Look at Me!

PRESENT: My name is Malika. Today I see myself in the mirror. A pure beauty but with an unforgettable scar. Just like an expensive bouquet of flower, that ironically lives with the help of carbon dioxide, yes, the issue that has strangled the Earth, I am still able to survive. I am a survivor, and here is my story.

PAST: I have never liked the unlucky number 13, alas, I have a reason for that. Before I reached the age of 13, my life was like any normal girl. Nothing is missing, nor do I have anything that I want. Especially the fact that I am loved by my parents and my boyfriend, Faizal.

It did not take too long till my parents got busy with work. And I was left alone most of the time. Sometimes they bring Sister Anya to take care of me. I never liked being attended but it is a different case when it comes to Faizal. He understood me, yes, I intentionally said that in past tense. On the 13th of February, yes of course, another reason for me to hate the number. Faizal came with popsicles and I greet him happily. He went to the kitchen to place the popsicles in the fridge, meanwhile I went to my bedroom to change my clothes for our sudden date. I do not know what came into Faizal, but he entered my bedroom, and you can predict the rest that is about to happen.

PRESENT: * sound of doors banging *

Faizal enters the house. * sound of the stairs creaking * I sweat and wished for the sound to pass by. As soon as I heard him pass by, I relaxed from the lingering tension.

I open my laptop and went into twitter to join the #metoo campaign. Sometimes I spread my concerns to others, few contacted me in personal chat, particularly Asha remind me a lot of myself. She decided to meet me one day. So that I can help her bring her sexual assault report to the court. Oh, did I forget to mention that I am a lawyer? I am a woman, but I am not ashamed of my decision to help Asha that day.