Shadow

Cast Away The Shadow

This is a story which I personally made and it somehow reflects my own life when i was a child.This tackles the issue of bullying among young children and parents maltreatment to their child or children. I hope you’ll enjoy.

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When I was seven my mother enrolled me in a day care center in our “barangay” and I was a complete stranger back then, but eventually I made friends. It was the only time in my life that I was not worried of what other people might say, because when I reached elementary my awareness of what and who I am grew as I acquire age. The true me is spilling out like bubbles from a soda drink, which I don’t have a control with. My name is Jay Kyle Fernandez or Jake in short. But those rude, mean, worthless people have given me a nickname which I protested, Jane-faggot.

I am well aware of my self but  to still label me like that, it is just too much. When I reached fourth grade I am no longer the usually friendly and happy kid I used to before, I kept my self behind the shadows and stayed alone in a corner to evade the glaring eyes and the heavy hands of those bullies. I thought that in that way I can be safe and be free, but I was wrong.

A boy about my age but with a bit larger build together with the other two boys came near me and said, “Hey, who’s this kid?” He placed his finger on my chin and lifted my face. “A newbie”, the other boy said. “He’s no newbie it’s Jane-faggot!” The other one said. I cringed from where I sit I knew I’m in trouble. “Vincent!” I mumbled. Vincent was my loyal bully since first grade and here he is again and he even brought minions. The boy who said I am a newbie tugged the collar of my uniform and raised me up and said sarcastically, "So this is the gay kido Vincent has been annoyed with since first grade…not bad…for a floor mop!”, pushing me onto the wall. “Ahhh…"I wimpered when I hit my head on the concrete wall.”Oh…does it hurt??I’m soooo sorry; I really meant to do that, hahaha.” He said with a mocking laugh. Vincent and the other guy loughed as well. I was just about to cry and again run away as I always did, but a voice came out, “Vincent!,Anton!,Patrick! What are you doing right there?!"Ms Velosa called out for them. She was my science teacher who has been the only person who was so kind to me. "A-ah…nothing Ms Velosa we’re just introducing ourselves to Jane…I-I mean Jake…bye ma'am good day…” Vincent stuttered and run away. "Jake…are you fine? Did they hurt you?” Ms Velosa said with her hand on my shoulder. “Hmmn…yes ma'am am fine, and don’t worry their not hurting me” I did not tell the truth because I’m afraid if I’ll tell her what happened she might call our parents and it will lead to another trouble.

“Are you sure?” She asked.“Yes ma'am absolutely sure” Trying to make my face look convincing. “Good to hear that”, she looked at her watch and the school bell ring a signal that class is over.

“Two more years…two more years!!!” I said to my self while walking home. “Hey!"I shouted when someone threw me an egg which went straight on my back. Now I smell like rotten egg. I turned to face the culprit and as usual it is those three guys again. I decided to ignore them and let what they did to me pass because I don’t want to get into trouble. But they’re just too stubborn, they went to me and plastered a paper which says ‘I am a FAGGOT!’ capitalizing the word faggot. I heard the people around me laugh and because of the embarrassment I run as fast as I could with tears falling from my eyes. When I reached home I quickly fixed my self, I wiped my tears, took off my polo before entering the house, I don’t want my father to see me like that. The house felt so distant and cold. The house is full of clutters, and empty bottles of beer are everywhere.

I am standing in the center of the dark room when I saw a dark figure of a man coming towards me with a wobbly motion and holding something like a bottle. I discovered that it is just my father. But for some reason I felt scared and my heart pounded so fast and I don’t know why.

"Youuuu’re heeeeere! Gooood, buy me three more bottles of beer…huuury!!!” He said in his drunken tone and gave me the money and immediately I went out and bought the beer. “Dad…. here” I handed him the beers. “These are only two bottles, I said three!!! You’re a disgrace to this family most especially to me!!!” I flinched when I saw he raised his hand. Then everything just turned black. By that moment I felt some sort of peace and even wished it not to end though its dark but at least I won’t be feeling the pain anymore. Ever since my mother died because of a vehicular accident after my graduation in day care my father started drinking and became so violent to me. Then our usually bright and warm home turned into a nightmare.

“Good morning Jake…” Ms Velosa greeted me.

“Good morning too ma'am…"I replied and gave out a weak smile to hide the pain.

"What happened to your face?” She said with a concerned tone while examining the cut in my forehead.
My father, he did this he slapped me full hard making me hit my head on theedge of the chair and I even passed out. I wanted to tell her the truth but somehow I can’t, so I just said that I fell from the stairs, and good thing she bought it.

“What?! Thank goodness you were not hurt so badly…Jake…next time be careful okay…”

“Yes ma'am, thank you for your concern…”

“I will always be concerned for you Jake”

I felt certain warmth upon hearing those words from her. It felt like it was my mother talking to me.

In fifth grade I still haven’t gotten away with the cold and harsh treatment of other people, and my dad is still like he used to be. But at the end of the school year fate seemed to turn on my side.

I am again inside the usually dark and gloomy room and fear is still creeping in my veins but somehow a feeling of warmth and safety is comforting me.

My father is again drunk and his face is furious and as he approaches I also back off stepping on the fragments of beer bottles. Suddenly I tripped my foot on a whole bottle making me fall backwards on the floor and get pierced by a sharp standing broken glass. I felt the air thinned and my vision became blurry, but I heard a voice calling my name.

“Jake…Jake hold on okay…I will just be right you-” And the voice faded together with a sound which seemed to be coming from a siren. I woke up seeing all white garments and wall, “Am I in heaven?, I thought" but a familiar voice spoke and said, “You’re awake! Thank goodness…you scared me to death”

“How-” I was cut when she placed her finger in my lips.

“Hush…me and your mother are the closest of friends and I’ve been watching over you since your mother died..and I know your father has been harassing you since then”

“Where is my father?”

“He is now under the police custody”

“You mean he will be imprisoned?”

“Yes Jake”

“Please don’t let them imprison my father he is a good man, he is just depressed and disappointed with me because I am gay…please Ms Velosa I beg you I love my father”

“But-”

“Please…. ma'am”

“Okay Jake…but remember this, being different or being a gay is not a reason to be treated harshly and unfairly and it is not a sin for you to hide”

Those words struck me and placed a mark in my heart. Ms Velosa really has something right to say at the right situation and at the right time.

“Thank you ma'am”

“And…you are a very admirable kid Jake”

Starting that moment, I learned to show the real me casting away the shadow that for so long a time imprisoned me with fear, weeping, and gloom. When, I reached sixth grade, the Jake who is known as a worthless kid has now emerged from the cocoon of fear and has become a very beautiful butterfly spreading his glorious wings proudly and boldly. In the time of graduation I was declared as the valedictorian and I am standing on a podium in front of so many people under the bright sky stepping on my shadow under my feet and delivered my speech.

The last lines of my speech go this way, “Never let your shadow hide the real you, never let the sadness impede you from your dreams. We are given equal rights to live, use it, never waste it”

All of the audience stood and gave me their applause, from a corner I saw my father with a bright look in his face and tears welling in his eyes- he is proud.

==The End==