THE MASOCHIST (Short Story)
"Where'd you get those bruises?"-
"What happened to your eyes?"-
"You okay? You look so pale."-
"Why'd you have that cut on your lips?"-
Blah . blah . blah . blah .
Questions here and there, that I used to answer with a smile, every.single.day. What's wrong of having bruises? Violet, green, and black bruises around my body. What's wrong of having a black eye? And if it's been swollen because of crying each and every night? Is there something bothering with my pale skin? And tell me, why'd you guys even concern yourselves asking if where did I got this cut on my lips? Why would I also even concern myself answering all those questions, kung pati sa sarili ko, hindi ko alam kung bakit ako ganito? It's been 2 years, since I started carrying this burden, simula nung nakasanayan at kinatuwaan ko na din na masaktan ako, physically and emotionally. I have been enjoying this severe pain at parang hinahanap-hanap na sya ng katawan ko. Now, is there anything isn't right with that? Wala naman akong nakikita. Anyways, I am Bella, the lady behind those bruises, cuts, wounds, swollen eyes and so on. Lahat ng yan ay galing sa boyfriend kong si Hiner. We're four years in a relationship with each other, the first two years that we had were good, maayos ang lahat. Sweet, gentleman, maasikaso at napakaalaga nya. But then I dunno what happened to the next following years, hanggang ngayon, he's been enjoying hitting me in any part of my body. He's been doing such things- violent ones, to me. Kisses turned out into spunks, hugs suddenly became kicks, and sweet words changed into trashy ones. It all started when we decided to live under one roof. Lahat, nag bago .. The old has gone and the new has come. Even my love for him, nag bago na rin .. I love him way better than before even he gets worse and worse as the day passes through.
"Bella! where the hell are you?! you fcking idiot!"
Well, that became his goodmorning to me. Good thing I prepared breakfast na for him, baka ma-bad vibes nanaman yun pag wala syang nakitang food sa table, like last morning, I wasn't able to prepare food for him cause I woke up late and I hurried up to go to school kase late na ko. Yes, I still am studying, actually the both of us, I'm on my third year of being college and Hiner is on his fourth. Since our parents both live on the outside of the country, nagsama na lang kami, besides kaya naman namin lahat ng expenses, we're sustained by our parents weekly, Unico Hijo sya,at ako naman, Unica Hija kaya naman our parents can't afford to neglect us.
"Babe, I cooked spaghetti for breakfast, goodmorning"
I said while smiling, he just glanced at me and then he grinned. Well, I guess that grin was a good sign? or not? Hmm. He looked at me then said,
"Are you just going to watch me while eating? You're pissing me off!"
Then, sinabayan ko na syang kumain. While we are eating, I'm gazing at him, and every single part of him, amazes me.
"Babe, I love you"
I said with my sweetest voice and
sweetest smile, he just raised his middle finger. And yes, that became his way of saying
"I love you too".. *sigh* I miss the way he says those words. After were done eating, tumayo na sya, and so did I, I washed the plates while he's preparing himself to go to school, after him, ako naman, and then we're both ready to go. Before he can open the door to go outside, niyakap ko sya. A fond and tight hug, namimiss ko kasi sya kahit araw-araw ko naman syang kasama. And then guess what?
He pushed me away to the extent na humampas na yung muka ko sa sahig.
"What's wrong with you, btch?!"
Then he went to his car, I smiled, forcedly. Halos maluha na rin ako, pero, I chose to be happy kahit na ganun na lang yung treatment nya sakin. I fixed myself at sumunod na sa sasakyan. Kahit naman ganun na si Hiner, palagi nya pa rin akong hinahatid sundo sa school at hinihintay pa rin nya ko palagi. Kaya I believe, that he loves me still. When I get in the car, *plaaaak!* *gasp* Sinampal nya ko out of the blue, masakit, pero sanay na ko.
