I woke up to the alarm blaring incessantly. It was 5am already. Sluggishly, I hit the button at the top of the clock.
Waking up early wasn't usually fun for me but for some reason, I felt this energy surge through my veins today. I was happy that Mark and I had made it this far. It was our tenth anniversary yesterday and while renewing our vows, I made a promise to remain positive each day.
I swung my feet into my flip flops and headed straight to the kitchen. How was I supposed to remain positive if I didn't get my daily dose of coffee? This was one part of my mornings that I usually looked forward to.
Mark was such a gentleman. For the last ten years, he ensured that I woke up to a cup of coffee just the way I liked it. Dark and potent.
With a visible smile on my freckled face, I walked into the kitchen. Nothing prepared me for what I saw next. For a minute, I thought it was a mistake but that looked more like a deliberate action.
"Babe?!" I called out
Mark was startled. As he turned around to face me. He managed to push both cups behind him as a fake smile escaped his lips.
"My love. What are you doing up so early? I was just getting your morning coffee ready" Mark stuttered.
He never stuttered.
"Oh, that is so adorable Mark. I responded as I moved closer to the kitchen cabinet.
I tried to pick up the brown cup which was his favourite cup but he was already offering another cup with coffee to me.
"Darling, this is your favourite coffee cup with your favourite dark coffee. Just the way you like it" Mark said,wearing a nervous smile.
No love, I want to drink from your mug today. That is if you do not mind" I said, dragging my last word.
"I don't mind. Go for it" He replied.
At this point, I would have backed down because the amount of confidence that was exuded from that statement was one that could convince me. But again, my instincts were unrelenting.
I hoped that Mark wasn't lying in any way but something deep down kept saying that I had been played. I picked up his mug, took a deep breath with my eyes closed and then went ahead to take a sip.
With so much vigour, I spat out the liquid into the sink
"Hot-Dyed water!?" I thundered.
Mark just stood there like a cat with no tongue.
"Say something Mark! Why do you have dyed water in your mug? How long has this been going on?"
Mark slowly moved to the kitchen stool beside him and sat down. Looking in every direction except mine, he started talking.
I'm so sorry my love. I honestly didn't want you to find out this way. I wanted to tell you myself but I knew that it would hurt so much. I have never liked coffee. Not even a single bit. But I know that coffee is your favourite thing in the world, and seeing your partner have a cup of coffee with you every morning has a great effect on you. I see the way you glow and radiate each time we share a cup of coffee. And I didn't want to take away this glow"
Mark's words pierced through my heart like a knife. Tears effortlessly rolled down my face but I had to listen to the reason why he had deceived me for so long.
"In a bid not to take away your radiance and also maintain my sanity, I decided to always substitute coffee with hot-dyed water. I know you probably hate me so much right now but this is my reason" he said with so much remorse in his eyes.
It all began to play out. Mark usually evaded any discussion about coffee and always gave me coffee each morning. I never really stopped to ask if he loved coffee too. I was too caught up in my coffee-verse and this made me inconsiderate.
I pulled another stool, sat down and looked him in the eyes
"I'm sorry I was selfish. I never really stopped to ask whether you enjoyed coffee or not. I guess I just concluded because with each sip you took from your mug, a little smile always followed." I paused to take a breather and a sip from my coffee cup.
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Good thing my coffee cup contained coffee and not dyed water. I carefully placed the cup on the cabinet and continued speaking.
"You should have told me though. It really hurts to know that you have been deceiving me for ten whole years Mark! I promised myself to stay positive each morning and so, I wouldn't let this change that. Because you were kind enough to tell me how long you've been deceiving me, I would reduce the time of your retribution." I said with an evil smirk.
"Getting retributed for deception. Fair enough, " Mark responded.
"I'm glad we're not arguing about that. For your punishment,you're going to take a cup of coffee for the rest of the week starting from today. By my calculations, you'd be drinking coffee for seven days. And I would be kind enough to make your coffee myself. See it as me returning the favour." I muttered.
"There is no way you're going to do that." Mark responded calmly.
"Well, it's either that or I do not forgive you" I said as I stood up.
Here is my cup of coffee, if you drink it's content, then I would know what choice you've made.
As I turned around in a bid to leave, I heard Mark gulping the content from my cup. I smiled.
"It was about time you did that" I muttered as I walked away. It was going to be a busy Monday at work.