His Pleasure My Pain

Chapter 2

Twelve years went by, but nothing changed in my life. I was expected to wake up at four in the morning and hand-mop the entire living room, dining room, bathroom, kitchen, and the stairs before six. Following that, I was to cook breakfast, according to each individual request placed on the kitchen counter. I would then organize the dining table for my aunt, uncle, and a 24-year-old jerk who just happened to be my cousin. The entire family would beat me shamelessly every day and the worse is when I am left with no food for days. The only friendship that I happened to form was with the old rag that I used to clean the floor for twelve years. This was the only possession that stayed with me even though its colour changed to brown, and its seams were replaced with numerous holes. And yes, I am not delusional. After finishing my chores, I had to return to the cold floor in the basement, which I called a bed, and wait till I was summoned. The wait was long, but I could not fall asleep, because if yesterday repeats again, I am sure this time, I may not live for long. I still have open wounds from last week, so I had to be extra careful. After my uncle left the house, I was summoned up to the kitchen and as soon as I arrived, I was welcomed with a strong slap that forced me to hit my head on the neighbouring wall. My aunt yelled; “Are you trying to kill my son?” confused by her words, but I still stared at the floor, knowing very well that having a voice would earn me another slap.

She grabbed my hair and forced me to face my cousin’s plate. I was only one inch away from the food when I noticed garlic on the plate. I knew he was allergic, so I was extra careful while preparing his food, so I was not sure how that ended up on his plate, but my gut was practically yelling “sabotage”.

My cousin, Jake, started coughing forcibly, gaining my full attention and that is when I noticed his smirk. I knew that he was the reason for my pain.

“Oh mom, let her go. She is d**b anyways. Do not waste your energy on this junk” Still staring at the ground, I felt hopeless, and I knew today may be one of the days where death would finally take me. I do not have any energy to heal, nor do I have any will to continue living like this. No one is here to protect me, and no one will ever take their time to rescue me so let us just accept death and hopefully, anticipate peace. However, my aunt ignored Jake’s words and already began to march down to my specially designed discipline room. She walked without any words and that is when I understood that I was meant to follow her and willingly welcome a ton of pain and tears. However, my pain was placed on hold when I heard two knocks on the door, which meant for me to hide as no one could know I existed. Minutes went by and all I could hear were two people bickering so quickly, making it nearly impossible to decipher their conversation. As much as I wanted to play detective, I could not help glancing at the mirror on the wall. Over the years, I refused to look at myself because I had been told that I was an ugly girl who deserved no one and I very much wanted to prove everyone wrong. I knew that mirrors do not lie and that is why I refused to divulge myself in front of it. I knew what it would tell me, but I was not ready to face it. I viewed my appearance through my mother’s eyes as she proclaimed me as her beautiful princess, so why would I want to willingly stain her last words to me? I know she has lied to me a lot, but I really wanted to save this. It was one memory that I did not want to destroy, and you could call me selfish, but I really wanted to believe that my mother was somewhat right. While the urge to face my biggest enemy was overwhelming, I closed my eyes and forced myself to listen to the conversation once again, hoping the disturbance in the living room would spike my curiosity once again.

After a good half an hour, I heard my aunt yell so loudly that I am sure the whole neighbourhood heard. A sudden fear started to sink in as I was never allowed to see or even talk to another person because, according to my aunt, “I would bring bad luck to anyone that would want to shower affection, similarly as what my mother went through”. Well, after years of being told that I was my mother’s killer, well started to finally become believable.

“She is coming with me” a dark-haired man yelled.

“No, she is not. She is mine” Jake yelled, surprising everyone, even me.

What did this sick b*****d have on his mind? Was he really into me?

I hope not. The very thought was revolting. Before I could think of anything else, I saw Jake pushed into the wall and his neck grabbed by this man, who I must admit smelt very familiar. I could not see who this individual was as his face was hidden by my aunt’s body as she was begging him to stop.

I noticed Jake slowly removing his hands away from the stranger as if he was beginning to accept defeat; however, that was so far from the truth, because not only was Jake suddenly losing consciousness, but he was also turning blue. This sight began to fill my heart with happiness as he now finally understood how I felt when he wrapped his hands around my neck. He is now feeling what I have been enduring for years.

Unfortunately, the man let go and that is when I realized it was my father.

Did he miss me? He came for me, so does that mean he is beginning to love me? A tear fell down my cheek because even though he neglected me for years, I was willing to forgive him as he may have realized my unconditional love for him.

“Father, you came for me”. I could not stop the voice from escaping my mouth. I gasped as I saw him walking towards me with a small smile, but a smile, nevertheless. My happiness was cut short as his hand swung towards me, forcing me to the floor. My heart was broken into a million pieces because, instead of missing me, his hatred took over. His slap was stronger than before which may conclude I was still not loved, so I did what I was supposed to do – stand up and look at the floor.

