A Victim's Aftermath [MEDICAL SERIES #2]

CHAPTER 11: A Mark that cannot be Erased

Trigger Warning:

social anxiety, rape content, assault, pedophilia, sexual trauma

Please read at your own risk.

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JAYLA

I WOKE up with a heavy eyes but with happy heart especially after sleeping inside Nicco's arms. I smiled upon remembering how he kissed me last night, passionate as usual.

I poked the cute fats on his abdomen. "Hindi ka pa uuwi?" tanong ko.

He hugged me tightly still with eyes closed. "I want here with you."

Then I pinched his fats which made him squealed. "Hindi pwede! You have to make uwi na."

"Ayoko sa bahay. Sigurado akong pagagalitan ako ni Daddy pagkatapos nang ginawa ko kagabi sa dinner."

"What have you done?"

He heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry. Sinapian ata ako kagabi dahil sa sobrang galit ko." Kwinento niya sa'kin ang ginawa niya kagabi. Nagulat ako dahil hindi naman bayolenteng tao si Nicco.

"Please don't hate me," aniya.

"Why would I hate you?"

"Because you already knew my true colors. Na nanununtok ako kapag nagagalit, na sinasagot ko ang mga mas nakatatanda sa'kin, na nagmumura ko sa harap ng pamilya ko. Hindi ko na uulitin. I'm sorry."

Dahan-dahan akong bumangon at umupo sa tabi niya. Suot ko pa rin iyong dress na suot ko kagabi. "Why do we always consider being angry as our true colors? Anger is an emotion, a reaction from something bad, irritating, or disrespectful. Not because nagalit ka doesn't mean iyon na ang totoo mong kulay."

"Your true colors for me is what you've been showing me since we were kids—caring, loving, and compassionate."

"Ayun mga section natin sa school noong grade 1 tayo, ah!"

I rolled my eyes. Letse talaga 'tong si Nicco, walang kwentang kausap.

"Ewan ko sa'yo! Bumangon ka na riyan at umuwi na tayo!" Bumangon na ko at kinuha ang robe ko. Bumangon na rin siya at umupo sa kama.

"Thank you for understanding me, Jayla," aniya.

Nilingon ko siya at nginitian. "Pero ayoko nang maulit 'yon ha? Not because I understand you now doesn't mean I am tolerating it. I don't like violence, Nicco. Huwag mong hayaan na kontrolin ng ibang tao ang emosyon mo. You can get angry, but to do not let anger direct you to commit sin."

Hindi siya nakapagsalita, nakatingin lang siya sa'kin.

"Sige na, maliligo na ko. Magpaluto ka na lang kay Ate Mira ng breakfast natin." Bago pa ko makahakbang palabas ng pinto ay nagulat ako nang yakapin ako ni Nicco mula sa likod.

"Thank you, Jayla. I love how I learn something new from you everyday."

He kissed my cheek before letting me go.

SINAMAHAN ko si Nicco pauwi sa kanila. Natatakot pa siyang baka mapagalitan siya pero pag-aalala mula sa mga kapatid at Mommy niya ang bumungad sa kanya.

We apologized for what happen and they apologized in return and told us na wala kaming kasalanan. Kung sana lang ba ganito ang mindset ng buong pamilya naamin, wala sanang problema.

Pinag-breakfast muna nila ko bago nila ko pinauwi sa'min. Si Tita ang naghatid sa'kin palabas ng gate.

"Tita, thank you po sa breakfast. Sorry po talaga about what happened kagabi."