Sweet Escape (Intersex)

12- The Scarred Woman

"Through her scar, she wears her battles as marks of courage and triumph."

Tiffany Suzanne Holland

As we went back inside the bar, nadatnan namin ang three guests na nakaupo habang umiinom ng whiskey na animo'y walang nangyari kanina sa loob ng VVIP room.

I noticed Ms. Jane, who had been quite subdued, sat quietly on a couch, sipping a glass of water.

However, the atmosphere quickly changed when a woman with scar on her arm, addressed Ms. Jane with a firm and authoritative tone.

"Lance Corporal Jane, next time you neglect your duties, I will have no choice but to issue you a dismerit," she stated.

"Yes, Major. I apologized." Ms. Jane, replied with a meek.

It was evident that she had been reprimanded by the woman with scar, though I couldn't discern the exact reason behind it. Pero nag-aalala parin ako para kay Ms. Jane. Kaya hindi ko naiwasan ang tapikin sya sa balikat na naging dahilan kaya sya napatingin saakin.

"Are you alright, Ms. Jane?" I asked, my voice barely audible. She just nodded in response, but her troubled expression betrayed her true feelings.

"Napagalitan ka ba Ms. Jane?" Muling tanong ko, pero halos pabulong parin ang boses ko.

"Oo eh, I was supposed to be watching over you earlier, kaso nalasing ako at nabusy sa pakikipagsayaw sa mga gwapong guy. Kaya napagalitan ako ni Major Lieutenant kasi nakita mo daw yung operation nila kanina."

Napabuntong hininga ako, as I attempted to downplay the severity of the situation.

"It wasn't your fault, isa pa okay lang ako at hindi ko naman sasabihin yung mga nakita ko." saad ko, ngunit bigla kong naalala ang mga pangyayari kanina.

The truth is, I had narrowly escaped a perilous situation again. Thankfully, Aizenberg, being their superior, ensured my safety and prevented any harm from befalling me.

Sa pagitan ng katahimikan naming lahat, Aizenberg intervened, her voice carrying a sense of authority.

"That's enough, Major Lieutenant. Let's ensure that such incidents don't occur again in the future. Mag'ingat nalang tayo sa susunod." Saad ni Aizenberg, as she gently swirled the whiskey glass in her hand.

Hindi na nagsalita ang babaeng may peklat sa braso. her lips tightly pressed together. The weight of her unspoken words hung heavy as she reached for the whiskey glass na nakalapag sa table na nasa harapan nya.

With a visible air of frustration, she took a sip, the bitterness of the drink mirroring her mood. Hindi ko nalang sya pinansin pa.

Umusog ako ng pagkakaupo ko palapit kay Aizenberg saka ako bumulong sa kanya at nagpaalam na pupunta sa comfort room. Tumango naman sya kaya tumayo na ako at naglakad papunta ng CR.

Pagdating ko sa CR ay agad akong nagtungo sa sink para maghilamos. Grabe lang, this day has been so tough.

It feels like the heavens and earth have conspired against me. I think kelangan kong humingi ng kahit tatlong araw na bakasyon kay Aizenberg.