He was sitting across from me. It had been years since I had last seen him. After all these years I ran into him while shopping and he insisted on buying me coffee. Now when I was sitting across from him I felt as if I had made a mistake. All I could feel was fear.
"You feeling okay? You look a bit shaken", he said as he placed his hand on my hand that was resting on the table. The sleeve on my arm moved up a bit and reflexively I pulled away but not before he noticed the bruise on my arm.
"How did you get that?", he inquired out of curiosity and I brushed it off as something I had gotten while tripping. We talked a bit while eating.
"Heh so you are married now. I guess it's been a long time after all", he covered up his initial shock with his words and a smile. We parted ways again.
I thought I wouldn't hear from him after that but he asked to meet up again and once again for whatever reason I ended up seeing him after much insistence. These meetings continued for months and I had gotten used to it.
Until one day he finally asked, "you are being abused, aren't you?"
I was surprised to hear that question and quickly denied followed by a chuckle, "what gave you that crazy idea? Are you looking for flaws in my marriage now just because you left me before?"
He looked genuinely hurt by that but continued, "look I'm sorry for leaving. I was young...but anyways I won't let you change the subject", with that he quickly pulled back my sleeve to uncover several bruises and I said no more.
We sat quietly before I finally said, "I think I'll leave now." I got up to leave and he grabbed my arm, "it's okay I'll help you." With that he let go of my arm but just as he had said, he did help me.
I didn't comply at first but with his constant support I was able to gather the courage to report my husband. He wasn't my knight in shining armor. He was more than that to me. He stood by me, silently supporting me as I fought my own battle.
So you see, these events changed my life. I didn't become strong over a day. All the days I met my past lover; who now had become a friend I much needed, helped me stand up to my husband who had been abusing me for 2 years now.
I'm so relieved that he didn't just give up on me. If he had I would still be stuck in the dark hole my parents unknowingly pushed me in with this arranged marriage. I was able to find my happiness again and found love in the man who supported me when there was no one else there.
