FLASHBACK

I was in the bathroom, getting ready for work then I heard rumblings from somewhere. Was it laughter? Was it an argument? It was uncertain. I got louder and louder and my curiosity got bigger and bigger. I turned the shower off so I could better hear the noise. I heard sobs. They were yelling at each other. I heard a banging noise. It was a fight, a lovers’ fight.  They were throwing things at each other. I can sense it with the banging noise.  He shouted, “tang-ina mo!” (“your mom’s a whore”).  She answered back “hayop ka!” (“animal!”).  They were cursing at each other. There was a banging sound again. Then I heard the girl cried in pain again. “Tama na, tama na (please stop)” she said. I sensed that she was hurt by the way she cried. Then she screamed “tulong, kuya!” (help!)  The banging didn’t stop.  I Stepped out of the bathroom and put I clothes on. I sat on my bed and waited for the next thing to happen. The noise was clearer in the bathroom. The banging noise stopped but the yelling didn’t. I heard the girl yelled “umalis ka dito! (get out!)” She said that about five times. Then there was silence.

Then the boy came downstairs carrying him with his things. I guess he decided to leave. I didn’t speak. I just watched him. He went to the Chef’s room and took his laptop. He talked to me. He told me that he left the laptop in the Chef’s room because her girlfriend might throw it too. Right! It’s expensive. I asked “Are you ok? Maybe you should talked about it” he answered, “There’s nothing to talk about” then he pulled his jacket sleeves and showed me his arms. His arms were filled with wounds and finger scratches. The girl did it. He pulled his collar and showed me his neck too, wounded. That’s why he wore his jacket despite of the hot weather. He went on, left the house and said that he’ll come back on Thursday and said that he will not leave. I can sense the cycle now.

 My heart beat when I saw his arms and neck. It reminded me of my past relationship. Like a flashback of the tragedy that I was once in. I was caged in that kind of relationship once. It was dysfunctional, stressful, unhealthy, violent… it was sick! It was not easy for me to escape from the tragic past but I did it anyway. I had to sacrifice my money, comfort, family communication, clothes, and most of all, my friends.  It’s hard to explain all these stuffs …so complicated. The wounds are healed but the scars will stay permanently.

Now, it’s Thursday.  They’re in good terms now. I just saw them watch Dallas vs. Miami together, calling “sweet” to each other.  I just wish that it will never happen again.