My name is Sam Hunter.

I am here and there, and everywhere.

I cannot let a label define me.

Hope has grown quite a bit, she's a babbling child of two. Her hair has grown silky and long and although she has your eyes, I think I can live with that.

I feel foolish for not pressing charges. Sure, I made it safe for myself, but what about for the other women who I have unleashed you to? What if, right at this moment, you're beating your girlfriend? I should have just pressed charges, no matter what.

Hope is always wondering where her 'dada' is. I can't tell her anything right now, but maybe I'll tell her when she gets older.

I work as a secretary now and volunteer at a woman's shelter. I talk about what happened to me during my time with you. Some of the women deny the facts and I tell them that I went through denial as well. I've made a lot of friends there in the shelter. We all understand each other to a degree.

The strangest thing happened today, a man walked into the shelter. He was covered in bruises and welts he said he had gotten from his girlfriend. A man can be the abused one in any relationship, just like a woman can.

We directed him to the police station and later, to a shelter for men. He couldn't stay here, not with all the women! I went to see him today, his name is Jai and he is the sweetest man I have ever met. We're opening ourselves to each other, bit by bit. I know he's not ready to tell me everything, but I'll wait for him.

We met for our first date at a rowdy restaurant somewhere on the outskirts of town. He told me that he had a little girl to support at home, a daughter named Shriya.

I made my way to his apartment one day with Hope, Jai greeted me with a hug and smiled at Hope who wanted a hug from him. Hiding behind his legs was a girl with doe eyes and black braids that hung to her shoulders.

Jai introduced me to his daughter who instantly bonded with Hope. Shriya was almost three years older than Hope and treated her like a younger sister.

The day he proposed was a day full of festivities. I wasn't sure how his parents would react, or mine to the engagement. But as I displayed the diamond ring on my finger, all my parents cared about was that I was happy.

Jai's parents were no different, his mother squeezed me tightly and kissed my cheek. 'I'm your Amma now,' she said, wagging her finger. Of course, I had also invited your mother. She looked frailer than normal and I asked her about your whereabouts. She hung her head low and said that she had no contact with you. I hugged her with all of the energy that was left inside me.

'I don't blame you, it's not your fault, he chose to do those things himself.'

I think those were the words she was looking for because at that moment, her lips curled upwards in a smile.

I am Sam Hunter.

I am here and there, and everywhere.

I am human.