Monday Feb 16, 2026

LEAVING

Leaving

I met her when I was eighteen through theatre.

At that time in my life, I was confused about who I was. I wasn’t out. I was trying to move forward in a way that looked stable and acceptable.

She became pregnant.

After that, we decided to marry.

I was clear from the beginning that theatre was central to me. I intended to pursue it properly. That was stated openly.

When my son was born, I loved him completely. That was immediate and unquestionable. Holding him for the first time is something I will never forget. I was proud to be his father.

The marriage itself became increasingly strained.

Arguments were frequent. Money was tightly controlled. There were attempts to interfere with auditions and professional opportunities. The environment was tense. Even our honeymoon was not enjoyable. It was clear early on that the relationship was not stable.

Over time, I became exhausted within it.

When my son was around six months old, I left.

It was not dramatic. It was not a scene. It was a decision made after realising that staying would continue a situation that was unhealthy and unsustainable. I went back to my mother’s house.

Leaving was painful. I loved my son wholeheartedly and that never changed. But I knew that as he grew up, the situation would become more difficult, not less. I could not live inside a marriage that felt wrong, and I could not continue under constant pressure and control.

Soon after, I enrolled in a performing arts course.

Walking into college felt like stepping into something honest. I was studying what I loved. I was building a future that aligned with me.