I have known him for two years. He's one of those distant neighbours who
had tru casual interactions become a friend. In the months that we
lived together in d same area and when we ocassionally ran into one
another, our conversation never went beyond the usual inquiry about the
weather or the offhand question: how is ur family? He was introverted,
easy-going and almost self-effacing. I knw him as someone who minded his
biz. That was as far as our friendship went until a year ago when I
began to see him with a lady.
Once, he timidly introduced her to
me as his fiancee. He re-appeared in d neighbourhood again after a month
to apologise for not inviting me to his wedding. He had at d time
informed me dat he would quit his self-contained apartment to a more
comfortable one due to his change of status and dis was more than a year
ago. Last weekend, when I again ran into my old friend at a barber's
shop where I went for a haircut, he had changed a great deal
He
was withdrawn and traumatised. He couldn't recognise me at first when I
wave to draw his attention. He didn't radiate d freshness and robust
look dat is common with newly weds. We exchanged pleasantries ind midst
of the loud music frm d blarring speakers in d salon. Grabbing me by d
arm like a long lost friend, he half-dragged me to a distance where he
was sure that no one could eavesdrop on us. Then, in what seemed like
torrents of pent-up emotions, he began:
Bros where have u been?
I've been on d look out for u. You see, I hardly make friend. But I see u
as someone I can confide in. My marriage has been hell and my wife is
trouble personified. She has been violent since the first day we were
pronounced as couples. We didn't court for a long time. But even in
those few months of our courtship, I noticed she was aggressive. She
once slapped a cashier over a small matter. She also slapped me once and
I once narrowly escaped being bathed with hot water but I never took it
seriously then. Each time she goes into a rage, I quickly forgive her.
Ind last one year, she has fought me over flimpsy excuses. D last time,
she slapped me ind presence of our friends at a party. The other day,out
of annoyance, she sliced my arm with a razor.
He unfolded his
shirt to reveal a deep but a stitched scar that ran tru his shoulder to
his wrist. Almost sobbing, he went on,' I really do not knw wat to do as
am very scared of her violent mood swings. Her weapons include hot
water, boiling soup and kitchen knife which she throws at me like
missiles. She has destroyed every gadget in d house.when she's calm, she
would break down in my arms and cry profusely. What should I do now?
Things have become even more complicated now that she's pregnant with
our first baby.
He proceeded to show me deep scars of teeth
bites, nail scratches and injury marks. It was unbelievable. Now he has
taken to drinking. What advice can we give to this gentle young man in
the midst of his ferocious and outrageous wife?
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