Sandratv

Good morning everyone

To all the TTC women, you are the next person God is about to bless. Soon you will smile with your baby 🙏

Good morning everyone and happy weekend ❤️

Married to a Stranger (part 1)

Joy used to believe that love could fix anything.

When she married Sam, she saw a future full of promise—shared dreams, laughter, and a home filled with warmth. But slowly, quietly, that dream began to unravel.

At first, it was small things.

“Why do you need to work?” Sam had said one evening, his tone calm but firm. “I’m the man of the house. I’ll take care of everything.”

Joy had hesitated. She loved her teaching job—it gave her purpose, independence, and a sense of identity. But she trusted her husband. She thought his words came from love.

So she resigned.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The money Sam promised never really came. Whenever Joy asked for something as simple as food money or toiletries, Sam would frown.

“You ask too much,” he would say. “Learn to manage what you have.”

But there was barely anything to manage.

Joy began to stretch every grain of rice, every drop of oil. She would skip meals so her children could eat. Sometimes, she told them stories to distract them from their hunger, her voice steady even when her stomach ached.

Her two children—Ada and Kene—learned early not to ask for too much. They watched their mother silently, sensing the weight she carried.

Meanwhile, Sam was rarely home.

When he was, the smell of alcohol clung to him like a shadow. His laughter—loud and careless—often came from outside, long before he stepped through the door. Neighbors whispered about the women he spent his nights with, but Joy didn’t need their words. She saw it in the late nights, the empty pockets, and the way he looked right through her.

One evening, Ada tugged at Joy’s wrapper.
“Mummy, I’m hungry.”

Joy swallowed hard. There was nothing left in the kitchen—not even garri.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her children close. For a moment, she allowed herself to feel it all—the anger, the pain, the betrayal.

Then something inside her shifted.

This was not the life she had dreamed of. And more importantly, it was not the life her children deserved.

The next morning, before the sun fully rose, Joy made a decision.

She tied her wrapper firmly, packed a small bag, and held her children’s hands.

She didn’t wait for Sam’s permission.

She didn’t wait for his approval.

She walked out of that house with nothing but courage and the quiet determination that had been growing inside her all along.

The road ahead was uncertain. There would be struggles, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt. But for the first time in a long while, Joy felt something she hadn’t felt in years—

Hope.

And sometimes, hope is all you need to begin again.

Title: A Broken promise (part 4)

Jane: (whispering, kneeling) God… please bless my womb. I know children come from You. Please don’t forget me…

Steve: (from the bed) Are you still doing that?

Jane: (wiping tears) I’m just praying.

Steve: Praying won’t fix laziness.

Jane: (softly) I’m not lazy…

Steve: Other women contribute to their homes. What do you do?

Jane: I take care of the house… I try my best.

Steve: (dry laugh) Your best? Jane, you’re a liability. You bring nothing into this marriage.

Jane: (quiet, hurt) …

(Another Night)

Jane: (crying softly) God… please remember me…

(The next Morning – Bedroom)

Jane: (gasping softly) Two lines…?

Jane: (tears of joy) Thank You, God… thank You…

Evening – Living Room

Jane: (excited, nervous) Steve… I have something to tell you.

Steve: (tired) Make it quick.

Jane: I… I’m pregnant.

Steve: (pause) Oh.

Jane: (confused) Oh…? That’s all?

Steve: What do you want me to say? Congratulations?

Jane: I thought… you’d be happy.

Steve: It’s not a big deal.

Jane: (hurt) Not a big deal? You’ve been asking for this…

Steve: Things change.

Jane: (quietly) What do you mean?

Steve: I don’t have the energy for this conversation.

Days Later – Living Room

Jane: (holding phone, shaking) Who is she?

Steve: (calm) Just someone I talk to.

Jane: While I was here… praying… crying… begging God for this child… you were with someone else?

Steve: Don’t start the drama.

Jane: (voice breaking) Drama? I’m carrying your child!

Steve: And?

Jane: (stunned) And…?

Steve: That doesn’t change anything.

Jane: (whispering) Doesn’t change anything…?

Steve: I didn’t plan my life to be stuck like this.

