WOUNDED Episode 24 By RUTHIE LEE
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Kingsley handed me the bottled water and a handkerchief he just bought.
“Thanks” I sniffed as I took both items from him.
I dried my running nose and eyes, before gulping down half of the water from the bottle.
Kingsley sighed and stroked his templates.
“you’ve been crying for hours now” Kingsley exaggerated.
It’s not even up to fifty minute
“I know” I sniffed.
Sitting on a huge rock behind block four , the building was doing a great job with its huge shade, protecting us from the sun.
Kingsley and I had come here after the encounter with him walking up on Mr Vincent and I in his office and I just couldn’t withstand the embarrassment and guilt that submerged me at that moment.
As Kingsley and I walked out of the office, I cried seeing Kingsley’s face. He sure saw what was happening in there. There’s no thinking, he saw it.
His expression made me want to pass out.
And when I didn’t stop crying, he told me to wait here and left to buy the water and the hanky.
“So..?” Kingsley began. “Are you going to tell me what happened in there or what?.
I sighed. “You saw what happened didn’t you?” my voice was low and my head was hurting. I was so tired, I haven’t eaten since yesterday and I’m not getting any sleeps too.
“You mean, that lecturer pinning you to wall, kissing you and trying to get his stupid hands up your legs.” Kingsley stated bitterly. You could tell he was angry.
I sighed. And a tear dropped.
“So you did see everything”
“Yes I did. How do you explain that?”
I was looking at my feet the whole time and when I looked up at Kingsley, he looked really angry.
“I was being sexual assaulted, that’s how you explain it.” I gave a bitter laugh.
“Well hell yeah, and you need to report it to the school board. And how and when did all this begin? Is this the reason you broke up with Sammy?” Kingsley’s voice was loud.
“Well yes… Partially” I sighed.
“So… So when did all this start? He was sexual assaulting you and you didn’t let anyone know.” Kingsley scoffed.
“It was just this one time, I swear” I stated preventing myself from crying.
“This one time? Why you? He wouldn’t just approach him.” Kingsley blurted and I looked up at him.
“What are you trying to say? That I gave myself to him at first?” I raised my brows.
“Well you could put it that way!” Kingsley replied, not caring how mad I feel and look at that statement.
I stood up.
“I used to have sex with men in exchange for money, and Mr. Vincent happened to be one of my client.”
I spurred all that out.? In one go?
How it’s so easy to tell.
I turned to Kingsley and found his jaw on the floor.
The reactions.
I sighed “classic huh”.
“I.. I.. Y.. You…
Kingsley was completely speechless.
“Now seeing me here, he’s trying to take advantage of me because we’ve once shared a bed.” to be honest, coming out to kinglsey was a lot easier than I thought.
I looked at Kingsley’s face, it was the most shocked face I have ever seen.
“Shocked.?” I asked.
He just blinked rapidly.
“See this Is the reason I broke up with Samuel, what if he finds out about my past and then Mr. Vincent, you seem shocked enough, how would he feel, how would he look at me? It’s scary… Mr. Vincent also wanted to drag him down because we’re in a relationship” I sighed. “This is all just too much!”.
Kingsley’s quietness was causing me rage.
“Say something at least, are you so shocked? Now you understand why I can’t be In a relationship with him. If you’re so shocked then how is his reaction going to be” just thinking about it I felt my eyes getting wet.
“It’s… Its okay” Kingsley finally said. “You don’t have to cry Samuel will understand” Kingsley stated.
“You’re not him you can never know” I cried.
“But just stop crying!” Kingsley added.
“Let’s just leave.” I stated, ignoring the forthcoming headache I was feeling. “I need to rest” I was so tired.
As I took a step forward I find myself falling to the ground and everything went blank.
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*
I opened my eyes to the unfamiliar room and the smell of strong pills and antiseptics.
I turned to my side and slowly opened my eyes, the first thing i saw was a white curtain.
