Silent Cries!

I reached for my phone, which was screeching since ten minutes now. My bruised hands were finding it difficult to hold it. It was 6:00 am, time for me to get on with my listless life. I switched off the alarm. My body is aware of the ritual; the daily chores are programmed in it now.

Somehow today I do not feel like doing them.
I looked once again at my hands, and the memories from last night came like a flash at me. I already got a mid-night birthday surprise. He hit me, again for the nth time. The blows I received were still hurting. My fault was that a friend called up to wish me. How could a call for a silly birthday wish interrupt his sleep?
He broke my finger this time. The pain was shooting right through my arm.

Getting married on my birthday was my dream, but now it's my biggest regret.
Five years have passed.

I got up and it took one look at the mirror for my eyes to well up with tears.
I had a bruised eye as well.
I thought of calling my parents and letting them know about it, but I knew it would never be fruitful. Exactly twenty-seven years ago, I was born into a conservative family. It is better for them to see their daughter's dead face, rather get her out her miserable marriage. I attempted to take my life a couple of times, but it seems I am too much of a coward for that.

Brushing aside these thoughts, I forced myself to walk to the kitchen. I peeked in his room as I passed by it. It has been two years since he is sleeping wherever he likes. He was snoring unaware of what he did to his so-called wife. The stink of alcohol was too strong for a teetotaler like me.

The kitchen was clean exactly the way he liked. My phone beeped. It's a message from my friends; they wish me all the best and love and a happy life. Am I even living a life?

They say you can help yourself. You should say no to violence and stop being a victim. You should come out of it, but I am a coward wife. I cannot protest neither can I relay it to anyone. I guess God or whoever is ruling this world has forgotten about me. No hope for me, no voice for my silent cries!