Jane: Stuck… with me?

Steve: With someone who contributes nothing. Pregnant or not.

Jane: (tears falling) …

Night – Bedroom

Jane: (softly, hand on stomach) You are not a mistake…

Jane: You are not a burden…

Jane: (deep breath) And neither am I.

Quiet Prayer

Jane: (calm but emotional) God… give me strength.

Jane: Not just to endure… but to choose what is right.

Title: A Broken promise (part 3)

Steve: Jane… why aren’t you pregnant yet?

Jane: (confused) It’s only been a few months, Steve. These things take time.

Steve: Time? Other women don’t take this long.

Jane: (softly) It’s not something I can control.

Steve: (standing, pacing) Or maybe you just can’t have children.

Jane: (hurt) Steve…

(Morning – Kitchen)

Steve: Did you check again?

Jane: Yes.

Steve: And?

Jane: (shakes head) No…

Steve: (scoffs) Useless.

Jane: Steve… please be patient with me.

Steve: (without looking up) Patient for what?

Jane: I’m trying. I’m doing everything I can.

Steve: (coldly) If you can’t give me a child, I’ll find someone who can.

Jane: (shocked) What… what do you mean?

Steve: I mean exactly what I said. I won’t waste my time.

Jane: (kneeling, trembling) Please… don’t say that. I’m your wife.

Steve: And what good is that if you can’t give me a child?

Jane: (crying) I’m not the giver of children, Steve… please understand.

Steve: I spoke to my friend today.

Jane: (quietly) Oh…

Steve: His wife is already pregnant. They married after us.

Jane: (looking down) …

Steve: So what’s your excuse?

Jane: (voice breaking) There is no excuse…

Steve: Exactly. Just failure.

(/Night – Bedroom (Dark)

Jane: (whispering to herself) I’m trying… I really am…
Why is this happening…?
(tears falling) What did I do wrong…?

(Evening at the Living Room)

Steve: (walking in) Why do you always look like this?

Jane: (quiet, tired) Like what?

Steve: Sad. Complaining without words.

Jane: I’m not complaining… I’m hurting.

Steve: Everyone has problems, Jane

(Silence Between Them)

Jane: (barely audible) I’m trying to be strong…

Steve: (dismissive) Then try harder.

Jane: (whispering through tears) I’m not a failure… am I?

Jane: (pause, crying) I’m not… am I…?

A Broken Promise (part 2)

Steve: Jane, once we get married, you will never suffer. You won’t work for anyone. I’ll open a business for you so you can be independent and happy.

Jane: Really?

Steve: Yes. I promise you.

Jane: Thank you, Steve. I trust you.

---

(Months after the wedding.)

Jane: Steve… you promised you would help me start a business.

Steve: Again? Do you think money grows on trees?

Jane: I’m only reminding you.

Steve: Why are you always disturbing me?

Jane: I just want to do something meaningful with my life.

Steve: Then stop pressuring me.

(Another afternoon. Jane is washing clothes while Steve prepares to leave.)

Jane: Steve, I feel lonely staying at home every day.

Steve: Lonely? Other women are working hard while you sit here doing nothing.

Jane: But I take care of this house every day.

Steve: That’s normal. Stop acting like you’re doing something special.

Jane: I left everything for you… my family, my village…

Steve: And so what?

(Jane becomes quieter with each passing day.)

Jane: Steve… I feel useless sometimes.

Steve: You complain too much.

Jane: I just want you to understand me.

Steve: Understand what? You’re always sad for no reason.

(One evening, Steve dresses up nicely and sprays perfume.)

Jane: You’re going out again?

Steve: Yes.

Jane: Where are you going?

Steve: Mind your business.

Jane: You’ve been coming home very late lately.

Steve: So now you want to control me?

Jane: No… I’m just worried.

Steve: Save your worries for yourself.

(Late at night. Rain falls outside. Jane sits alone in darkness waiting. The clock strikes 1 a.m. Steve finally enters.)

Jane: Steve… thank God you’re back. I was worried.

Steve: Stop acting like my mother.

Jane: Why are you treating me this way?

Steve: Treating you what way?

