"Ama, what was that? They were just doing what everyone would have done. Why do you have to get angry with them?" Sophia asked, her voice laced with anger and frustration.
Amaya stood up from her bench, her voice trembling with frustration, "What everyone would have done? Did anyone speak up there!?"
"That's because only Zeya and Demi had the courage to speak up!" Seth spoke, siding with Sophia.
"That's called stupidity, not courage! If you guys hadn't stepped in today, then!" Amaya asked, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Then they would have handled it themselves! If they need help, they will ask. Who are you to interfere with their decisions!?" Fred snapped at Amaya.
Fred's words were like daggers piercing her soul, jaw clenched, her nails digging into her own palms, she turned around, and walked away. Fred's words ringing in her ears.
Who are you to interfere with their decisions!
I lean against the cold wall of the bathroom stall, my body trembling with exhaustion and despair. Demi's voice echoes through the restroom, her frustration clear as day.
"I don't understand you anymore, Zeya!" she cries. "You're not the same person I knew. Today, some stranger came and berated you, and you just stood there, your head hanging low. The Zeya I knew would have fought back, would have defended herself."
Tears streamed down my face as I cut her off. "That's what I can't do! Do you think I'm not trying? It's hard for me too!" My breath comes in ragged gasps, my chest heaving with emotion. "I'm a human being, not a robot that everyone can come and scold as they please! I have feelings! I get tired! I get frustrated! I feel pain too!"
I push Demi away when she tries to hug me. She stumbles back, hitting the wall. "Do you think I'm not fighting? I'm fighting with everyone I can!" Tears stream down my cheeks, my emotions finally breaking free. "My heart wants one thing, my mind another, fate something else, and you all want something different! I can't! I'm fighting with everything I have, but I can't bring myself to go against her! Is that my fault?"
"Zeya..." Demi starts to say, but I cut her off.
"She's dead!" I cry. "The Zeya you knew died a long time ago." She died... That Zeya died already. I don't know who I am anymore, what I want anymore. Now I understand… This second chance is actually a curse for me.
As breathing becomes difficult, I clutch my chest, the pain unbearable. "Zeya! Are you alright!?" Demi catches me before I collapse to the floor, her arms wrapped around my body. I shake my head weakly. It hurts. Living hurts.
"I... I'm fine," I mutter. She holds me close, her hand rubbing my back gently. "It's okay, Zeya. I'm here. Relax... Take a deep breath and count with me. 1...2...3... Zeya, relax..."
But I can't relax. The pain is too deep, the wounds too fresh. I am lost and alone, and I don't know how to find my way back–
Shhh… I'm here, sweetheart.
Like the gentle caress of a feather, her words used to flutter to my ears, calming the storm within.
Zeya, listen to the rhythmic beat of my heart.
A soothing melody that used to guide me towards tranquillity.
Yes, you're doing well. Let the steady pulse of my heart be your guide, Zeya, I'm here to accompany you so relax now.
I recall her touch, soft as a summer breeze, as she whispered words of comfort. Her voice, a gentle stream, used to flow over my troubled mind, lulling me into a state of peace.
"Zeya, Are you following my heartbeat?" Demi's voice, as alluring as a siren's song, still brought me back to my consciousness. "Hmm…" I sighed, feeling the tension slowly leaving away. I need to clear my mind, to find clarity amidst the turmoil. Maybe it was time to make a choice, to forge a path that would lead me to a brighter future.
"Let's go back." I whispered, standing with Demi. "Are you alright now?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. I nodded slightly, wiping away the remnants of tears.
"Wifey…" She cupped my face, her touch as gentle as a butterfly's wings. "I know there is something that's bothering you lately. But remember, sometimes it gets better when you let it go. When you heal yourself first then only you can see things clearly. Do you understand?" I nodded my heard earnestly. This was what I needed, a guide, a suggestion for what I'm dealing with. I'm freshly wounded from the past that's why I'm not able to see things through, possibilities that lie ahead. It was time to embrace this new chapter and let go of the past.
A smile spread across my face as I embraced Demi tightly. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice filled with gratitude. "You said exactly what I wanted to hear and now I know!" My gaze met hers, filled with newfound determination. "I know what I want, and I know what I must do!"
