The Trouble with Hating You

by Sajni Patel

Even if she was the way you remember her, it doesn’t mean she still is. Or that we should judge her.

All that judgmental, sexist shaming you’re doing isn’t reflective of her but defining you.”

“Love is enough. It’s society’s views and old-world thinking that broke everything.”

But there was a critical, heartbreaking question beneath it all: who wanted to marry a broken woman?

We, unfortunately, still lived in a society eager to alienate victims instead of protecting them.

“That’s a tired excuse. She’s imperfect, too. We all are. Being imperfect isn’t an excuse for you to slander. And she has every right to be here. Sounds like maybe you need to sit in the front row during sermons as much as anyone else.”

Honesty was a good thing, but it was alarming to realize how easily men objectified women and thought a fancy dinner equated to a night in their bed.

“Call me a bitch again, and I will cut off that worthless twig you call a penis,”

No man was worth tears.

I supposed there was no such thing as a stress-free life, no matter my education, career path, position, or pay. There was always one thing or another, but sometimes it was a wonder that I hadn’t given up by now.

We don’t blame people or hate situations. We deal, accept, move on, and make the best of it.

“You’re intriguing, smart, independent, kind, gorgeous, and no other woman has the ability to make my heart beat so hard when she walks into a room. Why wouldn’t I want to be with you?”

“I see so deep into you, Liya, that you can’t hide yourself from me. Even things you don’t want me to see. I love every piece of beauty, every imperfection, and I can’t get enough.”

“You have to let it go before it completely consumes you.” “How do I do that?” “Approach and embrace the bitterness. Look it in the eye and give it all you have, your tears, your fears, your anger. Then release it like a breath you’ve held for too long.

“You can’t always live for someone else. Live for yourself.

“Because it’s society. Girls get the short end of the stick. It happened so long ago, people won’t take it seriously now.

“I came because you’re the one,” he rasped. “You’re mine. I’m yours. We don’t belong with anyone else. I don’t stand in front of you, or run after you. I walk alongside you. I will be damned if anything breaks

“Liya, you’re wild as hell, a whole lot of trouble cushioned by a whole lot of amazing. I can’t sleep when you’re not next to me. I can’t keep my focus not knowing if we’ll be together. You challenge me. You keep pace. Hell, sometimes you even leave me in the dust. I love that. I adore you. You’re the madness I need, the passion I breathe, the spark that brings me to life. I will go wherever you are.”

“I am so in love with you, you may never know the full extent of my devotion, but I promise to show it every day. In how I treat you, not like a princess, but a queen. Not as my submissive other half, but as my equal. I know you can take care of yourself, but should someone try to hurt you, they’ll still have me to deal with. Not one day will go by without you feeling my love, in action, words…or when we turn down that bed every night.”