Bullied on the 21st Birthday
This narrative, as shared by Felisitas herself on her blog, is a testament to her resilience. Despite the ordeal she faced on her birthday night, she chose not to lament but instead shared her story and photographs of the incident.
We present her account as a lesson in fortitude, for not all young women possess the patience that Feli demonstrated. However, it’s important to note that some girls may feel uncomfortable being treated in this manner. It’s crucial to respect individual boundaries and ensure that everyone feels safe and respected in all situations.
It's Feli's Birthday
On the 6th, Feli received a text message from Erlita, who expressed a desire to visit due to some pressing matter. Felisitas, or Feli as she is affectionately known, agreed and prepared for their arrival. Erlita and Dela arrived at 7, an unexpected visit that left Feli somewhat perplexed. They spent a couple of hours in conversation before departing.
Upon returning to her room, Feli discovered gifts left behind by her friends. However, Dela had inadvertently left her jacket behind. When Feli offered to return it, Dela insisted on retrieving it herself and asked Feli to keep it safe.
Later that evening, Feli treated herself to a meal at Pizza Hut, a small indulgence that marked her second stroke of good fortune that night.
Returning to her lodgings close to 11 o’clock, Feli attended to her nightly routine. During this time, Dela called twice, but Feli, occupied in the bathroom, did not answer.
Fidel then informed Feli that Dela was waiting outside to collect her jacket. Feli quickly grabbed the jacket and went to meet Dela, only to find her absent. Instead, Tea and Fidel’s motorbikes were parked outside, and they had brought along a camera.
To Feli’s surprise, Upay emerged from behind the gate with a birthday cake. What a delightful turn of events!
Plenty of Lucks Tonight
The girl was presented with a variety of gifts, including shoes, a cake, and a frame containing an autograph. After enjoying the cake, she stored the other gifts in her room. Then, Upay requested that Feli accompany him to Alfamart to purchase ice cream for his little sister.
Feli found this request suspicious. It seemed odd for a young child to crave ice cream at such a late hour. She declined the request and secured her door. However, Fidel soon arrived and also asked Feli to accompany him to Alfamart. The situation was becoming increasingly peculiar, but Feli remained steadfast in her refusal.
Fidel and Upay were seen whispering to each other. Suddenly, they escorted Feli to the front of a motorbike. Tea was already at the gate, ready to depart. Meanwhile, Fidel locked Feli’s door.
Feli, dressed in thin shorts and barefoot, was coerced into joining them. The trio set off on the motorbike, with Tea driving recklessly and laughing triumphantly at their successful “kidnapping” of the birthday girl.
At 00:02 on March 7th, they arrived at a location near Alfamart, at Mas Sepen’s angkringan. There, about ten of Feli’s friends were already gathered. Feli’s heart pounded in her chest as she thought, “God, I’m not going to survive this. And I’m just wearing these shorts. Damn!”
The Birthday Damsel in Distress
A few minutes later, Tea and Ayu escorted Feli to a nearby kindergarten. There, they bound Feli’s hands behind her back, tied her legs, and instructed her to lie down.
Without hesitation, Tita poured cooking oil over Feli’s slender legs, body, and hair. They also hurled plastic bags filled with coffee powder at her head. This ordeal was a harsh escalation of the night’s events.
Blinded by the powder in her eyes, Feli could do nothing but smile through the ordeal. Yet, her humiliation was far from over.
They proceeded to pelt her with eggs, douse her with a mixture of flour and water, and splash soy sauce on her.
Amidst the laughter, a man slipped an egg into Feli’s black shirt and then smashed it. Feli quickly cautioned him, “Hey, be careful not to touch my...”
Despite her protests, the man continued his actions, causing Feli to scream out.
Then, it was Ayu’s turn to place an egg on Feli’s chest. She attempted to break it repeatedly, but to no avail. The night’s events continued to unfold in this bizarre and unexpected manner.
Growing impatient, Anung took over from Ayu. He struck the egg hidden in the shirt. Crack! Feli screamed once again, and as the contents of the egg seeped onto her chest, she groaned in disgust.
The "party" on Feli continued unabated. The night seemed still young for her.
However, the oil had made the raffia rope binding Feli’s legs slippery. Seizing the opportunity, she managed to untie herself and escape!
Run, Feli, Run!
But, like a scene straight out of a tragic film, her tormentors were not about to let her escape so easily. As Feli reached Meyfang’s boarding house, she heard the sound of Adit’s motorbike engine starting up.
Feli turned around, only to find the motorbike in hot pursuit. Oh no!
Her heart pounded like a drum in her chest. Terror gripped her. It was as if she had stepped into a living nightmare!
Feli mustered every ounce of strength she had and took off running. But Adit, relentless in his pursuit, quickly closed the gap. He laughed and jeered at Feli, whose hands were still bound behind her back.
As they ran side by side, Adit reached out and roughly tugged at the back of Feli’s shirt. To her horror, she felt not just her shirt, but also her bra being yanked. She stumbled backwards and fell.
Her other friends arrived on the scene, their laughter echoing in the night air. They found Feli breathless and disoriented. Their laughter and mockery filled the air.
Soon, they tied her to a nearby tree, using stronger ties. It was as if they were punishing Feli for daring to attempt an escape.
The "Party" Got Worse
Feli was the target of a barrage of projectiles. Milk, coffee powder, and flour mixed with water splattered all over her body. The girl was drenched and sticky. She could only muster a bitter laugh, offering little resistance.
As her friends continued their assault, Feli complained that her right hand was hurting from the tight bonds. Her arms were sore too. She pleaded with her friends to loosen the ropes for a moment, promising that she wouldn’t run away and that they could tie her up again afterwards.
Feeling sorry for her, they agreed. Feli rubbed her aching wrist.
“Alright, that’s enough! Now, we’re going to tie you up again!” one of her friends snapped.
Feli had no choice but to comply. “But please, tie my wrists in front of me.”
Once again, they fulfilled their victim's request, leaving Feli relieved. With hands tied in front of her, she could, at the very least, shield her chest from naughty hands.
Nevertheless, her friends grew increasingly brutal. They stretched Feli out and showered her with a cascade of confetti. Several individuals took charge of the birthday girl's hands, feet, and head, all while others engaged in relentless tickling.
And, naturally, there were those diligently documenting this "torture."
Feli couldn't recall how long the ordeal had lasted. All she could do was scream and laugh uncontrollably. At times, she found herself gasping for breath, the intense water splashing making it hard to breathe. All of the bully and humiliation, simply because it was her birthday.
Finally, as her friends grew tired of their antics, they decided to untie her legs. However, Feli's hands remained bound as though she were a prisoner.
Afterward, they took her to the angkringan. A few early-morning shoppers were still there, and all eyes turned to Feli. With a sense of embarrassment, she had to clean her sticky, dirt-covered body while the onlookers observed.
HOW TO AVOID FELI'S SITUATION
- Communicate: Let your friends and colleagues know in advance that you would prefer not to be pranked on your birthday. Clear communication can often prevent misunderstandings.
- Alternative Celebrations: Suggest alternative ways to celebrate that are fun for everyone. This could be a group lunch, a game, or a small party.
- Be Absent: If you feel comfortable doing so, you could consider taking the day off from school or work on your birthday.
- Involve Authorities: If you’re at school, you could let a teacher or boarding house manager know about your concerns. In the workplace, it might be appropriate to discuss the issue with a manager or human resources.
- Lock Your Door: If you like Feli, live in a boarding house, always lock your door. If friends come by, you can choose not to open the door.
- Stay Elsewhere: Consider staying somewhere else, like a trusted friend’s or family member’s house, on the night before your birthday.
