Once In Katipunan

Chapter 04

I stayed in his arms for a few more seconds before I felt a little bit calmer.

"Ar-are you ok now? Are you hurt?" He asked.

I still can't process anything as of the moment, so I just shook my head as an answer.

Nakita ko na ang ibang mga taong nakiusyoso sa gulo na unti-unti nang umaalis. There are a lot of them who pitied me based on the looks on their faces, and there are also some who just passed by, as if they don't care if I will be dead or not.

"Paanong hindi mababastos 'yan eh tignan mo kung paano manamit, litaw suso." I heard a boy murmured from somewhere.

Agad na nagising ang galit sa loob-loob ko matapos marinig ang mga salitang 'yun.

So, ano ang gusto niyang palabasin? Na kasalanan ko kung bakit may lalaking bumastos sa akin? Na kasalanan ng isang babae kapag nabastos siya dahil sa pananamit niya? Wala na bang karapatan ang mga babae na manamit sa kagustuhan nila?

Do women always need to adjust to what the society dictates because of the inhumane actions of some men? Do we always have to put the burden on us to prevent ourselves from being harassed rather than educating everyone about basic human decency? Fuck it.

May karapatan kaming mga babae na pumili ng susuotin. We can wear whatever we want because that's the most exquisite way of expressing ourselves. And us, wearing daring clothes doesn't mean we are urging men to hit on us or we are subjecting ourselves for sexual assaults. women wearing sexy clothes doesn't also mean we are exploiting ourselves so that men will give us attention and we're letting them to take us for granted. Clothes, regardless of how daring and revealing they are, is not an invitation for sexual assaults. We should normalize the idea of us, women, wearing the clothes of our choice without the threat of being harrased. Clothes is never a permit to sexually harass women. Let that sink in.

We're not the one who should be adjusting in this case, men's perception and sexual fantasies towards women should be condemed. Harassment isn't based on what a person is wearing, a woman wearing long sleeves shirt can be harassed and raped by a man if he wants to, especially those who's just lusting over his sexual desires. So don't ever put the blame on women who just want to live their life and express their femininity through her clothing if she got harrased.

Gusto kong magalit at sigawan ang lalaking nagsabi no'n pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko na lumikha ng panibagong gulo rito.

I supposed, France also heard the man's statement dahil nakita ko kung paano nagbago ang ekspresyon niya ng tumingin siya rito. He's glaring like he's ready to punch another face.

Akmang susugurin ni France ang lalaki kaya pinigilan ko na siya.

"Why? He deserves to be punched. He shouldn't said that!" Inis na sabi niya ng tignan ako.

"Just... Just shrug it off, I don't want to start another scene." I said. "Uuwi na lang ako. Thank you ulit." Sabi ko sa kaniya at tumalikod na.

Pinipigilan ko ang emosyon ko at pilit nilalabanan ang panlalambot ng tuhod dahil sa nangyari. Hindi pa man ako nakakalayo ay tinawag na muli ako ni France.

"Hey, wait, I'll drive you home. Taga saan ka ba?" Aniya at sinabayan ako sa paglalakad.

"No thanks, I'll just ride a taxi. You've done so much to me, dagdag abala pa sa'yo ang paghatid sa akin." Alanganing sabi ko.

"What if you'll ride on a taxi with an abusive driver? Do you think it's okay." He asked. "It's safer if I'll send you home, myself."

Napayuko na lang ako nang ma-realize na may point nga siya. Besides, I don't think I'm on the normal state to go home alone. Tumango na lang ako sa kaniya bilang pagpayag ko. Inakay niya na ako papunta sa parking space kung saan naka park ang sasakyan niya.