I couldn't enjoy Monica's birthday party. Instead of what I expected to be spaghetti, shanghai, menudo or carbonara on the long table, I was handed Korean foods, chips and wines. There are no seats here either. It's just a round table and the guests are standing and they each have a glass filled with wine in their hands.
I also have a glass with juice in it. What the waiter gave me was wine, but I said that I only had juice. Maybe my mom will be mad at me once she finds out I've tasted wine.
"Chanty, just taste it!" Now Monica was able to pay attention to me despite being busy taking selfies and chatting with her socialite friends. "It just tastes like juice. It's not bitter and it's not salty, so try it!"
I shook my head at her for the nth time. "I really don't want to, Monica. I'm fine with my juice."
"Just a little, please. Don't be KJ. Give it to me since it's my birthday, oh?" She was still forcing the glass on me. "You don't even have a present, so just tasting the wine would be fine for me. Out of all my guests, you are the only one who didn't give me a gift, even a wrapped glass."
"This will be... at least your present to me, so can you do me this favor?" she said with a sneer as she began to feel guilty about me.
Well, she was the one who told me that as long as I go, it's okay. With or without a gift, it's okay. I just attended, so I really just attended and didn't look for anything to give her as a gift. Then now will she make me feel guilty?
"All right. I'm just using the restroom first." I immediately exited and went to the bathroom.
I don't like the way the guests look at me since Monica said I was the only one who didn't bring a gift for her. What she said was so strong, it even reached the other barangay. I feel that I have been harmed by all of them.
So, at this time... my decision is complete. I will never go back there. I will find a way to get out of here and go home. At this time, I know that my mom is worried about me. I didn't bring my phone to text or even call her to inform her that I was away. I would have liked to come to her... it's because my bravery prevailed.
I wish I never really left.
"The party isn't over yet, huh? Where are you going?" After I came out of the bathroom, a man greeted me. He looks drunk and I know he is one of Monica's friends from the United States. "You can play with me first, miss."
"Sorry, I'm going home." I was about to pass him when I suddenly felt his two arms around my waist and lifted me back to the bathroom door. "Let go of me-"
"You will play with me. I don't care if you don't agree." He pushed me into the bathroom, and he was behind the door; he locked it. "We're going to have a baby. That's what we're going to play."
He started undressing in front of me while I was cornered against the bathroom wall. I can't escape here, so I don't know where to run to get away from him.
"P-Please... I'm still young-"
"Do you want me to wear a condom to be safe?" He was laughing like crazy when he grabbed something from his pants pocket. He showed me a small box. "Shall I wear it, so you won't be afraid?"
I was shaking and unable to speak. I was so scared that I couldn't open my mouth. I just want to cry and pray that someone will notice us here.
"That's not the case. We're going to make a baby, how will that happen if I wear protection," he responded with a shrug. This time, he was also starting to take off his belt. "Turn around, make sure you bend." But I remained motionless. "Are you deaf?!" His voice echoed in the bathroom, and because of that it was as if I had become completely deaf. "Bend over!" He pushed me back against the bathroom wall and held my hands from behind. "At first it will hurt, but don't be afraid."
I closed my eyes tightly when I felt his hand move to take off my clothes. He pulled my zipper down, and let the dress fall to the floor. I was only wearing underwear, and I could feel him slowly taking down my panties.
Sh*t. I want to ask for help. I wanted to scream out loud, but I couldn't because his hand was holding mine. I knew he was holding a sharp object—that's a blade when I looked at it.
I couldn't help but feel him thrusting his manhood into me. I don't cry because of the pain. I was crying because at a young age, I was raped by a man I didn't even know. I am now in tears because of how much I regret it... If I just didn't disobey my mother. If I hadn't reprimanded, this wouldn't have happened to me.
"Ugh!" I heard him moan even more when I noticed that he was enjoying what he was doing in the many positions he brought me to.
Despite the pleasure he feels, in return for me is grief. Because this man tied my hands so I couldn't get out, the stranger got my virginity.
---
"I knew it! I really knew your life would be in danger for going to that party, dear. Did I fail to remind you?" My mom led me to sit in our long chair in the living room. Using her hand leading my back, by tapping my back, she tried to stop me from crying.
"I don't restrict you if I don't have a reason, dear. Look what happened now?" I know she doesn't allow herself to join me in crying, but I can feel that it is coming to her in any minute from now.
"Sorry, ma..." was the only word I could say. "I'm leaving... that place. I want to go home, then..." When I remembered the incident that I wanted to bury in oblivion, the tears that didn't stop falling began to flow again. "I'm well dressed. I don't attract men to insult me. But..." My eyes were getting blurry because of the overflowing tears in my eyes when I looked at my mother. "But why is that ma? Why am I still the victim that suffered that trauma? Why am I still abused?"
"I don't want to get pregnant. I'm still young, ma. I cannot do it-"
"That won't happen. Ssshh..." My mother's hands wrapped around my body and hugged me. "I will find a way to catch that man, dear. That man needs to go to jail."