YOUR HEART KNOWS IT

PART 9

Dee and I had plans for the evening I asked her if we should cancel but she averred she's fine and said no. 

I said goodbye to David who for the last four hours avoided Dee. As much as I want to clear the air between them I don't want to meddle on that sort of conflict.  I am just upset as David to Dee but I don't want her to feel like she's alone especially this day.

"So where do you want to eat?" I asked

"Actually I am not really hungry I was thinking if we could just go to your place?" She said uncertainly. I smiled, I guess I can't blame her feeling hesitant.

"Why don't I just make you one of  your favorite dish"

She smiled brightly, "You'll do that?"

"And why would I not?" I asked. She hugged me briefly and we went our way.

We pulled on my driveway and immediately as we got in the house I opened the fridge and checked the ingredients that I need for the Curry. Dee loves it more than any dish you could serve her, she once said she loves the smell of the herbs mixed together to create that flavorsome taste particularly coriander.

"I know your upset with me," Dee said in the background. I put the curry in a low fire before I answered her back.

"No, I'm not"

"Yes you are, you just try not to be in front of me and I appreciate that you know. You're the only friend I've got you're my sister from another mother" she looked at me with sorrowful eyes and in any second I know she'll end up crying and I don't want that to happen not before the curry cooks.

"Oh come on, we're having a decent meal tonight okay? We're not gonna talk anything about that not until we finish eating" she suddenly came to embrace me and I did too.

"Now go back to your seat, stop thinking too much," I said while I pat her in the back. I felt her nod in agreement so I let go and went back to check the viand that's almost ready to be served.

I put the plate and the cutlery on the table, rice, curry, and wine.

"Dig in," I said. She put rice on her plate and let me just say lots of it for someone who said she's not hungry. She took a bite one after the other and I can't help but laugh sometimes food is what takes to make people feel better.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing I just thought you said you are not hungry?"

"Pft. I never said that" Dee said while her mouth is full.

"Hey, that's bad table manners," I said we both laughed then went on to eating our dinner. Of course, we both know how etiquette works people just can't help it sometimes. I myself have my moments.

We are now seated on the couch with sparkling wine on our hands. Suddenly the moment turned awkward and silence fills the room.
Another five minutes or so and Dee spoke, "He hasn't beaten me for the past two months"I glance at her and she has this sullen look on her face.

"Dee it's okay you don't have to force yourself, I understand if you don't want to tell me" she placed the glass wine on the table and clasped her hands together.

"No I want to, I don't want to regret not telling you again" I reach for her hands and held it tightly.

"That day was a happy one" I looked at Dee and it seems like she's recalling what happened that day. I moved and sat closer to her not saying anything,  my ears waiting to listen as she got lost with her reverie.

The smell of coffee woke me up and as I open my eyes Justin was holding a tray from the entrance of the room

"Good morning Beautiful!" he said.

I look at him with a dubious look on my face saying nothing.

"What?" He asked as he planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Is something the matter?" I said. He has not made me breakfast in bed for God knows how long that I couldn't even remember when was the last time he did.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this?" Gesturing at the food he now placed on the bed.

"Why? can't I make breakfast for my beautiful wife?" It's not that. You see everything changed since that day. From being the man of my dreams to becoming someone he promised not to be. Justin changed so much that I question myself whose fault is it?

The weather was pretty just like how the morning continued to be good to me. I got swayed by his sudden romantic gestures that we ended up making love not once but two more times for us to drift back to sleep. I missed him and I hoped that time the feeling was mutual because I never wanted for this to end or the day to end for that matter.

We woke up and it was a quarter to 1 pm. We were seated on the dining table munching the toasted bread and eggs that I hurriedly made. I would have loved to make him a better lunch but one, I'm too hungry and two, I can't really cook.

In the middle of eating his phone rang and I immediately knew that this day has come to an end.

"Sorry but I need to go to the office" He got up and put his plate in the sink.

"I thought you don't need to work today" I pouted.

"I know I'm sorry" he kissed me on the lips and went to take a quick shower while I remained seated cursing whoever the damn caller is.

He left our house thirty minutes after but before he did he promised he'll make it up to me and that I should not wait for his call and be ready before 6 pm for he will come to pick me up and we'll have a fancy dinner together. But 2 pm went fast to seven and I know he told me not to wait for his call but I kept checking my phone expecting for a text or a call informing me that we should cancel the night because he can't make it or traffic is bad that he'll be a little late. My dress and makeup were all a waste. I should have known it, I thought.

At half-past twelve midnight, he came home drunk the smell of liquor is strong enough for me to know that I should not ask him where he's been or what he's been up to that he made me wait for nothing. I know something might have happened from work because he looks like he's in a bad mood. I took his coat and hang it to the side while he made his way to the bathroom.

"Why did you do that," he said.

"Do what?" I asked but I did not get a response from him. He's now laying on our couch that I thought he was talking in his sleep. I went beside him to remove his shoes but I was shocked to be suddenly kicked in my stomach.

It was strong and it hurts like hell. For a woman's body that kick was vicious and heavy coming from a well-built man who stands 5'9" tall. Like he was waiting for the right time all along.

"You slut!" How do you describe shock? Because I couldn't find the words at that time.

"Of all people why him? Why the fucking bastard! I could not fathom why I ended up marrying you" He turned his back and went upstairs while I sat on the floor motionless, trying to absorb what happened my hands placed right on the spot where my husband left a mark.