Chapter 2 Burnt dinner

Elaine sat in front of the mirror watching her teary blue eyes, her long black hair shining effortlessly from the sunlight, her beautiful face was turning into something hideous because she wanted to hide her tears.

She held her ears and raised her head to push back the tears, maybe not seeing her face would probably not remind her of how miserable she was so she sat nervously on the edge of the sofa, her palms moist with perspiration.

Ever since she got the news, she has been experiencing fatigue, accompanied by unexplained bouts of dizziness and sharp pains in her abdomen but that would be due to her starvation in the process. The worry gnawed at her insides, making it difficult to focus on anything else. She knew she couldn't keep it to herself any longer; she needed to share her concerns with her husband, Richard.

Richard, a hardworking man with a demanding career, had been engrossed in his work lately. The mounting pressure and constant deadlines had consumed most of his time and energy. Elaine had noticed how much he seemed to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Still, she hoped he would spare a moment to listen to her afterall if was her health they would be talking about.

Taking a deep breath, Elaine mustered the courage to surface the subject. She approached Richard, who was glued over his laptop, engrossed in a flurry of emails. She gently placed her hand on his shoulder, hoping to catch his attention.

"Richard, can we talk for a moment?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Richard, visibly agitated by the interruption, sighed heavily and glanced up briefly. "Not now, Elaine. Can't you see I'm busy?" His voice carried a tinge of annoyance, causing Elaine's heart to sink. Since he came back from work, he had been cooked up in his study forgetting that she had a visit with the doctor early in the morning yesterday.

"But it's important, Richard," she pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears.

Richard's face tensed up, a mixture of irritation and frustration crossing his features. "Elaine! Can't you see how busy I am? I don't have time for this right now." he breathed out.

Elaine felt a lump forming in her throat, and her tears threatened to spill over. She had hoped for a supportive response from her husband, but his reaction crushed her. She had tried to be patient, understanding the pressures he faced, but she needed his attention, his understanding, and his love now more than ever.

"But Richard," she choked out, her voice quivering, "I need you to listen to you Please, just for a few minutes, can we talk?.

I am supposed to be more important than your work, I am your wife and I demand that you listen to me" she yelled at him having enough of lack of attention to her.

Richard paused for a moment, his eyes flickering with a mixture of frustration and anger. He closed his laptop and finally met Elaine's gaze for the first time in a very long while. Her breath instantly stopped as she looked into those beautiful brown eyes, she had almost forgotten the colour of her husband's eyes.

"What do you want to tell me, I don't have all the time in the world so hurry up" he said, his voice softened.

"The thing is..." she paused. Elaine began to think if she should really tell him the news. This was a man who wouldn't bother if she was thrown to the sidewalks or killed in front of the house, he wouldn't bat his eyes for that.

"What is it?" he asked impatiently tapping his hands on the table as his gaze was fixed outside. Of course, he wouldn't look at her, it was as if she wasn't attractive to him and he couldn't bear to look at her ugly face.

Elaine nodded, her tears now flowing freely. She understood the pressures Richard faced, but she couldn't help but feel neglected and unheard. She needed him to be her rock, her source of support in times of uncertainty.

"Why the hell are you crying?, did you come here so that you can cry in front of me? Is this what this is about?

Are you expecting a sorry from me or the slightest hint of sympathy simply because you are crying out of the blue" he said and his words shocked her greatly.

Because she was in so much pain that the tears slipped out of her eyes but he didn't care about it.

"If you don't have anything to say, please leave. I have work to finish" he ordered.

Without looking back, Elaine ran out the room without looking back leaving behind a confused Richard with his face in a frown.

Elaine sat alone in her room, her heart heavy with an unbearable weight. The doctor's words echoed in her mind, "You have cancer." It felt as if her world had come crashing down around her, leaving her with nothing but fear and uncertainty. She had always been a strong woman, facing life's challenges head-on, but this was something she never expected to face.

As the tears streamed down her face, Elaine tried to make sense of her new reality. She thought about the life she had lived since she got married, it had never been an happy one and finally seeing how pitiful she looked all those years.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, she heard a knock on the door. It was Mary, a formidable woman with a knack for being both demanding and annoying at the same time.

