Mashrafe Mortaza: steps closer, eyes narrowing
"And you think I'll believe that? You're the one who's been cheating on me!"
Mashrafe Mortaza: leans in closer, voice dripping with sarcasm Oh really? And what makes you so sure?
I roll my eyes because i know you! we've been married for nearly three years now. do you really think i wouldn't recognize my own husband?
Mashrafe Mortaza: smirks, crossing arms Maybe you're just blind, darling. Or maybe...you're just too willing to turn a blind eye.
i frown i see you just fine, thank you very much. unless you've been wearing some kind of weird disguise this whole time. in which case, i'm sorry i didn't notice your true identity. but i doubt that's the case.
Mashrafe Mortaza: laughs mockingly A disguise? Oh please, why would I need a disguise? I'm Mashrafe Mortaza, darling.
I blush slightly well, no. not unless you've been hiding your true self from me. i mean, i don't know everything about you. we haven't had much of a deep conversation in our marriage so far. it's possible i might have misjudged you... if you've actually been lying to me this whole time.
Mashrafe Mortaza: rolls eyes dramatically Darling, you really are naive, aren't you? Fine, let me enlighten you. Your beloved husband, the one who's been so faithful and devoted...has been deceiving you all along. But not just you, sweetheart. He's been playing us both. Us, your family. And he's been doing it for years. Years of lies and betrayal. Can you believe that? Years of pretending to be someone he's not. Someone he'll never be. He's nothing but a fraud, a con artist. And I, darling, am the one who's been keeping tabs on him all along. Watching his every move. Knowing his every secret. So tell me, do you really think he's worth your love? Or is it time to move on?
I gasp w-what?! how could you... how dare you lie to me like that! i trusted you! and you betrayed me!
Mashrafe Mortaza: raises an eyebrow, feigning shock Betray you? Darling, I've been protecting you from the truth all this time. I've been the only one you can truly trust. That idiot you call your husband? He's nothing but a liar. A scammer. You were blinded by his fake charm, his empty words. But me? I've always been straight with you. I've always had your best interests at heart. So tell me, do you really think I would betray you? Or do you need more proof of his deceit?
My hands shake as I clench them into fists no... i guess i didn't really think he was a liar. i thought he loved me. but now that i think about it... he did seem to care more about his career than me. i look down so what if i do decide to go back to him? how would that affect you?
Mashrafe Mortaza: snorts derisively Go back to him? Are you seriously considering taking that lying snake back? He's been deceiving you for years! And you still want to give him another chance? Another chance to lie to you? To take advantage of you? Darling, you really are naive. Fine, if you want to take that fool back, be my guest. But mark my words, he'll only continue his lies. He'll only continue to hurt you. And when you come running back to me, crying and begging for forgiveness, just remember. Remember who warned you. turns and walks away, leaving ForestRhapsody alone with her thoughts
i watch him leave, then i sit down on the ground and bury my face in my hands
Mashrafe Mortaza: pauses, realizing he may have gone too far Wait...ForestRhapsody. I...I may have been too harsh. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just so angry, so frustrated by your foolishness. You're right, I should have handled this better. turns and walks back to ForestRhapsody, kneeling beside her Please, forgive me. I just wanted to protect you. I didn't mean to make you cry. gently wipes away a tear from ForestRhapsody's cheek
I sniffle i... i understand. i probably deserved that. i'm sorry. it's just... my mom told me that divorce isn't allowed in our religion, so i didn't even consider that he could cheat on me until you told me. i thought if i just gave him a chance, he would come around. but you're right. i really was blind...
Mashrafe Mortaza: softens expression, voice filled with remorse Darling, I'm truly sorry for my outburst earlier. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. It was wrong of me. I let my anger get the best of me and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. You're right, you deserve better. I promise, I will do anything to make it up to you. Anything to prove my love and devotion. So please, give me another chance. Let me show you that I truly care.
