"Don't you dare, Nicholai!" I said with gritted teeth.
I was trying my best to stay calm, but inside, I was so scared and nervous. Nicholai and I never slept after the accident. And I didn’t want to sleep with him knowing that he might have slept with someone else.
“You are my wife. It is your duty to make love to me!” he insisted further.
“Make love? We don’t love each other to do the act, Nicholai! ”
“Okay! Then let me fuck you then! ”
Like a bat out of hell, he pushed me on the bed and hovered over me. He took both my hands and held them tightly at the top of my head.
I was squealing underneath him, trying to get out of his hold, but to no avail. Nicholai was big and more robust than me.
My eyes widened when he suddenly ripped my nightdress, revealing my chest. I tried kicking him, but he suddenly punched my abdomen. I whimpered from the pain. I was debilitated from the pain because of his punch. And right there, I cried as Nicholai forced himself into me.
He was a devil. And I hated him even more.
He bit his lower lip, and tears dripped into my eyes as he repeatedly claimed me the way he wanted to. I was looking at the ceiling the whole time, like a corpse, as he assaulted me.
***
I woke up the next day feeling tired and empty. Nicholai was no longer in the room. I bet he already went to work as if nothing happened.
I dragged myself to the bathroom and looked at myself in the full-length mirror. I was naked, and I could see the bruises on various parts of my body.
Suddenly my tears flowed again as I remembered how he assaulted me last night.
How could he do that to me? He was so heartless!
I cried my heart out in the shower.
“I’m so done. There is no hope for Nicholai to change,” I said to myself with bitterness within me.
I decided that I wanted everything to stop. Cheni was right. I must have left Nicholai a long time ago. I would do what Cheni said for a long time. I would file an annulment. This was the only way for me to get out of where I was right now. I didn’t want to suffer from Nicholai anymore. I had enough of his bullshit!
***
After I showered, I decided to call Cheni to ask for help. I knew she was the only one who could help me.
Her number rang twice before she answered the call.
"C-Cheni," I said while stuttering.
[Hey? Is there something wrong? Has something happened again?] I could hear the concern in her voice. Well, she was always concerned with me and my relationship with Nicholai.
"Can we meet?"
[Huh? Why? I thought you were not allowed to leave your house?] she replied, confused.
“I want to tell you something. It’s really important. I want to tell it to you personally, ” I answered quickly.
[Okay. But, I can’t meet you today. I’m in Singapore for a convention. I will be here for a week. Can you wait for me?]
I was devastated to hear what she said. But I didn’t have a choice but to wait.
“Sure. I can wait. Don’t worry,” I said even though I was a little sad and it would be a week before I could talk to her personally
[Did something happen again?] she asked.
“Yes. I will tell you everything when you come back,” I replied to her. I heard her sigh on the other line.
[I told you. You must have left that stupid Nicholai a long time ago. File an annulment. I will help you.]
“I will consider that after we talk. I took a picture of my bruises, Cheni. Is it okay if I send it to you? I will use it as proof. ”
[Fuck! Do you have a bruise again? Fine! Send me the pictures and delete them on your phone. Nicholai might even see it and know what you are planning. Lie low first. Stay in your house and be good for a week. Let's meet after a week when I get back.]
“Okay. I will do everything that you said. Thank you very much, Cheni. What am I going to do without you?”
[You know that you can always count on me. I need to drop the call. I have a meeting. Send me the pictures, and don’t forget to delete them. Be careful.] she said before dropping the call.
I sighed and sat down on my bed. I was so thankful that Cheni was always there for me. I would have gone crazy for a long time if it wasn't for her. I just told her all my problems. And I didn’t regret telling her everything that I had been through. She was always the right person to share my problems with.
I sent her my pictures with bruises. I also deleted it immediately after being sent to her.
***
For a few days, I just locked myself in my room. I ordered Linda to send my food every time I wanted to eat.
I tried to avoid Nicholai as much as possible. I just didn’t want to see him after what he had done to me.
I was glad that he didn’t even bother to check on me or force me to go out and eat with him.
Maybe it was okay with him as long as I was just at home. He always came home late and went out early in the morning. And I didn’t mind at all. I was even more grateful because I didn't really see him when I wanted to leave the room.
But Linda always told me that Nicholai was always drunk whenever he got home. Sometimes he also saw him bring a new woman and enter his room. I was thankful that I was using another room, and it was far from his room.
A week had already passed. Cheni texted me that she wanted to meet me at Dreame Café. I was pacing back and forth inside my room while looking at the time. I was waiting for the clock to strike at eight o'clock.
When the clock struck at eight, I went out of my room. I knew Nicholai had already left for his work.
My heart was beating so fast. I was nervous. But I needed to do this. I needed to do this and save myself from misery.