Jane: You barely talk to me anymore.

Steve: Because every time you talk, it’s complaints.

Jane: I’m hurting, Steve.

Steve: Everyone has problems.

Jane: I left everything behind because I loved you.

Steve: And what have you contributed since then?

Jane: I take care of the home. I support you the best way I can.

Steve: Support me? Jane, you’re a liability.

(Jane becomes silent.)

Jane: A liability?

Steve: Yes. You contribute nothing.

Jane: Steve… how can you say that to me?

Steve: Because it’s true.

(Jane walks slowly into the bedroom, tears running down her face.)

Jane: I never imagined you would become this cold.

Steve: Drama again.

(Steve sits in the living room scrolling through his phone, smiling while chatting with another woman. Jane cries quietly inside the bedroom.)

(Days later. Jane sits by the window staring outside.)

Jane: (softly to herself) I don’t even recognize myself anymore.

(Steve walks past her.)

Steve: Why are you sitting there like that?

Jane: I’m tired, Steve.

Steve: Tired from doing what?

Jane: From feeling unwanted.

Steve: You think too much.

Jane: I just wanted love… and the life you promised me.

Steve: Well, life is not a fairy tale.

(Jane lowers her head silently as Steve walks away without noticing the tears in her eyes.)

Title: A Broken promise (part 1)

Steve: (scrolling through social media) Hmm… who is this? Jane… she looks interesting.

Steve: (sending message) Hello, my name is Steve. I hope I’m not disturbing you.

Jane: You’re not disturbing me. Hello.

Steve: You seem calm and different from many people I’ve met.

Jane: Thank you. I’m just a simple girl living in the village.

Steve: I like that… simple is rare these days.

(Days turn into weeks of chatting)

Steve: Jane, I enjoy talking to you every day.

Jane: Me too, Steve. You make city life sound interesting.

(Months later)

Steve: Jane, I think I want us to take this seriously.

Jane: What do you mean?

Steve: I want to marry you.

Jane: (pause) Steve… that’s a big step.

Steve: I know. But I want to be honest with you. If we are going to get married, I don’t want you working for anyone. I want to take care of you fully.

Jane: (shocked) Not work for anyone? Steve, I have dreams. I want to build something for myself.

Steve: I will provide everything. You won’t need to work.

Jane: But I don’t want to lose my independence.

(Arguments continue over time)

Jane: Steve, I can’t just sit at home doing nothing. That’s not me.

Steve: I said I will take care of you. Why is that not enough?

Jane: Because I want purpose too!

(After another disagreement)

Steve: Fine… listen. If you agree to my condition, I will open a business for you. You will run it yourself. No need to work for anyone.

Jane: A business?

Steve: Yes. Your own business. You’ll be independent that way.

Jane: (thinking deeply) You promise?

Steve: I promise you.

(Later)

Jane: Steve… I’ve thought about it. I’ll accept.

Steve: You will?

Jane: Yes. I trust you.

Steve: Then we are getting married.

(After marriage)

Jane: Steve, have you started thinking about the business?

Steve: Yes, yes… I’m planning it. Just give me some time.

Jane: Okay… I’m waiting.

(Weeks pass)

Jane: Steve, you said you were planning the business. What is happening now?

Steve: Things are tight right now. Let me settle some expenses first.

Jane: You said that last month too.

Steve: Don’t worry. It will happen.

(Months later)

Jane: Steve, I need to know the truth. Is this business going to happen?

Steve: Jane, I’m still arranging things. Be patient.

Jane: I gave up opportunities because of your promise.

Steve: I didn’t force you.

Jane: No, but you convinced me.

(Tension grows)

Jane: So I can’t work for anyone, and the business you promised is not even starting?

Steve: I’m taking care of you, aren’t I?

Jane: That’s not the same thing, Steve.

Steve: I thought love was enough.

Jane: Love without honesty and follow-through hurts too.

(Silence between them)

Jane: Steve… I trusted your promise.

Steve: I didn’t think it mattered this much.

Jane: It did. It changed everything for me.

(Their relationship becomes distant, filled with quiet regret and unspoken disappointment.)