(Photo Credit: Flickr)
Pete stared at the papers in his hands and his blood froze.
Amanda, his wife of five years wanted a divorce, what a way to start the year! He sat down wearily on the bed as his mind raced to the red-head beauty who bumped into him at Mile End underground station in London – she had apologised profusely and they got talking. Within weeks, their romance blossomed. As an Investment Banker, Pete had little time to woo her but Amanda more or less took control of his life.
Within two years, they were married, and his parents were delighted. A year after marriage, Amanda was desperate for a child, he wasn’t that bothered. After all, he’s always holed up at his office in the City, slaving away to make as much money as he could. They hardly spend time together and deep down, he knew it could be the reason she wanted out. They love each other, why would Amanda think divorcing him would make her life better? The noise of his phone disrupted his reminiscing and he grunted before picking it up from the bedside table.
‘Yeah,’ Pete drawled and listened, then clicked it shut. Switzerland. He’d totally forgotten about the holiday he’d pre booked weeks earlier. Like a slow motion, hope began a painful ascent in his mind. Maybe, just maybe, time away from their usual life in London would spice things up a bit, and talk of divorce would disappear.
Half an hour later, Amanda strolled into the room, avoiding any eye contacts.
‘Shouldn’t we at least talk about this?’ Pete asked quietly, waving the papers in his hands. He couldn’t stop staring at his wife, whose hourglass figure never ceased to amaze him.
‘We’ll talk when we get to Switzerland,’ she replied. Pete laughed and said lightly, ‘Women and holidays!’
But there was something different about her. He stood up and pulled her into his arms, he was half expecting her to resist but she didn’t.
‘Is this what you want honey?’ he mumbled into her hair, rocking her as he would a day old baby.
Amanda swallowed hard, then closed her eyes. How could she back track now after realising the root of their problems? Divorce was the only way out, or so she thought…
………
NP: I was supposed to have posted this on Thursday but I was extremely busy, I would have to make this a two or three-part series. Amanda and Pete are a couple whose story touched me deeply. It’s also a true story, but as usual, I would change their names to protect their identity and add elements of fiction to it as well. I would post the next part sometimes next week, at least before Valentine’s day. Martin Luther said something that touched me: ‘There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.’
Call me a traditionalist, but my parents have been married for almost fifty years, they had their good, bad, and excellent times but they stuck together. Now I think they’re best of friends.
I hope you would have a peaceful, restful and enjoyable week. I intend to!
Much love, always! 🙂
S. S. David 
You got me hooked, I want to find out what happens !!!
I agree with you that being best friends makes for a lasting marriage !! My husband and I are married 32 years now and he is my best friend and I am his. We enjoy doing everything together, but still have some things of our own too, like my beads, and his stained glass, but he is interested in what I do, and I am interested in what he does as well !!
love stories are the best stories !!!
xoxo
I’m glad you like the story, wait till the end and you’ll even love it more.
Your marriage sound so good, I’m happy for you. 🙂 My husband and I could talk for hours none stop, and we don’t keep secrets from each other. We were friends before we got married and I think it helped and is still helping our relationship. I’ve been married 14 years and it’s just like yesterday. Mind you, we argue over trivial issues at times but we make up quickly. How I wish all marriages don’t end in divorce, and I agree with you, love stories are the best stories!
Thanks for your visit my friend!
Much love. 🙂
Good stopping point.
Glad you saw it that way!
🙂
Very well written – yeah what is a good marriage, there’s probably tons of answers – my old parents have later this year been married for 55 years – they say with a smile that they don’t know the answer – so I agree with you… 🙂
You’re right – you can’t really say this is what keep a great marriage. But being friends certainly help a bit! My warmest regards to your parents!
🙂
More of these!
Thanks Celestine!
🙂
I really enjoyed your story. I met my wife and for me it was love at first sight– it’s true. We had problems, we argue, we laugh and I say, “Yes, Dear” a lot. I finally found that being right is not always worth arguing about. We’ve made it for 38 years so far and I’m a lucky man.
Thanks Dannie, I’m glad you like my story. I’ve heard of the ‘Yes, Dear,’ theory. My dad said it saved him lots of headaches. 🙂 You are indeed a very lucky man and I wish you the best for the future! I’m also very grateful for your visit!
🙂
A traditionalist, and clearly a romantic– sounds good to me! Always wishing you the best, Seyi! : )
You’re too kind Mark! I hope you’ll have a great week!
Much love. 🙂
I’m looking forward to reading the next installment. I wanted to make sure I grew old with my best friend so I married her. 18 years this June and still going strong 🙂
Congratulations my friend! I love great love stories like yours! I’ve been married for 14 years and he’s also my best friend. I’ll be posting the concluding part in a couple of hours! Thanks for the visit!
Cheers my friend. 🙂
My pleasure 🙂
I think the couple will do just fine, sometimes a divorce paper is all it takes for one to realize his/her mistake and the marriage will be way better than before. 🙂
I agree… but sometimes they actually see it through. You’ll find out the truth in a couple of hours anyway! Glad to see you around.
🙂
I have a feeling things are going to work out. Well – that’s my hope. 🙂
We’ll wait and see Rosy! I hope you’ll have a blast this Valentine! 🙂
I’m hooked! Can’t wait to read more. . . 🙂
Thanks Anita, I’ll post the concluding part in a couple of hours! Have a fantastic Valentine! 🙂
Five years? So the seven-year-itch is now the five-year-itch?……….lol
Some even a year! It’s that bad!! Thanks for stopping by Russel.
🙂
But why, why stop there when you could have told me how it ended…I mean how selfish is that making me wait? I really, really do not appreciate your well placed stopping points sometimes my friend. I really should learn to savour.
I’m so sorry Ste J! 🙂 If I write the whole story now, it would be too long! Besides, I like seeing you around.
I hope the storm didn’t get to you. It’s been so awful . 😦 I’ll post the concluding part in a couple of hours! See you soon!!
🙂
We had a bit of the wind but we are relatively unscathed at the moment. I like coming around, sadly time is not my friend today but being all positive it means I get to come around again soon. Yay for good thinking and teasing me!
Glad to see you around anytime you’re able. It’s been rainy and windy here today but I’ve been holed up all day with the kids been on midterm and all!
Take care buddy!
I am so glad your parents stayed together through thick and thin, sometimes it is not always both parties in the marriage’s wish. I could not have forced my exes to stay, and only one time did I have someone that I left. My parents stayed together and were in each other’s arms, when my Dad died in 2001. It was a week before their 46th anniversary. I like your style of writing and have hopes for the story’s characters, too… Smiles, Robin