FIGHTING TEMPTATION

“I vow to be by your side forever, till death do us part.”

I remembered those words as I stared into space sighing for the nth time. Things changed drastically since the last two months of our five months marriage.

I remembered how he’d promised me that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me by his side. Now he didn’t even want to spend his nights with me. He rather spend his nights drowning in office work and-

“Crystal!” I was cut off from my train of thoughts by Mark.

“Yeah.” I responded as he entered the room frowning at me holding his phone in his hand.

“I called you five times but you didn’t respond.” He said in a low tone as he covered the speaker.

“Whatever, I just came to tell you Ajex isllll))lllln on ncoming over for a few days.” He walked away talking on his phone before I could even ask when.

Ajax was his brother. He lived somewhere in Russia as far as I remember. I’d only seen him in the Mark’s childhood pictures. He didn’t come to the wedding ceremony or any family get together.

I sighed as I thought of what to prepare for his brother’s first visit. Mark’s becoming more and more distant and it hurts. A lot.

Mark was my first love when we were in high school. Not the love at first sight but rather enemy to lovers. When we got together he said a lot of things which arennow a distant memory.

We’d dated for six years when he proposed to me. I’d said yes almost immediately. That was then and this is now.

I did the rest of the chores and went to our room. He was on his laptop on a video call I presumed. He shot me a look before turning to the screen.

Frustrated, I started to strip right in front of him. In my birth clothes, I walked up to him and shut his laptop.

He looked up at me, his clearly angry eyes trailed down and back up.

“What are you trying to do, Crystal? Just what is wrong with you! Get some clothes on and let me do my work.” He said unfazed by the tears starting to pour out from both eyes simultaneously.

“You really don’t care about me at all, DO YOU? I am tired and I am DONE.” I screamed in his face, not caring about anything.

I walked into the bathroom and sat in the bathtub where we used to have baths together, giggling and talking dirty. More tears came out as the memories flooded my brain. Every part of the house was decked up with way too real, unforgettable memories.

I only had myself to blame a my aching heart tried to bring up a reason, any reason for his actions. Where did I go wrong?

I didn't want my marriage to end like this. The one that took years to build. Each promise became a brick creating the beautiful home which was collapsing with me in it.

Sleep consumed me in it’s claws as I let myself drown. I woke up in the bed. Turning around I looked at the clock on the night stand.

My eyes widened as I saw it was past eight in the evening. I got up quick as today’s event came rushing to my head making my head hurt.

It still saddened me that we’re becoming something which could be the end of us.

Grumpily I dragged myself on my feet and stretched my aching back. Mark must have brought me here. I went downstairs to cook something when I noticed something on the table. A sticky note.

I picked it up and read: I wanted to apologise. My behaviour wasn’t the best. Forgive me, I am sorry.

And I made your fav dish. It’s in the microwave. Heat it up and eat.

I am sorry again.

Yours loving

Mark

I had a smile making it’s way onto my face as I finished reading. I felt like an idiot, but I was his idiot. I smiled again and saw that he made me chicken curry with rice and it smelled exotic.

My stomach grumbled as I heat it up. “I forgive you.” I mumbled as I savoured his handmade love.