I Thought I Knew Hi

Ever since I was born, my mom’s siblings lived with us. 2 brothers, and a sister. So basically, I viewed them as my 2 older brothers, and older sister, (but in reality they were my 2 uncle and aunt). I’ll start calling the 2 brothers as A and B.

Fast forward to last year, when I was 17. My mom and dad left for another country, so me and my younger brother was left in the care of A and his family + our grandmother. B lived in with his pregnant girlfriend in the next condominium beside ours.

It was the night after B’s girlfriend gave birth. He texted me and asked me if I could come with him to the hospital to bring clothes for his baby, and I said yes. We took a bus to get there. After bringing the stuff, and staying there for an hour or so, I told him that I needed to go home because it was already 1 am, past my grandmother’s curfew, so he said that he’ll bring me home.

When we got back, he told me that he wants to show me something back in his place, since it was just beside ours, I said yes. When we got to the elevator I noticed that he’s been sneaking ways to touch my butt, and I got really uncomfortable. When we got to his place, I sat on the couch while he went to his room. Then we he got out he sat near me and suddenly started talking about a part of a movie that he just watched and the girl there being naked in a car while guys were touching her all around. I was surprised when he said that and told him to stop. Then he told me to have sex with him and I said no. He said I have to try it with him before anyone else and I said no. He kept on telling me as he went near me, so I took out my phone and pretended that someone called me. I stood up and went near the door. After a few minutes, I told him I needed to go home and he said he’ll take me home but I said no. Then he threatened me that his friends will take me if he doesn’t come with me so I said okay. On the way back to my place he kept on touching me while I tried my best to get away from him. When we got back to my house, he went straight to my room while I stayed in the kitchen and pretended to eat. He kept on texting me to come to my room and stay beside him. I didn’t reply. I texted A (who was at work) and my brother (sleepover) to come home because I was scared but no one replied. While texting, I wasn’t able to notice B sneak up behind me. He covered my mouth and started touching and groping me everywhere. I tried to fight my hardest but I couldn’t get out of his strong grip. I’ve never felt so scared and weak my entire life. When we heard a noise from my grandmother’s room, he let go of me and told me he’ll come back. When he left, I locked the door and ran straight to my room and cried. I wanted someone to hug me. My phone rang. B texted me, saying that he’ll buy me anything if I have sex with him now. Then he texted me again saying to open the door because he’s coming back. I heard my grandmother outside, and I was scared that she might open the door for him so I went out and told her not to open the door. She kept on asking why then I kept on shaking my head because I didn’t want to tell her. And then I broke down in tears then she asked who did it and I said B. She told me not to worry, and to lock myself in my room. I cried the whole night until I fell asleep. I woke up to someone knocking at my door. When I opened it, my mother’s sister came in crying and hugging me. I cried too. She said he assaulted her when they were teens. He was always touching her when she was sleeping and A and my mom knew about it.

It’s been a year, and I haven’t completely moved on from it. And ever since that night, I started having a hard time trusting the boys in my family. My brother, my uncle, my dad, my cousins. I’m so scared that they might do the same thing he did to me.

— Erika, age 18