"Elaine, dear, are you in there?" Mary's voice called out, gentle yet firm. Elaine hastily wiped away her tears, trying to compose herself before answering.

"Yes, Mother, I'm here," Elaine replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The door creaked open, and Mary stepped into the room. Her eyes scanned Elaine's face, her gaze filled with concern.

"What's wrong, Elaine? Is anything troubling you," Martha said, her voice softer than usual.

Elaine's throat tightened, making it difficult for her to speak. She mustered up the strength to say the words that had been consuming her thoughts but she pushed them back, what was the point of telling Mary when she couldn't tell Richard, would she be expecting a different reaction from her knowing fully well that they are related and act almost the way - with indifference.

"If there is anything bothering you, you can always tell me about it?" Mary said.

"It's nothing Mother?" she answered.

"Come here dear child" Mary pulled her into an embrace and Elaine's heart became almost spilling the beans.

As they released each other from the embrace, Mary stepped back, her gaze filled with determination.

"Now, Elaine, there is something I need your help with," she said, her voice resolute.

"What is it mother?" she asked.

"You see, I am very hungry" Mary said.

It was then that Elaine realized she hadn't made dinner and rushed to the kitchen to make one.

After she had set everything she stepped out of the kitchen to find Mary waiting for her.

"Is there anything you would like me to do?" she asked.

"Yes, I would love you to scrub my feet, I have been having cramps in my legs for a while now" Mary complained.

"Ofcourse mother, why don't you take a seat and I will attend to you" she answered. Elaine followed Mary to her room where she began massaging her feet.

The scent of burnt food permeated the air, until it got to her nostrils.

"No" Elaine stormed out of the room into the kitchen only to find her food burnt.

She stared at the food disappointed in herself for not remembering it.

As the kitchen filled with smoke, Elaine's eyes welled up with forced tears from the smoke. She had been so preoccupied with attending to her mother-in-law's needs that she had neglected the meal cooking on the stove. Mary stormed into the kitchen and immediately noticed the chaotic scene before her. Her face turned into a scowl, and disappointment etched deep lines on her forehead.

"What on earth is going on here, Elaine?" Mary exclaimed, her voice filled with disapproval.

Elaine's heart sank even further as she looked into her mother-in-law's stern eyes. "I'm so sorry, Mother. I lost track of time. I didn't mean for this to happen."

Mary crossed her arms, her disapproving gaze piercing through Elaine. "Well, clearly you were not paying enough attention. You should have known better. He could you burn the dinner meant for me and my son, you are useless in cooking. My son at least deserves a woman who can cook ."

The words stung Elaine's heart like a thousand needles. She had always strived to be the perfect wife, but it seemed that no matter what she did, she could never meet Mary's expectations. Elaine turned away, unable to bear Mary's judgment any longer.

Just then, Richard walked into the kitchen, drawn by the commotion and the scent of burnt food. He took in the scene before him, the smoke-filled room, his mother's disapproving stance, and his wife's-dejected face. His brows furrowed, and his eyes flickered with anger.

"What's going on here?" Richard demanded, his voice laced with frustration.

Mary quickly composed herself, adjusting her expression to one of concern. "Richard, dear, it seems your wife has managed to burn dinner. I'm afraid we won't be able to enjoy a meal at home tonight."

Richard's jaw clenched as he looked at Elaine, his disappointment evident.

"Dont bother about me, clean up this mess" he ordered.

Elaine felt a surge of hurt and frustration. She had always strived to please Richard and make him happy, but it seemed that her efforts were constantly overshadowed by Mary's disapproval. She glanced at her mother-in-law, silently pleading for her understanding, but Mary's gaze remained cold and unsympathetic.

With a heavy heart, Richard turned away from Elaine and headed for the front door, his voice filled with anger. "I'll find something to eat outside. Don't wait up for me."

Elaine stood in the middle of the kitchen, feeling utterly defeated.

"Now I have to sleep hungry tonight and my son would eat outside, well done Elaine" Mary crossed her arms as she uttered those harsh words.