WARNING: Harassment will be mentioned. Read at your own risk.
If you experienced being harassed by someone, don't just keep quiet. Boys and girls do not deserve to be harassed.
They persisted in bullying me every day without growing weary. I refrain from showing that I'm hurt, hoping that they will eventually cease.
Their torment grew even worse. At times, I return home with a damp uniform because they refuse to relent, even outside of school.
Pinapagalitan ako ni Kuya Miren — ang driver ko. Minsan kasi mas gusto ko pang naglalakad para ma-enjoy ko ang pananatili ko rito. Pero baliktad palagi.
"Wala ka man lang bang kaibigan sa school?" tanong ni Aling Nita habang pinupunasan niya ang basa kong buhok.
My body felt sticky after Steffi poured cold water on me outside the school. The security guard witnessed it but took no action.
"Wala pong gustong makipag kaibigan sa akin, Aling Nita," mahina kong sagot. "Naiintindihan ko naman po kung bakit. 'Yung iba naman sa kanila halatang walang choice kun'di ang i-bully ako kasi magagaya sila sa akin kapag hindi nila ginawa."
Napabuntong hininga si Aling Nita. "Pero mali pa rin iyon. Hindi dapat sila natatakot. Anong silbi ng principal office kung hinahayaan lang. Alam ba 'to ng parents mo?" tanong niya.
Umiling ako. "They won't be aware because they haven't contacted me yet. Kuya Mark mentioned that they are occupied as Ate Grapes is campaigning to become the new Mayora there," I replied.
"Wala kang napagsusumbungan about dito?" tanong niya. Tinutukoy ang pambubully na ginagawa sa akin. "Hayaan mo, kapag nakausap ko ang Mommy o Daddy mo, agad-agad kong sasabihin na ibalik ka na lang doon."
"'Wag na po, Aling Nita," pagpigil ko sa kaniya. "Nakapag-start na po ako ng school dito. Ayos na po ako. Dalawang taon lang naman po akong magtitiis. Hindi naman po ako mamamatay no'n."
"Anong hindi mamamatay, tigilan mo nga akong bata ka," sermon niya na ikinatawa ko. "Alam mo bang dating sikat na case 'yang pang-bubully? Sa simpleng pananakit, at mga salita nila, hindi nila alam na 'yung binubully nila ay nag-iisip nang magpakamatay dahil hindi na kinakaya."
I was stunned by what Aling Nita said. Maybe suicide won't happen to me, right?
"Aphle," mahinang panggigising sa akin ni Sovie. Agad akong napabalikwas dahil hindi ko alam na nakatulog na pala ako. "Nilalagnat ka ba?" tanong niya bago hipuin ang noo ko.
I couldn't sleep last night as I felt weighed down. Although I took medicine, I couldn't find rest and spent the night studying instead.
"Pahinga ka kaya muna sa clinic?" aniya.
Umiling ako. "Anong oras na ba?" tanong ko.
"Nakauwi na silang lahat. Binalikan lang kita rito kasi baka walang gumising sa 'yo. Wala nga," sagot niya.
I stood up slowly, she supported me. She also helped me fix my stuff to speed up. Inilagay ko lahat ng aking gamit sa bag bago isinukbit sa aking balikat.
"May sundo ka naman, 'di ba?" tanong niya.
Ngumiti ako nang maliit sa kaniya bago tumango. "Tara, ihahatid na kita hanggang labas ng gate. Doon na lang natin hintayin ang sundo mo," anyaya niya.
She supported me by the arm as we walked. When we reached the waiting shed outside the school, we sat down on the stone bench.
I took out my cellphone to message Manong Miren, asking him to come and pick me up.
BINABASA MO ANG
Forbidden Relationship (Forbidden Series #3) (Completed)
RomanceBeing the youngest daughter isn't really easy. That's how Aphle always feels but never expresses to anyone. Aphle Xierinah Poniente, the youngest daughter of the governor in their town. She is intelligent, obedient, innocent, reserved, generous, and...
