Page 12 - TEARS OF SUFFERING

TEARS OF SUFFERING

to his studies. The adverse impact of violence upon him
not only affected his physical well-being but also his state
of mind. He came from an abusive home and looked fine
to the outside world, but he was in a miserable situation
inside. Unbearable pain. Tears drowned him as he
resented the situation.

Because his stepfather was so consumed with dominating
both his mother and him, the boy became physically,
emotionally, and psychologically perturbed. He suffered
from a post-traumatic stress disorder and juvenile
victimization. Soon, he quit school, much to the dismay
of the teachers who had held high hopes for his future.
But they did not apprehend his domestic problems.

Most often, he would pick eggs in the bird nests and sail
downhill to the riverside to fish; they were the only
alternatives he found to comfort his afflicted mind. He
would be fishing until the sun reached behind the
horizon. Heart thudding and ears ringing with fear, he
would trudge back home and knock on the door. But the
eagle-eyed stepfather would be at the threshold, peering
at him. Slap!

Things worsened. One day, Aku clobbered his mother,
so she was bedridden. Her health deteriorated; she could
barely move her lips, and her eyes were losing their glow.
Ugyen sat by his mother’s side, little knowing she was fast
ebbing away. When she gasped, she clenched her son’s
hand. Sometimes, her eyes remained fixed on the ceiling;

12