Lamentations Of A Battered Husband

 I have known him for two years. He's one of those distant neighbours who had tru casual interactions become a friend. In the months that we lived together in d same area and when we ocassionally ran into one another, our conversation never went beyond the usual inquiry about the weather or the offhand question: how is ur family? He was introverted, easy-going and almost self-effacing. I knw him as someone who minded his biz. That was as far as our friendship went until a year ago when I began to see him with a lady.


Once, he timidly introduced her to me as his fiancee. He re-appeared in d neighbourhood again after a month to apologise for not inviting me to his wedding. He had at d time informed me dat he would quit his self-contained apartment to a more comfortable one due to his change of status and dis was more than a year ago. Last weekend, when I again ran into my old friend at a barber's shop where I went for a haircut, he had changed a great deal

He was withdrawn and traumatised. He couldn't recognise me at first when I wave to draw his attention. He didn't radiate d freshness and robust look dat is common with newly weds. We exchanged pleasantries ind midst of the loud music frm d blarring speakers in d salon. Grabbing me by d arm like a long lost friend, he half-dragged me to a distance where he was sure that no one could eavesdrop on us. Then, in what seemed like torrents of pent-up emotions, he began:

Bros where have u been? I've been on d look out for u. You see, I hardly make friend. But I see u as someone I can confide in. My marriage has been hell and my wife is trouble personified. She has been violent since the first day we were pronounced as couples. We didn't court for a long time. But even in those few months of our courtship, I noticed she was aggressive. She once slapped a cashier over a small matter. She also slapped me once and I once narrowly escaped being bathed with hot water but I never took it seriously then. Each time she goes into a rage, I quickly forgive her. Ind last one year, she has fought me over flimpsy excuses. D last time, she slapped me ind presence of our friends at a party. The other day,out of annoyance, she sliced my arm with a razor.

He unfolded his shirt to reveal a deep but a stitched scar that ran tru his shoulder to his wrist. Almost sobbing, he went on,' I really do not knw wat to do as am very scared of her violent mood swings. Her weapons include hot water, boiling soup and kitchen knife which she throws at me like missiles. She has destroyed every gadget in d house.when she's calm, she would break down in my arms and cry profusely. What should I do now? Things have become even more complicated now that she's pregnant with our first baby.

He proceeded to show me deep scars of teeth bites, nail scratches and injury marks. It was unbelievable. Now he has taken to drinking. What advice can we give to this gentle young man in the midst of his ferocious and outrageous wife?