I turned to my other side and I saw Kingsley and Samuel.
“You’re awake” Samuel’s voice was low.
I slowly sat up and turned to the boys, the last thing I remembered was talking to Kingsley.
“What am I doing here?” I asked looking around.
“You fainted” Kingsley replied.
I did.
“And this is a clinic close to campus and like a block away from our hostel” Kingsley added.
“The nurse said you passed out due to stress and anxiety, and also hunger.” Samuel stated, his tone, worried and angry at the same time.
“Have you starving yourself?” Samuel asked.
“I just… Haven’t been so hungry lately.” I replied not looking at him.
“You haven’t been so hungry, are you trying to get yourself killed? Stress? Anxiety? What is going on Bridget?” Samuel asked with a sigh.
“Nothing…” I replied.
Kingsley gave me a look before clearing his throat and holding up a white paper bag. “There are pills in here, the nurse said you should take them after you get to eat” Kingsley stated and I nodded.
“And you’re also free to go home” Kingsley added.
I slowly got down from the bed and stood up and everything started to spin around which made me sit back down.
“I don’t think I can go home” I sighed.
“Just come with us to our hostel and I’ll prepare something for you, you don’t have to walk all the way to your hostel, ours isn’t far from here” Samuel offered and I couldn’t say no.
I gave a slow nod and he nod back.
I had to lean on Samuel to walk properly, I was completely drained. It was like something was sucked out of me.
The boys were right, immediately we stepped out of the clinic the building came into sight and before I knew it, I was on Samuel’s couch in the living room stuffing my face in yam porridge.
I didn’t know, but I missed food so much.
Kingsley retired in his room preparing for his next class, but Samuel watched me ate and gulp down my medicine.
Kingsley left the house minutes after leaving me and Samuel, we both sat alone in the living room not saying anything, and I start to feel sleepy.
Slowly my eyes closed and I fell asleep.
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– SAMUEL’S POV –
I Watched Bridget go to sleep and I couldn’t but wish our break up never happened.
I love her so much.
And seeing her go through all these, it’s more worse than she actually breaking up with me.
The anxiety and stress, why would she be stressed? Why would she even starve herself. Her face is all puffy and gloomy, her smile has faded and sadness has taken over her eyes. It was like the lively, happy and bright Bridget I once knew had died. And the girl In front of me was someone else, she used to be so prevailing, but now she’s the opposite. I’ve never really found out her reasons do breaking up with me.
But that doesn’t matter now, she just have to be okay.
I stood up, grabbed her sleeping body in my arms and walked to my room, I opened the door and laid her on my bed.
Seeing her on my bed, I wished she would never leave.
The moments of not sitting with her in class was like torture, I tried to focus but I couldn’t and each time, I’ve found myself glancing back at her.
Bridget, you made me fall in love with you, you’re not going to leave me all alone right?
I stared down at her protuberant lips and I almost kissed it, but stopped. She wouldn’t like that, we’ve broken up.
I sat on my study desk and watched her sleep. I was ready to miss class because of her, I couldn’t care less.
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– – Bridget’s pov – –
My eyes fluttered opened and the familiar ceiling fan in front of my face gave me a heart warming feeling.
Samuel’s room.
But I slept in the living room. Did he carry me in here.?
“You’re awake” I heard his voice and I quickly sat up.
I was feeling a lot better and more energetic, unlike few hours ago.
“Yeah, I’m awake” my voice was low and calm.
Samuel walked up to me and sat beside me on his bed.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, placing his hand on my forehead to briefly check my temperature.
That touch.
Was the warmest thing ever.
“Feeling better” I replied and he nodded.
We both stayed quiet, and to be honest, it was more than torture, sitting beside him, his scent engulfing my nose, his warmth confining me at once, he was irrisistible.
I wanted to hold him so bad and make him tell me that he loves me no matter what I do or did.
But then again, we’re not together anymore.
I broke us.
