Things aren’t what they seem to be. What we sometimes see is not all that there is to see. Behind every façade is reality. Yeah, behind the mask is the real face. Many people mask their feelings, put up appearance and so many are deceived that all is well even when everything is falling apart and into a well. Many, men and women, endure a lot; hoping that one day, there would be liberation from the claws of beasts holding them captive. In fact, some made no frantic efforts to break loose. All they know is that there is light at the end of every tunnel. They are victims of emotional abuse, trauma and many more. They shed tears behind closed doors – tears enough to sail a ship.
Such was the life of Robin. He was a henpecked man. He had no say in the house. He was kicked here and there by Linda. He could not take certain decisions. He was her errand boy and lover. He could not do what pleased him. Linda had to tell him what to do and what not to do.
From inception, he thought it was love but now his eyes had opened. Linda had a domineering spirit. She must be in control. She never hid the fact that she was the one responsible for almost everything in the house. She had never given credits to Robin in the house on any achievements. She treated him as if his contribution or input to the smooth running of the house had been zilch. Their domestic servants were aware of everything. Some of them didn’t give due honour to Robin.
One day, Linda had two visitors from the United States of America. They were given a warm reception by her. She did well by introducing them to Robin. This made the latter happier as such an honour gave a boost to his ego. That same day, something happened and he became morose for the rest of the day. He experienced deflation and consequently depression. He wished the ground would open and swallow him. Linda called him while the visitors were still around and a conversation ensued:
“Robin, you told me you needed five thousand dollars in the morning.”
“Yes, Linda,” but he was a little sad when he replied. He thought she should have said such a thing to him in camera.
“Here you go,” handing over a cheque for five thousand dollars.
“Thank you, my love!” said Robin feigning elation.
“It’s my pleasure, dear,” replied Linda.
“You made my day, Linda. May God bless you exceedingly!”
“Spare me the prayer,” cut in Linda.
“I am sorry, my love,” pleaded Robin now embarrassed.
“If I don’t give you now, you won’t let me have peace of mind. Now, go! I don’t want to see you right here,” said Linda angrily as Robin walked away awkwardly, his feet wobbling.
“Very sorry, my guests. You know we need to put men where they belong. If you overpamper them, they will take you for granted,” added Linda.
“No problem. We understand but I think this man in question deserves some modicum of respect, Linda. Ever since we came around here, he has been up and doing, trying to make sure everything is in order. My friend, men like these are hard to find. Once you have one of such at your fingertips, do all you could to keep them,” advised Mary.
“That is true, Linda. We are your friends. We must not hesitate to tell you the truth. Respect him. Give him royal treat. I have heard you saying a lot of good things about him. So, let him begin to feel honoured. What you said the other time must have caused him deflation,” revealed Anna.
Robin couldn’t go out that day. Even when Linda’s friends were leaving for their hotel rooms, he did not go with them. He stayed indoors all day, wondering what a miserable life his was. He had been denied and deprived of so many things by Linda. His relationship with his family and friends had been severed. None of his family members and friends could visit him anytime they liked. He could still recollect vividly how Linda poured water on one of his family members for coming to their house without prior notification. Another event was the day his mother’s garment was torn by Linda who called the woman names. Robin burst into tears. How could he forget so soon the day Linda flogged him? She tied him to a chair and flogged him mercilessly. Her claim was that Robin used to flirt around with girls blessed with tiny waist just because he gave a lift to one of the girls in their neighbourhood.
“Spare me the explanation, idiot”!
“You cheat! Useless man! I always see you flirting around with girls. In fact, I saw you with one of them today in your car. You must be mad, Robin. How dare you?” Giving him deft slaps. She even hit his head with a wooden object. This weakened him. Then, she tied him to a chair and started flogging him. Robin was shedding tears.
