Never Judge Again

Franca Chink Hustone

Chink, are you done?" My co-worker asked as I arranged the papers on my table. 

"Yes, Mery," I sighed. 

"Chink, sorry I need to go. There's an emergency in the house," she uttered after she hung up the call. 

"Oh yeah, no worries," I smiled as assurance that it's okay. 

She just nodded and immediately left me alone.

Oh- no! Fuck, I'm suck! This is my first time going home alone, then? Shit! I closed my eyes as if I was rotten in hell.

I tried to calm myself to at least lessen the fear and frustration. Why would I bother? As if, I'm scared! No, I'm not that coward creature like duh-- yes, okay, I AM SCARED, I really am.

Maybe I'll just pick up a taxi that can send me home.

Gahd, how could I be so dependent? Now, it makes me an inane one.

It's 7:00 pm already and I'm not yet home. I can already hear my parent's rants from here.

Some taxis are fully occupied and it sucks!

Finally, a taxi stopped in front of me.

And no, no, no! I need to be observant this time. Really, it needed this time.

I look at the driver first.

And I was physiologically shocked as I saw the driver's appearance. Like what the hell? A red eyes, an untrimmed mustache, an uncombed curly long hair, a jacket from the 80's? I don't give a damn to this man! Maybe he's in mid- 50s.

He's so scary as hell! I can imagine myself losing my virginity with this man. Maybe he's a rapist or a wanted killer or even a drug user. Maybe he's just pretending that he's a taxi driver?

Damn! My thoughts were making me insane.

So, I decided to make an alibi. I get my phone as if I have a call from someone. "Oh, yeah, I'm here at Tresone street. Ah-- so, you can pick me here in 3 minutes, then? Okay, yes I'll just wait here," I stupidly uttered on my phone.

Like, we can really do some foolish thing if we're in a virulent situation, huh?

Finally, after being an 'artist' in 2 minutes, the driver went out of my sight. Hmm he's terrified.

It's already 9:20 pm. My parents are panicking this time, I think.

After 3 minutes, another taxi parked near me. Being an observant again-- I look at the driver first and this time, his face makes me comfortable. His lambent eyes were convincing me to get in his car. His clean cut hair makes him more attractive. And lastly, yeah, he's handsome, though.

So, no more words, I got inside his car.

I remained silent as he maneuvered the car.

20 minutes later, I'm still in the car. 

Wait? I fell asleep, huh? It only takes 10 minutes to reach our home. Yet, I'm here still riding in this taxi!

Seems like something went wrong.

I look at the driver and he gives me a creepy smile. What the hell?

He parked the car in this 'no-one-could-see-you-bitch' place. Spooky place, it is. 

"What are we going to do here?" I asked him as he stepped outside the car. He gave me a glance and smiled. Creepy!

My heart beats faster as I imagined him, fantasizing my body. 

Yuck!

What's on his mind? Is he going to kill me? Rape me? Invite me to use drugs? Oh- a big NO!

"You want to enjoy this night?" He asked with a creepy smile again. "Are you a virgin? I like girls when I am the first to taste their flesh," he uttered consecutively.

My feet trembled as I heard those words.

I'm about to slap him hard but he caught my hand.

"Let go of me!" I said in a forceful tone. He just grinned and landed his firm fist on my stomach.

I groaned as I felt the pain. It hurts!

I tried to run away but he immediately grabbed me from the back.

I can't run anymore... My system is slowly getting weak. 

Oh no! I cried for help but no one could hear me in this place.

In just a glance, the taxi driver ripped my clothes as I fell on the ground.

I can't feel anything but pain and frustration...

'What will happen to me?' My last question as I lost my sight. 

Help...

-----

"Mommy? Why am I here?! I'm still alive?" I asked consecutively as I opened my eyes in this white room. Maybe I'm in the hospital. But why? I thought I already lost my life.

"Dear, there's a person who helped you out from that criminal," she explained and pointed to someone on the right side of the door. I turned my sight on that someone. 

And...

I was flabbergasted when I saw the man...

The man who's... shit, I can't believe this!

He's so familiar. I think I met him before. 

Right! He's the first taxi driver who offered me a ride. The man I thought was a killer and a rapist because of his unpleasant physical appearance.

"He's your true biological father, Chink," my mother smiled at me with a watery eyes.

Whoo?! Really? I literally felt my trembled knees now. I really can't believe this! I was dumbfounded and remained speechless! Dammit!

Why am I so judgmental? Fuck!

I remain astonished as I look at the man. 

As I stared at him for at least 5 minutes and I deliberately made a realization:

We can't really judge people through their physical appearance, until we know their intentions.

I'm happy as I learned another lesson in life.

"I'll never judge again," my last words with tears pouring down my cheeks.