Story: I hate you

“It’s time,” Danial proclaimed during our anniversary dinner.

It had been a year since the start of our relationship and everything felt so right. We hardly argued, there were no secrets between us, I thought. Danial didn’t show any red flags. Everything went smoothly and I hoped that with this declaration, our relationship would be taken to the next level.

Slowly I was drawn into his circle of family and friends and the time came when I met the most important person in his life, his mother, Puan Sri Faridah. Puan Sri Faridah was accustomed to jet- setting around the world and living her best life, away from the prying eyes of society. One month she would be in Italy, the next in the countryside of Provence, and then enjoying the beaches of Bali.

According to Danial, she deserved every bit of happiness after the dreadful betrayal she suffered at
the hands of her ex.

Luckily for Puan Sri Faridah, her ex allowed her to keep their marital home in the lush greenery of Bukit Tunku. She held on to it, as it was acquired during Tan Sri’s prime – at the height of his money- making capacity – when Puan Sri had stood firmly by his side, remaining loyal throughout his journey from rags to riches.

“Danial, sayang. Sit beside ibu,” Puan Sri called out to her son. Danial obliged. He hugged her and she stroke his back tenderly. Their close bond was obvious and heartwarming to see. “Someone is here, please don’t make a scene,” exclaimed Puan Sri. And then stepped out Christina, Danial’s father’s new wife.

Danial gasped in shock. His cheeks turned red, but he held his anger within.

“I come in peace,” said Christina.

“Ibu, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be upstairs in my room,” Danial retorted and walked briskly up the
stairs.

“Christina and I have some unfinished business to attend to. I wish we could do this with the lawyers around, but I commend Christina for coming to me first instead of making it cold and hard through legal means…” said Puan Sri.

It seemed that Puan Sri Faridah had also moved on willingly, as the wounds have finally healed. She looked at peace and from the tone of her voice and her careful choice of words, there was no malicious intent left in her heart. She had truly left her past behind. She was my inspiration and where I would like to be one day, when I would have fully let go of Azim and made space for better things to come.

Suddenly, there were feet stomping from the stairs and Danial came rushing to stand between his mother and Christina.

“I hate you. I hate you for what you’ve done to my family!” Danial shouted in an outburst. Then there were a stream of tears and a slight wail as he tried to contain himself. He knelt down and looked defeated, conceding to the hurt and the anger he felt for the woman who tore his family apart.

Puan Sri rushed to hug him. I could hear the muffled sobs of a child and the affectionate whisper of a mother coaxing him. “It’s okay, sayang… it’s okay.”

I walked up to Danial and helped him stand. I held his hand and led him out of the room, out of the house and into the car. Danial stopped crying and looked at me with sad eyes.

“Thank you, Alicia. You mean the world to me.”