In The Name of Life

Chapter 1: Sophie, The Blind

The bell rang and we heard it all over the school, sign that it is our recess time. I heard my classmates yelled because they were saved by the bell. "All right, class dismissed. See you tomorrow, class!" Mrs. Sasha told us. "Goodbye, Teacher Sasha!" We said in chorus.

During the recess period, I would just sit back and eat my snacks in the room. I don't want to go out, because If I do, my fellow students will just bump me and I hate it! Instead of helping students with disabilities, they would laugh at you until they got bored.

I shook my head every time I heard nobody roaming around the room. They are all outside, walking with their friends, eating snacks with their boyfriends, or playing around with their siblings.

I felt envy. I felt so small. Even going to the comfort room, it would take me forever if I'm all alone. How ironic, isn't it? The more you are kind and a good-hearted person, the more you suffer from everything.

I reached my bag and I slowly get my snacks. Mother always gives me one biscuit and one bottle of water every day and I'd never complain and never felt dismayed. I'm too ravenous, I didn't eat breakfast because there's nothing in our table. Even a single fish or potato.

I eagerly opened the biscuit until someone snatched it from my hands. I tried to reach it but I couldn't. I can't tell who did it, I can't see who did it, either. "Hey! Give me back my biscuit!" I yelled. I don't know what's his/her up to again.

"Catch me if you can, Sophie the blind!" I know he is a man, based on his voice. I could sense that he's grinning and laughing at me, right now.

I don't get it! Why I'm even studying in this popular and private school when in fact, I have nothing except my brain and my kind heart. Our principal didn't tell me to transfer into a public and affordable school because I'm an asset, she's been telling me that for almost 9 years.

I could still recall that day, that day when father and mother enrolled me to one of my dream art school in town. It's been nine years since that accident.

I tried to stand, I hold everything I can. No one will help me, no one who will. "Who are you?!" I asked him, still trying to catch the snatcher.

I felt so dizzy and my stomach is telling me to eat. I'm too weak to catch him, I'm too weak for an argument. "Please, I'm begging you, give me back my biscuit! Please." I told him and I was caught off my guard. I fell into the ground, vulnerable and thirsty.

"I don't know why you're still here, pestering the students. You are just brainy but you don't have anything. But of course, except your blind eyes." He told me. I can feel his presence at my back. I wanted to ask for help, I wanted a hero who can save me from this cruel and abusive people. I hope for someone who will fight for me against the world.

I burst into tears, I can no longer bear this thirstiness and I'm starving to death. "Please, I'm thirsty, and I don't know what you're talking about!" I touched my stomach and chest. I can't breathe properly. Not this time, please.

"You're hungry and thirsty, right?" He asked in a concerned way. He sounds so worried. I thought I heard it right, so I nodded. "Here." He let me touch it and if I'm not mistaken, it's a bottle and sandwich, I smelled the mayonnaise on it.

Without any thought, I eat the sandwich and drink what's in the bottle. The last time I remembered, I ate a sandwich when I was 14, nothing more and nothing less. "I thought you were just a blind, Sophie." He laughed so loud like an evil. Until I realized that the sandwich tastes like hell and it's not soda, it tastes like an expired pineapple juice.

I coughed and I force myself to vomit. "How cruel are you! Are you happy? Are you happy that I can't fight back against you? Are you happy that you're bullying someone who can't save herself, alone? Are you happy doing such a horrible thing to the people around you? If it makes you happy, if hurting someone innocent and blind, then hurt me now! Beat me until my last breath. Starve me to death, now! If it can help to lessen your pain and anger, just do it." I told him. I can do anything. I can't save myself against him.

I know he's rich, he's family are respected by all, especially by us, who have nothing. I waited for him to kick, slap, and pull my hair but he stopped. "Just do it, now!" I shouted. For almost five years of being blind, there is no single day that I didn't get bullied. I'm tired and exhausted but I told myself not to give up. Because once I do it, I can no longer achieve my dream, my only dream, a dream that is impossible to reach.

To be a top star.

I heard nothing from him. I felt he put back the biscuit and a bottle of water beside me. He didn't even help me to stand and to sit back at my chair. How so immature. I touched it for almost a minute, I just want to make sure that it's healthy to eat.

I smiled sweetly when he really did it. He gave me back my snack, not directly but at least he did it. I finished eating but it's not enough and sufficient. My stomach wants more of it, and its craving for a sandwich and tacos for almost three years now.

I pushed myself to stand, anytime the recess period will be over and everyone will running rashly back to their respective rooms like they are competing into a marathon.

As soon as I seated back to my chair, I wiped my wet face with my bare hands. "I never thought that I'm good at acting," I told myself and smiled widely. I looked like an i***t but I don't care since I can't see my reflection in the mirror.

I just waited for the bell. Since there is no bully, I compose myself and sit properly. It's been a long long time since I heard my voice. I cleared my throat before starting to sing. "Hello everyone! I am Sophie, and I will be singing a song for everyone who's suffering and feeling so down and small. Don't give up, keep striking!"

I said it like I'm in a contest. I closed my eyes as I start uttering a word.