Good-Bye to the folly of my youth

Daniel got in his car in irritation and flung the divorce agreement application copy in annoyance onto the passenger seat and drove away. He hit the steering wheel in annoyance a few times to get rid of his anger. He had no idea why he was angry. This was what he wanted for the last three years…. Now that he had got it without even having to ask for it…. why was he annoyed?

He calmed himself down by the time he reached Michelle’s apartment. He rationalized his anger was due to Emile’s arrogance and nothing more. He put the divorce agreement in the dashboard before walking up to pick her.

The banquet was for celebrating the fiftieth birthday of one of his business partners who was also his father’s friend. Normally people would bring their spouses to such events; but Daniel never bought Emile… not even once. Either it was Michelle or one of the models he was having an affair with while Michelle went away. Initially this was the joke of the event and Emile’s status would be the butt of it…. but over time no one mentioned Emile.

Normally if someone asked him if he was dating the person with him, he would gladly divulge but today, he didn’t know why he was annoyed. He made a reason that he wasn’t feeling well to leave early and dropped Michelle at her place. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t even accept her offer to go back and take care of him.

He didn’t go back home either. He drove to Devil’s den which was his normal hangout place and called his best friend Ronald to give him company.

Daniel had already emptied 2 bottles by the time Ronald arrived.

“Hoo… hoo… someone’s celebrating….” Ronald cheered as he sat down “To what are we celebrating?”

“My freedom.” Daniel smirked as he raised his third bottle and downed it without a word.

Ronald knitted his brows as he looked at Daniel. He didn’t look happy although he said he was celebrating. He pulled the bottle out of Daniel’s hand “Stop…. Tell me what this is about?”

“Freedom… what I wanted and waited for 3 whole bloody years.” Daniel snorted as he pulled the bottle back and continued drinking.

“Why don’t I feel the joy?” Ronald retorted as he lifted a bottle to pour some wine for himself.

They both drank in silence for a while before Daniel opened his mouth “This is what I want…. But why am I not feeling well?”

“Maybe you don’t want this…. maybe you like her.” Ronald shrugged as he tried to reason.

“No… I don’t…” Daniel refused without even thinking “I don’t like her. I like Michele. I hate her… It’s because of her that I almost lost Michele.”

“Is it?” Ronald perked his eyebrows.

Daniel looked on in confusion.

“Let me ask you something else.” Ronald tried to reason differently “Have you ever thought of why your Grandpa is so dead against you marrying Michelle and forced you to marry and stay married for 3 years?”

“Because he is an old dictator.” Daniel snorted childishly.

“Then has he ever imposed any of his interests or likes on you before?”

“Huh?”

“I used to envy you.” Ronald shook his head helplessly “Even when your parents forced you to do things, your grandpa would rally behind you like a blind devotee. Do you know the remember of times I wished for that?”

Daniel wrinkled his forehead and curled his lips in confusion before continuing to drink.

Emile woke up with a rare smile on a face, one that had not been seen in the last three years. She felt like she was reborn without the weight of the emotional burden she carried for the last three years.

She hurried to the office of registry for marriage and divorce once she packed her bag. First, she stopped at Lawyer Hee’s office and gave his the paper that Daniel had signed relinquishing his right as the father if there was a baby as result of their marriage.

“Uncle Hee, would you be able to get it approved by the court today?” Emile bit her lips in hesitation.

“Ahai….” Lawyer Hee shook his head in regret “That kid is going to regret it.”

“Uncle….” Emile pouted urging him.

“Um…” Lawyer Hee nodded “I will call in a favor. Wait for me.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Emile smiled sweetly “I have to go to the registry as well. I will come back for the good news.”

“Child, how long has it been since I saw your sweet smile.” Lawyer Hee shook his head regretfully before nodding “I will definitely have it ready before you are back.” He got up to follow her out and head to court.

The process at the registry was straightforward other than the wait since it was a public office. Since it was a mutual application there were no problems. Emile came out the registry holding two divorce certificates. It would be a lie to say that she was not sad… a stream of tears rolled down her cheeks. Today she was officially all alone in this world. She was sad… but also relieved. It would also be a lie to say that there was no anticipation.

“Here I come.” Emile took a deep breath turning her head to the sky after exhaling all her sadness.

She took out her phone and send the first message to her best friend, Abbey “Today, I have regained my freedom.” Actually, it was the only message. She didn’t have anyone else to tell. She had cut off contacts with all her colleagues and friends previously as Daniel did not allow her.

Lawyer Hee was waiting for her when she arrived. Again, there were no issues and delays since it was voluntary relinquishment. Again, she collected 2 copies of the original verdict and went back home after bidding farewell to Lawyer Hee. Both of their eyes misted as they didn’t know if they would meet again.

Emile didn’t waste any time as she returned home and packed her bags. She didn’t take anything that came as part of the marriage. Not even clothes or jewelry that Daniel or Grandpa Holston bought her. She left the divorce certificate, the court approval of voluntary relinquishment, wedding ring and house keys on the table in the living room before walking out with her bags.

Abbey’s call came through as the taxi driver was loading her bags.

“GIRL..WHAT THE HELL?” Abbey screamed through the phone.

“I got divorced.” Emile spoke calmy.

“Scum…” Abbey cursed before asking “Did he throw you out?”

“I didn’t give them the chance.” Emile smiled serenely “I got him to sign yesterday and did the procedures today.”

“God… omg… you mean….” Abbey was shocked “You mean…” She knew Emile’s love for Daniel. Who would suffer this long?

“Yes.” Emile leaned back against the head rest with her eyes closed “It is time to let go.”

“Yes…. go girl.” Abbey cheered happily “I am so happy for you. You should have left the scum ages ago.”

“Where are you now?” Abbey asked as she realized the intensity of what she just heard.

“Do you want me to come over?”

“No need.” Emile rejected without thinking “I am heading to the airport.”

“WHAT…” Abbey screeched.

“I need fresh air and fresh start.”

“Yes… yes…” Abbey agreed readily before asking “When are you flying out? Where are you going? I will come with you.”

“No need.” Emile rejected her again “You have your life. I will call when I have settled.”

“When are you flying?”

“Evening.”

“Okay.” Abbey cut off hurriedly. Emile didn’t think much. She wasn’t thinking at all was the truth.

Abbey typed her resignation in a flurry and rushed over to the chief editor’s cabin.

“Sir, I would like to resign with immediate effect.” Abbey stood in front of Samuel with a flustered face.

“Woah…. Woah….” Samuel looked up in shock “Girl don’t you know to be gentle when blasting a bomb?”

“Sit down… tell me what’s wrong?”

Abbey sighed as she sat down and explained how her best friend was going through a hard time and going travelling. She wanted to go and support her.

“Why don’t I hold your resignation for now and re-assign you a travel blog assignment?”

“Really???” Abbey jumped up in joy… She loved her job and the place she worked. If it was not for Emile, she would never have thought of resigning.

“Really.” Samuel smiled in relief.

“Oh… you are the best.” Abbey ran upto Samuel and hugged him in excitement.

 “Go pack your bag and leave. Don’t bother me.” Samuel shoo-ed her pretending to be annoyed although there was a big smile hanging on his face.