Sweven

“How’s she doing?” “She’s doing well. I don’t think she needs me anymore,” I said. She stayed quiet. I couldn’t resist myself anymore. “Did he hurt you again?” She kept stirring the tea in her saucepan and didn’t answer my question. “You can always choose another life, you know? You don’t have to go through all this,” I said, leaning towards the kitchen door frame. “And starve her to death? She doesn’t deserve that, I think. At least he takes her responsibility. Moreover, I won’t get a job anywhere,” she said. “Complete the graduation in private. Loans or scholarships can help. Till then I will take care of both of you,” I said, gently turning her towards me. Her eyes were red and full of tears. Her right cheek was bruised. I held her hands. Her arms had red marks on them. I shuddered but didn’t express anything.

It’s been 4 years since that day. She took the right decision and left that toxic household and her husband. She worked as a maid and completed her graduation. Then, she moved to a better job. She is an independent mother now. As for me, I don’t think I can forget how her daughter loved talking to me when I went to teach her. I still can’t forget the first day when she came out to give me tea when I went to teach her daughter. I had proposed to her but she had had enough and I didn’t want to force her into another relationship. Maybe there was something between us, or maybe not. Maybe we both met each other during our most vulnerable times, and it was just that. Till the past year, I used to drop into their house sometimes to see both of them. She became weak whenever I met her. It was as if I was a reminder to her of her past, that she was running away from. It was September last year when I last saw them. I keep thinking about what would have happened if they were in my life. Maybe in some other life.