Ugly Woman Handsome Man

Whipped

PRESENT

"Sit down," he near growled.

My knees trembled. I was trying hard to not cry. Damn it to hell, I was so weak. But then with him it had always been like this.

He sighed, grabbing my attention.

"Jeni, sit down, please," he sounded frustrated, rubbing his hands down his face.

I tried massively not to fall on my face as I shivered and sat down opposite to him.

"I sat down," I whispered softly so he would look at me. His lips quirked and he pulled his head up from his hands, cupping his chin in them as he rested his elbows on his knees. His eyes were piercing and sharp as if he were scanning my brain.

I ducked my head, unable to take his look.

"Why are you sitting there?"

I looked up, stunned, staring in his cynically twisted smile and boring eyes. "Wh-what?"

"It is not like we have not come close before."

My world stopped spinning.

*

"How are you now?"

I smiled at my mom's kind voice. She was sitting beside me while I lay on my stomach, my upper body bare. My back was flayed open, still slightly oozing blood.

"I am better," i whispered back, "Has Lallu started?"

College started two days back. It was agonising to miss the first day. Especially when Lallu came back with stories of new people and singing and dancing and new clubs to join. All the excitement would have faded by the time I go to college. 

"She just left," she murmured, running her hand in my hair in calming strokes. 

"Hm."

It was silent for a few minutes in the room. 

"You need to go to the doctor, Janu," mom said worriedly.

I smiled. "I thought we had already established that the wounds were closing up."

"We do not know if it is infected, dear. Maybe we should not risk it."

"It will be fine. I am fine."

"Would you like me to apply more ointment?"

"Please," I said politely and she quickly left. The wounds were almost gone. Once I had fainted, my mom and sister had lifted me in to the bathroom, quickly tore off the remnants of my dress and washed off the pickle.

Maybe it was the spice in the stuff but I did not feel much pain after that. When I came to, I was already clean and gauzed up in our room. Considering my bare body, my father did not enter the room. Not that he would have looked in on me otherwise. I came out of my reverie when soft hands rubbed the cool salve on my back.

Glancing sideways I saw the tears lining my mom's eyes.

"Does it hurt?" she asked thickly.

I shook my head with a grin. "Do you hear me screaming?"

"I did. Still do," she muttered. Leaning forward, she rested her forehead against my shoulder. I could feel her tears on my skin  and it was ripping me apart.

"Please don't cry," I mumbled, tears fluttering down my face.

"I cannot help it," she said viciously, "It is so heartless of him. He is a cruel man."

I did not say anything. Sometimes it is better to be silent when the truth is voiced. 

"Shall I kill him in his sleep?" she queried.