Insert 21

2 weeks later

I finally had to go back to the hospital to get my bandages removed, the excitement I had to have them removed was beyond what I comprehended. I know the scars will always be there but I was just looking forward to wearing my clothes again. These past 2 weeks have truly been a journey, recovery hasn’t been easy especially when it came to taking a bath. I had to rely on my mom to help me with a lot of things, which meant I had to warm up to her. All I can say is that we put our differences aside and yes, I did forgive her and we are kind of close now. She never told me why she did it but every day I hope that she’ll just trust me enough to tell me what pushed her to a point where she had to beat me to a pulp. I was still not pushing though.

Sands and I got really close these past 2 weeks, he came every day, kept me company and he’d skip school sometimes just to be with me. He was really a gentlemen shem. We kissed a few times but we are not dating, well, it is not official yet. I don’t know whether I want to be in a relationship with him or not, I just don’t see him that way. Yes we kissed more than once but I was vulnerable and he was there to comfort me.

Speaking of relationships, I have been warming to Tebo. You see with him, things are different. He doesn’t pressure me into anything. He called every day, 3 times a day. He never came to see me because I refused when he asked to come visit, I didn’t know how I was going to explain the bandages at the time. All that he knew was that I hit my head hard and was booked off school for 4 weeks. He just kept me company over the phone. Every time he called, he would declare his undying love for me but I would just brush him off merely because I didn’t know how I felt about him so I just wanted to keep that channel open for when I was completely sure.

Oh! Before I forget, Amo reached out as well. He was helping me catch up with school work since we did the same subjects. I scolded him at first because I was so furious with him with regards to him having sex with my friend but he apologized saying that he never knew that I had the hearts for him and what not so I forgave him. He was right, he never knew that I wanted him so we moved on from that. We are pretty much friendly with each other and Sands doesn’t like that, why? Beats me as well because he doesn’t want to tell me why and when I ask Amo about it he just brushes me and says that it’s nothing. Amo has an ego the size of his head but I know how to get him off his high horse. We’re pretty much friends and that’s about it.

I was preparing to go to the hospital, Sands was taking me there. Mom couldn’t make it because she had to go somewhere and dad was at work. Everything was calm in the home front but there is still tension between mom and dad. I don’t know why that is but I am hoping it is nothing big. I got a text from Sands, saying that his outside, He didn’t go to school because “he really wanted to take me to the hospital” his words not mine. As usual, he was leaning against his car waiting for me. I was not limping and the scars were not that painful anymore. Me:” Hey handsome.” I smiled. Him:” Hey beautiful.” He kissed me on the cheek. Him:” Ready to close this chapter?” Me:” I am thrilled!” I grinned. Him:” Let’s go then.” He opened the door for me and went to his side and drove off. The drive to the hospital was filled with laughter and flirting, I still found it weird that he has not told me that he loves me or wants to be in relationship with me. I secretly hope he doesn’t because I don’t want to ruin what we have, plus we will never work as girlfriend and boyfriend.

We got to the hospital, I had an appointment made so I was just in time. Sands stayed in the car and I walked in alone. I went to my doctor’s consultation room and waited there… “Zara Fonté…” The door swung open. Me:” Yes doc.” I smiled. Doc:” Good to see you all smiles as compared to the last time you were here.” Me:” Well I have to be happy seeing that I’m removing these...” Pointing at the bandages. Doc:” Then let’s get on with it. Hop on top of the bed.” Me:” Yes sir…” He slowly removed the bandages and evaluated my scars. Doc:” Their healing just fine. That’s a good sign.” Me:” You don’t say…” Doc:” You took really good care of yourself, I was scared that I going to find some infection but there is no sign of it. Kudos to you.” Me:” Thank you doc.” He applied an antiseptic to my scars to prevent any infection, it was painful but not that much. Gave me my prescription for painkillers and an ointment for the scars. And I got dressed. Me:” Thank you doc for everything.” I smiled. Doc:” Tell me something…” Me:” Yeah…” Doc:” Did the police contact you about the assault?” Me:” Yes they did but I chose not to press charges. It is better we all move on from this incident.” Doc:” That’s big of you, but are you not scared that the perpetrators will attack you again?” I had a confusing look on my face. What does he mean by perpetrators? And why would they attack again? Me:” mmh… Perpetrators?” I raised my brow. Doc:” Yes, the guys who beat you up and left you for dead. Your parents found you in a pool of blood lying at the gate right?” He raised his brow. Me:” Uhm… You know doc I vaguely remember anything from that night, hence I didn’t press charges. Thank you for your concern though. Hopefully they won’t attack again.”

I rushed out of the room so quickly because my throat was drying up and tears were building up in my eyes. Where would he get such a story about me being beaten up by random people? Do I look like a girl who goes around getting beaten for no reason? I walked back to his consulting room, I just barged in. Me:” So doc who told you my tragic story?” I kept my cool, I wasn’t about to cry in front of him. I just needed to know. Doc:” Your dad, he was pretty much hurt by the whole thing.” Me:” Oh, I see. Thank you doc. Bye” Doc:” Farewell to you Zara.” He waved goodbye.

I ran off to where Sands had parked his car. He got out of the car and I ran into his arms. I sobbed as my tears ran down my cheeks. I felt as if my heart was ripped out of my chest. I have come too far to be sent back right where I started. Why would my dad go to extreme lengths to cover up my mom’s actions? Did he have to lie like this though? It’s not like I was going to take my mom to jail or anything but for him to say that they found my lifeless body at the gate was just taking it too far. Him:” Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” He rubbed my back Me:” My life, that’s what’s wrong…” I sobbed. Him:” Scars not healing properly?” He sounded concerned. Me:” No, the scars are fine, just that my dad…” Voice:” Zee…”

I turned to look at who was calling out to me. You know, I never anticipated what could unfold should I bump into Livia and Lindo and here I am about to have my first encounter with them since the incident. I haven’t seen or heard from them since our fall out. I had blocked them everywhere, I made sure that they couldn’t reach me even if they tried and now here they are, fast approaching and I have nowhere to hide.