In and out of Love

 

The same way you fall in love, you fall out of love. Isn't love supposed to be something that lasts forever? At least that is what the vows say exchanged on your wedding day say: till death do us part. However, many people part before death. It was no different in this relationship of seven years.

Work took a toll into late hours, they had to move in with their relatives because they couldn't afford to live on their own due to cut in wages and the economic crisis in the country. In fact, she didn't mind living with his family because when she arrived home food was prepared, the house was cleaned, and she was able to rest a bit before dinner. Nonetheless, she did manage to make it a point of doing their laundry. The husband, however, always managed to always arrive late. By the time he got home, he had already had dinner somewhere. Every night she was propped up in bed reading waiting for him to arrive. Although the fire in the marriage was close to extinguishing, she still had hopes of rekindling the flame.

Her in-laws kept her pretty entertained, especially her husband's younger brother who was interested in reading more. Perhaps it was because he would always see her reading. She would read while everyone was watching the soap opera on TV. She would be sitting in a corner devouring books. The brother- in-law was intrigued and always asked her what the stories were about, and she really enjoyed talking about the books and encouraged him to read a couple. “You only read thick books. I don't think I have the patience for that.”  “You can start with a shorter one. I'm sure that eventually you will be interested in reading a thick one. Besides you just have to get into the habit of reading- the more you read the more you want to read.” “Do you think you could recommend one for me to start?” “Sure! I'll be happy to. I will select a few and you see which ones you would like to read or read them all.” He was grateful and she was happy to be of help.

One evening her husband arrived early. She was so busy trying to pick out some books for her brother -in- law that she didn't notice when the husband walked in the room. “Oh, hi! You´re home early?” “Quick we must get ready because my boss and his wife are coming over for dinner tonight. I had already advised my mother about it,so she's setting up the dining room for us…” “But how come you didn't tell me? I could have helped her and besides I´ve already eaten.” “Well, it doesn't matter you can eat again, just get into something more elegant and make yourself presentable.” That was such a weird comment after all she was wearing jeans and a new red blouse, which she had been complimented on all day long at work. She looked at herself in the mirror and kind of thought that she was presentable, after all, he should have given her a heads up. Since she was trying to be on good terms with him and not to make him more upset  than he already was, she decided to put on a nice dress, nothing too fancy but continued arranging or selecting the books for her brother- in- law.

She decided to go to her brother -in- law´s rooms, leave them there with a note attached saying that he could keep them she didn't want them back. That night her brother-in-law would be in extremely late because he had a project to do for his school and was going to get together with his group to work on it.

On the way to his room, when she walked by the den (actually the den belonged to her father -in- law) she heard voices and peeked in through the half open door. As if like magic, all the pieces to the puzzle came together. Her husband and supposedly his boss´s wife where in each other’s arms hugging and kissing- too busy to notice that she was standing at the door. That was more heat than she had seen in the past couple of months.

She was jealous but at the same time it was more of a nostalgic feeling that hit her of the beginning of her relationship with her husband. He was a real charmer and pretty hot.  Deep down inside, though, she was relieved that she now had a reason to leave him. Nonetheless, she was broken hearted and felt like a failure.

“Hum hum!” she cleared her throat. Her husband turned around and turned as white as a ghost while his lover tried to pull the skirt of her dress down back into its place.

Calmly, the soon-to-be-divorced, betrayed woman slowly turned, went back into her room, took the biggest piece of luggage she could find and started packing her belongings. Prior to packing, she had locked the door because she knew her soon-to-be ex-husband would come in and try to stop her. After all he had to make a good impression on his boss, and he was probably terrified at what she could do.

All packed up and ready to go, she headed on her way out. She stopped by the kitchen and thanked the family for everything. By that time her brother- in- law had come home it seems like the study group had been cancelled, she told him she had put a pile of books on his bed and thanked him too. She walked by the dining room introduced herself to the boss with a very sturdy handshake, said goodbye to her husband and the boss´s wife- they were tongue tied. “Honey, my lawyer will call you early tomorrow morning. Have a good life.” The boss was perplexed and asked what had just happened? She looked at him, smiled and said “Ask your wife why her clothes are wrinkled. And ask my husband since when they were the same lipstick color.” Out the door she went, radiant, glamorous and with a wonderful smile on her face.

Written: June 13, 2022 (based on a dream)

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