And I’m not happy about it, I never was, but I had no choice.
“Bridget…” Samuel Called.
I turned to him, and just by looking at the side of his face, I wanted to kiss him so bad.
“Yeah..?” I replied.
“But, I beg you with every ounce of my being, tell me… What is actually going on?” he turned to me and I stared at his eyes.
I missed him.
Slowly my head went closer to his and I quickly locked our lips together.
Samuel surprisingly reciprocated and it was electrifying.
My body started to boil in a magnifying way.
I’ve missed this, a kiss with Samuel was nothing but a whole different universe. I could see nothing but stars twinkling as my lips brushed over Samuel’s soft and gentle lips.
Samuel suddenly paused and gently pulled away.
“I’m confused” he sighed.
I looked away.
“One minute, we’re breaking up, the next minute we’re kissing, I don’t understand this at all” Samuel sighed.
Good thing he didn’t look mad.
“I’m sorry” I apologized. “I’m just being selfish, I’m so sorry” I sighed burying my face In palm.
“Why did you break up with Bridget?” Samuel asked.
I looked up at him and it was now or never.
I scoot away from him and sighed.
“Fine” I breathed out.
He raised a brow at me.
“I don’t care If you hate me or not but I broke up with you because I was scared.” I started.
“Scared? Scared of what?” Samuel asked.
“You” I replied.
“Why me?” he asked, his inquisitive face and body scooting closer to me.
“Was scared of the reaction I would get” I sighed.
I can’t do this.
“What reaction?” Samuel looked as confused as someone receiving an explanation for the colour Coquelicot.
“I used to sleep with men in exchange for money and yeah our lecturer Mr. Vincent was one of them, I was a dirty call girl.” I stated in one go, not believing myself.
I just went straight to the point, I didn’t even care for the worst that might come.
I looked at samuel and he just stared at me with a blank expression.
“Sam…?” I called. Scared.
He’s a quiet person, but his silence now is killing me.
“And was that the reason you broke up with me?” he asked blinking rapidly.
I nodded.
Well also because Mr. Vincent was threatening to fail us both because I was in a relationship with you, I wanted to say that too, but no, one problem at a time.
“That’s the reason you broke up with me?” Samuel asked again his eyes wide open.
“Y-yeah” I replied.
He breathed out a sigh and fall back on the bed.
“wait… You’re not mad?” I slowly asked.
“Mad? Why would I be. For a moment I was scared, I thought I had done something really bad or maybe you have like a rare disease or something… But that’s not it and that’s a relief” Samuel smiled.
A relief.
Okay this is not what I was expecting.
“But I used to be a call girl”. I reminded him.
His easiness was scary.
“Listen to yourself Bri… You used to”.
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WOUNDED 💢 💔
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BY RUTHIE LEE 🌸 🌸
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EPISODE 25
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“But I used to be a call girl”. I reminded him.
His easiness was scary.
“Listen to yourself Bri… You used to”.
I was completely speechless as I stared at Samuel in front of me.
He was cool with everything going on.
Samuel sat up. “You used to be, but not anymore, I mean no one is perfect, you had your reasons clearly. But you shouldn’t have ended our relationship, honestly I was so scared, and I missed you everyday, I didn’t know how hard it must have been for you keeping something like this from me for so long. And then Mr. Vincent,” Samuel wore a sad eye as he mentioned his name.
I was still feeling a bit tensed surprised by his reaction.
“I’m sorry” I quietly apologized, this is so embarrassing.
“You don’t have to be sorry…” Samuel stated.
I looked up at him. Why is he so nice???
“of course I should be, you got in a relationship with me not knowing what kind of person I am, or what I used to do and keeping it a secret from you is what I’m sorry for, I didn’t mean to break us up, I really like you Sam… But I was just so afraid and ashamed of what you might think of me!” I breathed out a sigh as my eyes started to get wet again.
Looks like I broke my tears cage today.
