Stan and Letitia knew each other since they were kids. Both of their parents were neighbors at the old flat they used to live in and that’s how the friendship began. Stan had been in love with Letitia for ages but Letitia had no clue about it, neither did she feel the same way.
Stan always told his parents how he wanted to marry Letitia. At first they thought that it was cute that he had a crush on her but as years passed by they realize it was more than that. Letitia’s and Stan’s parents were very old fashioned and since they were quite fond of Letitia, they decided to have an arranged marriage.
Stan’s parents arranged tea with Letitia’s parents to talk about their brilliant idea. Letitia’s parents agreed to the idea without hesitation but only with one condition; Letitia has to turn Twenty-Four first.
Two years later, Letitia was having the time of her life on her Twenty-Fourth birthday. She came home at two in the morning. When Letitia switched on her living room lights, both her parents were sitting on the sofa, waiting for her. She was shocked, she recalled the last time they did that was when she was sixteen. That’s when she knew something was not right. “What are you guys still doing awake at this hour?” asked Letitia. Her father replied, “Do you still remember Stan? Your childhood friend.” “Yes I do, why do you ask?” shocked that her parents mentioned about him. Her mum jokingly said, “You sound sweet when you say I do” she giggled to herself, “What do you think about him, Letitia?” Letitia wondering where this conversation was heading to, “He’s alright I guess.” Her parents stood up, holding each other’s hands, “Well both of us and Stan’s parents have arranged for the both of you to get married!” Letitia nearly passing out, “Married?!” Her mum hugged her, “We’re so happy we found the right guy for you!” Her dad held her face and squeezed her cheeks, “I’m sure he’ll take good care of you!” Letitia saw the priceless smiles on her parent’s faces.
Letitia couldn’t sleep that night. She lied on her bed, staring at her ceiling all night long. Knowing her life was about to end soon. She couldn’t even imagine herself holding his hands. Letitia was the kind of girl who loved freedom and hanging with her friends at the mall. She’s an outgoing person and has a very attractive personality. On that night, Letitia wanted to end her life so badly but she couldn’t bring shame to her parents and to her family.
Before she knew it she was already standing at the altar next to Stan, hearing him say his vows. Years went by, Letitia changed. She became a housewife, she was no longer her cheerful self, she dreaded each day that went by and that continued for 2 years. Stan still treated her like princess but of course that honeymoon period would never last.
Stan started to get paranoid and insecure. He kept thinking that each time he left for work; Letitia would invite men over to their place. It became so bad that he installed cameras around the house to make sure no one besides Letitia was in. The mail man came up to their house to deliver a package for her, unfortunately the camera didn’t manage to capture who was outside the door. When Stan came home and watched every video clip, he flipped. He pulled Letitia by the hair and pushed her into the toilet. Letitia screamed as loud as she could but no one came. Why didn’t anyone come to save me? Letitia tried her best to explain but Stan wouldn’t give her a chance. The only thing that was running through his mind was how afraid he was to lose his only love.
Stan left Letitia in the toilet, he needed to cool down. He apologized to Letitia for his horrible behavior and promised he would never do it again, Letitia had to forget about what had happened. She felt vulnerable and weak.
Weeks went by, Letitia was doing what she would always do. Housework. She was washing Stan’s tee shirt and noticed a lipstick mark. How could this be? Even though she dreaded each moment she had with Stan but no one liked the feeling of being cheated. Stan came home and went to shower immediately, Letitia trying to be as sneaky as possible crept into their room and took his handphone. Stan came out of the toilet drying his hair with his towel wondering which part of the house his true love was at. When he went into the living room he found Letitia sitting in the dark. Letitia switched on the lamp above her, “Who were you texting Stan?” Stan got confused, “What are you talking about?” Letitia was raging with anger, “I saw your messages. And there was a lipstick stain on your shirt. Can you explain that?” There was an awkward pause between the couple. Letitia shouted, “Explain that Stan!” Stan threw his towel on the floor, “The only reason why I’m having an affair is because you’re cheating on me!” Letita’s jaw dropped, “Me?! I have been staying in this damn house every single day!” Stan ran into the kitchen and took a knife, “No! You’re lying! You don’t love me anymore! I know you have been sleeping with other men. Everyone has been telling me they see you with different men every day.” Letitia was afraid of what Stan might do with the knife, “Who is everyone?! I have always been faithful!” Stan ran towards Letitia and stabbed her in the womb, “Now you can’t have any kids with other men and because of your ugly scar no men would want to sleep with you ever again.” Letitia laid on the floor bleeding and had to drag herself to the house phone to call herself an ambulance. Stan just sat on the couch crying, watching Letitia try to get herself up, “I’m sorry I’m sorry, I know I said I would hurt you again. I’m sorry Letitia, please forgive me. Don’t leave me. No you can’t leave me”
A month passed and Letitia would always lift up her shirt and look at the ugly scar her husband had left her with. Letitia thought to herself, “If he can hit me, stab me. What’s next? Why me? Why must I let this happen to me?” A quick idea came into Letitia’s head, What if I kill myself before he does? But Letitia couldn’t do it. She just ended up lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, hoping the angel of death would just come and take her away. She looked outside the window and hoped she would at least get a chance to live a life a beggar. Free, with no worries but food. She was dying to touch the dead leaves that were falling from the trees. She wanted the vultures to come down and ripped Stan’s limbs apart.
Should I drown myself? Cut my wrists? Take a knife and stab my heart? Run infront of a car? Or should I just jump from my kitchen? Letitia looked at photo with her and her parents, I couldn’t I couldn’t, I can’t abandon them.
Letitia felt dizzy and so she went into her room. She lay on her bed just waiting for herself to doze off. Suddenly she had a flashback of when she was a little girl. When she felt insecure her mum would always be there to hold her and her dad would always try his best to make her smile. Where are you now mummy? Daddy? Are you there? Come back. I need you. Don’t leave me alone. I need my mummy.
Letitia finally woke up from that horrible nightmare but only to find herself all tied up. She was surprise. Why can’t I move my arms? Why am I in this white room? Where am I? There was a stainless steel metal bowl filled with fruits infront of her. She saw herself through the reflection of the metal bowl. Who is this? What happened to my face? What’s going on? The nurse came in the check on Letitia. “Nurse nurse, why am I here?” The nurse scribbling on her clipboard, “Have you not seen what you’ve done to yourself?”
But I didn’t do it. He did.