This story is dedicated to you if you have ever been abused by someone bigger, stronger, and seemingly more powerful than you. You are not alone. You are infinitely precious. And the trauma you endured is not your fault. Know that you are so loved. And whatever trauma you have been through – it does NOT define you. You are a beautiful rose, a lovely lily, a most precious gem.
Rated M for Mature. This story deals with some difficult topics and involves some graphic situations.
Just then, the waitress brought them their meal. Reluctantly, Yoongi released Stasia and settled back into his seat. He didn’t even want to eat. He just wanted to hear more of Stasia’s story. He wanted to be close to her.
Ignoring his food, he turned back towards her. “Tell me more,” he uttered quietly.
She turned to face him. “You were always there for me. Though, you didn’t even know me. Your words – they lent me strength. Time and time again. Because of your words, I decided to pursue a future in teaching. I wanted to teach a whole generation of kids that they are treasures too. I applied for several scholarships and won one that paid for my college education. I studied English with the hope of someday teaching high school here in Korea. All my dreams came true…” She stopped because the end of that story wasn’t a good one.
“You came to South Korea because of me?” he asked, astonished.
She nodded.
He swallowed. But if she hadn’t come here, she wouldn’t have met Eun. She wouldn’t have been…
He lifted devastated eyes to hers.
“Don’t.” She reached out and touched him. “I would have died six years ago were it not for your words. I would have devastated my mother. I’m not sorry I came to Korea. I’m so happy I’ve met you, Yoongi. I’m very sorry I met Eun. But I could have met a man like him just as easily in Australia.” She shrugged. “Who knows?” Then she smiled. “But I know I wouldn’t have met you there.”
His sad eyes silently apologized to hers. “I think you are too kind to me, Stasia.”
“Never, Yoongi. You’ve become my hero twice over.”
“I don’t deserve that appellation.”
She shrugged again. “I don’t care what you think. I’m giving it to you, anyway. Only I know what you helped me to overcome.”
Yoongi felt tears leaking into his eyes. He didn’t deserve her accolades. He was truly happy his music had reached her. Had touched her. Had saved her. But what of the last three months? Didn’t the traumas she’d experienced here matter just as much in the grand scheme of things?
“Yoongi, you’ve given me wings to fly again by surrounding me now. You leak courage; did you know that? I suffered a horrible trauma last week. One I’m still trying to overcome. Still attempting to erase from my memory. I won’t pretend that it’s easy. That I don’t still feel the abuse he unleashed in my body last week. That its echoes aren’t still in my head when I try to sleep at night. But at least now I have the courage to face him. And to face the future. And that’s all because of you. And your friends surrounding me.”
Then she put down her chopsticks and met his eyes. “I love you, Yoongi.” There were tears in her eyes. She smiled tremulously at him. “I will always love you. No matter where life takes us. Even if at the end of this season, you disappear from my life. I will still love you. I will always be grateful for what you’ve done for me. You will always be a hero in my eyes.
“I’m sorry I doubted you when I first met you. You didn’t deserve my doubts. I was just so broken, so scared. I had forgotten who I am. I started to see myself through his lenses. And the rest of the world too.
“But you came to my rescue. And once again, you reminded me of who I am. That my life is precious. That I was meant to be treasured. Thank you, Yoongi.” She was sobbing again. “Ugh! Will I ever stop crying?” She picked up her chopsticks and used them to cram a piece of beef into her mouth.
Yoongi hadn’t touched his meal. He wanted to reach over and pull her up against him, wrapping her up in his arms and never letting her go.
