MARRIED TO ONE - PART THREE

 SEVERAL DAYS LATER...

Read Part Two

Everything had been going well between Dorothy and Duncan since their first fight. Dorothy was warming up to her place in Duncan’s life and she was loving it. First, he consulted her on whether they should rent a bigger three-bedroom apartment or remain in their small one-bedroom apartment and save towards their own. Then, he would return early from work and do some of the domestic chores. The other day, Duncan gave their bathroom a good scrub because Dorothy had been swamped with work. She was grateful to him and she felt she couldn’t love him any less than she did now.

          Duncan, on the other hand, was not a very happy man. He loved his wife very much and he did not want to cheat on her. But he wasn’t happy with the downturn of their lovemaking. He was grateful to her for ensuring that they had a meal every evening and keeping their cozy apartment clean most of the time (Duncan didn’t mind contributing to that at all) despite her busy schedules as a manager of a start-up company. Sometimes, when they were both swamped, they had their supper in a fine restaurant. Everything was fine. Except for the bedroom.

          Duncan could not tell how the change in Dorothy occurred; at the beginning when he first introduced her to the act, Dorothy was all for it any time of the day. She would flirt with him shamelessly and leave naughty cues all over his phone and the house. He always took the hints and delivered admirably. Dorothy enjoyed every moment of it, wanting more even when Duncan was well spent. Just when he was beginning to appreciate her willingness, she resumed work. For a while, they deliberately scheduled days or nights to have steamy sessions and Duncan was happy with that. Then, gradually, Dorothy began to withdraw.

          Dorothy began to bring her work to the house, something they had agreed never to do when they agreed to marry. She stayed up late poring over her accounting books and contract documents. By the time she came to bed and Duncan began to touch her, she would turn away from him, saying that she was tired. Duncan respected his wife and her desire to make it in the business world but he needed her too.

          Duncan had raised his concern with Dorothy, but she had brushed it off, saying that he was overreacting. Since that day, Duncan did not push for it but he had hoped that she would come around. One week stretched into one month, then two, then six. There were days that Duncan managed to get a quick one; she was unwilling but he had needs and he didn’t want to cheat.

          In the seventh month of their drought, a year into their marriage, when Duncan couldn’t take it anymore, he called Dorothy.

          “Dor, what is happening?” he began.

          “What’s happening, Duncan?” she replied. “What do you want me to do for you?”

          “Are you happy?”

          “Yeah. I’m tired but happy. I have you.” Dorothy smiled. She didn’t get a smile in return.

          “Dor, when did we last make love?”

          Dorothy sighed. “Duncan, we have talked about this…”

          “When, Dor?”

          “I don’t know. I have to check my app…”

          “See? That’s what I’m talking about! It’s been ages since we really had a good time. Dor, we are married, not brother and sister, not roommates. We don’t have children yet. The best time to have a good time is now, before the children come in.”

          “Duncan, is that all you think about? We have plans to move out into our own building. We haven’t even made enough in the last year to acquire a land. I’m breaking my back to ensure that we realise our dream, and you’re here thinking about when last we did what? Ah, Duncan, don’t disappoint me.” She paused at how Duncan was looking at her, gaping. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

          Duncan was speechless. What had come over his wife, and he asked in low tones.

          “I’m tired, Duncan. Tomorrow is another big day for my company. We’re pitching for a partnership with Imori Communications. You understand how poor presentation can ruin my dream? Good, let me sleep now. We can continue tomorrow but I hope you’ll get over it. We’ll make time for each other soon. Okay?”

          Dorothy got up and entered the bathroom to freshen up. All Duncan could do in his state of shock was to gape at the woman who just left him. Who was this woman? And where was his sweet wife?