A satirical love story of romance, finances, and the challenges of an unavoidable relationship.
“Babe, why do you look so upset? You knew this was coming,” said my boyfriend, Goods and Services Tax, or GST as he insists everyone calls him. It was the night before New Year’s Day, and his confusion at my sighs felt genuine yet exasperating.
We were at a New Year’s Eve party hosted by a mutual friend. As the countdown began, he held my hand, and when the clock struck midnight, he transformed—beefier, more assertive, a 9% version of himself.
I had been bracing for this moment since Jan 1, 2023, when he first made his presence heavier in my life. Yet, knowing it was coming didn’t make it easier. As I faced job uncertainties and rising expenses, his growing demands felt overwhelming.
A Relationship that Changed Over Time
GST and I weren’t always like this. I first heard of him as a child in hushed conversations between my parents. At 18, my parents formally introduced us over dinner. Back then, he was quiet and unassuming, standing in the background of family gatherings.
By the time I graduated and started working, GST had evolved. He was no longer the shy guy I’d met as a teen. Confident and ever-present, he joined me everywhere—dinners, shopping trips, and even café-hopping. His growing fame didn’t bother me then because my salary was increasing steadily, and life seemed good.
But things shifted in 2022. “The world’s changing, and I need more from you,” he said, justifying his impending transformation. I was blindsided. Our relationship of 16 years was about to be tested.
Growing Tensions
2023 marked a turning point. GST’s presence became more oppressive. With my income stagnating and family responsibilities increasing, his demands began to weigh on me and my loved ones. Conversations with friends often turned to how everyone was adapting to his growing influence.
“Why don’t you just break up with him and move abroad?” my friends suggested. But the prospect of dealing with GST’s counterparts overseas didn’t seem appealing either. Besides, I couldn’t afford to start over in a new country.
The Silver Linings
To be fair, GST isn’t entirely bad. He occasionally surprises me with grand gestures—vouchers for groceries or one-off rebates. My friends dismiss it as love bombing, but I know it’s his way of showing he cares.
We’ve even talked about having kids. GST is enthusiastic about the idea, claiming it’s good for the economy. But I’m not ready. His demanding nature already feels like a handful, and the thought of raising children with him feels daunting.
Finding Balance
As Valentine’s Day rolled around, GST texted me, asking if we were going out to celebrate. Exhausted, I left him on read for a while before declining.
“You sound tired, babe,” he replied.
“Need a couple more vouchers to cheer you up?”
Despite our rocky relationship, I’ve resigned myself to adapting to GST’s presence. For now, I’ll tighten my belt and hope to get through another year. After all, breaking up with someone like him isn’t really an option.
