My wife beats me again. .

Today, just after dreaming of writing what looks like my own suicide note, a knock hit my door.

The intercom had stopped working. It broke a day before during another fight as I managed to duck the flower vase she threw in my direction.

I swallowed nervously as I looked through the hole in the door to see who it was. Her countenance beamed like a raging storm. My limbs quivered, but I summoned some courage within me to get the door opened.

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She had called to inform me of her late arrival from work today which is unusual of her. 4pm is her regular closing hour.

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“Prepare dinner” she instructed from the other side of the phone and the line went dead abruptly.

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My heart raced for a while. I wanted to help, but the inner voice came ‘have you sold your marital rights?’ so I ignored even my own portion of the chore.

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Her feet thud the floor as she moved straight back from the kitchen. Her face burnt with furry.

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“Where is dinner? What did you do with your day?” she yelled, towering at me.

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“I had to stay by the phone to ensure I didn’t miss any of your calls.” I turned away and sauntered towards the balcony for some fresh air, closing the door behind me.

Her voice had attracted the neighbor’s attention, and passersby slow-paced to get a glimpse, but I smiled to give an all-is-well impression. 

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“Don’t you dare walk away from me. I am talking to you…"

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I heard the door opened.

Turning back, she pounced on me like a cat does the rat. The first blow which landed in the wrong part of my face brought out the hidden star. I winced in pain.

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‘I am the man,’ my inner voice said in a frail voice which scared me. But like a goat would stubbornly drag its hoof on the floor while being pulled by its owner, I remained obstinate.

Her left arm was suffocating me, but my hands were too feeble to push them pass my neck region.

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As I opened my eyes on this bed with my limbs wound up in tourniquets and the fan above blowing the breeze of condolence, I knew I have lost the battle again; perhaps, the last of my dignity.

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© Akinsehinwa Damilola. June 4, 2016.