“You b***h, you think you have the right to call me father. You took my wife away. Now I hear you are seducing this boy. I believe my sister has been soft on you. No problem, I will definitely change that”. I wanted to cry. Why me? If there is someone that is listening to prayers, then I beg for an answer to why I was brought to this world when I was the centre of everyone’s pain.

“You can not just take her” my aunt screamed.

“And why can’t I? I have paid you enough to discipline this immoral child, but you have failed me. I have found someone else that would take her and also pay me money; so you tell me which one benefits me more”. I was almost surprised by my father’s words. I was simply a means to make money for him, well I guess I do have some use.

Nevertheless, I wanted to yell at him - tell him that he was a failure because, instead of protecting me, he was just using me. Yes, I now have a certain value in his eyes, but was that really the kind of affection I was seeking? He was making a living out of me – his own daughter only receives his attention when there is a monetary transaction involved. My mother lied to me, which I knew for several years, but after hearing it from his own mouth, I was convinced that happy endings were only written to keep little girls quiet as they would live their lives in hopes of a guy saving them from all their sufferings. Now, what a brilliantly conducted plan, a clap for whoever designed these stories.

I was so drowned in my thought that I failed to realize my aunt and father were fighting to keep me near either one of them. They were so loud that I was sure the neighbouring houses were having a good show, but what was intriguing the most was that I could see Jake on his two feet walking towards me.

“She is not leaving. She is mine” Jake screamed, shocked, both, his mother and me.

“What did you just say boy?” my father replied, but this time his face was emotionless.

“Exactly what you heard, old man: Daphne is mine and she will wed no other” Jake’s voice changed as he held my hand.

“Please, Daphne, do not leave me. Can you not see how much I love you?” I was shocked and all I could do was stare at his face. I knew that would land me in a lot of trouble, but I had to see if he was in his right mind.

“I know I have caused you a lot of misery, but I was taught to never show you kindness. I always wanted to know you, be your friend, but mom stopped me. I have always wanted to be near you.” I was confused if I was allowed to answer Jake, but I could not just stand there and listen to his stupidity. He loved me, was he crazy? He made my life miserable with all the slaps and whips. If this is how people show love, then I do not want it.

“What is wrong with you Jake?” his mother spoke, startling everyone in the room.

“She is not worth it. You have a beautiful girlfriend, so why do you need her? Why are you ruining your life for her?” He had a girlfriend, how could I forget that? Jasmine has been his girlfriend for three years and I do occasionally hear their moans when I am cleaning the house.

Once cleaning my aunt’s room, I noticed Jake’s door open, but I did not know if he was home. I thought I was lucky because that meant I did not have to clean till midnight, but my happiness did not last long as I saw Jasmine in his room, and knelt on the floor giving him a b*****b. I was so mortified, and the worst part was that I also caught Jake’s and Jasmine’s attention. She immediately stopped and, from the looks of it, I was sure she was going to scream at me, but Jake yanked her hair backwards, forcing her to gasp in shock. Taking advantage of her open mouth, Jake instantly thrust his d**k in her mouth harder. I knew that was my queue to leave and I did so promptly, hoping to erase that imagery from my head, but I knew it was not over because as soon as Jake was finished, I heard him rushing downstairs.

“You b***h, how dare you ruin the moment for me and Jasmine. You have caused her huge distress. Was yesterday not enough? I know what you need”. He was so furious that I could see his eyes becoming red. That day I was beaten shamelessly for hours, even after I became unconscious, I was certain that he did not stop. He was a monster, even worse than his mother and father.

My uncle was the silent one mostly, but he never tried to stop his wife and son. How could one blame him, his wife and son were really a psychopath?

“Please don’t take her, I do not love Jasmine. I only want Daphne. Will you stay with me, sweetheart” he asked with so much desperation, but it was never going to win me over.

“Stay with you and your mother. Do you think I am crazy, Jake? I have been beaten by your family and, occasionally, your GIRLFRIEND, almost everyday, so why would I stay here? Just right now you tricked your mother into taking me to the discipline room, so why would I choose to be with you? Now I have a new owner and you should be pleased as I am no longer going to bother your romantic moments with your girlfriend” answered his question, knowing very well it would land me a slap. I could see my aunt rushing toward me, but she was stopped by Jake’s towering body.

“Please do not say that Daphne, I love you”, seeing tears in his eyes, but I was determined. I am given an opportunity to escape this hellhole and I am going to seize this moment immediately.

“ENOUGH. I have heard and seen everything. This girl is to marry tonight, so do not try to stop”. He yelled as he gripped my hand and forcibly dragged me into his car.

Wait did he say marry? Was I getting sold to someone as their wife? What have you signed up for?

Well, atleast there are two other people depressed about my departure. My aunt because she will not be able to realize her anger and frustration on me anymore and Jake, well I am truly not sure if I believe him, but I was happy seeing him weak.