The domestic servants could hear him shouting. What had come over Linda? She seemed not to have iota of mercy in her veins. She seemed to reason abnormally. Her sense of reason had suffered serious setbacks. Some of the domestic servants thought Linda needed help – intervention of a counselor. In the opinion of some of them, she lived life in the fast lane. She always drank to stupor, attended parties and followed the dictates of her emotions. Nobody was there to put a check to her excesses of late. Robin, who should be doing that, was her rag. All his good pieces of advice to her sounded cacophonous. She would have none of them.
Two weeks after playing host to her friends from the United States, Linda asked Robin to pack his things and leave her house. Robin pleaded with her but to no avail. Domestic servants, the old ones among them, pleaded with Linda to pardon Robin but she didn’t listen. The helpless and the seeming hapless man was shedding tears – bitter tears – when a messenger came in with a letter with good tidings. He reluctantly tore it open. Behold! It was a letter informing him that some of his artworks have been purchased by top five richest men in the world. In fact, his name was everywhere – it was on all social media platforms. He had become a millionaire over night. All the domestic servants began to congratulate him. “Congratulations, sir,” said the oldest among them as others followed suit.
“Thank you very much. We are going to enjoy the wealth together.”
“It’s our pleasure, sir,” said the elated servants.
As for Linda, she was stuck for words. Shame was written all over her face. She was wondering if she should withdraw her statement or stand on it. Her feet wobbled as she walked towards Robin. She couldn’t say anything as her linguistic power failed her now. She appeared a confused woman. Her wings now clipped, high shoulders now lowered. She knew what it meant for one’s artworks to rake in for one millions of US dollars. She knew very well that a millionaire in America is a potential billionaire in Africa. She felt watery and knackered. Her eyes had opened. The scales in her eyes seemed to have fallen. Things began to take a new shape. She was very sorry for how she had been treating Robin.
Meanwhile, Robin had been bringing out his luggage. The domestic servants gave him a help. Linda swallowed her pride as she couldn’t watch Robin slip out of her presence. She went down on her knees, pleading:
“I am very sorry, my love.”
“No, you don’t have to! It is over. You came to your senses because of my wealth. If I didn’t receive any goodnews, you would never have had any cause to come back, pleading. I am done with this relationship where I am always a prey in your hands. I have suffered a lot from you, Linda. Enough is enough! May goodluck provide you with a lover that will put up with all your excesses, including daily doses of flogging I had endured in your hands. Thank you for all that you did in my life,” said Robin weeping as he was about going. Meanwhile, Linda wouldn’t let him go. She pleaded with him in such an embarrassing manner such that the domestic servants had no choice than to join her.
They all went down on their knees, pleading with Robin not to go.
“Robin, find a place in your heart to forgive me. I am ready to be humble and submissive to you, not because of your wealth but because you deserve it. You have shown me true love. You are always there for me. When family and friends deserted me, you were there for me. When darkness engulfed me, you brought in light. When I found myself in life’s ravines, you brought me to the mountain top. You gave my life a meaning. You are the fresh drops of dew that make my life flourish and blossom like trees planted by the river side. You are a snail and I your shell. Wherever you go, I will go. I am ready to submit everything to you”, said Linda pleading as drops of tears coursed down her cheeks.
Looking at Linda, Robin felt like rushing at her, devouring and tearing her in pieces but his love for her wouldn’t.
The servants were all excited as Linda began to cheer up.
“But on one condition…,” responded Robin.
“What is it, dear? I will do it. I will do anything for you right now,” promised Linda.
“You would have to let out this house. I can’t live here anymore. I will buy my own house and there shall we live hereafter,” answered Robin.
“But why, Robin? Don’t you like this place?” asked Linda.
“I do! But it doesn’t feel like a home anymore,” revealed Robin.
“Okay,” intoned Linda.
“I am ready to walk away if you are not ready to let it out,” asserted Robin, breaking free from her grip.
“I will, dear! I will do anything for you. Just promise you will never leave me, please,” pleaded she.
“I can’t promise you that. Time will tell and your character should do the magic,” concluded Robin as they embraced each other while the domestic servants looked on with joy written all over their wrinkled faces.