They say life begins at 30, but for Aunty Joy, I think it just began at 50. I've always admired her as the first ever graduate in the family, female at that, she was respected and loved by not just her family, friends, and close pals as well. Not just because of her educational prowess but because of her humble and philanthropic nature, but as they say, life cannot always be too perfect, and Aunty Joy had to suffer that imperfection in her marriage.

As beautiful, hardworking, and humble as she is, one would expect that her husband would adore and feel blessed to have a woman like her for a wife, but far from it, he was more like an anti-fan, a narcissist and despises Aunty Joy for every success and milestone she made career-wise, calling her disrespectful for any opinion she brings up that sort of counters his, not wanting to know if it was better or not, his ego always took the better part of him.

To make it worse, apart from his demeaning words to her, he was also a woman-beater, and Aunty Joy bore all this in silence for the years she was married to him, intending to protect her marriage and four children until she couldn't take it anymore. I remember that night as I peeped through the keyhole of the already locked room door, I was staying with Aunty Joy since her house was close to my school.

It must have been locked from outside by her husband or her, I'm not sure, to prevent me and her children from interfering in their heated argument which escalated to her receiving blows and beating from him. That was the last straw, Aunty Joy filed for a divorce, moved her things, and left the house she had supported her husband in building.

It didn't stop her from shining, she grieved the first few years, her husband remarried and the news was that he continued the beating with her. But Aunty Joy gained strength through her children's joy, worked hard to give them the best of life since their father also abandoned his responsibilities and never supported for once.

It's been 10 years since that uneventful day, she gathered the courage to leave an abusive marriage that had drained her of her vitality and zest for life. We were all sitted in the luxuriously decorated hall, as the life band played cool afro birthday music, awaiting the entrance birthday celebrant, and there she appeared like the queen, i've never seen her look so beautiful as she did today, skin glowing, those dark circles that had taken a permanent designated area under her eyes were no were to be found, she looked stunning in her tube glittering mermaid dress, as she gave a warm and sincere smile, not the fake one she was used to giving those year, her demeanor felt lighter, she no longer looked burdened, it made my heart glad.

The celebration was in full swing, with laughter and music filling the air, everyone wished her a happy 50th birthday as she cut her cake and took a sit in one of the table reserved for close family, where I was also sitted, everyone complimented her look and praised her for her commitment, hardwork and success through the years as she also recently just became a professor, but my curios mind couldn't stop me from asking the question everyone consciously stayed away from the whole night.

Most guests were gone now, just family, as they relished on the memories and events over the years

"Will you remarry aunty?" I dropped the bomb, not minding the dagger looks I was receiving

Maybe "When pigs fly, sweetie," she replied, her voice laced with conviction followed with a light laugh, which made her look even prettier than she did.

I nodded in agreement, understanding why she would say that, I witnessed it myself, Women over here are often raised for marriage, giving their all and always sacrificing, tolerating the cheater and beater, but when do we live for ourselves?

She had thought she would never be free, that she would be trapped in that toxic marriage forever. But she had found the strength to walk away.

As Aunty Joy laughed so heartedly to be surrounded by her friends and family who loved her so much, I can only imagine the freedom she felt finding her true self unshackled from the chains of an abusive marriage. Her journey hadn't been easy, but she had emerged stronger, wiser, and more radiant than ever.

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Thank you for reading.❤❤