The Bikini Picture that Led to Severe Heart Break

The noise that her cracked stilleto 👠 heels caused as she strutted half drunk on the main road sounded like mystic ringing.

She was a sight to behold by passers-by and commuters at the bus stop, her georgette dress so gracious it didn’t fit her drunken personality. Her fraying swag watered down in a manner that showed she was once a force in Cecily,
” That’s Marianne, she was an eye candy” , a plump red-haired lady buying books at the roadside said while pointing at her.

“And who is she now?”, someone from the bus queue questioned immediately.
” I don’t even know” , the red-haired responded.

Two hours earlier

6:13pm Friday

Marianne was pacing around the car park eagerly, she had texted Damian, called him , and if she could send messages through birds , she would have done that too.

Although she’s had enough of Damian, she desperately wanted to see her man turn up at her party tonight, it was her birthday party, nothing should go wrong. At least not today.

Despite the worn out condition of their relationship, she didn’t have the foresight to see that the end of her relationship with Damian is dangerously close.

Presley persuaded her to stay on the dance floor till Damian arrived, she soon swirled into the moment, drank and danced yet hazy pictures of Damian kept appearing in her head, shutting it out was not an option.

“Hey Damian, your girl is on the dance floor waiting for you…”, Presley said while dancing towards him.

“Not for me!”, Damian screamed angrily
” What’s the problem? “,she abruptly stopped dancing and raised her brows at him.

” Your friend has made a fool out of me “, Damian yelled.

” I don’t understand what’s going on “, gesticulating with her hands in the air

” Oh you don’t? “,Damian snickered.

” Gimme a minute “, he fumbled through his phone, showed her a picture of Marianne in bikinis

” Okay, so what’s the problem, Da…? “,
He walked out on her before she could pronounce the whole sentence in search of Marianne. She stood confused while searching for where Marianne could be.

Presley remained mute and watched where he was going, whilst she was still searching for her friend.

By the time he saw her, Marianne was tired of dancing, hurled up on a chair at the edge of the VIP lounge.

He pulled her up so roughly, it could make her vomit if the food she ate earlier did not digest.

” What’s wrong with you, Damian? you wanna kill me or something? “, She spoke at the top of her voice due to the noise blaring music.

” Nothing’s wrong with me, but I’m pretty certain something is up with you ”
She noticed that he was fuming with anger so she tried to calm him down.

” What exactly are you saying babe?”,Marianne asked in a soft tone with her hands placed on both sides of his cheeks while maintaining eye contact.

” Take your hands off of me Marianne! “He shoved her off.

She was shocked, yes, she knew he could be a jerk but she wasn’t expecting a public disgrace like this from him.

Subsequently, people began to gather around them, watching like it’s a movie scene. Presley was approaching them when Damian stopped her and kept rambling about the photos of Marianne in a bikini.
With the level of frustration she has been enduring, Marianne couldn’t keep her cool any longer.

” You’re calling me a slut for wearing a bikini? A regular beach or swimwear? Really? ”
Marianne had began to boil, she was quite livid at this point.

” Yes, why would you wear such clothes? ”
Damian inquired sternly whilst enjoying her reaction, he wanted her to say more but he didn’t see the blows coming.

” Just shut up Damian, when you first knew me, I was the type to dress up and stop a show, wearing whatever made me comfortable and happy, short dresses, bikinis, heels, rompers and anything that catches my fancy, you should have backed out then but you pestered me by professing love ” , she flared up.

” What are you insinuating? “, He began to panic but stood still like nothing was happening.

” I’m not insinuating shit! I’m simply making it clear to you that you can’t control my life anymore, I’m done being a shadow of myself “.

” This is funny you know “

” Nothing is funny, stop gaslighting me “. Marianne replied, screaming like her throat was not cooperating with the situation and she had to force her voice out.

” Me? Gaslight you? “, Damian chuckled.

” Damian! Do not say a word till I’m done talking, you’ve been saying too much all these while, it’s my turn today “.

Marianne didn’t even catch her breath before she continued, ” Remember how we used to eat out during our talking stage, how much I loved to party , drink , dance and be back in your arms. I actually felt free with you, comfortable, loved, cherished, now I see clearly, it was all a camouflage,Damian “.

” What do you mean? Babe, you know I care about you than to do such “

” Care, you say? Oh please spare me this drama. You love me so much you forgot my birthday? Not even a wish? You love me so much you cage me in the house? Your love is so immense that you overwork me ? Even my father wouldn’t do that “. She was exhausted, running out of breath but she wouldn’t give up.

” Babe please calm down”, Presley interfered.

” Presley no please, I’m tired and I need to get this off my mind “. said Marianne while wiping the sweats that aligned like beads on her forehead.

