Five— Bruises.

Thursday.

I was in my room finishing my draft when I heard my aunt Rita’s shouting and smashing things downstairs. “Heather!! Where are you?” I stopped writing and went downstairs. She’s having another tantrum. I don't like this. “Aunt Rita! Stop!” I shouted when I saw that she’s throwing and breaking the plates and glasses!

“YOU! WHAT DID YOU SAY?!”

“I said stop. You’re breaking everything. You can get hurt!” I moved towards her.

“Don't even try to come near me! You’re a bad luck! If I had not accepted you in this family, I would not be miserable!!! You ruined everything!!! You’re like my dead brother!! Stupid and useless! I should have abandoned you in the street! He promised to — “then she cried and break more things.

She stopped while holding a plate, and she's still crying and cursing. I walked towards her. And when I was about to grab the plate, she slapped me. It shocked me.

“I told you not to come near me, bitch!” Then, she strangled me in the neck using her bare palms. I choked. Her hands were strong.

“A—unt Riiita. Caaant bbreathe.” I tried my best to speak. I struggled to break free from her. Luckily, I could. I fell down. My body feels wobbly. I coughed so hard. And my eyes were watery.

“Why do you despise me so much, aunt Rita?” I started crying.

“Loathe? Ha! I want you dead!”

“Why? I did nothing wrong with you. I am doing everything I can to handle off our family’s debts, and I am trying to create peace with you.”

“Nothing? You’re the reason I am miserable!! Family? You're not my family!! That's the debts of letting you live! YOU should pay for it every cent of it!! Then leave this house AND NEVER COME BACK! Then, I’ll consider if I will make peace with you, bitch.” she glared at me and walked out like nothing has happened.

I cried so much. I want to leave this house so bad. But why do I feel sorry for her?

After I calmed down, I went upstairs and went to the washroom to wash my face. I looked in the mirror and my eyes were swollen. And my neck has bruises. Mark of my aunt’s deep hate of me. I keep on thinking why does she hate me so much to the point she wished me dead. I was about to cry again, but I have to be strong for myself.

I remembered back when I was in college, I noticed that she always has this mood swings. So, I asked her if she needed to go to a clinic with me, so they can recommend her things to calm her down. She cursed and say mean things to me. On that day on, I swore I will never ask her again to come with me to seek help.

After I finished calming myself, I went downstairs and swept and clean the house. Then, I retired to my room, lied down and hugged my pillow.

And I fell into a deep sleep.