"MIA"

"Give me that," their elderly maid said, reaching out to take the towel from Mia's hand as she gently dabbed warm water onto the bruises marring her arm. Bernie, the man with whom Mia lived, had once again proven to be a source of pain and turmoil.

"I don't understand, Mia. Why can't you just leave that man? Look at yourself in the mirror. Don't you feel any pity for the person staring back at you? I, for one, feel nothing but sorrow for you," the old woman's voice quivered with a mixture of frustration and empathy.

Mia glanced at her reflection in the mirror with a distant gaze, her tears flowing like a river. Yes, she did feel sorry for herself. For quite some time now, she had been wallowing in self-pity, trapped in a cycle of abuse and despair. Yet, as the old saying goes, "With whom she stumbled, so she has endured everything."

"I-I don't have any money, Nanny Ising. Even if I wanted to leave, I don't have a single cent in my wallet," Mia's voice trembled as she admitted the harsh truth, her tears making her voice waver even more.

Nanny Ising's eyes softened with compassion as she enveloped Mia in a warm embrace. "Get dressed, my dear. We're leaving this place right now. Let's seize this opportunity while Bernie is away with his mistress. I can't stand serving that man any longer. I've decided to go back to my hometown and live there with my nephew."

Mia regarded Nanny Ising's weathered face, her heart swelling with gratitude. In the short span of less than eight years, Nanny Ising had become a pillar of support and a maternal figure in her life. Since the passing of her Mama Rosita, Nanny Ising had stepped in to fill the void left by her absence.

When Mia was twenty years old, Bernie got her pregnant. At that point, Bernie was already working as a Sales Agent at a high-end car dealership, while Mia held a job as a waitress at a local nightclub.

How had she ended up in such a line of work? The story was a complex one, but it could be distilled to a single fact: despite her occupation, she never allowed herself to be intimate with any man other than Bernie, her boyfriend at the time.

Two years prior, Mia had lost her beloved Mama Rosita, leaving her adrift and alone. During that period of grief and uncertainty, she had taken up the role of a waitress at a nightclub. It was during those tumultuous two years that she had crossed paths with Bernie, who eventually became her boyfriend.

In the beginning, their relationship seemed promising. Bernie had provided her with a comfortable home and even welcomed Nanny Ising into their lives. However, fate had other plans.

When Mia suffered a miscarriage at three months pregnant, Bernie's reaction was far from the supportive partner she had hoped for. He underwent a rapid transformation, and their relationship soured. His visits grew infrequent, and when he did return, he was often consumed by anger and hostility.

Mia couldn't fathom the source of her strength and resilience in enduring Bernie's abuse over the course of six grueling years. She tolerated his mistreatment, holding onto the belief that their love could eventually overcome the challenges they faced. It was a stark contrast to the man who once vowed to remain by her side until their golden years.

Mia's thoughts were interrupted by her own tearful sobs, her exhaustion palpable. She wondered whether her weariness stemmed from the powerful slaps Bernie had unleashed earlier that morning when she tried to prevent him from leaving. Or perhaps it was the sting of the two suitcases he had hurled at her head, symbolic of the emotional baggage she had carried for far too long.

A wry smile crept across Mia's lips. Perhaps this overwhelming exhaustion was a long-overdue wake-up call.

Recent events had brought to light the truth about Bernie's infidelity. A woman had appeared at their doorstep, boldly claiming to be Bernie's girlfriend and pregnant with his child. The revelation had shattered Mia's world, and a simple inquiry about the duration of Bernie's affair had dealt her yet another blow: five years.

Five years of betrayal. Five years of unfaithfulness. Five years of enduring emotional agony and physical abuse. The truth had unveiled itself, addressing the lingering questions that had tormented Mia for so long.

The root of Bernie's cruelty was his obsession with another woman. As Nanny Ising had wisely suggested, Mia and the old woman departed that very day. Armed with the money Nanny Ising had managed to save, they boarded a jeep that would transport them to a bus bound for Manila.

At the terminal, Nanny Ising handed Mia a small sum of money, offering her the means to begin anew. Mia hesitated, acutely aware of the sacrifices the old woman had made to amass this sum. Yet, faced with the reality of her financial destitution, Mia had no choice but to accept the lifeline offered to her.

"Keep this," Nanny Ising said, gently pressing the money into Mia's hand. "And here's my nephew's phone number. Call me if you need anything."

Mia's tears flowed uncontrollably as she embraced Nanny Ising tightly. The old woman had become her unwavering source of support, offering solace and tending to her wounds inflicted by Bernie.

As they reluctantly parted, Nanny Ising wiped away Mia's tears, her touch tender and reassuring. The warmth of Nanny Ising's affection provided a soothing balm for Mia's wounded spirit. In that moment, she longed for the maternal care that Mama Rosita had once provided.

"We'll meet again, my dear. Promise me that you'll call me. Remember that I love you deeply," Nanny Ising whispered, placing a gentle kiss on Mia's forehead.

Taking a deep breath, Mia turned away, her heart heavy with a mixture of relief and trepidation. Embarking on this journey entailed uncertainty—both the promise of positive change and the threat of new challenges. Yet, above all else, Mia's primary aspiration was to reclaim the peace of mind that had eluded her for far too long.