Obscurity

Dos|| I love you

Nadia

Tears furiously  slid down my cheeks as I limped into the bathroom to clean my new wounds and get ready for my shift at the bakery. Turning on the shower, I let the water run until it reached my desired temperature. Peeling my clothes off and slowly getting into the shower, I winced in pain as the water hit my body.

Allowing myself to adjust to the pain, I gently began washing my body. Minutes later, I stepped out of the shower and towel dried myself and began to get dressed. Deciding on a simple tank and jeans, I let my hair fall any way it desired.

Grabbing my makeup bag, I lined up all the makeup I'd be using and began applying it to my face. After packing on concealer, I was content with my look as the bruises were less noticeable. Grabbing some lipstick, I applied it to cover up my busted lip. Groaning inwardly, I placed all of the makeup back and slowly made my way back into my room.

Sitting on the end of my bed, I thought back on the events that had happened hours before.

Waking up to a loud banging, I jumped from the bed and quickly made my way down the stairs. Quickly trying to turn the locks, the banging only got louder and quicker.

Once I unlocked the door, I opened it as an angry August walked past me bumping my shoulder roughly in the process. Looking over at the clock on the wall, it read 6:20 a.m meaning I only had 3 hours of sleep.

"What are you doing here?" I asked after closing the door.

"I don't want you 'round him anymore." He huffed taking off his shades. Looking into his eyes, I knew he had been high off some drug.

"Around who?" I sighed not wanting to go through another one of his tantrums. They've been more common over the past few weeks.

"Chris."

I scrunched my face up in reaction of his words. "Chris? I just met him yesterday. He's your homie right?" I asked putting emphasis on homie.

"Don't ask me no damn question. Just do what I tell you." He spat coming closer to me.

"You act like I fooled around with him. I'm not an ass like you." I said looking down playing with my fingers to ignore his angry stares.

He just chuckled lightly. "Watch ya' mouth baybeh." He spoke letting his accent roll smoothly off his tongue.

I don't know what it was, but a wave of courage washed through me as I felt the urge to get things off my chest.

"August, i refuse to continue to be bullied by you any longer. A relationship works two ways right? If you can't pull the weight on your end just leave."

"Look, we're gonna settle down and allat'. You need to be obedient to ya partna'. I'm pulling my end. You love me right?"

"No. I honestly don't think I could ever love you after all you put me through." I spoke lowly knowing my words weren't true. I thought that maybe if I said it out loud, I'd start believing it. I wanted to hurt him with my words just as he's been doing to me lately.

"You love me. Say you love me." He demanded backing me into a wall. I just shook my head standing my ground.

I frowned slightly at the now dark look in his eyes. It was like something clicked in his brain.

I felt a burning sensation on my cheek as I was knocked to the floor. Punch after punch, kick after kick, I cried out in pain as he threw me around like a ragdoll.

"Say you love me!" He spoke sending one last kick to my face busting my lip.

"I...... I love you." I breathed out feeling the blood make a pool in my mouth.

He picked me up and threw me over his shoulder carrying me to my room. Unable to move I refused to attempt to get away from his grip. Placing me in the bed, he pulled his shirt and shoes off climbing in behind me pulling me into his chest. I sobbed quietly as he mumbled a couple things in my ear.

"I don't be wanting to do it. You should've just listened."

"She didn't deserve that man, why you make me do it?" His voice cracked as he spoke as I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

Flinching slightly as August's arms found there way around my waist, I let out a shaky breath. He'd never laid a hand on me before, so that honestly hurt me more than his punches.

August wasn't always short-tempered like this, he's actually really sweet. He's just going through it right now with his own demons. I love August and I'm going to ride this out with him.

"I'm sorry baybeh. I'm so so sorry." He repeated.

I simply nodded, already having experiences with hearing his apologies over and over, only on different terms.

"I should finish getting ready for work." I spoke lowly making him loosen his grip.

Little did I know, this issue just so happened to spark a change that would later be beneficial to me...