( Photo credit: George Popa)
”I stayed true to my first love,” Hannah’s soft voice droned on and I was held spellbound by the simple life she’d lived. A life of dedication in the face of outright betrayal.
”I fell in love the first time I saw Michael,” and her face soften at the memory with traces of a smile lurking at the corner of her mouth, ”my dad worked for the KGB then, he’s now retired, he was absolutely furious when he knew I was dating ”an alien.”
My eyebrows shot up at the ‘alien bit’ and she laughed when she saw the expression on my face.
”A nonRussian is an alien to my dad,” she explained and continued, ”when it was obvious our relationship would face outright persecutions, we fled Russian and came to London, got married and life was good. It was rosy for the first five years and then the late nights began, I tried to question his erratic behaviors but the back of his hands was my reply.
I was on the edge of my seat and Hannah’s voice was becoming strained but I said nothing still, just listened.
”The trips to Ghana was a surprise at first, and then when it continued I became worried. Money was not our problem, I would have lived in Ghana if he wanted me to but he said no. Ten years later, still no kids and we were still married. You can imagine my frustration and failure that I couldn’t give my husband what he wanted. I left everything for him, my family, my friends… everything!
There was silence, it was as if she was reliving the horror of it all. I said nothing still.
”One of his friends came to our house one summer evening, as usual, he’d travelled, and he told me Michael was celebrating his tenth year wedding anniversary, he brought the family pictures as proof and my world fell flat. Michael had five children for his other wife, he’d built his family a beautiful house in Accra! When he came back, he had the gut to call me a barren woman.”
”Where is he now?” I finally found my voice.
”He’s gone to the office and you know what?”
”What?”
”I’m pregnant, at long last… and the beatings has stopped.”
”Have you forgiven him?”
”No, but I still love him which was why I wondered at the true meaning of love. I can’t leave him…I’m forty-five years old and I’m pregnant with my first child.”
”What about his other family? That’s bigamy! Are you okay with that too?”
”We don’t discuss it.”
”Do you think about it?”
She nodded and that was it, we heard the sound of a car pulling up at the drive way, that was my cue. I stood up and Hannah gave me a bear hug then asked, ”If you were in my shoes, what would you have done?”
I couldn’t answer her question. I left her house dumbfounded and sad at the same time, no wonder the poor woman thought love was non-existent!
**********
That was the concluding part of ‘The Listeners,’ I hope you like it!
Thanks for reading my post, love always:)
Seyi Sandra David 
You are quite the story teller… This is nice, sad but very nice
Thanks sis, appreciate your comment:)
I should have suspected you two knew one another, one a talented word magician with her poetry, and the other a masterful story teller. I am proud of you both and honored to have met you both in this bloggersphere.
Proud Black Sistah’s both. Much love & respect to you both. 😉
Thanks for that sweet comment Juessepi, I enjoy her poems greatly and your support is highly appreciated too!
Love and Blessings:)
Namaste & Love Ms. Seyi Sandra
This was heart breaking. I’ve often wondered how women stay in a relationship with someone they love after they are hurt so deeply. This just kind of brushes the surface of that emotion, very delicately…
I’m an old romantic at heart. I only recently realised it!
It was an heartbreaking story but sadly, I’ve seen stories like this recounted in real life! I’m a complete romantic too… Though tales like this can send shivers down your spine when you know it’s happening for real! Thanks for your comment and for stopping by:)
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat.Com™ and commented:
Such a gifted story teller Ms. sayisandradavid is….visit her blog to get the full effect of her magic talent.
Awww! That’s so sweet of you dear friend! Thanks for that wonderful PR!!!
It’s my pleasure. Namaste My Lady.
Wonderful story, grabbed me and held me. 🙂
Thanks for that kind comment, hope you’ll stop by again!
Blessings:)
The key of the matter is … If … you love someone … You will do anything to make them happy … and accept their excess baggage as well …
Yes, you’re right! Thanks for stopping by my site! Hope to see you again!
Cheers. 🙂
I’ve nominated your blog for an award! Please follow the link below. Have a great night!
http://megustamebooks.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/reality-blog-award/
Thank you so much, I’m so sorry for my late reply, I just saw this now! I deeply appreciate the award!
Blessings. 🙂
Well, in the end she got what she wanted, to be pregnant, so I guess she can concentrate on her baby…because nothing in the world is more powerful than a mother’s love and she can just let him take care of her. If she’s put up with his stupid behavior this long she can’t let her baby suffer financially by leaving him.
Excellent story I really enjoyed it.
Yes she did, she would have loved it though if Michael stayed true to their love… Thanks for stopping by, it’s appreciated it!
Much love, always:)
Powerful story!
Thanks Christy!
Intense. Sad. Broke my heart.
A great story – but – knowing this could be real …well… 😦
Yes it is- most women put up with worse! Thanks for stopping by:)
Sadly, but a great story told here – very well written… 🙂
Thanks for your kind comment, hope you’ll stop by again.
Cheers:)
I had to read the snippet before this…No disrespect intended, but it baffles me why some women stay on in a relationship/marriage where their partners beat them at the slightest provocation or disagreement. I think it’s even worse here when a man (wife beater) will be bold to say “she’s is my wife and I can do whatever I please” just because he’d paid the dowry for her hand in marriage.
A sad story, sis. And it’s written with depth and style. I look forward to the next installment.
Thanks for your comment dear friend! It’s baffling and strange but there’s this saying that people in love do crazy things… one should love his/her partner but not to the extent of such abuse!!
We live in a world where some women are sometimes considered as playthings, such women would have to believe their lives worth more than been the punching bag for some sadist.
Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it!
Blessings:)
sad words….so touching…… beautiful story:)
Thank you Monika, your visit is appreciated!
Love always:)
Wonderfully written, Seyi. Deeply sad. 🙂
Thanks for your kind comment and for stopping by! It’s appreciated:)
Yes… couldn’t decide if I wanted to cry or scream more. I am working on my first fiction novel, and as a fellow writer, I certainly admire your creativity with the plot here… nicely done.
Thank you for your kind comment, I appreciate it!
Much love:)
Hi! There’ s a Reality Blog Award waiting for you!
http://tuttacronaca.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/realmente-grazie/
Cheers!
Thank you dear friend, I appreciate it
Blessings:)