1 Memory

October 2017

12.00 A.M

When Reiner heard Rosie laughing, he awoke from his sleep. He couldn't find Rosie in the bed beside him. He then attempted to locate her. He found Rosie in the kitchen; she was cooking. Cooking in the middle of the night? It's because Rosie is not a normal woman. She is mentally disabled and has dementia. She often acts like an 8-year-old, even though she is a grown-up, 25-year-old woman. Rosie was 10 years younger than Reiner. Their age difference is ten years.

Reiner didn't care about how stupid it was to cook at this late hour. His love for Rosie was rooted deep inside his heart. Instead of being angry that Rosie was messing with their kitchen, Reiner walked up to Rosie, hugged her from behind, and said:

"You want me to help you cook, honey?"

Rosie was very surprised. She released himself from Reiner's arms. Rosie looked very frightened. Her face turned pale. Slowly, Rosie stepped back, avoiding Reiner.

"What's wrong, dear? Why are you so scared?" Reiner asked.

Reiner approached Rosie, while Rosie continued to walk backward. Rosie started to cry. The look of fear was etched very clearly on her face.

"My dear, are you uncomfortable that I'm here?" Reiner expressed concern.

When Reiner was about to touch Rosie's face, Rosie pushed Reiner's hand away, and she ran away from there. Reiner chased after her.

"Rose? Wait, honey, what's wrong?"

Rosie climbed the stairs quickly. Arriving at their room, which is located on the second floor, Rosie immediately locked the door from the inside. Reiner banged on the door.

"Rose, open the door, please, my love. What's wrong?"

From outside the room, Reiner heard Rosie's cries and screams. The louder he banged on the door, the louder Rosie screamed.

"The dinner is not ready; I am sorry," Rosie said.

Reiner understood what had happened. Rosie was stuck in her memory of two years ago, when she was late preparing the dinner and Reiner hit her in the face. Every time Reiner beat her, Rosie would rebel. After escaping Reiner's grasp, Rosie would run into their bedroom and lock the door from the inside. Reiner always managed to break down the bedroom door and drag Rosie out. After that, he beat Rosie again. Rosie was stuck in that bad memory.

"Rose, we talked about this, didn't we?" I won't hit you again. Please, my love, open the door. I beg you, dear."

"Liar, you're going to hit me. You're going to slap me and kick my stomach," Rosie said. Reiner could hear Rosie's terrified cries. Rosie was sobbing even more. The woman screamed. She was now trapped in the memory of Reiner beating her.

"Forgive me, my husband. It's so painful; please, stop this. I promise the dinner will always be ready after this. My nose is bleeding. I can't breathe. Please. Please. It's so hurtful. Don't do this. I promise I will be a good wife. I know after this you will leave our home. You had sex with your lover in front of me. I love you, husband. Please don't do that to me."

Reiner burst into tears upon hearing her words. He leaned his head against their bedroom door. He said softly:

"My pretty baby, Please forgive me; I apologize. Please, open the door. I will kiss you and hug you. I am not going to hurt you. Please, my honey."

Rosie didn't listen to Reiner; she kept screaming. Reiner's cries grew louder. He was crying not because Rosie hadn't opened the door but because he realized how much he had ruined her life. He had deeply traumatized Rosie's mind. Reiner regretted everything.

"What have I done? She is innocent. She is pure and beautiful. How could I have hurt her?"

The only thing that touched Rosie's heart was Reiner's cry. Hearing Reiner's cry, Rosie stopped her tantrum. She opened the door and saw Reiner crying loudly. Her instinct as a lover drove her to stand in front of Reiner. She then wiped Reiner's tears and said, "Don't cry, my beloved Reiner."

Rosie smiled sweetly at Reiner.

Reiner hugged Rosie and kissed her hair.

"I promise I won't hurt you."

"I know. I know."

Reiner then kissed Rosie's lips for a few seconds.

"Let's cook dinner together, Rose," Reiner said.

In the middle of the night, they cook together. Reiner follows Rosie's insanity and satisfies all her crazy imaginations. After that, they returned to their beds and continued to sleep. But before going to bed, they had time to talk.

"Listen, Rose. I've been thinking about something. Shall we move from this house? I don't know where to move to yet. just far from here. I want you to forget all the bad memories that happened here."

"I like this house. This is our home. You and I There are so many wonderful memories here."

"I promise you'll like our new house even more. I'll sell this house and buy a new one that makes you more comfortable and happier."

"Wherever I am, as long as I'm with you, I'm happy."

"So do I, honey."

Reiner then kissed Rosie's forehead. He stroked his wife's hair until she fell asleep.

**

The handsome and the beast—that's what people call this couple. Reiner was so handsome and perfect. He is a successful doctor. Everyone was fascinated by Reiner. However, they also knew that there had been a girl who had conquered Reiner's heart. That's Rosie. Even by looking at them at a glance, we can immediately be sure that they truly love each other. Reiner fell in love with Rosie. He is overprotective; he doesn't let anyone insult his wife's mental retardation.

Rosie is not from an elite family. She never went to school; she only finished elementary school. Since a few years ago, she has even suffered from mental retardation and dementia. In the past, many rumors were saying that Rosie had sold her nude photos. The only thing she had that other girls might not have was extraordinary beauty. Rosie's beauty was perfect. although now that beauty has faded a lot.

A handsome and intelligent man loves a crazy woman. A phenomenon that shows that true love does exist Reiner has a dark past. Her past was much darker than Rosie's. The wound in Reiner's heart was far more severe than the wound in Rosie's heart. Before meeting Rosie, Reiner wanted to end his life. After meeting Rosie, Reiner wanted to live a long and happy life—with Rosie, of course. Rosie is the light in Reiner's dark world, the best part of his life, his pretty baby, his wife, his rest, and his joy. Due to her brain disease, Rosie had only 8 years left to live, but Reiner wasn't going to let Rosie die so quickly. He wouldn't let anything separate him from Rosie, not even death.

"I would rather die than live without you, Rosie."