Author: Aniebiet Ekong
Date of Creation: Circa 2023
She stepped into the room, her heart heavy with guilt, hoping to hide her transgression. As she glanced at him from behind his chair, she could sense his anger boiling beneath the surface. His clenched jaw and tense demeanor revealed his brewing wrath. Slowly, he turned toward her, his eyes filled with a mix of horror and sadness. Surprisingly, he managed a calm smile as he asked the question she dreaded. “Where have you been?” Her eyes fell to her black dress, fear gripping her tightly. She knew the truth, the betrayal that lay hidden within her heart.
She had been with another man, beneath the shade of an ancient oak tree in the forest. He had whispered sweet words, leaving her captivated, and then gently kissed her forehead. They had wandered to the Shepherds’ well, drinking deeply from the wellspring of newfound love. It was a secret tryst, shielded from the prying eyes of the world. Yet, overwhelmed by fear, she had returned to her first love, her loyal companion. Now she stood before him, her heart tainted, her purity shattered. It was too late. She couldn’t undo what had been done. The seed of betrayal had taken root.
As her lover’s gaze fixated on a corner of her torn dress, her eyes followed suit. She saw it too- flowers from the white jasmine tree clinging to the hem. The damning evidence of her infidelity. He knew. Only the Shepherds’ well held such trees. Her facade shattered, she could no longer hide the truth. Horror quickly transformed into hate as he grabbed her arm, his nails piercing her flesh, evoking tears that streamed down her cheeks. She dared not cry out; she dared not utter a word. In the blink of an eye, she found herself on the ground, at the mercy of his unleashed wrath. His words cut through the air like knives, filled with venom and fury.
He was determined to eradicate any remnants of her new lover’s presence within her. Weak and on the verge of collapse, she heard a familiar whistle, caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance. Was it real? Could her new lover truly be nearby? Could He save her? Summoning her last ounce of strength, she whispered a plea for help. And then, in the midst of her fading consciousness, she witnessed a blinding light, brighter than she had ever seen. Expecting death, she lay still, prepared for the fiery torment that awaited her. But instead, she opened her eyes to a world drenched in pure, ethereal whiteness. Where was the suffering she had anticipated? Why was there no pain?
Then she heard that enchanting call again-the call of her new lover. Was he here, too? Was he also departed from the realm of the living? His laughter danced through the air, the most enthralling sound she had ever heard, as He gracefully approached her. He held her tenderly, His embrace radiating warmth and love. Overwhelmed, she dared to ask the question that lingered in her mind. “Where am I?” “You’re with Me,” He replied, a smile illuminating his face. “Look at your dress-it’s white. You are now mine and mine forever.”
She couldn’t comprehend it. She had believed herself to be ruined, defiled beyond redemption. “But I am defiled,” she whispered, her voice laden with confusion. He chuckled softly, His laughter carrying a gentle melody. “Oh, my darling, is that what he told you? You aren’t defiled by Me.” And then, in that tender moment, understanding dawned upon her. “I am purified!“
Sizzling Sunday: 22nd March 2026
Sizzling Sunday 186
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