MENDED WINGS... episode 20

      Ella’s tears rinsed the plates as she washed them. The past few months had been hell in Joel’s house. Not just because she did all the chores, but also because Joel treated her with disdain. Hardly did he talk or play with her as usual. Only when they were outside their home did they act a perfect couple drama. At home, they slept in different rooms, ate separately, and did nothing together. Their morning devotion had become mourning devotion. His food must be ready, his clothes ironed, his shoes polished, and his room cleaned to time if she didn’t want to be beaten like a criminal. Even when she did everything, Joel was still not satisfied many times. She had become nothing but a maid in the house. And as much as she wanted to talk to people, she couldn’t for fear of her sex tape going viral on the internet. If Joel said it, he definitely would do it.
     Little was the pain she got from the regular beatings and punishments compared to that she got from regular sexual assault Joel masterminded. Different people came each time to abuse her sexually. And there was nothing she could do, since they always came as a surprise and always overpowered her.
The times she pleaded with Joel to stop it, he told her he wouldn’t stop bringing people until she became pregnant, as he didn’t want anyone questioning his fertility. And she had come to accept it such that little did she struggle whenever they came, knowing that the more she struggled the more the pain. All her attempts to get back at Joel failed. She couldn’t tell anyone, she couldn’t even tell God. The weight of guilt on her mind that she had brought the situation on herself wouldn’t even allow her pray. Her worst nightmare was not as terrible as what she was experiencing. No wonder her beauty was fading, forcing her to wear heavy makeup to feel presentable. She was always sad. She was losing weight, as she wouldn’t eat, as she should, and she lied to anyone who cared to ask that her loss of weight was deliberate to keep her in shape.
      Anytime anyone made a comment in Joel’s presence that she was looking sad or was lean, he would beat her when they got home, screaming that she wanted people to accuse her of maltreating her. All sort of drugs and supplements had he brought home and forced her to use. And her makeup kit was superior to that of a professional makeup artist. He ensured at all times she was physically attractive before going out with her, even if she’d have to wear an odd dress to cover the injury he’d inflicted on her.
Ella could have confided in her friend at work, if Joel hadn’t stopped her from working, lying to people that the stress of the work was too much and was making her have miscarriages. And when her aunt asked her, she had no choice that to answer in the affirmative, as Joel was seated right beside her.
      Everyone envied her public life, only if people knew what she was going through. She was a minister and would be sanctioned if she behaved badly toward her husband. The man that was taking her through the valley of death was highly respected and valued by many. No one would believe her story. Not even her own aunt. Not with the way he treated her each time there was a third party around.
      She wiped her hands on the kitchen towel and walked out. She sat on the chair and switched on the TV, just as Joel walked out of the guest room, which now served as his room. “Where are the notes on my table in the library?” he asked, his nose wrinkled.
      “I discarded them. I thought you didn’t need them again.”
      “You discarded what? Are you sane at all? Why are you always overstepping your boundary? You’re doomed to suffer, and suffer you will.”
      “Don’t use such words on me. Go to the dustbin and search for the notes.”
      “I should go to the dustbin?” He came close and slapped her. Ella stood up and tried to walk away but he pulled her back and pushed her unto the chair.
      Ella couldn’t shout as usual, as her voice was hoarse from excessive use. She tried pushing him away but he gripped her hand and landed a blow on her. She cried and scratched him with his fingers, which got Joel angrier, making him punch her more. And before Joel could control his anger, she fainted.