I think the above titled story featured in this column a few days ago is not only an excellent piece of creative writing, but more importantly, it is a story which portrays some of the harsh realities and social issues that men and women in our society are faced with today. It shows how men could easily fall prey to some 'sweet talkin,' seductive women in their offices, or along the streets of Honiara, which gave them a false sense of "being loved", and forgot all about the vows they made to their pretty wives, and once-upon-a- time "sweethearts". In this story, I guess Beti and Tome must have exchanged this vow during their wedding:
I, (Tome),
Take you, (Beti),
To be my (wife);
To have and to hold,
From this day forward,
For better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish,
'Till death do us part."

The sad reality though, is that the above vow, made between Tome and Beti, flew out the window when Tome began to lust after another woman, and spent all his money on alcohol and went into debt, just to satisfy his own sexual gratification. At the same time he still tries to maintain his relationship with Beti and the children.

My advice to women who might be experiencing similar experiences is, don't be a fool! If your husband lusts after another woman, let go of him and see how long he will last with her, or how happy his life would be without you and the children. Mark my words!! The truth is that he will stay up all night thinking about you and the children, and how he could win back your favour.