[JacqueMerlin]

After extensive walks and conversations in the mall, we decided to have dinner at a restaurant located in the mall. Her husband who was indifferent to how she spent her late afternoon suddenly overwhelmed her with messages on her mobile. Those were the years when online messaging platforms were not as popular and QQ was the only Chinese online messaging app used widely in China. This app gave an irritating beep everytime a message comes in. So as much as it irritated her, it also did the same to the customers at the next table. I offered to foot the bill prematurely and escort her back knowing that her husband was demanding for her presence. But to my surprise, she switched off her mobile phone, an early version of the Apple Iphone.

I began asking if she was OK and she revealed a look of frustration. Perhaps my actions created a stark contradiction to how her husband behaved and I also emanate an assuring aura of trustworthiness, it was at this time she poured her pent up woes to me. She was forced into this unhappy arranged marriage by her parents. She has never loved this man and his ghastly behavior further exacerbated her detestation for him.

She apologized for his rude comments earlier in the day but I brushed it off with a smile deliberated to relieve any forms of emotional defense mechanism she might have. And I made a bold suggestion that changed the course of this relationship.

I ordered Japanese SAKE.