“It’s okay… You don’t have to cry” Samuel said scooting closer to me and holding my shoulder.
“You had to go through so much, how hard it must have been for you, you went through all that stress just to tell me this.!” Samuel voice made me shiver.
I sniffed. “To be honest.” I started “it’d be better if you get a little angry, I hate the way you’re being nice… It’s scary! I just told you something irk about my past and you’re the one apologizing. It’s scary Sam” I sniffed.
Samuel paused. “Well I don’t know, I am angry, I know I do feel a little bit of anger in me because of what you told me, but then the anger’s not for you, or anybody else.”
“What?” I sniffed.
“I don’t know, I just can’t bring myself to get angry at you…” Samuel gave a grin. “Of course you’ve had your rough past and a part of it might be catching up with you now like you’ve said like Mr Vincent, but that doesn’t mean anything, I was happy, you see I never taught I’d ever like someone or get someone to like me, but when you came into my life I never believed it, I was happy I had you, I was so happy, and then I thought I might break when you broke up with me, I thought something was wrong with me, but then you said it was you and I couldn’t understand what was wrong with you, I did want to understand but you kept pushing me away and I was scared, I made up my mind I couldn’t possibly stay a day without seeing you, my point is, just be there, smile at me, hold me, call me by my name and just stay with me, that’s all I ask for, hiding your past doesn’t make things easier and let’s just focus on the present, not even the future but the present!”
I flew around Samuel’s body and gave him a tight hug immediately he said all that and he held my body with his firm hands.
“You got skinny over the past few days, I can’t believe you kept all that to yourself and caused so much stress to yourself, over a past that no one cares about” Samuel stated and let out a light chuckle.
“Now just stop crying” Samuel pat my back. “You’ve cried so much, you’re just going to get yourself worn out”.
“Why are you so nice?” I mumbled.
“I am?” he retort the question.
I disengaged the hug and wiped my tears.
I do feel worn out.
“So that means… We’re back together right?” I asked feeling a bit relieved.
“Yes and no more secrets! Please.” Samuel added and I nodded.
I’ll tell him about Mr. Vincent later
I fell back on the bed and breathed out a sigh.
“Can I stay here for the day?” I asked. I wasn’t entirely worn out but I didn’t feel like going back to my hostel, everything between Samuel and I are okay and I couldn’t be more glad.
“You can stay as long as you like” Samuel let’s out a smile.
“Thanks” I smiled back.
I turned to my side and breathed a sigh, I closed my eyes.
“I’m going for another rest” I said and Samuel stood up.
“No problem.”
I closed my eyes and heard as the door went shut.
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<>. SAMUEL’S POV <>
I Walked out of my room and breathed out a sigh of relief.
Finally I can breathe again, the past few days Bridget and I weren’t together, it felt like something was holding on to my lungs, now I can finally breathe again.
She’s keeping so much to herself, so who cares if she ‘was’ a call girl. She can be any type of girl she wants, but as long as she’s with me, then everything’s fine. Wow it’s a shock to me how I’ve come to like someone so much. It’s a feeling that’s explainable and unexplainable at the same time, the feeling is blissful, imaging having that kind of blissful feeling seeing one person everyday and suddenly the person wants to shove you away from their life, then that’s no far from death.
As I walked into the living room, Kingsley opened the door and walked in.
“Finally just ended the last class for the day” he sighed throwing his bag on the couch.
“Good for you, I didn’t even attend any class today” I said.
“Why? Is Bridget still here?” He asked.
“Yes” I nodded. She intended on staying”.
“Wow, she must be getting sick of her hostel by now, that’s why she intended on staying here, she went through a lot” Kingsley sighed taking off his shoes.
“Went through a lot?” I repeated. “How do you know she’s been going through a lot?” I asked him.
“Oh, she finally told you what’s been bothering her?” Kingsley threw the question.
“Wait? You knew?” we were both throwing questions.
