A Love So Strong

At first she felt confused, denying any possible truth, but the words became undeniable. Confusion along with shock remained her initial feelings. Then truth overcame doubt and soon hot flushes spread across her body, her heart pounding and sickness overriding prior emotions. Refusing to believe what she had just read, she started to shake; tears fell down her cheeks as she placed her husband’s mobile back on the table. With no real reason she walked into the kitchen. The words from the message fresh in her mind haunting her. She decided to get herself a glass of wine, to calm herself down. But, no distraction strong was enough to stop her from visualising each word; causing her to spill wine over the side board. Aimless looking around, feeling as if her world could imploded at any moment she left the kitchen, empty wine glass in hand, leaving behind her the spillage of wine on the side board. Sitting down she pondered on what consequences may occur? What should she do when her husband comes home? Should she pack her bags and leave? But, what if she was wrong? She thought about re-reading the message but knew she couldn’t bring herself to see those words again. Once was chilling, twice would be confirmation. A confirmation she did not want.

Her husband returned home with a smile on his face, hands palmed with flowers and chocolates. He said something to her which was inaudible, as the words in her head still tormented, speaking louder than his. He repeated himself, this time gaining her attention.

‘So?’ he said laying down the flowers and chocolates on the table.

‘Yes, sure anything you want,’ she replied, still not knowing what he said.

 

‘Excellent, so make sure you're ready by eight and I’ll come back and collect you.’

‘What? Where are you going?’ she said alarmingly.

‘I knew you weren’t listening, love, I’ve got a bit of work to do.’

‘What on a Sunday afternoon? It’s Valentine’s day.’ She exclaimed, staring at him with a look of hurt and resignation.

He shrugged away her protests, walked over to her throwing his arms around her, kissing her on the cheek. She expected his touch and smell to be different. Tainted. But he didn’t, he smelt the same and his touch made her feel warm. He told her he loved her and that he had a surprise for her later on. She thought for a moment how the message could have been a joke from a friend or an innocent anecdote of affection from a close friend? Either way she did not care, she loved him. Twenty years of marriage was too strong to throw away over a possible minor fling, or over embarrassment of her distrust should she be wrong. She knew from the way he touched her that he loved her. And that her love for him was so strong, she’d rather not know and have him, than to know and lose him.

- THE END -