Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Four months had passed. I attended a Marriage Encounter Seminar, and I was their resource speaker for the women on behalf of my husband. He had another speaking engagement as a motivational speaker, so I came to his rescue. The conflict was not Zed's fault, but the company for changing the schedule at the eleventh hour. We were both relieved that the organizer agreed on the alternative plan, only to learn later that the event was for Kim Yuan Microelectronic's another teambuilding activity.

This was what Mr. Kim talked about when we were at the resort. I was glad that he still remembered it. However, the organizer arranged the schedule directly with Zed and not through me. Perhaps, he was avoiding me.

Zed specialized in personal development training, highlighting the importance of changing one's mindset towards a better lifestyle and higher financial standing. He got lots of appointments, especially from companies that promoted team-building and companies specializing in multilevel marketing.

"Why do lots of married couples break up when the reason is just lack of sexual fulfillment? Do these people dwell on their lusts only? Does craving for a satisfying sex life make one evil? Is sex a vital need as breathing that some people end their relationship if they are not fulfilled?"

The crowd broke into a commotion, and I paused as I listen to them. Some of them grumbled and some, giggled.

"Of course. I feel bad if I can't cum. It ruins my day," I heard one say.

"I don't feel like talking to my husband if he doesn't mind me, first," another one said.

"What do you mean?" the woman across her asked.

"He has a pre-ejaculation syndrome that he cums even before I reach an orgasm. He seems too impatient to wait for me."

I smiled while listening to them. These women might be thinking I had a perfect, sexual life. I accepted this topic, a reason enough to make them feel I was an expert in this area. Little did they know that I was still a technical virgin after four months of marriage.

"The cause of the breakup is not the act itself, but the unfulfilled emotional need. Women often associate their needs for time and attention from their husbands to sexual fulfillment. When husbands are too exhausted to make love with them, they always think they are not needed nor desired anymore. If husbands do not take more time in petting and hurry up the penetration, the wives think they do not care about their feelings. Some even feel that their partners are just obligated."

I stopped for a while as the women broke into group discussions again. I learned then that more than half of them were suffering from discontentment and a sense of rejection.

"Doing sex with a woman often means entry into their emotional territory. The more time you spend on sex, the more emotionally-secured women become. Women may fake orgasm just for the sake of giving in because it also meant their emotional submission."

The audience broke into self-discussions again, affirming what I had just discussed. Some women broke into tears as they, perhaps, mentally-evaluated their sexual standing. Some were bragging indirectly, complaining that their husbands were so insatiable, allowing them less sleeping time. I also evaluated Zed and mine's sexual condition, and I felt happy and proud that my husband respected me so much. He valued me as a fragile figurine because he never forced his entry on me. If it were not so, he would have torn up my hymen long ago, even if the pain would be killing me.

Our discussions extended because lots of women opened up. I felt so fulfilled and rewarded as I took my exit later. To my surprise, Zed was already waiting for me as I went down the stage. He hugged me tightly in front of everyone and kissed me hard, making the women blew their whistles at us.

"I'm so proud of my wife," said Zed after he released me from his torrid kiss.

I got so awkward because many eyes were watching as he probed his tongue on my mouth. But when I looked up, the husbands entered the hall, and most of them wrapped their wives into their arms, kissing them afterward.

"Why are you here?" I asked, wondering what happened to his speaking engagement.

"I cut it short so that I could listen to my wife."

"It's so sweet of you, hon. Thank you," I said, wrapping my hands around his neck.

"Don't do this to me here, or I might forget there are people around," he smiled, but his eyes were burning.

"Stop that sweet nothings!" Ara's voice piercing into our ears broke us free from each other's arms.

We both laughed softly as we watched her coiling her hand around Tim's arm.

"Shall we eat?" Ara said, pulling my hand from Zed and brought me to the table reserved for us.

Once we had gathered around the table, Ara started to open her tactless mouth.

"Tim, you should have listened to Yen. She talked about the amount of time the husband should spend on sex. But I guess you overdo it. You always disturb my sleep. No matter how many hours we do it, I still wake up in the morning with a poking shaft."

Tim froze for a while then smiled awkwardly before he turned to her and covered her mouth. I stole a glance at his beet-red face, and I understood how embarrassed he was. Ara was sweet and cheerful, but her unruly tongue was so annoying, even to me.

"What is there to be shy about? Yen and I are best friends. Or is it Zed? Gosh, he always talks about sex in front of big crowds."

"Shut up!" Tim reprimanded her in a low voice, making Ara roll her eyes.

"Am I not telling the truth? No matter how many condoms you wear, I still get pregnant because you pump so hard for eternity."

"Ara! I said, shut up."

Ara finally closed her mouth, but her next move plunged me into another scene of emotional disaster. She spotted another friend of hers occupying the last table in a row. She waved a hand and squealed, then stood up and dragged me towards her friend.

"Ara, it's been a long while!" Her friend stood up and hugged her.

"It's been eternity. How are you?"

Ara did not answer right away, but she turned and looked at me. "Mitch, this is Yen, my best friend."

Mitch extended her hand to me, and I accepted it. "Nice to meet you, Ma'am Yen. It was such a nice lecture."

I smiled, realizing that she was one of my audiences a while ago. She invited us both to sit down for a chat, and I agreed.

"You and your husband must have a perfect life," Mitch commented, and obviously, she based her conclusion on the success of my lecture.

"We are trying to have one," I replied, smiling, concealing the sense of intimidation I felt inside.

"But Mitch, she is not normal," Ara butted in, and I cringed in awkwardness as she made that offensive comment.

Mitch furrowed her brows but remained silent as she stared at Ara. Ara glanced at me sideways, afraid that I would stop her. Shocked momentarily, I was still gaping when she continued.

"She is still a virgin. They were in a relationship for seven years, and they are now four months after their wedding--still unsuccessful.

Mitch shook her head in disbelief. "Oh, no! Come to my clinic tomorrow."