Party

He is not the guy I would like. He belongs among the teenage dropouts. I saw him one-time smoking weeds among his friends. He is total trouble making so many bad decisions. Being in the same community we still get to encounter each other often. We went to a house party one day, he was there. I didn't even look at him. He doesn't catch my interest. While looking around the house he grabbed me then brought me to his room, that's when he destroyed my fairytale perfect life.

My eyes are dry for crying over hours. I'm seated on the corner of of the bed, the man I hate is behind me.

"Don't tell anyone about this!" He said firmly looking straight at me on the reflection of the big mirror in front of us. "I won't let you leave until you promised me that no one will know about this."

"I promise I won't tell anyone!" I answered so I can finally leave that place. He drove me home and walk me to the gate. My parents were not at home. He grabbed me for the last time and threaten me.

"Don't forget your promise if not I will ruin you in all possible ways I know." He is looking directly on me. I answered softly "yes" but looks like he didn't hear me. He grabbed my hair so our eyes levelled. "Answer me." He said angrily. " I won't forget." He kissed me for the last time, he is like a maniac on my eyes. His face is of an evil man, like a demon with burning eyes threatening me by just his stare. He finally let me go. I run directly to my room. I locked the door so nobody can get in. I am finally home. I am safe now. I heard his engine revving finally leaving the front gate. I will tell Mom about this. He has to pay for what he did. I went out of my room as I heard my parents coming home. I run towards Mom crying. She inquired right away why what is wrong. I told them what happened. Mom sat me down the couch and tried to calm me down. She covered me with her arms and comfort me. Dad is so mad about what he heard. He went directly to his phone and call somebody. He is so angry, he is yelling at the other person on the line. He walked to the study room so I can't hear the conversation. My Mom advised me not to shower for we need to go to the hospital to get a medical-legal... After hours 2 cars came. It is probably Dad's lawyer and I was right it is Mr Romero indeed. He went inside and Dad told him our situation. After a while more people entered the living room behind them is the monster. My father is so mad he talked so loud to the newcomers.

"What have you done to my daughter you druggy trash of a kid?" He is about to approach the monster to give him a punch but the adults inside the room managed to stop Dad. He burst out right away as he saw his face.

"We came here to talk." A man said who is probably the father of the monster. "If you are willing to listen." The man said calmly. I burrow my head to my Mom's chest, I don't wanna look at him or anybody.

"Tell me what you want to say?" Father said challenging the other party.

"We came to apologize. What my son did is wrong. But maybe we can talk it out."

"We can't just talk this thing out. Your son is going to jail. See you at court." My father answered with finality.

Mr Romero directed them outside. They talked outside for a while before calling father. They discussed something I don't know.

That day is finally over. This is a new day. We've been to the hospital to get the documents we need to file a case. I didn't dare to leave the house after that incident. My Mom kept me company. I don't want others to learn about what happened to me. I want everything to be the same just like before but it's not. I don't trust anybody anymore. Outside is full of monster. I am safe inside my room.

It will be dinner soon, I went out to join my parents for dinner. Dad asks me what sauce I want for the grilled meat he prepared. " I want soy sauce with lemon please," I answered. He is busy preparing the table so is Mom. They prepared extra plates, perhaps we will have guests tonight. Mr Romero and his family are the usual guests here. So they are coming tonight! It is just natural because he is busy with the case. Mom walked close and kissed me on the head. "Dinner is almost ready. Are you not cold in your clothes? Do you want to change before we eat?" She asked concerned.

"I'm ok Mom. I'm hungry." I told her.

"Food is almost ready. I will check the kitchen to follow it up." She gave me a soft tap on the shoulder before going back to the kitchen. Mr Romero entered the room, father welcomed him and direct him to the table. They opened a bottle of wine, they seemed to be celebrating something. That's a sign of good news. We will surely win the case then. Father poured me an inch of wine on my glass. "Have a drink sweety". Dad offered. I gestured "No". But Dad's eyes are with Mr Romero so he didn't see my cue. He almost fills it over. My father is out of focus. They walked to the door waiting for more people. I heard more cars coming. More people keep on coming. Voices talking is on the background. Finally, Mom called, "Food is ready." Dad came back with the other guests. Mom is on my right side so I didn't see right away who came. She is filling my plate with some salad and grilled meat. She is overly accomodating tonight. She even chopped my meat into small pieces. I was hungry so I poke a lump of meat and gobble it right away even before Dad's cue that we can start eating already. Mom left my side to go to her chair divulging the faces of the guests. They are Veron's parents and the monster himself together with their lawyer. He is here, sharing the same table with me. He is seated on the far end of the table. I looked at him then to my parents, my eyes asking why.

"Mom, Dad what is he doing here?" I asked my parents. I'm about to cry. His presence gives me chills.

"They are here to discuss your wedding honey!" Father answered my question."

No, Dad! I can't marry this monster! I want him in jail." I was waiting for a supporting answer from my parents but seems like they already came up with a decision.

"Sit down honey! Veron has something to tell you. Let's give him a second chance." I'm so disappointed with my parent's tone. I'm so angry, I feel betrayed. I pushed my plate forward making a loud crashing noise. I ran towards my room. I can't accept this. My father ordered me to come back and listen to him but I continued running inside my room. I am not interested in what he is about to say. He betrayed me, my father whom I thought is always on my side. My head is spinning right now. I locked the door then dropped myself to the bed to hide under my blanket. I didn't even open the lights. I want it dark. I want everything to vanish. I don't like the things happening to me. It's beyond my control and I hate it that way. It's happening as if my opinion doesn't matter. What I want and my emotions don't matter at all. I'm not a doll to be pushed around. I cried myself to sleep.

