BEHIND THE SCENCES

Her dark curly hairs are gently blown away, caressed by the air blowing against her gentle face. She's putting on a smile that matches her red velvet suit, black suede shoes, white neck beads and matching pin earrings. Her parting lips are well lined with a glossy light red lipstick. Her dimples form an emblem of peace on her rosy cheek. When she opened her mouth to talk to the driver, as she stepped out of the SUV, it revealed her bright, healthy, white sets of 32; like precious gems they seemed like the icing on her brown chocolate coloured face. But, there was only one thing we always didn't get to see (well, maybe a lot more); her eyes. Carefully hidden behind those pair of dark GUCCI glasses. No one truly knew. Every one actually knows, that she's a mother of two fine boys, daughter of a renowned wealthy business tycoon, sister to a bank's manager, a top ranking managing director at a popular telecommunication company and the wife of a rich handsome young popular celebrity. Everyone knows that, but no one knew; the colours of her white eyes stained with blood from the last fight with her husband. No one saw the small cut below her eye lashes. Did anyone ever saw her back? The fine rows of leather belt 'D&G' imprint from the latest assault. Does anyone know she prefers to be at work than to be at home? Did we know she would stop by every evening at the mall, pretend she was shopping while she secretly admired the poor beggar who despite his state carefully and lovingly attended to his little boy. Does anyone know, she wished her boys had a father like that? Did we know because her husband abuses her, she now abuses drugs in return? Do we know that she's never told anyone about it? That she would kiss, hold, hug and admire him in the public, while news papers and magazines, neighbours and family cheer 'what a wonderful couple'? Yes, I know how her lady friends complain about their husbands and wished they had one like hers. But, does anyone know, he raped the house help on a drunken night, and she had to pay heavily to bury the case? And every time she fought him over his derailed behaviour, drunken attitude, careless living... he would beat her, threaten a divorce and she would cry and beg him saying 'Please my love, please... don't leave me now, not ever. Father of my boys, love of my life, don't put me to shame'? I mean, Does anyone know! Nobody knows she's a victim of a 'broken' marriage portrayed perfect like those fragile beautiful ancient Chinese vases on display at the art gallery. Nobody knows she's the victim of abuse, a single mother living with an estranged husband, a sex machine who uses condoms with her husband for fear of STDs, a pretence of her true person. No body knows she truly loves him, never married him for money or fame nor name like some folks claim. Does anybody, I mean anybody knows? That there are many women battered and tattered like her out there; with smiling faces, bruised egos, wearing flowing gowns, costly jewellery, driving expensive cars, living large in great building with fine edifices but treated like litters? Living everyday, hoping their man would change, or death should come or better still the world should end? Do you know? If only she made the right choice, if only we had right men, If we only knew, if she only tells, if we ever learn... These are Behind the Scenes. Melchizedek, son of Michael.