"I'm glad it helped you but Zeya, my dear wifey please, remember to stand up for yourself in the future. Do not allow others to bully you, especially Amaya. You shouldn't be around with someone like her." Her warning was veiled in concern. I smiled at her, my heart soaring with gratitude. I understood her care for me, but I would have to let things unfold as they were meant to be. I would not alter the course of events. I'm sorry, Demi but…
"No–"
*Bang*
"Eek-!!" We were startled by a loud bang at the door. Who could it be? My heart pounded like a drum in my chest as Demi yanked open the door, her anger flaring like a wildfire. "Who did that!? Can't you see–" There, standing before us, was Amaya, her eyes blazing with fury. It was as if she had stumbled upon our conversations.
Amaya's knuckles were white as snow, her body rigid with tension. She turned off the tap, her movements mechanical, and glared at Demi with the intensity of a predator. It was clear that she had overheard everything.
"What kind of girl am I?" her voice was as cold as ice, but her eyes burned with a dangerous fire. "Amaya..." I called out, my voice trembling like a leaf in the wind. "I have no desire for conflict, but I genuinely want to know what kind of girl I am. Tell me, Demi, I cannot recall a single time where I have wronged you or any of your friends. During our physical training session, you uttered the phrase 'a girl like me'. I chose to let it slide for Cutie's sake, but right now too, you're backbiting about me. Why are you stopping Zeya from getting close to me?"
I swallowed nervously, my throat as dry as a desert. As Amaya took a menacing step forward, I instinctively tried to free my hand from Demi's grip and interpose myself between them. However, Demi's hold was unyielding. "Demi..." I whispered, my frustration growing with every passing moment.
"I told you before, I don't feel obligated to–"
"I really don't understand why you are trying to be on my wrong side when you are well aware I'm a bully." Amaya cut off Demi. "Whether you're obligated or not, I don't give a shit to it. I back away before because Cutie stopped me. Don't think I leave because I was scared."
Like a venomous snake, Amaya's words dripped with malice, her eyes glinting with a dangerous intensity. Her voice was like a sharp knife, cutting through the air and slicing my heart. For Somiya? No, Zeya, not this time. Don't! You need to focus here! You need to solve their problems!
"For Somiya? For someone who you met three four days ago, you back away from a fight? Who is she to you?" I pulled Demi's hand, but her gaze remained fixed on Amaya, like a moth drawn to a flame.
"She is someone I adore."
The words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. They were like a bittersweet melody, both beautiful and painful. I felt a pang of jealousy in my heart.
You're someone I adore the most. It was what Amaya told me before. It's not something I should think right now but I couldn't helped but wonder, Was Somiya supposed to be her love? Were Amaya and Somiya supposed to be the main character of their love story? I remember our cute little interaction we used to have. Something pure, something genuine… Was that all supposed to happen with Somiya?
"Do you even know what adore means? Someone who can't even respect her own birth mother adores someone? What a joke, Amaya!" Demi scoffed.
Amaya's face hardened, her jaw clenching. "Demi, there is called a limit–"
"It doesn't sound good coming from your mouth Amaya when you call your own mother– A prostitute and bitch!"
Demi's words were like a dagger, piercing through Amaya's heart. Her eyes flashed with anger, and her body trembled with rage.
*Slap*
The sound echoed through the restroom, sharp and deafening. I gasped in horror as Demi stumbled backward, her hand flying to her cheek.
"What I call my momma is none of your business! If you ever joined my momma name with that word, I won't hesitate to kill you." Amaya's voice was like ice, cold and unforgiving. Her eyes burned with a murderous intent that sent shivers down my spine.
Demi glared at Amaya, her eyes filled with defiance. "That's why I said, Zeya shouldn't be around with someone like you! A daughter of a prosti–"
*Slap*
Before I could even react, Amaya's hand connected with Demi's face once more. Demi fell to the ground, her eyes wide with shock and pain.
"Demi!!" I screamed, rushing to her side. I shouldn't… I shouldn't take Demi's support because she is wrong but this is a perfect chance to settle things between Amaya and her mom. Amaya's friends weren't able to tell her but I can use this opportunity to tell her she was wrong. I might make things worse for us, maybe there will be no turning back but… I'm doing it for you, Amaya.
"Amaya! Are you out of your mind!?" I turned to Amaya, my voice trembling with anger and fear. Please realise, you were wrong. Please darling, apologies to your mom.
Amaya's eyes met mine, and I saw the pain and confusion in them. "Zeya, you think I'm wrong?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. I'm sorry, darling.
"Aren't you?"
In that moment, I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, with no way to go but down.