Missing Piece

Chapter 9

⚠️Trigger Warning: Rape and Violence⚠️
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-Lea-

Inikot ko ang damit ko para matakpan ang nakahayag kong katawan. Hindi pa rin matigil ang iyak ko dahil halo-halong emosyon ang nararamdaman ko. Kasabay ng paghikbi ko ay ang pagdarasal ko na sana ay huwag akong atakihin ng sakit ko. Napansin ko na tinigilan na ni Aga si Dominick at parehas dumudugo ang kamay niya at ang mukha ni Dominick.

He approached me immediately and hugged me. "I am now here, Lea. I'm sorry that you have to experience this twice." Hindi ko na pinansin ang mga sinabi niya at yumakap na lang din ako sa kanya dahil nanghihina na rin ako. My energy was drained due to the incident and I cannot even manage to speak anymore.

"Hush, Lea... Slow down, I am now here. Breathe, okay?" Paulit-ulit niyang sinabi habang hinahagod niya ang balikat ko. He avoided to touch my back because it was exposed. Pagkatapos ng ilang sandali ay nakahinga na ako nang maayos. Salamat at dininig ang panalangin ko... I carefully grabbed his bleeding hands and checked on it.

"I-It's b-bleeding." I said in between my sobs.

"Don't worry about my hands, okay? Can you stand now? You should go inside your room while I call the police and Vice." He told me. Concern is very evident in his voice. I nodded as a response.

He enveloped me in between his arms while he leads the way going to my room. He carefully assisted me as I sat on my bed. "Will you be fine here or do you want me to be with you?" He asked.

"I will be fine here. Thank you, Aga." I tried to give him my genuine smile even though I am still sobbing. He nodded and closed the door. I heard him called the police and Vice. It is really a wrong decision that I was left alone here because what happened flashed back into my mind. Fear is slowly creeping in my entire body. Tears, once again, automatically fell on my cheeks. I feel like I cannot do anything. My whole body is a jelly, but I tried so hard to just lay down and surrender all of my strength to my bed.

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I don't know how many minutes or hours have passed because all I could think of is what happened to me and Aga's hands. I noticed my door opened very widely. Vice and Dawn came rushing in.

"Lea, are you fine?" Vice immediately asked me while she sits beside me. Dawn went to the other side and also sat.

"Lea, don't worry, everything is now under control. I am sorry we weren't here." Uttered Dawn. Worry and concern are carved on their faces.

"I-I am fine now. Don't say sorry because it isn't your fault." I tried my best to pronounce a straight sentence. "By the way, how's Aga's hand? It bled a lot so he should go check it out."

"As what I have said, Lea, everything is under control. Medic came along with the police so Aga's hand was already treated and bandaged." Dawn explained.

"Good. Good." I tried to sit down, but my strength wasn't enough. Ganito pala yung pakiramdam ng isang taong naka-experience ng trauma. Nanghihina, natatakot, nanginginig... Mabuti na lang at marami akong mga kaibigan na masasandalan at mabuti na lang dahil hindi natuloy ang masamang balak ni Dominick. Pero, paano yung ibang taong nakaranas talaga nang mas malala pa sa naranasan ko? Paano yung mga taong hindi naman nabigyan ng hustisya ang mga ginawa sa kanila?

Inalalayan nila ako sa pag-upo at napansin nila ang suot kong damit. "Do you want to change your clothes? Itapon na natin yan para walang memory of this day." Vice suggested and I just nodded submissively.

Vice picked a new set of clothes while Dawn was with me inside my bathroom. She helped me wash my body and my face. When we're done, I told them that we should head outside to check on Aga.