” When did I even do all of these to you? Stop lying to the world, people can hear you! “, Damian tried to shut her up but this was the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

” Can you hear him Presley? “. Damian’s words felt like amplifying drugs to Marianne, that should have controlled her anger, instead it backfired and escalated rapidly.
You could tell she was really furious as her eyeballs were redder than usual, beads of sweat dripping and dropping, with her meanest look on.

“One more word and I might harm you, Damian”. Honestly, she meant it.

*Woah, relax tigress*, he thought to himself and realized that he had bitten more than he could chew.

” You really don’t remember uh? Okay, let me jog your memory, you overworked me when you… “

*************
11:01am Sunday
A week ago…
Her eyes caught the new pair of heels in her rack.
“Hmmm, these babies been sitting here doing nothing”, she said while caressing her new stiletto heels.
” I’d wear these”
” Wear them to where exactly?”, Damian inquired with a stiff voice.
” I’m going to brunch with my friends “, she softly responded.
” Just make sure you’re back home on time to make my dinner ”
“Sureee”, giggling as the pitch of her voice rises out of excitement.

Marianne tapped and clinked her phone screen happily with her semi-long acrylic nails , informing the girls that she would be with them soon.

She rushes to the bathroom for her bath 🚿 routine, starting with her hair – wash, condition, comb out, dry with a towel, apply hair nutrients and put on a shower cap. Next is her body and foot care and she’s done. In fact, she literally dressed up in twenty minutes, her look was a subtle glam with a little razzle dazzle. By the time she was ready to leave, it was 11:27am.

She walks down the stairs that leads to the living room , ready to clutch her car keys but was interrupted by a loud voice
” Make sure you get home asap, Marianne”
She sighed tiredly because as usual, it was Damian.
With no options left, she screamed, ” Got it , Damian” with every strength left in her.

*******************
” Um, I didn’t know that cooking daily was like overworking you babe “, Damian defended.

” Don’t make me repeat myself, don’t say one more word. Let me take you down memory lane once more, you made me realize that I wasn’t worthy of your love when I saw a birthday gift wrapped with someone else’s name on it on my birthday, if not for my friends… ”
***********************
“Presley baby” , she greeted warmly
“Welcome gorgeous”, Presley responded with a hug at the entrance.
“Hey ladies” , she greeted warmly
“Hi barbie”, a usual chorus greeting by other ladies at the table reminded her of who she used to be. Her thoughts were beginning to hover around her but she shook her shoulders quickly as if the thoughts rested on them.
“Hi stunning barbies”, she cheerfully replied to them.
After the exchange of pleasantries and the ladies were seated, Presley was about to make a speech, “Clink Clink Clink🥂”, was the sound from the golden spoon’s contact with the glass of wine she was sipping from.
Soon enough, there was pindrop silence in the room.

“Hmmm, thank you all for coming on such short notice and thank you so much my darling Marianne for honoring my invite, for a moment, I thought you might not show up”, she laughed dryly while maintaining eye contact with no one in particular.

“… but I’m glad you are here with us, so in honour of your birthday that we couldn’t celebrate yesterday, here’s to more beautiful and blessed years to celebrate, we appreciate you for being a good friend to us” ,
“To Marianne!” , Presley shouted.
“To Marianne” , they all chorused.
Sounds of glass clinking echoes in her ear like she was farther from the gathering rather than in their midst.
Thoughts of Damian forgetting her birthday clouded her, she almost sunk into deeper thoughts before Karen and Keisha hugged her, saying, ” happy birthday in arrears darling”.

******************

” Oh my God babe, I didn’t realize it ” , he defended.

Marianne scoffed. ” But you made a birthday gift for another lady, on my birthday! You really have the guts Damian “.

” You know what? I should remind you of how broken I was in my own house. A day after my birthday, I almost slipped into depression before my friends invited me over and you didn’t even notice… “.

******************
Looking in the mirror these days hoping to see my reflection and marvel at how beautiful I am, I see another person staring right back at me. I used to be very happy, I loved eating out, now I’m a sad looking bitch forced to cook for Damian every day, I used to rock short dresses on heels and fancy boots but here I am this morning, embodying some aunties in their 50s at the behest of Damian when I’m supposed to be slaying to brunch with my friends.

Her phone notification interrupted her thoughts.

Presley
” Where are you?! Are you still coming? You good?”

“Girl I’m not good at all but I don’t wanna bother you”, she whispered in a way that it felt like Presley was right there, in her space.

“I’m gonna have to cancel , can’t help it, I look like shit! “, She muttered to herself.

“Babe, did you iron my black shirt?”, Damian asked while wearing his shoes at the door.

