One Shot Stories

51. What Happened to Emilia

What happened to Emilia?
By: Eya Adler

I dedicate this to all people who experienced sexual harassment who can't speak up. I love you guys, you are brave and strong.

tw: sexual harassment

Tahimik ang lahat habang tinitignan ang papasok na kabaong sa pamamahay ng mga Velasquez. The sound of Emily's cry roared and broke the hearts of the people in the house. The casket opened and it revealed Emilia Velasquez, in her white dress. She looked peaceful, beautiful in her deep and unending slumber.

"Ang anak ko! Nag-iisa kong anak!" Emily sobbed loudly, not minding the presence of everyone. Dumaosdos ito sa kabaong ng anak habang umiiyak.

Kean looked away, his heart is tightening at the sight of his beloved, in the casket. Tanging ang salamin lang ang harang sa maganda nitong mukha. Huminga siya ng malalim at kinalma ang sarili. Tinapik ng kaibigan niyang si Marlon ang balikat para maramdaman niya ang suporta.

His gaze went to the man who hurriedly went to Emilia's mother. Joseph, Emilia's step father. Inalo nito ang nanay ni Emilia na umiiyak pa rin. His jaw moved at the sight of that man.

"Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin alam kung bakit niya tinahak itong daang ito. Imagine my shock! Lia is a happy girl, napakasaya niya di'ba? Wala naman siyang problema sa school? She said she's okay here din naman sa bahay nila so... I wonder why?" masamang tingin ang ipinukol ni Lucas, ang baklang kaibigan ni Emilia kay Kean.

"Bro, kalma bro," Marlon whispered on his ear. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin sa grupo ng mga kaibigan ni Emilia at nakita ang mga kamag anak ng girlfriend niya na nagmamadaling pumasok sa bahay. Inasikaso nila ang lahat ng nga kailangan.

Everyone was busy, including Lia's friends. They're trying their best to help while Kean was busy spacing out while looking at the coffin. Ang nagbabantay roon ay ang nanay at step father ni Lia. Hindi siya umalis, aalis lang kung maliligo ngunit agad na babalik para bantayan ang labi ni Lia. Kahit nasa malayo siya. Kahit hindi niya malapitan ito.

He's so damn scared. So damn scared to see her in that state again. So damn scared that it'll hunt him forever. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa sulat ni Lia. Ibinigay niya ito kay Kean, isang araw bago mangyari ang pagkamatay ng dalaga.

His thoughts were disturbed when a man sat beside him. Jacob, Lia's cousin. Jacob pat his back as their eyes never left the white coffin.

"Guilty, aren't we?" he whispered. Making Kean froze in his sit. Mahigpit na pinisil ni Jacob ang balikat ni Kean. He's tensed. Mabilis ang tibok ng puso niya at naninikip ito.

"Y-You know?" he asked, also in a whisper. Ipinakita ni Jacob ang papel na hawak niya, katulad ito ng ibinigay ni Lia sa kanya. Ang kaibahan lang ay dalawa ang papel na hawak nito.

Napahilamos si Kean ng mukha dahil puputok na ang ulo niya. Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin niya. Dumapo ang tingin niya kay Lucas na nakatingin din sa kanilang dalawa ni Jacob. Nag-iwas ng tingin si Lucas at nagpatuloy sa pamimigay ng pagkain sa mga bisita.

"We can still make this right-"

"How? She's dead, Jacob. She's not breathing. Because she chose to leave this cruel world instead of fighting. It will never be right because this," he raised the paper he received from her, he was gritting his teeth due to the anger he was trying to suppress. "It caused her life. And I know it's partly my fault," his breathing went heavy as he spoke to Jacob who's just looking at him with emotionless eyes. Nagtitiim ang bagang nito habang nakikinig sa mga pinagsasabi ni Kean.

"Wala na, Jacob. Wala na ang girlfriend ko at ang anak niya! Wala na-" napatigil siya sa pagsasalita nang may tumamang kamao sa kanyang pisngi dahilan para bumagsak siya. Napasinghap ang mga tao. When Kean looked up, he saw Lucas. His hands in fist, and he's shaking in anger.