She Laughed

She was laughing.

When she was born, she laughed.

No matter how hungry or thirsty she was, she laughed. She was always laughing, that sad little giggles she was giving to everyone she meets.

When she was early at school, she laughed. Friends always makes her laugh, so she did. They gave her little comfort, they get to know her, so she laughed. She was always laughing, even though she was ridiculed. She let it slide. Besides, they were her friends. Friends never betray each other.

So, she laughed.

When she was humiliated in class, she laughed. She knew that school will help her learn, so she bore it. She faced laughing faces and jeering noises, thinking this will make her better.

So, she laughed.

When she was entering high school, she laughed. The joys of meeting someone new, she adored. She met friends whom she thought would never leave her, unlike what her friends before did. She believed, but they left. One by one, their trails became unknown to her. Even then, she thought that people have their own ways. She let them go.

So, she laughed.

When she had graduated from college, she laughed. Her parents were nowhere in sight, but she thought that they must have something better to do than attend a ceremony. She was their daughter after all. They work to feed her. They must still be at work, scrubbing their money off the company's walls. She thought that it was fine.

So, she laughed.

When she got her first corporal work, she laughed. Her boss was always yelling at her. He called her rude names. He degraded her whole being. He called her useless. He slapped files across her face. He made her scrub his everyday coffee mess. She thought it was alright because bosses always know what they are doing. She would just follow them so she could get  decent promotion.

So, she laughed.

When she met a nice guy, she laughed. He was nice. He was always taking her to dark places across dark alleys. He was always there when he wanted something from her. She believed in him, since he said that he loved her with all his heart. Nights went by inside a room with no lights. It was hard to breathe in there, especially with him above her. Clothes were scattered across the floor and they were on a small bed. She thought it was fine because she was loved this way.

So, she laughed.

When she got pregnant, she laughed. Not only she was having a baby, but this child's father was the man who loved her so much. But, he was nowhere to be found now. She tried to call him, but he changed his number. She thought it was fine, because she has a baby of her own now.

So, she laughed.

When she knew the baby got aborted, she laughed. Her parents were only trying to look out for her. They drugged her and immediately sent to a hospital and the next thing she know was she was without a child. She thought it was alright since she was now free of the past.

So, she laughed.

When she got married, she laughed. Not a single guest showed up on their wedding, but she was happy to be with the man she loves. She thought their love will last for a long time, but she was wrong.

But, she laughed.

Even when her husband had tons of women on his side. Even when her family disowned her because of him. Even when her eldest daughter committed suicide. Even when her children are growing more evil by the second. Even when she was raped by her boss. Even when she was slapped for not doing her work properly.

Even still, she laughed. She took it all to heart. She bore the whip of life across her back. She laughed when she saw her blood streaking through her shirt, everyday. She believed that every morning had another hope, but every night, she goes home with tons of liquor in her system.

She thought, it is alright. She was happy with her life. She had money to do what she wants. She had children whom she loved dearly. She had a man and his women in her house. She was happy, so she laughed.

When her husband decided to divorce her, she laughed. She knew that he doesn't love her anymore because of his twelve mistresses, but she smiled and said it was okay.

When he left her, she laughed.

When her children graduated from college, she laughed. They were lugging suitcases out of the house without even looking at her. They were ungrateful, but it was fine. Her obligation was already finished. As they filed out of her house, she laughed.

She was laughing until she collapsed. She laughed when a needle was inserted in her system. She laughed when they punctured her with different instruments. She laughed when they told her that she doesn't have long.

When no one even bothered to visit her, she laughed. She was alone. She was in pain. She was dying. She was hurt. She was in so much pain through all the years, so she laughed.

Even in her last breath, no one remembered her.

So, she laughed.