"You should always agree to everything I say," he snapped. Her eyes widened; she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You want a 'yes' wife? Oh no, I'm sorry, but that isn't me," she retorted. "Marriage is a partnership, not a dictatorship. We should respect each other's thoughts or opinions, but not force one to nod blindly and say yes to everything the other says." She continued firmly. Her gaze stayed with him, but her mind wandered in silence. "Is this really the man I married?"
He swallowed hard and tried to speak, but nothing came out. Her words hit him hard. He sighed. His shoulders dropped. The echo of his ridiculous demand rang in his ears. Even though they didn't always agree, his wife had always supported him and had even given up her own career for the family they were trying to build.
"I'm really sorry." He finally whispered; his voice raspy and regretful. "I don't know why those words came out of me," he went on, sinking into the couch, his palm on his face.
"For a moment, I didn't recognize you." She went closer, looking him in the eyes. "Wanting me to lose my own voice would mean the relationship is one-sided, and it's not gonna work well." She said softly. "But what is really going on with you? We were going over our payment plans, and you suddenly turned into a total stranger, totally unrecognizable." She wanted to dig a little deeper and maybe understand where he was coming from.
"The numbers scared me. I didn't want to mess things up, and I was hoping you would reassure me that we are moving in the right way. But you mentioned a possible scenario, and instead of seeing it as feedback, my brain hijacked me. It felt like you were questioning me. I am not failing you, am I?" He sounded genuinely worried.
"I understand the pressure, but always remember that we are in this together." She said, gently stroking his shoulder. "Please don't try to shut me out or even demand blind obedience from me because it's not going to happen."
"My mistake. I'm truly sorry. I want your voice. I need your voice." He reached for her, holding onto her hands like a lifeline. "Don't allow me to shut you. Never." He said, looking at her with clear sincerity.
[A wee story inspired by real-life experiences]
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