ONE OF THE MANY VICTIMS (3)
The first few times she said no, he merely laughed and persisted in his playful advances.
One too many times, though, and he changed.
Binang saw his whole aspect transformed, as though he was becoming someone else right in front of her eyes.
He drew himself up to his full height, a good five inches taller than her.
His shoulders rose, and he stood with his feet planted firmly apart. The smile disappeared; the eyes grew cold. And when he came for her, there was no saying no.
Her friends used to tell her it was not rape if the man was your husband.
She didn't say anything, but inside she was seething with rage; she badly wanted to take a knife and carved out their faces, right here right there.
When Lino was born, Binang sent him off almost immediately to be raised by her eldest daughter, who was married and had a child of her own.
"It's your turn, all of you," she said, cold and resentful.