Hero

{"time":1678982730647,"blocks":[{"id":"njiiGhdTzM","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Hi guys! It has been a while since I wrote the next chapter of my story. Still, I would like to put it out here that this is my first time showing my writing because it holds parts of my story that are hard and sometimes for me to put them down on paper means I re-live them again. Hence, if you have faced traumatic experiences, you know how hard it is to remember details."}},{"id":"yg6UxSToal","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"If it is your first time reading my story this is the fourth chapter please read the others to understand my journey."}},{"id":"ZvnlgyTcyo","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Hero is a name that many envies and would like to be called at one point in their life, it has been used in songs, movies and books. When you think of a hero the first thing that might come to mind is a person with superpowers and a long cape but I  have a different meaning to this name as you will find out at the end of your reading so bear with me and let's continue together from where I left off. "}},{"id":"kVMAtX6aCz","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I left home after staying for a long without a job life smiled upon me and well got employed as a waitress in a well-established restaurant for those who have much in their coffers. Life was looking up, the money was not uh but it was enough and I guess being beautiful helped because I would get good tips. I was able to take myself out and support my family there are eight of us and I was the only one working so I pushed myself to a point I was indispensable over time I was put in charge over other employees not officially though but I was responsible for a lot happening at the restaurant but not all that glitters is gold I should not have been too naive in that environment because soon the true face of things showed."}},{"id":"AjIlf70OTn","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"My boss took a liking to me but in my naivety, I thought he appreciated my hard work, customers liked me most and insisted I serve them, a group of his friends never allowed any other server at their table and for someone who has had a painful experience with men I did not see things as they are, my mother has always told me what makes me special is my big heart but it also is a double-edged sword, but back to the story my boss had me and another server stay late at the restaurant after closing time with his friends as they drank I felt protected because he never allowed his friends harass me when they were drunk but I realised quickly that he had marked me as his woman. One fateful night he made an approach and tried to sleep with me but I said no! that didn't stop him from trying to put his hands on me now I know many will have an opinion about this situation but I ask that you be patient with me. The next day he downplayed the whole situation and told me I should feel lucky that am beautiful enough for men to be attracted to, I should have quit and reported him for sexual harassment this is what you will tell me but where would I report and who would believe me it was my word against his and he moved in the powerful circles and was I ready to lose a job when any were looking for one?"}},{"id":"uNUtKggjNN","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I said no a number of times not only to him but to so many men who viewed me as a sexual object instead of a person painfully enough some of these men were old enough to be my grandfathers now let me put it out here that serves are human.  I bid my time but it wasn't easy,  I  was punished for saying no to him work became more for me never had time to catch a break my physical health deteriorated and mentally and emotionally I was done for but I refused to cave in. My salary became a thing of the past I survived by God's grace, of course, there are moments I  regretted my decision but for only a short while because it was his plan to make me regret his words when I  said no I would go back and tell him I  should have taken advantage of that opportunity. "}},{"id":"hiJp7ZCDD4","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I got a new job after praying and crying to the Lord for a while two times I  had been told to not report to work for no reason and the second time was the last straw I remember going to church on a Friday night for prayers and telling the Lord that am tired and scared that ill cave in because of my family's situation my mother and sister were sick one of them needing expensive medical care. "}},{"id":"EQXJXuit7x","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I got a new job a week after that on a Thursday it was paying less and had no extra benefits but it offered me rest two days later I quit but my boss was not for it he tried his best to change my mind into staying and offering so many incentives but my mind was made up and I left. I still have scars from that experience and there are days I wake up shivering because of nightmares any type of abuse leaves a mark on your soul but am getting back on the road, I am still on a journey of self-discovery, loving and most importantly forgiving myself but I  am not a victim."}},{"id":"NPRW0FYmf7","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Am my own hero for standing up for myself against all odds and choosing to be brave and face my pain."}}],"version":"2.26.2"}