Week 7 Storytelling: Afiong vs The Skull

Setting: Dr. Thomson’s couple therapist office. The newlyweds Afiong and the Skull, also known as Calabar, are sitting together in the waiting room anxious about their appointment.

“Afiong and Calabar, Dr. Thomson is ready to see you! Would you please come right this way and I’ll lead you to his room” said the short brunette receptionist.

Both Afiong and Calabar stood up and followed her out of the room down a long hallway filled with pictures of happy couples. It made both of them sick seeing how happy everyone looked in all the pictures. Finally they came to a door with Dr. Thomson’s name written above it. The receptionist knocked and proceeded to open the door.

“Ah, welcome, welcome! Please have a seat. I’m so excited to meet the two of you!” exclaimed Dr. Thomson.

The two silently walked in and sat down on opposite ends of the plush couch across from the doctor.

“Now I’ve already read your file but, I would love to hear the story from your point of view Afiong, since you are the one who made the appointment” said the doctor.

Afiong sat up, cleared her throat and made a quick glare in her husband’s direction before starting. Well, my parents had been pressuring me for quite some time to find a husband, but I was not about to marry some old, ugly, rich man! I wanted to have a young, attractive husband who could take care of me. When I heard there was a hot new man at the market I just had to see him for myself. Immediately when I laid eyes on him I knew he was the man I would marry. He was tall, dark, and handsome. So we quickly got married and he took me back to his place… little did I know it was in the spirit world. I was so frightened and to make matters worse all these people approached Calabar as soon as we crossed into his world demanding their body parts back. I didn’t understand what was going on until all that was left of my husband was a skull. Yes you heard me correctly, a skull! I was in complete disbelief I wanted to return home so badly, but he wouldn’t let me. So, I’ve been miserable ever since. Calabar and I fight every single day. It’s about the most insignificant things too! He also doesn’t give me any room to breath… a girl needs her alone time. This is actually the first time we’ve been back to the human world since our wedding day!

(Skull Image. Source: Pixabay)

“Hmm, this is a very peculiar situation indeed. I can be completely honest when I say that I’ve never had clients from two different worlds before. I really feel like you should have been up front and honest with Afiong about your true appearance. Calabar, why did you not tell Afiong the truth once she agreed to marry you?” Dr. Thomson asked inquisitively.

“You don’t understand how vain she is… everyday she stares at herself in the mirror for hours! It’s completely ridiculous. There’s no way she would have gone through with the marriage if she knew what I really looked like. I mean, look at me I’m just a mere skull! I do try to treat her well and give her everything she needs, but it’s very difficult living with someone who only cares about themself” said the skull.

Dr. Thomson finished writing notes down in his journal, looked up, and said, “I can tell there is a lot of tension between the two of you. I think what you guys need is more communication. Afiong you need to try to consider Calabar’s feelings more instead of your own. And Calabar you need to work on communication and honesty with your wife. Work on these things for a few weeks and then come back to me and we’ll see what progress you guys have made!”

The couple stood up and left the office to return to the spirit world. They have had several more appointments with Dr. Thomson and have made immense headway in fixing their broken marriage!

~~~

Author's Note: I chose to do this weeks storytelling assignment over The Disobedient Daughter who Married a Skull, by Elphinstone Darrell. In the story Afiong goes against her parents wishes and marries the attractive young man. She quickly finds that he is actually from the spirit world and is not the attractive man she thought she married, but in fact just a skull. The skull's mom sees how miserable Afiong is and helps her return to the human world on the condition that she listen to her parents this time. Afiong agrees and when she returns home she marries the man her parents had advised her to. I thought it would be fun to do a couples counseling session between both Afiong and the Skull. Instead of having them separate and Afiong marrying a mortal, I chose to keep them married and in search for relationship advice. 

Bibliography: "The Disobedient Daughter who Married a Skull" by Elphinstone Darrell. Website: UnTextbook.