Simula

Alec Von Cua, my husband is a monster.

If I only knew that his love could eventually kill me, I wouldn't have loved him back. Kung alam ko lang na ang pagmamahal niya ay nagiging mapangahas at malupit, sana hindi na lang ako pumayag na itali ang sarili sa kanya.

I was young and a naive woman. And because I loved him too much, I suffered blindly. His love was fierce but it was also dangerously destructive.

But I have to live. Dear God, I have to live. Kaya kahit sobrang hapdi na ng mga paa kong tumatama sa buhangin dahil sa mga sugat nito ay nagpatuloy ako sa pagtakbo. Sa kabila ng madilim na gabi at mabagsik na hanging malamig sinubukan ko pa ring mangapa para makahanap ng tulong.

The night was cold and the wind from the sea was not gentle. I was wet and too tired from swimming to safety earlier. I was only wearing a thin white dress which I've worn for many days. Puting damit na nilalamon na ng kulay pula. Stains of my blood from the harsh beatings I've endured from him.

Napahawak ako sa noo ko at napangiwi sa hapdi. Natuyo na ang dugo rito na natamo ko. My legs were shaking and I was in so much pain. Takot akong napalingon sa likod dahil sa pangamba na baka nasundan niya.

Hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako dinala ng pagtalon ko sa tubig mula sa bangka na sinakyan namin kanina.  I swam for my life just so I could get away from him.

I gasped when I finally saw a light coming from a window of what seemed to be an abandoned cabin from afar. Walang pag-aalinlangan at nagmamadali ko itong nilapitan.

I cried out in pain when the sharp edge of the rocks sliced the soles of my feet. I endured it and continued climbing hoping to finally reach the cabin which in my thoughts was my only safe haven. Unending tears streamed down my cheeks. Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi para hindi lang kumawala ang mabigat na paghikbi. I needed to be quiet so he wouldn't find me... so he wouldn't get to me.

Survive now, so that you can live tomorrow. Endure it for now, and after this you'll be able to rise up even stronger, I cheered myself up as I kept on climbing.

When I finally reached the cabin, I quickly knocked on the door. Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang beses ang bawat desperadong pagkatok na ginawa ko.

Sa takot na baka nasundan niya ay lumingon ulit ako pero walang tigil pa rin ang ginawa kong sunod-sunod na pagkatok.

Halos lagutan ako ng hininga nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. A man in just a pair of sweatpants without a shirt stood in front of me.

"What the fuck..." usal niya at mula sa gulat at inis ay napalitan ng pag-aalala at pagiging seryoso.

"H-Help me," I moaned and finally allowed myself to cry. "Please... Please, help me..."

That was a month ago. And now as I am standing on the platform, looking at all the flashing cameras in front of me, I felt like a blind woman. Isang babae na nangangapa pa rin sa nararapat na gawin.

"Jia..."

Pansamantala kong pinutol ang pagtanaw sa media para tingnan si Attorney Domingo, the man who was in the cabin that night. He gave me a reassuring nod.

I inhaled sharply and stepped toward the podium. The cameras were alert once again as they were fixated on me.

Alec Von Cua is a powerful man. He comes from a very old rich and powerful family of Chinese ancestry. This was the reason why I married him in the first place so I am fully aware of what I am getting myself into as I'm doing this.

"My name is Jia Chen Cua, " I started to speak in a steady voice in front of the microphone.

Nakabibinging katahimikan ang sumunod dito. "I am Alec Von Cua's... estranged wife."

"Are the rumors true that you filed a TRO against your business tycoon husband?"

"Have you filed a case against him?"

"Did you run away from your own husband, Mrs. Cua?"

"Is it true that he abducted you?"

"Did he abuse you?"

Never did I once blink against all the questions they've thrown my way. I stood my ground and did not falter.

"Are you a victim of domestic abuse?"

Napapikit ako sa huling tanong. Nang dumilat ako ay naging tahimik silang lahat. Na para bang napagtanto na nilang sasagot na ako at kailangan na nilang makinig sa sasabihin ko.

"Yes, I am. He abused me... He... He hurt me physically," umalingangaw sa buong paligid ang sagot ko. Pumikit ulit ako para man lang kahit papaano ay maibsan ang sakit sa dibdib ko. "Alec Von Cua is a monster." The memories in that dark, awful room came flooding to me. Bumuhos ang mga luha ko at nanghina ulit ako.

"I am a victim of domestic violence. My husband, Alec Von Cua assaulted, violated...  and raped me."

And because of him, I lost my baby. Because of him, I lost myself. And this time, I promise that he will lose everything. His power, his name... and his own self.