Until he finally answered. “Well she told me today. Before she passed out, she didn’t want you to know, she was worried of how you’d react, she was really scared, she thought if she told you her secret, you’d want to dump her or some stuff like That because she used to be a call girl, so she decided to end and dump you before you could do it to her!”. Kingsley explained.
I would never
I sighed. “And she went through all that just for nothing…”
“Exactly and with Mr. Vincent on her neck she’ll probably pass out again.” Kingsley stated
“Mr. Vincent on her neck?” I repeated.
Kingsley looked at me, eyes widen.
“She… Didn’t tell you… About Mr. Vincent.” he slowly said.
“Well I know he used to be one of those… One of her…. Wait is there anything else that I don’t know.?” I asked.
“Uh… Nothing! I think I’ve said enough for now, I’ll go to my room now” kingsley grinned.
“Kingsley” i called and he sighed, annoyed.
“Okay, Bridget didn’t want you to know but Mr. Vincent has been threatening her to like… You know… And said he was going to like fail you both if she fails to comply, and that’s one of the reason she had to end your relationship with her, she said she didn’t want you to suffer because of her and also yesterday while looking for you after you class… I caught him… I..
“You caught him what?” I chimed in.
“Secually harassing her.” Kingsley completed and my heart fell into my stomach.
“What? Just because he used to be one of her… Stupid… Worker or whatever doesn’t mean he has to try nonsense with her.” I was finally angry.
“Exactly, Bridget was really scared and helpless when I saw her, even though she was trying to look not so frail, she was as fragile as ever, she’s been keeping it to herself and enduring so much, now I feel bad for her” kinsgely sighed.
“Why didn’t she tell me” I mumbled to myself.
“uh.. She likes you too much, she didn’t want your disturbing ass worrying over her business like that” Kingsley stated.
I sighed.
“Anyways is anything on the stove?I’m damn hungry” Kingsley grunted.
“There’s nothing, since Bridget is staying over, I’ll prepare something soon.” I replied.
“Okay then. I’ll be in my room” Kingsley said and walked away.
I walked to my room and seeing Bridget sleeping I let out a small smile but then my smile faded, how she has been a victim of sexual harassment.
Seeing her skinny body on my bed made me want to never let go of her, I wanted to protect in a way the word protection is an understatement, to be with her and never see her cry again. And how Mr. Vincent is so going to get what’s coming for him.
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...Bridget's pov...I opened my eyes and it took me thirty seconds to realise I was in Samuel’s room, after gawking at the place for another thirty seconds, I got off the bed.
The sun has gone down but the day was still a little bright, but it will be dark soon.
I walked out of Samuel’s room and to the living room.
The sweet smell of chicken stew stopped my feet from moving any further and I suddenly realised I haven’t eaten a proper meal since yesterday.
I walked towards the boys on the couch who were busy with their meal and Kingsley was the first one to see me.
“You’re awake” he said making Samuel turn to me.
Samuel quickly stood up.
“Gentle, she can stand all by herself” Kingsley said to Samuel rolling his eyes.
“Are you hungry?” Samuel rushed his question walking up to me.
After perceiving a smell like that. How could I not be hungry.
“Yeah” I nodded.
“Make sure to stay over every once in a whole Bri… Samuel never prepare delicacies like this”. Kingsley said recieving a glance from Samuel.
Treating me like I’m going to break, Samuel served me the food he prepared and I slowly ate it, uncomfortable from the stares he was giving me.
“I’m not dying you know.” I said after a moment of silence.
“Huh?” Samuel was confused.
“You keep treating me like I’m going to break anytime soon, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but frankly, it’s weird.” I stated and threw a smile.
“Oh… I Just… Sorry if its making you uncomfortable” Samuel said and I shook my head Negatively. “It’s okay”.
We both heard a knock on the door and Kingsley who was walking out of his room at that moment was the one we went to answer the door.
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T. B. C
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