Hindrances Within

Lying in bed together she responds to him as follows, “I treat them the way I do because it hurts inside. I was in a relationship with someone for some few years and he repeatedly treated me like I was an action figure he could put away when he tired of it. I loved him more than I thought I could love any man and I was supposed to marry him... I only treat those who deserve it the wrong way, so as long as you play your cards right and stay on my good side we'll be fine.”

Now a few minutes pass where they are both quietly waiting for the other to say something that will end the silence. She, thinking to herself that this person was digging too deep and he, at war with himself for what he is about to say for fear it might end the nothing that they have together. After a few more minutes as she begins to show her impatience at the silence, he responds, “I feel sorry for you. From the little time we've spent together I can already tell, I probably know you more than anyone you know” . He continues, as her face turns ashen.

“You take comfort in the pain you cause other peo-”

“What ar-”

“No, I think you need to listen to what I'm about to tell you and wait until I finish what I have to say, to speak.”

They stare at each other in silence as his heart races with furry nervous and afraid, yet determined to tell her what's going through his mind. At this same moment, although she's upset and offended at the few words he said, he has managed to peak her curiosity. Her face paler by the moment, she gestures for him to continue.

“I apologize if I offend you with what I say and I'd understand if you decide to cut me off after tonight, but this is something I think you should know before you self destruct. In the short time that I know you I already know you can be a wonderful person yet you choose not to. I mean you can if you wanted to, as I was saying before, you seem to take comfort in the pain you cause. You know the way you treat your lovers is wrong, indecent and inhumane. You treat the majority of them like garbage, and you gloat about it, as if you were proud. Your insecurities have made you a boastful and self-important person.

“This is why you feel alone and why you can never manage to find the 'right man'. I understand that misery needs company, but you take people to a level far worst than that and you need to open your eyes and see that even though it might sate your thirst for indecency, it'll never truly make you happy, but drown you faster as you realize what you've done.”

The silence cracks in his ears and as he fears the worst she only asks,

“If this is how you feel why do you stay...?"

Here, his heart breaks for he knows his words have collapsed the walls she built so fiercely. He turns to her holding back the tears he wants to shed for her so deeply and says, “I stay to fill in the void that threatens to rip your soul into shreds as it also threatens to rip mine.”