Death and Immortality

Chapter 1

CONTENT WARNING

This chapter contains sensitive topics, including profanities, self-harm, abuse, bullying, and sexual harassment. Reader discretion is advised as these themes may be distressing or triggering for some individuals. Please take care while reading.

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Lucia's POV

"13...."

"If you can't do it for me, at least do it for yourself."

"14..."

"This is my way of showing love to you, Lucia, and it is also your way of showing love and gratitude to Mom and Dad."

So loud.

"And 15-"

"Obey us, Lucia. And you'll be fine."

No, I don't have the right to complain about these repeated voices in my head.

I should be honored for these.

"Umalis ka nga dito! Baka malagyan ng dugo ang uniform ko!"

Agad akong bumalik sa reyalidad nang narinig ko ang reklamo ng katabi ko. Nang dahil sa gulat, lumagpas at 'di na pantay ang ika-15 na hiwa sa 14 na hiwang kanina ko pang ginagawa sa pulso ko gamit ang stainless steel blade habang papunta ako sa school. I sighed out of disappointment.

I'm such a failure. Narumihan na ako.

I need to cleanse myself by entertaining my family members after school.

"Creepy bitch!"

She spit her bubblegum on my head before leaving her seat. I looked at the other passengers on this bus; some of them laughed at me; some of them looked at me with pity; the rest didn't notice or just didn't care about what just happened.

I covered the wounds that I made before I put the blade somewhere safe in my bag. I thought of texting my brother when I saw my phone in my bag, so I took it and was about to text him about what happened when a man, probably aged 20-25, took the vacant seat right next to me. He looked at me and smirked. I just stared at him, wondering what's up with him.

"Let me help you with that," he says in a sweet tone. He leans closer and tries to take the bubblegum out of my hair with his left hand, but what really caught my attention was that he placed his other hand on my lap. He simply touched my lap while trying to take the bubblegum out of my hair. I can feel his breath against my right ear, and as I feel it, his hands get closer to my private area. I don't care about it, so I just texted my brother.

'Kuya, sorry. May isang 'di pumantay sa iba pang hiwa.'

Sent

The perverted guy next to me looked at the other passenger. When no one was looking, he put his hand into my underwear and started to please himself by touching my private area.

Tinitigan ko siya. Ningitian niya lamang ako bago niya binilisan ang paglaro sa private area ko.

"Sige pa po," I begged. Tinuloy niya lang. Sinunod niyang tanggalin ang tatlong naunang butones ng uniform ko matapos niyang tanggaling ang bubblegum sa buhok ko.

Naalala ko si Kuya sa lalaking 'to.

I also remembered what he always says every time he does this to me.

'Wag mong pahirapan si Kuya. Open your legs.'

'Wag mong pahirapan si Kuya. Open your legs.'