REBORN

I stood on the balcony of my house with a glass of wine in my hand as I reflected on my life, trying to find where it all went wrong.

What happened to my life? How did I get to this point?

"Alda,” I turned to find my mum standing behind me.

“Hey mum”

“What is wrong, sweetie? You looked so out of yourself when I walked in. And since when did you start drinking?”

“Don't worry, mum, it is not an alcoholic drink. How long have you been here?”

“Long enough to know that something is bothering you. What is wrong? Is Seth not treating you well? Is he giving you a hard time?”

"No, mum, Seth has been everything to me." I can't believe I just said that. I looked my mum in the eye and lied to her.

I just couldn't drag her into my hell. I have always been the perfect child, and I don't want to disappoint my parents. I always saw this trust in their eyes, and it will kill me if I ever become the reason that trust fades.

“You look troubled; I know you too well, Alda. Whenever you blackout like that, then something is eating up inside.

“Mum, I'm fine,” I assured her. Just then, my phone rang, and it was my driver. That only means one thing: I have to go back to my doom, my hell.

“Mum, I have to go. Tell dad I will come visit him at his office.”

“Alda, wait.” She walked up to me and took my hands in hers.

“Mum, what's wrong?”

“Alda, I'm sorry if you ever think we pushed you to marry Seth. I know your dad and I have not been the best of parents, but we always want what's best for you.

“Mum, you don't have to apologise to me. You both gave me enough time to get to know Seth before marrying him.

I love Seth; that's why I married him.”

“Are you happy with him?” I nodded in response as I tried to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall down my cheeks.

“Mum, I have to go. I will see you later, okay?”

“Okay. Take care”

Immediately I had my back on her, and I let the tears fall. How do I explain to her that Seth, a man I have come to love and cherish, has changed?

He is now the opposite of himself. He goes out late and comes home every day reeking of alcohol. He doesn't eat my food anymore, and worst of all, he doesn't make love to me anymore.

I couldn't understand where it all went wrong. We have been married for six months. Seth has been nothing but a gentle man towards me.

But everything changed after he attended a meeting in California. I just don't understand what happened when he was away.

“Let's go, Albert.”

“Yes ma'am"

As we drew closer to our home, the more anxious I got. Should I even call this a home? A home is supposed to give me comfort, but all I get is the opposite of everything.

“Ma'am, we just arrived." Albert’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I thanked him and got out of the car as I headed upstairs to set the table for dinner.

I got off my dress immediately and started preparing Seth’s favourite food, fish puttanesca. I hope he gets in on time before the food gets cold.

Once I was done setting the table, I went upstairs to take my bath while waiting for Seth’s return. I was standing in the mirror of my room, drying my hair, when I started hearing noises down the stairs.

I rushed down immediately, not minding that I was only wearing my bathrobe and that I was barefooted. The noise was coming from the dining room.

I walked in to know what the source of the noise was, and I found Seth standing in the middle of the room. The food I cooked was all scattered around the room.

The dining room was a mess; there were broken glasses, and my expensive ceramic plates were also broken. He had his back on me; I couldn't see his face.

“Honey, what's going on?”

“Are you seriously asking me that?” He turned, facing me, with anger visible in his eyes. Why is he so mad? What happened at work that got him all pissed off?

“I'm sure we can talk about this if you have anything bothering you."

“Talk about it; do you really think this is what talking can solve!?” He screamed in my face. I felt my knees go weak. Why is he acting this way?

“I'm sure if you tell me what it is, I can help you resolve it. Is your company having troubles? I can talk to my parents, and they will aid us.

“Do you really think I want your parents money? Your dad is already looking at me as a beggar who doesn't deserve her perfect little princess.”

"Seth, that's not true. My parents love you, and they accepted you as their son-in-law.”

“I really don't blame you. You are stuck in your own perfect world, and you think that's how it is for others.”

“Okay, I'm sorry. I apologise for not understanding you, so please tell me what the problem is so I can help. I want my seth back; this is not you.”

“Then I guess you don't know me at all,” he said, turning to leave, but I grabbed his hands.

“Please, I want my husband back. I want my once-gentle, caring husband. Can't we go back to living a once peaceful life again?”

“Get your hands away from me,” he said, pushing me off as I stumbled and fell. I felt a sharp pain on my legs; one of the broken bottles had cut into my leg.

He didn't mind that he pushed me down; he didn't bother to look back as he walked away. Where did it all go wrong?

Why is it that I feel like my husband is a totally different person? I pushed myself up as I wiped the tears running down my cheeks. Do I really deserve all of this?

I managed to make my way to my first-aid kit as I started cleaning my wound. Just then my phone started ringing; it was Annaliese.

“Hey Anna”

“Alda, what's wrong? Why are you sounding like that?”

"Anna, I'm going to go crazy; please come to me or I might lose it.”

“Give me a few seconds; I will be there; don't hang up, okay?”

"Okay,” she kept saying to me on the line until she arrived.

"Oh, my God. What happened in here? Why are you bleeding? Where is Seth?” I couldn't answer her as I burst into tears.

Anna hugged me as I cried my eyes out. She kept patting my back, trying to calm me down.

“Hey, it's okay. Why are you even on the floor with broken glasses and plates? Where you robbed?”

“No”

“Then what happened?”

"Seth came back and was so pissed. I was in the shower when all of this happened. Anna, I'm confused. What happened to him?

This is not him; he has changed, and nothing I do is pleasing to him. He wouldn't even talk to me or eat my food.”

"Oh, sweety, it's okay. Don't beat yourself up; I'm sure he would come around. Maybe he is having trouble at work.”

“But won't he talk to me? He used to tell me everything; whenever he was having a hard time, he always came to me, and we would figure things out together.”

“People change, Alda; the sooner you accept that, the less the burden on you will be. You are not behind the reasons Seth decided to change.

It was his own decision, so stop beating yourself up.”

“Anna I just want my husband back. I am willing to do anything just to have the life we used to have four months ago.”

“Stop blaming yourself, and where the heck is Seth?”

“He left; he just turned and walked away.”

“I will stay with you for the night. Now, why don't I cover your wounds so you can go dress up? Your hair is still dripping wet, so go dry it up and change into new clothes while I clean up this mess.”

“Thank you, Anna; you are the best."

“Now wipe those tears off your face and give me a smile." I managed to put a smile on my face, but I still couldn't stop crying. At least I'm happy I have Anna by my side at a time like this.