I've always spent most of my time at work. I didn't have any problems whatsoever as I loved construction. I enjoyed bringing ideas into reality. As we only had a design from the architecture and we had to pull out everything that's on that design and come up with a final product. As an area manager at the construction company, I had to oversee a lot of the proceedings at work. The assistant manager, had little to none of decisions to make. I loved being hands on in terms every project we were working on but we mostly dealt with building property. As you can imagine I have to work long hours, early mornings and late nights. As a woman I much pretty enjoyed every little thing about my job. I was getting a fat cheque too which was like a cherry on top. When looking at me, you could never tell I was working in a construction company. My hair, nails, face was always on fleek as the millenniums would say it. I pretty much looked after myself and I didn't let the construction sites get into my head.
I was young, Black and successful. I can't really complain though I worked so hard for my desired life. Oh, where's my manners? My name is Mrs Jess Zingi and I'm 27 years old. I am also married to a businessman, Mr Sizo Zingi and he's 35 years old. He was investing almost everywhere he could, which made him a major shareholder in many companies. He had his own club, properties to rent, soccer team and food outlet. We really were a career oriented couple and we wanted nothing but more success for each other. We lived in an upper market place, 6 bedrooms house, with a tennis court, jacuzzi, swimming pool and fancy cars. What more could a woman ask for? My life was well put together and I was happy within my marriage. I mean we were only married for 3 years with no children. We wanted to make sure that when we bring our children to the world, they get whatever they want and we didn’t want them to struggle like we did when growing up. My husband was alright with everything and we had less fights. Our fights were not investing too much time in our marriage. After all Sizo wanted his wife at home when he was also at home but unfortunately that wasn't always the case. He was self employed and I wasn't even though I was calling the shorts at work.
I also had to answer to higher management every now and then. I won't lie, I had pressure to perform well as a woman and I could see that the subordinates weren't pleased at times that they were managed by a woman. I had to hold my fort at work and also at home which I also failed at times. Recently as we had a lockdown, we had to shutdown our services and I fought to make sure that no-one loses his job. Even though there were pay cuts here and there but it was worth it then having no job to go to after the lockdown. Although I was able to save the day at work but not so much at home. I had a lot of time to do soul searching and self introspection to be exact. I realized that marriage wasn’t made for me. I just couldn't survive in the kitchen and doing all the household work. Especially submitting to a man everyday. It's like suddenly he didn't have hands and I had to do everything as he was in his study all day long. I understand he was furious at the fact that the lockdown has made him lose millions of dollars. Even though he did claim from the government but it wasn't enough. He was always moody and not even allowing me to spend quality time with him.
As I sat down, drank my tea after a lot of household work and my office work. I realized that marriage isn't for me. I think I rushed into marriage and I should get back my old life. I just couldn't live in an unhappy home. The money meant nothing in that case, I just had to divorce him and focus on my life. I didn't think I can be hold responsible for another person life. I realized that within these 3 years I've been living a lie and I used my work as a shield to protect me from my own marriage. With all these thoughts occurring in my mind, I took a long breath and I said to myself I'm out of this miserable life. I then walked to his study while he was still busy with his work. I took out my weeding ring, placed it on his work desk, I told him I can't do this anymore and I'm not a wife material. I needed to focus on my life and grow as an individual. I thanked him for all the love he has shown me and all the memories we have made within our relationship. I kissed him on his forehead, said goodbye, my lawyer will be in touch and the home movers company and my mother will be here tomorrow to fetch my belongings. He sat there in disbelief, mouth open and his left hand on his left cheek. I advised him to not make it harder than it already is and he must just let me go.
As I walked away, his last words were I love you Jess, please don't leave me, I'm nothing without you and I promise you that I will change and I'm sorry for everything. I could hear this as he was also running after me. I locked him in his study which wasn’t ideal but I had to do it in order for me to leave in peace. I left the key on floor so that he could be able to get it as there was a small space between the floor and the door. That was the last day I saw him and I signed my divorce papers when it was sent to me by my lawyer. I didn't take much from him as I only took what was due to me. All his businesses, the house and certain cars he kept that with him. The lockdown really made me realized I was meant to do more with my life. As we currently speak I am working on starting my own construction company and I'll also invest in different companies. My mother is my partner and we live together. Life is so much better now that I moved back home and I'm just on the rebuilding stage of my life.
