UGLY

7: They Feed on Pain

"Ms. Haron, your eyes need to adjust themselves to the medicines I have prescribed you previously," my ophthalmologist Mr. Robert sighed, examining my eyes, "I need to check your blood pressure. Please roll your sleeves up."

I sighed, doing as he instructed. It was 7:30 and god knows when will I be done.

"Mr. Robert, about the surgery-"

"Oh, yes, I remember," he looked up and placed his fingers on his chin, "You applied for a LASIK surgery, didn't you?"

"Um- yeah, I thought you remember." I exclaimed, irritated.

How can he forget that?

He chuckled,  shaking his head, "I'm getting old Ms. Haron, you need to remember that. However, first, take your medicines timely and then we can talk."

I sighed in exasperation, but I couldn't blame him.

Firstly, I was a careless person and I didn't take my medications on time and secondly, Mr. Robert was my family doctor. He knew about my unhealthy lifestyle, my unpunctuality and my eye problems better than anyone else. He knew my whole life.

"Just tell me when I can get rid of this god damned glasses," I gave him a hard look.

He seemed shaken by my glare and cleared his throat, "Uh- you need to take your medicines properly. If you follow my instructions, within two months your eyes will be prone to laser surgeries. I'm afraid they are extremely risky now."

"TWO MONTHS!" I burst out. The poor man visibly shrieked.

"Ms. Haron, if you had taken them on time, we could've start the procedures now, but-" he clapped his hands together,  suddenly becoming enthusiastic, "I have a good news! If you are careful this time and if we do a presbyopia on your eyes, we can start the primary procedures!"

I gave him an unamused look. He noticed it and said, "So, uh, you can get rid of your glasses within one and a half months."

"Thank you, Mr. Robert." I got up and shook his hands. He gave me toothy smile.

"My pleasure," he said as I saw myself out.

My appointment with the dentist had gone well. He was happy with the condition of my teeth and said I could get rid of the braces tomorrow.

I couldn't wait.

______________________________________________

"WATCH OUT!" a female voice roared from behind me. I glanced at her and saw her sauce smeared pink scarf.

Not again.

I cringed under her glare and I noticed the other students giving us a look.

"Do you even know how expensive this dress is, you homeless rat!" she yelled.

For a moment, I felt like laughing. I, definitely was not homeless.

But you are as good as a homeless person, my subconscious chastised.

"I'm sorry," I replied. When I proceeded to walk away, she grabbed me by my hair.

"Wha-"

"You really think that I'll let you walk away?" she let out a cruel laugh. I saw a few students recording it. The burning pain on my scalp brought tears in my eyes.

"L-let m-me go," I protested weekly. She, of course, tightened her grip on my hair.

"Kendra, I don't think she has ever seen a Kashmiri shawl. I think she is jealous." a bimbo cooed from beside her.

"Aw, is the little ugly b***h jealous? But guess what? It will never suit you." Her words brought tears in my eyes.

"Yeah, you are so ugly," another one of her follower said examining her nails.

Stand up for yourself Kia! My subconscious encouraged.  

But I couldn't.

They were laughing cruelly, which reminded me of villains from 1970's B-grade movies.

"She looks like s**t-"

"Yeah, no wonder Ken's angry-"

"Is she jealous for real?"

I heard comments from the small crowd that gathered around us. It was humiliating.

"Kendra, I'm sorry," I pleaded.

"Look at her, she is pathetic!" she replied.

"Couldn't agree more," someone said from the crowd and others cheered her.

"I've heard her parents are dead, she is a bad omen." another bimbo said.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

I looked down and the tears I was holding for so long, broke free.

I was drowning in self pity but it was the truth. I guess, I was a bad omen after all.

"Gross." Kendra scrunched up her nose, as if smelling something nasty.

I bet I was red by now.

"WHAT THE f**k IS GOING ON HERE?!" I sighed in relief upon hearing that voice.

Stephanie.

Kendra saw her and paled. She remembered my best friend, clearly.

Stephanie lunged toward Kendra and slapped her hard. Kendra's grip on my hair loosened and I slipped out of her clutch.

"How dare you!" my best friend roared. But right now I didn't care about Kendra. My head was burning in pain and I needed rest.

"St-steph, let's go" I whispered, my voice weakening.

Sensing my state she nodded and released Kendra, who was on the floor, groaning in pain.

Steph walked me to the dorm and laid me on the bed.

"Kia, why did you let them bully you?" she narrowed her eyes as she handed me an ice compact.

"I didn't-"

"You and I both know that you are not weak, then why the hell didn't you fight back?" she questioned me, cutting me off.

I casted my head downwards and replied timidly, "Because they were stating the truth."

"About what?" she raised an eyebrow in question.

"About my parents." I whispered, "They were right, I am a bad omen."

"I won't ask you about your parents because I know you are not ready," she placed a hand on my shoulder, "But trust me, you are not a bad omen."

"But-"

"No buts," she gave me a stern look, "Do you know why do they bully you? It's because you don't fight back. You need to fight for yourself, Kia."

"I can't." I whispered, ashamed.

"No, you can! If you determine something, you can do it. Who are they to judge your looks, huh? It's not like they are Ms. Universe. Why would you let them get to you?" she glared at me.

"But they are-" I started but stopped sensing her anger.

"What Kiara? They are human, just like you. If they do wrong, you protest. Because, they are not worth your tears." I looked up at her.

"Trust me Kia, the more you show your vulnerability, the more they mock you. They feed on pain," she took a deep breath, "Promise me, you won't fall weak."

She extended her hand.

I looked at it.

Throughout my life, I have been bullied for my looks. They taunted me, mocked me, humiliated me. But I never fought back, because they were right. No matter how I protest, I cannot change the truth.

But for the first time ever, I had someone to encourage me. Someone who stood by me.

Could I really fight?

Why are you making a big deal out of it? Of course you can!

"I promise." I said as I took her hand.

So, a filler chapter! Thank you for reading this story ❤️ Hope you enjoyed it!

My i********:: sybah_zaman