Mom opened the door using the extra key. "Honey, I'm sorry. But please listen to me. We love you. Don't forget that." She kissed me on the forehead. "We are on your side. Me and your Dad. If you don't want to get married, then you don't have to get married. Listen to me. You are a grown woman now. There will be men who want to own you who will desire you. It is normal. What Veron did is not right. So he came to apologise. He is outside, he wants to talk to you." Mom explained to me softly.

"Mom, No. I don't want to talk to him. Ask him to leave." I told Mom crying again. I'm so scared so I hugged Mom so she won't leave me with him.

"Honey, we can't put him in jail. He is just 18 he is just a kid like you. He is not morally responsible for a crime under the law. If we pushed the case maximum he will get is 6 months probably and a fine. He is here to apologize. Talk to him maybe after that you will change your mind."

"Mom, please don't let him come in," I begged her.

"I will be here. Just call me. Give him a chance." Mom walked out the door even though I told her not to. Veron entered the room he turned the lights brighter so I can see him.

He looked at me. He took a deep breath, He doesn't look sorry at all. "I told you not to tell anyone. This is all your fault." He started talking. I get up and throw the lamp towards him. He dodged so quickly. He closed the door so nobody can hear us. "Stop it. You're making things worst." You're parents just gladly took my Dads money. You are now to be my wife." He said mocking me.

"I will never marry you. I hate you! I want you dead." I tried looking for a more hard object to throw at him but he ran fast to immobilize me. I kicked him hard and elbowed his lips. I manage to get out and shout. "Mom...." Mom is just outside the door. She cried as she sees me so scared. She wrapped me on her arms. Veron followed me out. With bleeding lips, he passed by me. He walked downstairs to his parents. "There will be no marriage." Mom declared.

Father lead them outside. I heard them leaving one by one including the lawyers. That night my Mom never left my side.

Days passed, classes are about to resume. I love school. I'm looking forward to being with my friends again. They don't have any idea about the incident. Hope it will be just the same as before. It is Saturday, 2 more days I will be back to school. I decided to stay in the garden to read. I want to clear my mind of that horrifying memory. Just when I am already settled Veron came. He walked straight towards me. He brought some flowers. I went inside ignoring him. The next day he came again to bring some fruits.

I continuously ignore him.

Classes started. My friends are here with me. I am so happy to see them again. But things turn sour when I saw Veron on the campus he went back to school on the same university I'm attending. I am about to tell my parents about this but he is home when I arrive. "Why are you here? Why are you still keep on coming. I told you I don't want to see you, I don't like your gifts. I don't like anything from you!" I told him loudly.

"Andrea, me and your father agreed that Veron will visit you every day as part of his apology. You can shout and be angry all you want but he has to come here every day to take your anger. That's his punishment." Explained my mother.

"That doesn't sound like a punishment Mom. I don't want him here. If you want me to be ok. Don't let him be here." I told my Mom. I walked straight to my room and lock the door. That became my situation almost every day now. Veron keeps on coming to bring me whatever. But why are my parents letting a rapist come close to their daughter? How could they treat him this way? For the sake of money, they threw their love for me. They betrayed me. By and by I get tired of explaining to my parents how I hate to see Veron. Then day by day I grew to hate my parents as well.

part 2.

At school, Veron managed to keep his distance. But at home, he can get closer as far as to my room or to the study room where I usually read. That's because he got my parent's permission. I continued to push him away. Months have passed I didn't get pregnant. Mom asked Veron to lessen his visits. It is not working anyway, so he did. The semester is almost over. I hated Veron for the longest time. He came to talk to me once more. I was in the study room reading a book. "I will let you be Andrea. I'm so sorry for what I did to you. Your parents asked me to stop coming." He looks so sad for that thought. He should be glad since his punishment is over.

"I admired tou for a long time but you never noticed me. I am invisible to tour eyes. That party we organized was just for you. So I can see you closer. I don't know how to talk to you. I had chances prior that day but you showed no interest in me. So I did what I did. I wanted you so bad. Even though you don't like me at all. These days were my happiest days when your parents agreed that we be married, but you're so tough. I can't get through you. You hate me so much. Which I understand because of what I did to you. But I love you even when we were young! So those days that I was close to you just like now. I am already happy with that. Please dont ask me to go." He cried sincerely. It was my first time seeing him like that but I don't care. I walked away not showing any enotion towards his confession. He grabbed my hand softly hoping that I would change my mind but I wagged his hand away. He hugged me from the back, "I'm sorry, please forgive me!" hmHe told me wholeheartedly while sobbing behind me. I tried to get away. Then run towards my room. My heartbeat is running fast. I placed a table in front of the door so nobody can get in. I heard a car leaving so Veron probably left. Even so, I stayed inside my room until Mom knocks on my door. She's calling me for dinner. While eating the phone rang. My Mom stands to answer the phone. She looks shocked of what she learned from the other line. She answered softly so we can't hear the conversation. She went back to her chair as if nothing happened.

"What is that?" Father asked intriguedby the caller.

"Nobody, I will tell you about it later." My Mom answered. My cellphone beeps as well, messages are coming which is very unusual. I checked them while eating The same shocked expression painted my face so my father asked again. "What is it, honey?"

"Nothing Dad. It's just a chain message." I answered.

"Can we please focus on the table? Nobody is answering no phone, that's an order!"

After dinner, I came to my room thinking about Veron. The message is about him. My classmate whose mother is working as an E.R. nurse told her about Veron overdosing himself with anti depressant drugs.