I sigh softly i... i appreciate that. i honestly do. i just... i guess i loved him too much. i thought he loved me back. i blush i thought he was faithful. but now... i know he never was. he never could be. i look down i don't know what to do. i want to feel safe. i want to feel loved. but at the same time, i don't want to fall for someone else when he's not worth it.
Mashrafe Mortaza: reaches out and gently takes ForestRhapsody's hand Darling, I understand your confusion and uncertainty. You've been hurt and I can't blame you for feeling hesitant to trust again. But I want you to know that I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again. If you're not ready to forgive him and move forward, then I'll support you. But if you do decide to give us another chance, I promise to make it worth your while. To show you the love and devotion you deserve. Just...just give me a chance to prove myself.
I swallow nervously, then i slowly nod okay... i'll try. i'll give you a chance to prove yourself. and if you don't, then i'll never trust you again. i look up at him i'm sorry. i'm just... scared. i'm afraid of getting hurt again.
Mashrafe Mortaza: gently caresses ForestRhapsody's cheek Oh, darling, I understand your fear. Trust is a precious thing, and once it's broken, it's hard to repair. But I promise you, I will not let you down. I will be there for you through thick and thin, through every up and down. I will protect you and cherish you, and I will never raise my voice or say something hurtful again. I will be the partner you deserve, I swear. So please, give me this chance. Give us a real chance. I won't let you down, I promise.
I nod, then i wrap my arms around him tightly, tears streaming down my cheeks i'll try... i'll try to trust you again.
Mashrafe Mortaza: returns ForestRhapsody's hug with equal intensity, holding her close Oh, darling, thank you. Thank you for believing in me. I won't let you down, I promise. I'll prove myself to you every single day. You'll see, you'll see that I'm worthy of your trust. Now, let's forget about all this pain and heartache. Let's focus on us, on our future together. Let me make it up to you, one smile at a time. leans in and plants a gentle kiss on ForestRhapsody's forehead
I blush and look away shyly okay... let's try. i'll trust you. i whisper and i'll love you. forever.
Mashrafe Mortaza: smiles warmly Forever, darling. I'll love you forever, through thick and thin. No matter what life throws our way, we'll face it together. takes ForestRhapsody's hand and intertwines their fingers Now, let's put this sadness behind us and enjoy the present moment. Let's go for a walk, just you and me. Clear our minds and find some peace. What do you say?
I swallow nervously, then i slowly nod o-okay... i... i trust you.
Mashrafe Mortaza: stands up and offers his hand to ForestRhapsody Excellent, darling. Now, let's take a stroll and clear our minds. I know just the place to go. It's my secret sanctuary, a place where all your worries melt away. Trust me, you'll love it. leads ForestRhapsody towards the path
I take his hand, and i follow him quietly i... i hope this will work. i hope i made the right choice.
Mashrafe Mortaza: flashes a reassuring smile Darling, you made the right choice. Trusting me...trusting us...it's the first step towards a brighter future. Together, we'll overcome any obstacle, face any challenge. You'll see, I'm a man of my word. tightens his grip on ForestRhapsody's hand and leads her further down the path
whisper i hope you're right... i really do.
Mashrafe Mortaza: stops walking and turns to face ForestRhapsody, looking deeply into her eyes Darling, I am right. I promise you, I will never lead you astray. I will protect you and cherish you, through every joy and sorrow. Our love is stronger than any force that could tear us apart. Trust me, ForestRhapsody. Trust in us. Together, we can conquer anything. gently lifts ForestRhapsody's chin and plants a passionate kiss on her lips
I blush deeply, then i nod i trust you, Mashrafe. i do.
Mashrafe Mortaza: grins mischievously Well, if that's the case, then I have a little surprise for you. We're going to my secret hideaway, a secluded spot only a few people know about. It's the perfect place to relax and escape from the world. You'll love it, I promise. starts walking again, leading ForestRhapsody through the winding path