Chapter 3: The Abuse
The wound that was inside soon became visible on her body. Yet she still thought it was love. He still provided, she thought. Bruises couldn't lie. Her cohort mates were among the first to find herself badly bruised. Young they were just like her and didn't know any better who they could reach out to.
"What happened to you? What's that bruise on your face??!!" her friend screamed as she tried to pull down her hoodie.
"Nothing. I.. I just fell down the stairs!" she brushed off her friends' hands and managed to keep her hoodie on.
"NO! Look! THIS??? THIS is not a bruise from falling down the stairs! And this??" another friend came from behind and managed to pull out her hoodie exposing her badly bruised face and shoulders from the night before.
He had slapped her hard for forgetting to wash his cup of coffee before she headed out for class. The slap so hard, she lost her balance and fell to the ground. As she scrambled to stand up, he pulled her by her arm and pushed her to the wall and before she could gather what was happening, she was suddenly slumped against the other wall.
Yet, she couldn't bring herself to want a way out.. She truly believed it was her fault. Had she not made a mistake, he wouldn't had been mad and hurt her. She was so cautious of her every step. For awhile, he was nice to her. Praising her for being such a good wife. She was happy once again. Late night out for supper has returned. This made her believe that myth even more.
A year passed. She fell pregnant. She was happy, perhaps this news would make him this nice man he had shown to her. Surely he would love her more with this little one. She was beyond happy and couldn't wait to tell him.
"Whose baby is it? It's not mine!", that echoed back to her ears in disbelief. How... How could he say those words? He was all she had..
Everyday, new chore was added to her list. From just cooking, now he asked her to do laundry by hand. She had to squat in the toilet to brush and wash all of his clothes. From just working for herself, he know demands that she gives him a substantial amount for her as it was just a part time job.
More shouting, more grabbing. She had a miscarriage at 9 weeks. He met her at the hospital. Upon hearing the news, all he had to offer her was a cigarette. Not a hug, not consoling words, but a cigarette. That night he brought her out for a meal like it is something to celebrate. Still, she thought he loved her.
//--- Please leave a comment if you want to read the next chapter. :)
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