“Yes”
“You good?”Damian asked with a smirk..
“Yea”
“Okay, make sure you water the plants. Bye boo”

*****************

“You made me question myself that day, wondering if I was happy or pretending to be happy?! Trying to figure out what went wrong with me? Turns out you’re the joy killer. I hate you Damian, I don’t want to recount my experiences with you, I might just collapse”

“Please let me make things right”

“Don’t bother!” She stormed out of the club with her purse dangling.

Damian’s POV
I never imagined that I would stand in front of this club thinking about some crazy scenarios. I didn’t even expect Marianne to react that way, all I wanted was an apology and a sweet sex consolation, is that too much to ask for?

For God’s loving sake, the drama that just ensued wasn’t it at all. Why did she have to tell our business to the world?
Now she’s left for nowhere in particular, how did I falter so much in loving her? I just hope she’s fine.

“Presley! Wait for me”, she is rushing, I’m not sure she heard me.
Now, it’s just me, and I have two people to look for. I am really exhausted, I will forever be grateful for my waist or should I say my whole body for giving me support which made it possible for me to stand akimbo.

Did I stand here for too long? Just some minutes to myself isn’t bad though, besides I needed time to process all that had just unfold. I had better left to ensure they are fine.

“Taxi!”, I shouted from across the road, the driver’s ears are quite sharp, he made a U-turn so fast that his tyres screehed hard. Am I the first passenger for today?

Presley’s POV
Why will Damian be annoyed about Marianne wearing bikinis and posting them? She’s a grown woman. He obviously can’t bear seeing her look so hot. I actually thought they loved each other so much nothing could separate them but it turns out Damian is an asshole.

He didn’t realize she almost slipped into depression, did he stop loving her? This is too much to handle.

“Let’s go and find her, get in!” .
I was running towards the cab , and it’s been minutes since she left. I hope she’s okay. He should have gone after Marianne immediately but for some weird reason he stood still. Could it be that he has feelings for Keisha? I’m so confused.

Marianne’s POV
8:02 pm
How did I even get here? How did I become like this? I wish I had seen the red flags earlier! Maybe I wouldn’t have turned out like this

“No! Stop denying, you actually saw the red flags and decided to colour it pink”, I said aloud like I was correcting someone else, and not myself.

I didn’t even realize that I blurted out my thoughts on the streets of Cecily. I connected my earpods to my phone Bluetooth and decided to jam some SZA sounds, starting from my favorite, “Love Galore”, featuring Travis Scott. Now the part where SZA said, ” why u bother me when you know you got another woman” hit me, it somehow felt like my story but I won’t dote on that.

It’s a cold night, the street looks more deserted than ever and I miss him more but what can I do when he clearly loves someone else? Now SZA’s lyrics feel like a recap of my life. I really should have asked him why he bothered me when he knew he didn’t love me?.

I felt really bad when he questioned me about when he ever did me wrong, I had plenty of scenarios in my head but I could only say three, just three. Who even does that? I wish I was special to him, all of these wouldn’t have happened.

“Look where you’re going young lady!”,an old man yelled
“Sorry sir”, I said almost immediately.
The man nodded to signify that he was pleased.

What a time to be alive, I have to use Presley’s advice now, I just hope it’s not too late. And I hope my boss takes me back after the level of fooling that Damian showcased at my last commercial shoot. I really miss those days, it’s not too late, I can go back to my old comfortable, moneymaking, sweet life starting from tomorrow.

“Oh my God!”, that was all I could hear but I could see two obvious bright lights blocking other things in sight, I felt like I was about to land on the floor like I’m competing in a high jump competition, I felt afloat and the next second, I felt like I had just crashed.

8:15pm Friday.
” Oh my God! Who’s that?”
A man from a bookstore screamed while pointing towards the bus stop.
“Someone call 911”, a passerby shouted.
“Marianne!” Presley screamed from a distance, racing towards her friend.
” Pres..l..ley, I.. “, she coughed while trying to talk
” Yeah babe “, Presley’s eyes were teary.
“I was so deep in thoughts.ss , I..I.. didn’t s.see the car coming ”
“Don’t worry, we are taking you to the hospital now”, she assured Marianne of safety while eyescouting for an empty cab.
” I’m so s..sorry, I should have l.listen..ed t..to you!” Marianne continued coughing till her nose and mouth bled.
” This is not the time for blame, just keep breathing”, Presley said amidst sobbing.

She phoned Damian, his line rang repeatedly but he didn’t pick up. Presley held her tight to her chest, the hug was so tight she could feel her friend’s heartbeat. She kept praying silently until her eyes caught Damian walking briskly towards the scene, near the bus stop while he kept looking around.

Though Damian was late, he tried searching for a cab but within the next split second, the breathing and fast pounding feeling stopped.