Three months flew by, it seemed as Fen and I adjusted to our newly wedded life. Before our wedding, we lived in separate apartments. So we decided that Fen would give up his lease and move in with me after the ceremony. The three months were hectic as we were both in college and training to become teachers. It was the weekend, and Fen and I settled in for a relaxing couple of days.
We were having a couple of beers and watching a comedy. Fen decided to take a photo of me. I remember thinking it was such a strange thing to do in the middle of watching a movie, but I obliged. I still have the photo today. The photo was one of the few possessions I would take with me later.
The Pledge
After taking the picture, Fen suddenly made his bold pledge. To this day, I cannot remember the movie we were watching. Fen said to me, “Raine, it is my role in life to break you down to nothing.” I laughed at first by the statement. Perhaps because we were watching a comedy, and I was already reacting to a scene on screen. Or maybe I was stunned by Fen’s announcement. After my initial reaction, I turned to Fen and asked, “Are you joking?” Then my eyes met his, and I knew that he meant every word.
The only two people in the apartment that day were Fen and me, so I knew that the person sitting next to me was Fen. However, when I looked into Fen’s eyes, the person looking back at me no longer looked like the Fen I knew.
If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence or relationship abuse, please call (anonymous and confidential) the national domestic violence hotline 1-800-799-SAFE. Advocates are available. Visit National Domestic Violence at thehotline.org. For immediate help, call 9-1-1.
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