Stigma Chapter 1 Mga Nobela at Kwento

He was shivering and stammering at the same time making Xyenth even more confused on what really happened to him. END OF CHAPTER 38

The words are a familiar, acid burn in my mind. I walk to my closet, my movements mechanical. I pull out a clean shirt, a pair of jeans. I look at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes still hollow from lack of sleep. I can’t hide the hollowness, but I can try to hide the rest. I comb my hair, meticulously, trying to tame the mess that matches the one inside my head. I spray cologne, a desperate attempt to cover the lingering scent of stigma that I feel branded on my skin. I’m getting ready to meet a man whose name I don’t even know, and the entire time, my mind is screaming at me. You’re a fraud. You’re a liar. You’re going to get hurt again.

Feeling seen and vulnerable, like a specimen under a scope, Stephie quickly stuffed the cash back in her purse, then she checked the time on her phone and busied herself with the wet buildings outside the car's window. ___________________________ Hey guys! Here is our pilot chapter. I hope you enjoyed. Let me know by COMMENTING, AND SHARING! Lots of ❤❤❤ -Tania

After all, the doctor was only trying to help or assist her the ways he assisted all those who had in the past benefited from his scholarship foundation. After thinking about this aspect of her problem over and over again, she would try to see the social stigma attached to a girl having a baby in her father's house without a husband by her side. To the world in general, it may not mean much. But to her own people of Igbo extraction, it was looked upon as shameful and immoral. But then, what else could she do in a world where people are so dishonest, even in love affairs? If it was her lot to drink such a bitter pill, she thought, why should she blame anybody but herself? After all, she

An elderly woman beside me suddenly says, bringing the events from last night rushing into my mind and I stiffen and lower my head as the steam emitting from the rim of my mug of chocolate smears across my face. A moment of silence follows as if they all realize it's a sensitive topic but the voice comes again, sounding tender and empathic as she goes on to say, “It’s not a stigma to bear nor a curse upon us like the rest of the Pack thinks. They’re just ignorant because we’re different in ways they can’t comprehend and they shun us for their impatience and ignorance. Then again, how can you find patience for what you don’t encompass in knowledge?”

Though I still don't exactly trust this town, it was more so the people on the outside, everyday people with normal lives who suffered some sort of mental illness in silence because of the stigmas. I was starting to believe that whatever karmic misery had been unleashed on me was finally coming to an end. But as if toying with me, life had slapped me back with another great big fuck you, first with the return of the cancer that was hellbent on taking my life and then on the same day, as if someone really was convinced that I was strong enough to handle it all, the beginning of another social media attack.

Or, I’d bе lаbеlеd a ѕlut. There’s ѕоmеthіng ѕо tасkу about an unwеd mоthеr in a small tоwn. Evеn those whо mаkе thе mоѕt honest mіѕtаkеѕ аrе vіlіfіеd bу thе lосаlѕ, whеthеr іt’ѕ tо thеіr fасеѕ or bеhіnd thеіr bасkѕ. I соuldn’t lіvе with the stigma. I соuldn’t ѕurrеndеr my futurе to a child соnсеіvеd with such hаtе, аnd the wоrld fеlt like it was сlоѕіng іn оn mе.

“It consists of social stigma, tarnishment—a life like a prison, a life of stigma. Of ruin. Of being trapped—exploited, owned.” His gaze flickered to the red marks blooming across her otherwise unblemished skin. “And above all,” he continued, “a life spent with strangers—forced to please them, over and over again.” His eyes lingered on the imprint of his own fingers on her face. “Letting them have you however they want.” A brief pause. “And that’s only a fraction of it.” His voice dropped, colder than before. “Because in the end, your body wouldn’t even be treated like something human.” Another pause. “Believe me… I know better than anyone.”

I added the photograph to the end of the file. Labeled it: Unconfirmed chapter. Possibly imagined. Possibly true. But worth writing either way.

Content Advisory: This chapter contains themes and depictions of emotional and psychological distress, verbal intimidation, manipulation, and betrayal. Reader discretion is advised. I sit at the vanity, the morning light casting harsh shadows across it. My reflection stares back at me, caught between the woman I’m supposed to be and the traitor I’ve become.