No one could tell what had recently befallen Romeo. His behaviour looked so weird that Juliet was becoming suspicious. He had stopped bringing home his mistresses. He would stay indoors all day, go out in the night and return as early as 4am. Juliet couldn’t challenge him. He was an authority no one could challenge. He would shout at the slightest provocation, beat up Juliet in a merciless manner. He was always moody. Juliet could only wonder what the matter was with him. She could not question him. They lived in the same building, occupied the same room and the same bed without love and without romance. They were like cat and rat. Juliet had become his rag. He could spit on her at will and call her names she was not given by her parents. Something was wrong with him.
One day, Juliet was away. She went to the market to buy some foodstuffs. Normally, it didn’t take a much time to buy her things and return home. She had bought all that she needed to buy. On her way home, her car broke down. She was very sad. What would she do? How would she get out of that place? She could only wonder.
Out of the blue, help came for her. One of her friends in high school named Ben came to her rescue.
“Good morning, ma’am,” greeted Ben.
“Good morning, sir,” responded Juliet.
“What happened to your car?” asked Ben.
“It broke down right here. I don’t know what to do now,” worried Juliet.
“Calm down! I will fix it,” promised Ben.
“Thanks very much! By the way, who are you?” asked Juliet.
“I am Ben, one of your classmates and friends in high school. Or have you forgotten Ben Ben as you fondly called me in those days?” asked Ben.
Oh, my God! Ben, is this you?”
“Yes, this is Ben Ben!” exclaimed Ben. They both embraced each other warmly.
Later, Ben got down to business. He started working on the car. He checked everything. He asked Juliet to start the car. She reluctantly did. The car came back to life again to the delight of Juliet and pride of Ben.
“Ben, I don’t understand you. Are you an auto-mechanic?” asked Juliet.
“Yes, I am!” said Ben with swagger.
“I see! But how come? You used to be a brilliant boy back in school. In fact, you graduated with the best results. We all thought you went to university outside the country as most of our friends did,” said Juliet.
“No! I didn’t go to any university. I went to learn how to repair different types of vehicles. This was due to the fact that I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. My parents couldn’t afford sending me to university,” revealed Ben.
“Don’t worry! That is an issue for another day. Do you think I can have your number?” asked Juliet.
“Sure!” responded Ben as they exchange phone numbers, hugged each other again and said goodbye. He was super excited to meet Juliet again after a long period of separation. He had made advances to her but didn’t yield any positive result. Juliet, on her way home, was also thinking about Ben.
On getting home, he saw Romeo fuming. He was very annoyed.
“Why are you late? What were you doing outside till this time of day? You have spent more than four hours from the market to this place. You are such a stupid woman! Animal!” said Romeo in annoyance.
“Calm down! I can explain,” replied Juliet.
“Explain what! Oh, explain to me how your car broke down and your boyfriend appeared, fixing the car for you afterwards. See, I have everything here. It is here in my phone. I have said it over and over that you are a dog. Every man sleeps with you anywhere and anytime. You are not in any way different from the scarlet ladies out there. I never knew who named you Juliet. Useless creature,” concluded Romeo.
“How dare you say that to me!” shouted Juliet.
“So you can now raise your voice at me, animal,” responded Romeo as he pounced on her and began to punch her as his custom was. Juliet cried for help but there was no one to help her.
In the evening of the same day, Romeo stumbled on the documents handed to Juliet by her father and decided to plead with her so that they could enjoy the wealth together.
“Juliet, I saw these documents in our bedroom. This means we are billionaires. We will wallow in wealth all the days of our lives. Baby, I love you,” expressed Romeo.
“Are you kidding me?” asked Juliet.
“I mean it, Juliet. Forget what happened few hours ago. I love you, my sweetheart,” Romeo responded.
“I hate you, Romeo. Yes, I hate you a million times,” revealed Juliet.
“How can you say that? Have you forgotten how our love story started?” reminded he.
“Spare me the sweet nonsense! How can you love a useless creature? How can you love an animal? So, your love for me is premised on what I have. I don’t care anymore. I don’t need you in my life anymore,” said Juliet in annoyance.
“You must be mad. Have you forgotten nobody can separate us? In fact, neither you nor your father can separate this union. If you insist you won’t let me enjoy this wealth with you, I will kill you,” threatened Romeo.
“Kill me? go ahead and kill me, beast!” replied Juliet.
“What am I even saying? I will tear all these documents,” declared Romeo. He tore the documents and even set them ablaze.
Juliet cried out in agony, saying, “I am done for! How did I get here in the first place? I hate you, Romeo! You will pay dearly for this. You will pay!” threatened Juliet as she cried profusely.
What a man! What a human being? How can a man be so heartless? How can a man be so callous?