The Promise

The apartment was a mess. She had never seen anything like it. Trash pouring out onto the floor. Beer bottles and fast food wrappers everywhere. The sink was filled with dirty dishes. The smell was musky like a teenage boys bedroom.

Nadia helped Greg to the bed and tucked him into sleep. The sheets hadn’t been changed. Clothes everywhere. The smell was the worst here. Like something had died.

Greg held onto Nadia’s hand even though he was falling asleep. He looked so sweet even though he had gained weight and had a terrible beard. He didn’t suit the look. Nadia curled up beside him and fell asleep.

They had gotten married five years ago. In the last year of Greg’s undergraduate degree. Greg was an orphan. He didn’t have parents and nobody claimed him. He lived in foster care until he was eighteen.

Nadia had lived with her grandmother until her ****. At least Grandma got to see the wedding. She liked Greg. He was humble. Kind hearted. And she was proud of Nadia for not being vain. Greg wasn’t a looker.

Nadia remembered that day like yesterday. It was a small wedding — not many friends and family. At the St Margaret’s Chapel. She was so happy. Dancing and cutting the cake. The rings. The kiss.

They had gone on honeymoon to the isle of Kao Kao. A beach town. They played in the pool. A 21 year old Nadia in a tight red bathing suit. Greg was lanky and small back then. Thinner. He wore a t-shirt in the pool.

“Look at her! So hot! Let’s get her away from her retarded looking brother…” a man said.

A large Polynesian man with tattoos and muscles approached Nadia and Greg.

“Hey Baby… I saw you across the pool and I would be stupid if I let you go without a drink,” he said.

Greg blushed. Nadia turned and showed him the ring. Kissed Greg on the kiss and they walked away without another word.

“Damn… She must be a gold digger…” the Polynesian man said.

Nadia woke up. Greg was nestled into her large breasts like a baby. Pushing his nose into the cleavage. She still loved her husband. How could you un-love someone you’ve been married to for five years. They had gone on many adventures and side quests.

She kissed him on the cheek. Then left the bedroom.

Greg woke up hours later. He reached out for Nadia but no one was there. He looked up. His room was clean. Smelt like perfume. He hurried to the living room. It was spotless and there was some fresh cooked food on the table. And a note.

“I saw the pictures on the wall of me and my friends on the wall. Taking pictures and stalking isn’t you. I know you and you are better than that. You might not want me anymore, but part of me still remembers that promise we made in Kao Kao to be each other's best supporter. I’m sorry I said I don’t love you, because I do. But right now I need space. To think. To heal. And I can’t do that with you.”

Greg was in tears. He ate her cooking crying into the bowl. The scent of his wife, still in the room.