"Not you. The others."
That was the start of the confinement.
First, suggestions. Then, warnings. And later, prohibitions disguised as concern.
"Don't go. Stay with me this afternoon."
And the worst part was that I often gave in. Because being with him, when things were good, felt so nice it hurt.
*****
But the price was high.
Gradually, I started distancing myself from my friends. I stopped accepting invitations, out of fear of the scenes, the complaints, the punishment of his indifference every time I did something he didn't like.
I looked in the mirror and no longer saw the Susy, who had arrived at university full of excitement, plans, and dreams. Now there was only a tired girl left, constantly afraid of saying or doing something that would unleash a storm.
One night, after an
