MARRIED TO ONE - PART TWO

 FIRST DAY

Start at the beginning.

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Dorothy Duncan-Mills. Dorothy liked how the name rolled off her tongue. It sounded exotic. Even if she didn’t include ‘Duncan’, Dorothy Mills sounded exotic.  She still lay in bed at 6 am the next morning, a rare treat for her because she was usually out of bed and on her way to work in Kasoa by 6 in the morning. She didn’t have a car so she had to struggle every morning from Pantang to get a vehicle early enough to go to work.

          Her partner at work had been gracious to grant her the first week of her marriage off to “get to know your partner well and enjoy some”, as she had put it. So, here she was, in bed, reminiscing the events of last night. She wondered if they could do it all the time. She turned around to her lover with a smile, only to find his side empty. Dorothy frowned. Where could he be? She checked the bathroom; it was wet but Duncan was nowhere in sight. She went to the kitchen to find warm chocolate beverage with fried eggs and toasted bread. She was grateful for the thought, but where was the man?

          Dorothy went back to the bedroom for her phone and called him. Duncan didn’t answer on the first call. She became troubled. He used to answer her call on the first ring before they got married. She had heard of men who ignored their partners after they had had their way; but didn’t it happen only between unmarried partners? Did Duncan go through a lavish wedding only to make love with her and leave her? Why? No, she was overthinking it. She had heard too many terrible experiences and it was affecting her. No, her Duncan wouldn’t do that to her. But where was he? And why didn’t he answer her call? She called him again, and a third. Still no answer. She was nearing tears. It couldn’t be happening to her; she had been dumped. After all the loving last night? She sat on the bed, thinking of what to do next. Her stomach answered with a rumble, so she headed to the kitchen.

          She had breakfast while trying to reach her husband, worry quickly becoming nervous. She went through the day mechanically; she had lunch alone and was in tears like an abandoned wife.

          Several hours later, at about 7 pm, Duncan walked into a dark house. He flipped the switch in the hall to find his wife curled up on the sofa. He thought she was ill so, even though he was tired, he threw his bag onto the floor and went straight to her.

          “Dor, are you alright? What’s wrong with you?” No answer. “Dorothy? Say something, my love.”

          “Where did you go to?” Dorothy asked him, unfolding and standing. “You didn’t answer my call. You didn’t send any text. You left me here all alone!” Her tempo was rising. Duncan stepped back as if he had been slapped.

          “Dor, I went to work. Baby, come on, what did you think? I made breakfast for you before I left; did you not see it?”

          Dorothy felt foolish. Why didn’t she think that he had gone to work? She sat down.

          Duncan looked crestfallen. “Dorothy, I was faithful to you while we were dating. There was no other lady apart from you. Just yesterday, I vowed to love, protect, and respect you forever. Did you think I was joking? After last night? Dorothy, come on.”

          Dorothy had never seen Duncan like this. She had betrayed him. She went to stand in front of him, “Duncan, I’m sorry.”

          “You could have at least asked me how my day went and thanked me for the gesture this morning. I deserved that at least.” With that, he walked away from her into their bedroom. She sat back on the sofa, her face in her palms. What had she done? How did she even apologize to him for this?

          She went into the kitchen to warm the food she had prepared in the afternoon. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. She set the table and went into the bedroom. When Duncan stepped out of the bathroom, Dorothy pulled him to the bed to sit.

          “I acted unreasonably,” she said, “and I am sorry. I panicked when I didn’t see you in bed. I thought you would spend the day with me… I am sorry, my love.”

          Duncan hung his head, unwilling to look at his new wife’s face. He was hurt that she didn’t trust him only a day after their marriage.

          “Say something please.”

          “I’m hungry. I would like something to eat.” Duncan hoped she had prepared something.

          “Does that mean you forgive me?” She asked.

          “Dor, let me eat first. I am very hungry. I haven’t had any proper meal since morning. It’s been one meeting after the other, with providing client support between.”

          Dorothy rose, chastised a second time that night. She led the way to the kitchen where she had laid a table for him. Duncan was right behind her. He ate quietly, taking his time to chew before swallowing. Dorothy had always admired his precision and attention to detail, even to the food in his mouth.

          When he finished eating, he took his plates to the sink and washed them. He was used to doing things for himself; a wife wouldn’t change that any day. While he washed the plates, he told Dorothy, “You knew me before accepting me as your husband. You knew I was wild. You also knew I repented ages ago. Again, you know my work is involving and it can get crazy sometimes.” Dorothy nodded. He continued, “I was supposed to be off duty today but I got a text from Marketing regarding a crunch meeting. That was our last option to hit really big this year. I love you but I’d be unwise to let that meeting go, you see. I left a note under your pillow; did you see it?” Dorothy shook her head, feeling worse. Duncan shook his too.

          “You’re not a jealous woman, Dor. You are logical and reasonable. You need to trust me. I chose you, and I will choose you above any other woman every day. Believe that. I made a vow and I intend keeping it.” He had finished washing the plates, and he wiped his hands with a napkin and went back into the bedroom.

          Dorothy sighed. This was going to be tougher than the fairy tales presented it.