into the blur

she felt a tingling sensation at the back of her neck as she alighted from the bus. she looked at her watch -- 7:28. "he's going to get into a fit again," she mused.

with her bulky bag on her shoulders, she walked slowly, dragging her heels. her back felt heavy, her neck sore. when she reached their doorstep, she stood a little while longer than she had to before pushing the door open.

"hi.." she said and planted a kiss on his cheek. he turned away without a word.

"had to finish something at the office. sorry i'm late, " she continued. she walked to the bedroom, threw her bag on a chair beside the door and kicked off her shoes. then she sat on the edge of the bed and stretched her back.

"why were you late? you're supposed to get off at 5," a voice behind her said.

"i had to finish something," she answered, "my boss needs them tomorrow".

"and it couldn't wait till tomorrow?" he inquired, "you're probably just flirting around with your friends at the office, wasting time."

"no..." she said with a sigh, "it had to be done today. please, i'm tired. i just got home. can't i rest for a while?"

"your loud-mouthed mother came over," he continued, "acting like a health inspector."

"huh? how so?" she asked.

"she kept babbling and ordering me around. she said the toilet's dirty and the laundry is piling up. and she said you don't go visit her anymore." he muttered.

"mom meant well..." she said softly, "you know how she is."

"well your mother should just shut up and mind her own business," he retorted. "my friends are coming over. what can we use for appetizer?"

coming over again? it has been the 5th time this month. "use whatever's in the fridge..." she answered wearily, "who's we?"

"same, same..." he answered.

the incoming message alert tone of her cellphone sounded. "who's texting?" he demanded.

"i don't know, "i haven't seen it yet..." she said as she reached for her bag.

"well... who is it?" he asked again.

"just my officemate. something about..." she started to say.

"you just left the office and now they are texting. what is wrong with you?" he cut her short.

"i'm getting changed, " she said as she handed him some folded bills, "my pay..."

"my friends will be here soon. what are we having for dinner?" he yelled.

she didn't answer. instead, she walked toward the bathroom. upon entering, she leaned against the door and put her hand on her ears, trying to drown the voice at the other side of the wall. slowly she crouched, and with her hand on her chin silently, no... desperately wished she had her own room. or her life back.