WHAT REMAINS OF ME

Hinata's POV

"'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play

And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate

Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

I shake it off, I shake it off... ♫♪♫♪"

I was in the kitchen, vibing on Taylor Swift's Shake It Off song while preparing Zeke's food. Today's menu is chicken curry, his favorite. I was in a really good mood when I woke up this morning. I still couldn't get over what happened last night, and I felt like floating on Cloud 9 ever since I went back to my room. 

Well, who wouldn't? I mean, Zeke and I have been living on the same roof for 2 months now, and that's the closest thing I've gotten from him for being my husband. My heart was so full that my lips couldn't even stop smiling. I looked like an idiot, I knew. But who cares, anyway? Definitely not me. 

I transferred the food from the pot to a clean bowl. I sniffed it. My tummy automatically grumbled because it smelled really appetizing. I checked the time on my phone, and it's now a quarter to 7 AM. Shocks! Any minute from now, he would be off to work. I hurriedly packed his lunchbox and put some food on the table for his breakfast. 

This had become my daily routine as a dutiful wife. I would wake up early in the morning to prepare everything that he needed, including his attire for the day. I would iron his suits and pants, making sure that they're not wrinkled. I would meticulously polish his shoes 'cause he wanted them very shiny. I would do all of those things without any complaint if it means he'd be comfortable. 'Cause that's what love is, right? It's a selfless act. 

Minutes later, I heard footsteps descending the stairs. I immediately went out of the kitchen to meet him. He was already dressed up and was carrying his suitcase. 

"Good morning. You're breakfast is ready," I announced. 

"I am not hungry," he said in a monotone voice. He then went straight to the front door without giving me a single glance. 

"B-but, I... I prepared it for you."

That made him pause in the doorway. For a second, I thought he was going to finally eat the breakfast I had prepared for him. I felt hopeful. However, what he said next mercilessly crushed that hope the instant it blossomed. 

"Nobody told you to do things for me. Stop being a fool and stop acting like a wife when you shouldn't be. Know your place." 

His words stung. I forced a smile and forced the words to come out of my mouth.

"Of course, I know that. Ahhhmmm... If you won't be eating breakfast ahmmmm, at least take the packed lunch that I, I made for you."

I quickly turned away to get the bag of food. But when I came back, he was already putting his car's gear in reverse. I was about to chase after him, but I stopped when I remembered his words. "Know your place. Know your place..."

I watched his car pull out from the driveway while standing still. I tightened my hold on the bag I was holding, and tears escaped my eyes. Again. I just let them be. It hurt. So much. I was not crying because my effort was put in vain; I was already used to it. I was crying because being told to know my place was like being slapped in the harsh reality that I didn't have a place in his life to begin with. So, where should I be? Where should I put all this love in place?

In the waste bin. Right. 'Cause that's all it was for him. Trash.