That secret affair

You wiped your tears off your cheeks but your eyes showed that you have been crying for some while now - that swelled up eyes and abnormally puffy face - even a third person can tell for sure that you have been crying. You took the clothes that showed up as soon as you opened the cupboard and stuffed them in your suitcase. Without even checking if you need anything so important, you took phone, purse, and made sure there is more than enough cash in it to hold as long as you can on your journey. You adjusted your dress to make it look fine as you are about to step outside. You splashed some water on your face to freshen up a bit. You didn't care much about your make-up, as you usually would - there is no mood nor necessity for that now, you felt. After locking your suitcase, you headed straight to the station after checking the door once again.

While the weight of the suitcase bogged you down making it difficult to gain speed, your heavy heart gave you all the strength you needed to surge forward.

You kept your suitcase on the pew and sat beside it. You were not sure what are you waiting for nor where you are heading to - just somewhere so far - far away from here - distancing as much as you can from him. After knowing the way he made you feel you sure couldn't live with him anymore. For such a long time you have been noticing that he had been in touch with some other woman. This time you caught him red-handed while he was talking to her - you never knew that your husband could use such sweet words to anybody much less to you. It had been so long since he had called you 'sweetheart'. His words hinted you that it was nothing short of a deep romance with a woman. Ever since you found out there was only one question beeping in your mind - who is she? What is the connection between your hubby and her?

The train arrived on the platform. After making sure that the final destination of the train is 10 hours away, you got into the train and kept your suitcase in its place. Whenever you were gushing out tears uncontrollably, you tried to blink it back. Your heart sobbed and felt your throat thick and painful.

When suddenly your phone rang, you took it out praying that nothing should stop you from your decision. It was him! God, you don't know what to do. You want to talk to him and claim him back into your life and pretend nothing had happened and get back to your life like it was once before you found out about his affair. But it was too late - things went out of hand and you believed that you couldn't get him back. Above all that you don't want him back - would he be fine if you had an affair and come back to him? Would he accept you?

His continuous calls grabbed all the eyes exclaiming at you forcing you to pick it up. As soon as you picked the phone, you felt a shrill in his voice, "where are you?"

You paused while he continued, "please don't put down the phone. I want to talk to you. Please tell me where you are." You can sense the desperation in his voice and panting for breath hinting that he is walking fast or maybe running. "Hello? Are you still there? Hello?"

While she was still unable to decide whether to talk or not, the loud announcement at the station hinted him where you are. He continued, with his voice calm and clear, "If you want to meet me one last time, just come to cafe coffee day near the station entrance". The phone beeped.

She also wished to see him one last time before signing off. She took her suitcase off and started walking to the cafe rehearsing repeatedly how she would handle her hot husband in a public place, yet never giving in to whatever explanation he might have for his affair.

The smell of fresh coffee filled in the air as you were nearing the cafe. Your eyes roamed here and there looking for him. You kept the suitcase down and decided to wait for a while before leaving.

You turned to see when a hand gently touched your shoulder - it was him. The station was not a good place to discuss private matters but you were not in any mood to go back home. Both of them stared at each other for a few moments waiting for the other person to start. As they looked eye to eye at each other, your heart said that this meeting here is not going to change anything. This might be the last time that you are seeing him. You remembered how all the promises made during their wedding went in vain.

Finally, he started, "where are you up to?" his eyes trying to conceal his fuming heart.

"Somewhere! Far away from here", came the reply sharply from you.

"And, when are you planning to come back?"

"Do I have to? She is there to fill the gap...", you said your eyes penetrating his.

He turned here and there trying not to slap her in front of everybody. After a brief pause, he grabbed her hand quietly, "let's go home".

You pulled your hand quickly and said, "I trusted you! I can't stay with you anymore. No wife can accept her partner living with another woman. You can now live with your favourite partner, at last. Bye!" You bent down to take your suitcase and started walking.

"I don't have to live with another woman when you are here!" he said calmly. "I should have told you this already but I was afraid".

The intensity of his words made you stop in your way and you turned to look at him unable to decipher what he is saying.

"It was my sister I was talking to the other day. She is a mental patient. She gets extreme at times and I have to talk convincingly to bring her back to normal."

You kept your suitcase down and looked at him not sure what to believe. With lots of questions circling in your mind, you waited for him to speak out. You never knew he had a sister! But why did he hide it!

"Who will accept to marry me if I have a mentally challenged sister? I liked you so much from the moment I saw you. But I didn't even dream that we will end up getting married. I need to keep some things as secret, forever, if we choose to live happily."

You chose to keep calm until he finished. While at first, you were unsure of whatever he is saying, everything made sense as he continued to speak out the truth.

"She was having some problems since childhood but it gets to its peak at times. Of late, when her condition became worse, I didn't have an option other than to leave her at the hospital. I didn't like it but there is no other way. When she insists on talking to me, I have to!"

You were about to ask him something but, he continued, "last week, I got a call from the hospital asking me to pay a visit. When I went there, she was not in good shape - shouting and crying aloud, making a lot of disturbances to fellow patients. At one point, they even asked me to take her back home. I was there with her all night, talking with her, controlling her at times, doing all that I can make her better."

The truth hit you hard - you don't know whether to be happy about your husband for coming out clean or to worry about his sister's condition. You inched closer to him trying to calm him down. You felt mad about yourself for being so doubtful about him without knowing about his hidden secrets.

He continued, "she had a troubled past and so do I growing up with her! I couldn't leave her like that - she is my sister." he looked so confused and scratched his head.

"These few months were the happiest of my life being with you. But...", he paused.

While you were unable to pick up the words, he continued, "you misunderstood! I agree that it's my mistake for covering up everything. But how could you choose to leave me?"

"Well, with everything you were doing... I thought...", you tried to convince him.

"I should have told you everything before. I'm so sorry. I didn't know how to handle the situation," he said.

Your fingers covered his lips, "I'm the one to be sorry for what I have done." you hugged him closely and felt tears gushing out with happiness. You couldn't pull away so soon when your husband is there to caress you like he always did.