1 Hell On Earth

Many years ago...

"The whole house stinks, woman!" Therman Blake yelled from the sitting position he was in on the only sofa that was in the sitting room of his little apartment. His bare feet rested on a worn-out rug that seemed like it used to be red, however, it was now a different color. The manual fan that required air from outside before it moved creaked behind him and the sound added to Therman's irritation at that moment.

Daliana didn't respond to him. She remained silent as she sat where she always sat whenever Therman was around -- in the kitchen area on a wooden high stool -- she didn't want to be in the same space as Therman. As she fanned herself with a book with her elbow propped on the little island there, Dalian absently wiped the streak of sweat that was streaming down the side of her face. The electricity had been cut off as they were late paying the bills. She knew that replying to the statement that Therman had just made would give rise to something that Daliana wanted to avoid, so, she stayed quiet. She wasn't up for an argument as she was heavily pregnant at that moment.

"Didn't you hear what I said, Daliana?" Therman called again. "This place is smelling! I cannot stand it!"

"Then do something about it..." spat Daliana. "Help me clean the place up, Therman," Daliana finished with an exaggerated plea. It wasn't that the house was smelly, if it was, her extra sensitive nose would have picked it up a long time ago. Therman was just in one of his moods and he basked in making her share in his frustration -- even though she knew nothing of its origin.

"Is that really so hard for you to do?"

Therman shot her a look, and if looks could kill, Daliana would be lying on the floor, lifeless. He slowly stood up with his eyes fixated on Daliana. While he walked towards her, as slowly as a predator stalking its prey, he pointed a warning finger in her direction.

"I have told you not to ever think or even suggest that I do chores in this godforsaken house!" he yelled. "It is a woman's job to keep the house clean and a man's job to provide. So-"

"We can see all the provisions," Daliana responded sarcastically, painfully cutting him off. She, as well, was irritated and uncomfortable. The heat and her condition were not helping matters.

'WHAM!'

The slap stung Daliana's cheek and her hand flew to her face immediately to cradle the site of the pain. She didn't utter a word after that as she was sued to getting hit on a regular basis. However, Daliana didn't want the situation to escalate into something more violent.

How she pitied herself as tears began to roll down her cheeks. She wondered how she got stuck in a relationship of this kind. She thought about when their relationship at the beginning and pondered ion when it had gotten this bad. Oftentimes, Daliana found herself daydreaming about how their connection was at first and how it would have been only if it continued that way -- but she knew they were all dreams and wishes.

It had been heaven on earth, Daliana recalled. Therman had wooed her for months, coming to her workplace bearing gifts and proposing date nights. Finally, after about seven months of him doing all that, she finally agreed to a relationship with him, and oh, how happy he was. He had even stated that she'd made him the happiest man on earth.

But, it all changed.

After a year into their relationship, she'd agreed to move into his apartment with him, to solidify their union -- even though his place was smaller than hers. Daliana had offered her own apartment but he'd blatantly refused. She didn't see anything wrong with that and didn't hate his small apartment as she wasn't one to make a big fuss about material things. She totally believed in the love that Therman said he had for her and even showed her at that time. Daliana believed that they would work and grow together and attain a much better life than the one they had at that moment. She was a patient and an optimistic person.

After a short while after they'd merged, Therman was laid off from his job and to make matters worse, she fell pregnant. Everything went downhill from there. He had started to hit her at the slightest provocation and had equally become verbally and emotionally abusive. Daliana didn't know she'd find herself in such a situation in a million lifetimes.

She'd left Therman twice during that time but had always found herself forgiving him after his numerous pleas with tears streaming down his face. She felt sorry for him -- she loved him. But it always got worse than the last time whenever she returned to him.

At this point, and with the pregnancy so far gone, Dalian didn't know what to do or where to turn. She had left her job because of her health and things were not looking good for the both of them -- in the relationship and even financially. Things were strained to a snapping point.

'Knock, knock!'

Therman, who had still been hovering over Daliana and was ranting about something wiped his forehead with his sleeve as his head turned around to look towards the door. With a tight frown on his face, he asked in a low tone; "Whos did you invite to my house without my permission?"

Daliana didn't respond to his question. She thought it was out rightly stupid as he'd warned her in the past not to bring her friends or family over to the house. So, she didn't know why he asked her that now.

"Who?!" he barked.

Daliana jerked as if expecting another assault. But nothing came and she watched as he spun around and strutted for the door.

"It's me, Therman," came the voice from behind the closed door.