying you down here. Why haven't you left me, why do you keep coming back?" Halal shouted.

Valentino glared at her, chest heaving and eyes blazing with anger. "Why haven't you left me, Valentino, why are you still with me? I can't give you children, I don't have money, I have nothing, I'm not as beautiful as the women you hang around, why are you with me, why haven't you gotten another woman, why haven't you kicked me out? If you aren't satisfied with me, then leave and stop bugging me" Halal screamed kicking the fluffy indoor slippers by the bed.

"Shut up and don't you dare speak to me that way!" Valentino yelled back. "You're such a terrible wife you know, aren't you ashamed of yourself Halal?" Valentino asked throwing her a disgusted look.

Halal stared back angrily, she knew it would be wise of her to hold back and stop exchanging words with him but her anger wouldn't let her. Her anger fueled her, gave her the courage to reply to him. "Why should I be ashamed Valentino? I'm twenty eight years, it's not like I'm way past my menopause. And you call me a terrible wife, what kind of husband uses his wife's weakness against her especially when she's vulnerable?" Halal asked.

She held back a sob before turning away from him. "You never fail to throw it in my face that I can't give you children, how is it my fault Valentino?" she asked throwing her hands up in frustration.

Valentino narrowed his eyes at her "Trying to guilt me won't work Halal, you're the cause of our childless state. Something is wrong with you that's why you can't give me children" Valentino sneered.

"There is nothing wrong with me and you know that, I'm fine, medically, physically and even spiritually" Halal spat. "Maybe the fault is from your side, maybe you're the reason why we can't have children!" Halal said furiously.

"My fault, there's nothing wrong with me. You're the one who is abnormal, after all your own mother couldn't have children till she turned 40. Perhaps she passed down the trait to you that's why you're useless, but let me tell you something Halal. I'm not your father, I'm not going to wait around till you turn 40. In two years if there is no child in this house, I'm kicking you out. I'll give you the divorce you want!" Valentino said harshly.

Halal wrapped her arms around her waist. He'd brought her mother in to the conversation, she still couldn't believe he'd done that or why he'd done it. It was the lowest of all blows.

Halal stared at him in disbelief, it was as if her angelic husband had suddenly grown horns and a tail.

She sighed and went over to her wardrobe. Valentino stared at her, a menacing look on his face as She took out a batik caftan and her favourite vintage scarf.

"What are you doing?" He asked her his nose flaring slightly. Halal slipped the caftan over her underwear and wrapped the scarf around her head full of naturally curly hair.

"Halal" Valentino pinched the bridge of his nose trying to control his temper.

Halal sighed before turning to him. "I'm tired Valentino, and you know....I'm not sure I want to have a baby with you anymore. I don't know what kind of father you'll make to our children" Halal's voice broke at the last sentence.