Beauty Beyond Compare

Prologue

TW: Contains sensitive themes, including verbal abuse, physical violence. Reader discretion is advised.

"Anong hitsura iyan?"

"Nakakatakot ka!"

"Halimaw! Aswang ka!"

"Why did you have to be my child?"

"You're not my child!"

"I wish you were dead!"

Tears streamed down my face as those cruel words echoed in my ears, each word a dagger to my fragile heart. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, a distorted image staring back at me, a face that instilled fear and disgust in those around me.

Ano nga namang histura ito?

Nakakatakot nga naman.

But why do even my parents hate me?

I'm just a kid, only nine years old, and I had to hear those hurtful words already.

"Bakit ba kasi hindi ka kasing normal nila?"  I cried, holding the mirror as if it could hide my face.

I was born with white hair and really pale skin. My eyes were a lilac color. My skin was super pale and sensitive to the sun. I could hardly go outside because I'd get sunburned quickly.

My parents took me to see doctors back then. They even thought I was a monster at first, too embarrassed to show me to the world.

Isang senador ang tatay ko, samantalang dating beauty queen naman ang nanay ko. Talaga nga namang nakakahiya kung ang anak nila ay katulad ko. Hindi nga naman talaga nila nanaiisin na ipakilala ako.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Senator Figueroa," the Doctor exclaimed. "How can I help you?" he asked my parents. I was standing behind them, head bowed. I was completely covered in clothing, not just because my skin's sensitivity to the sun, but also because they were ashamed of me.

I was hurt when Mommy forcefully pulled me and faced me towards the doctor. She pulled down the hood of my jacket, and the doctor was surprised to see me.

Their expressions were always like that whenever they saw me. Even my grandparents on my father's side rejected me. Lahat sila ayaw sa'kin.

"She has Albinism," the doctor immediately said when my father asked him.

"What the fuck is that?" he asked.

"Albinism is an inherited disorder present at birth. Children have a chance of being born with albinism if both of their parents have albinism or carry the gene for albinism."

"What?! You can see we're normal!" Mommy shouted.

I just wanted to go home and cry.

"For most types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene in order for their child to develop the condition. Most people with albinism have parents who are only carriers of the gene and don’t have symptoms of the condition,"

Hindi ko sila maintindihan, gusto ko na lang umuwi.

Umalis na kami roon, tahimik lang din kami sa kotse. Nang makauwi kami ay saka lang sila nagsigawan na hindi na bago sa pandinig ko.

"Sabihin mo sa akin! May albino rin ba sa pamilya niyo?!" sigaw ni Daddy agad at dinuro si Mommy.

"What? You won't find a freak like her in my family! Maybe in yours!" they argued, and I went upstairs to my room. I didn't want to hear their words anymore.

"Huwag mo akong ginagago, Isolde! No one in our family has albinism! Just fucking tell me that you got pregnant by someone else—" She slapped him. I covered my mouth in shock.

No! Now they were hurting each other because of me.

I was shocked when he grabbed her by the neck! I ran down to stop them.

"Never lay a hand on me, Isolde! Wala kang karapatan!" He said angrily.

"A-ano ba, Alessandro! N-nahihirapan akong huminga! B-bitawan mo ako!" pilit kumakawala si Mommy sa kamay ni Daddy. Puno ng takot ang mga mata niya habang nagpupumiglas sa mahigpit na hawak ng tatay ko.

"Dad! Stop! Don't hurt Mommy!" I tugged at his clothes, too small to reach his hand.

He looked at me angrily and finally let go of Mom.

"Don't touch me either!" he said, scaring me, and stormed out in anger.

Mommy leaned against the wall, gasping for breath, her eyes filled with fear and regret. Agad akong lumapit at kinamusta siya pero nagulat ako nang sumalubong sa akin ang palad niya.

She slapped me.

"This is your fault! Why did you have to live! Bwisit ka!" She slapped me again and pulled my hair. I was almost falling, but she pulled me up and slapped me again.

I could do nothing but cry and cry. No one helped me. No one intervened. Who would I ask for help? Sobrang sakit na ng anit ko. Hindi ko na rin maramdaman ang mukha ko.   Pero kahit anong sakit na pisikal ang ibigay niya ay walang mas sasakit pa sa salitang binitawan niya.

"I wish you were never born!"