Return To Me

Chapter 14

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual assault/Sexual molestation, gaslighting, threat, intense foul words.

This chapter is very sensitive, so please take this seriously. Sexual assault/molestation is not a joke, and it will never be.

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Life is like a roller coaster.

It's full of ups and downs.

It's unpredictable, full of mysteries, and changes.

Everything has to change, it has always been the case. And I am no exception of it.

"Grabe, ambisyosa naman n'yan."

"I know right? Um-attend pa naman ako, ang bongga ng party hindi naman debut."

"Ang lala, inutang pa talaga ang pang party."

"Sino ba nagsabi sa'yo?"

"Gaga! Naka-post sa freedom wall ng school. Silipin mo."

Shortly after that birthday party, news started spreading that I was only able to hold a birthday party because we borrowed money from my aunt. My classmates looked at me like i'm a trash, a hypocrite, a shameless piece of shit.

And I know too well who posted that message on the freedom wall.

"Gago! Ba't hinahayaan mong kupalin ka ng pinsan mong 'yon? Tatadyakan ko sa mukha 'yon." gigil na sabi ni Aerona.

Narito kami sa tambayan. Kaizer removed the post and shattered the paper into pieces. Aerona came up to me, umabot na pati sa section niya ang nangyari. The freedom wall was supposed to be a way for students to confess, or to express appreciation to the teachers and other students. But today, it was used to humiliate someone, to humiliate me.

"Totoo naman iyon, Aerona..." mahina kong sambit.

Mom really did borrow money from her mother. Aaminin kong kahit masakit ay wala namang kasinungalingan sa nakasulat doon sa post. Hindi ko lang maintindihan kung bakit kailangan pang umabot sa ganito na para ipahiya ako sa buong school.

And now, it's all coming back again. They were all coming for me again. And to make it worse, I was being bullied online as well.

"Kahit na. Ang mga ganong bagay, hindi na dapat nakakalabas pa sa pamilya. Hayup na inggitera. Tamo, pag 'yan nakita ko, pati bulbol n'yan ire-rebond ko!"

"Chill, mas galit ka pa kay Dia, eh." narito nga rin pala ang magkaibigang Axcel at Matthew. Nakakahiya na naabutan pa nila kaming ganito.

"Manahimik ka!" bulyaw nito kay Axcel. Napakamot naman sa ulo ang lalaki.

"Ang sinasabi ko lang naman, dapat 'yang pinsan ni Dia 'wag nang kate-katera. Hindi niya ba naisip na damay din siya dahil kamaganak niya si Dia?"

"Walang nakakaalam na pinsan ko siya, kayo lang..." ani ko.

"Tinde naman pala talaga." she hissed and leaned against her seat.

"Nireport ko iyong mga post sa friendster, iyong iba kasi may picture pa ni Dia noong birthday." parang nanlambot ako sa sinabi ni Matthew.

"Kakausapin ko na lang si Cheska."

"Sama ako!"

"'Wag ka na, brutal ka!" awat ni Axcel dito. "Mamaya ma-ospital pa iyon, eh."

"Tanga, pre. Sa morgue na dadalhin 'yon pag nagpang-abot ni Nona." nagtawanan naman ang dalawang magkaibigan.

Napalingon ako kay Kaizer na tahimik lang sa tabi. Matalim ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa malayo, habang ang mga kamay ay mahigpit na nakayukom.