Same But Different - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

A Good Way to Begin Again
Yuri opened her eyes to the world of light. It was just an ordinary day but to her it seemed like she had just woken up from a long nightmare. Her mind recalled her painful voice screaming, to let her go, there were times when she wished she had died instead.
Two Years Ago
“No please Anton, I don’t want to go there” Yuri pleaded for mercy. Tears flowed through her eyes ruining her mascara that those filthy girls applied on her forcefully. Anton grabbed her hair pulling her towards the dark cell in his basement. It had been a week since Yuri moved in with her ‘so called father’ who failed to keep her healthy, happy or stable. Yuri was mentally exhausted and physically abused by Anton. Whenever she neglected his orders, he would slap her across the face.
“Don’t call me Anton, I am your father” He gritted his teeth. There was no way she could escape him. Yuri lived a complete different life for one and a half weeks. The only reason Anton had wanted her in his custody was to train her into smuggling drugs among the country. His monstrous actions keep replaying in Yuri’s mind.
It took a while for Yuri’s mother to come there with local police, and her lawyer since she had no idea where Anton lived. Anton was sentenced to two years for his crimes. Lawyers suggested they move to a different city for their safety and precaution but Yuri refused. She had just started her life and already had eyes on Jason, a guy she was finally able to have. He was the only one who knew what she felt; maybe that’s why it broke her heart when he left her.
The Yuri that got out of the filthy old house wasn’t the Yuri that came in. All the rage and anger that she built within those one and a half weeks were afflicted upon her mother. Anton had changed her into someone who blocked out other’s emotions. She never wanted to be so cold hearted but Anton had made her and for that she blamed her mother so much. But in her heart she always knew she only wanted an excuse for the person she has become.
Yuri felt herself shiver as she snapped out from reliving her memory. She turned to the other side of the bed to see a yellow note stuck on the pillow that said,
“Hi :D”
Judging by the bubbly handwriting Yuri could guess it was Sasha who had written that. She picked it up and smiled a bit. Sasha was crazy, despite the fact that she could not physically be there for Yuri; she tried her best to be carefree for her during this tough time. Yuri walked into the bathroom to freshen up to see another yellow note stuck onto the bathroom mirror,
“Why so serious?”
Yuri laughed this time, as she removed the note. Not only this was helping her to forget the recent events but it was also making her smile out of spite. She took a quick bath, wrapping herself with the towel and tip toed to her cupboard. Her eyes ran through her clothes which were hung neatly. Her hands reached for another yellow note stuck on an unfamiliar dress that was hung. It read
“Beautiful dress to a beautiful girl”
“Oh Sasha” Yuri thought happily. This was a major sacrifice knowing Sasha. She would never wear anything that was above her knees. Yuri admired the black and white dress that Sasha had bought for her. So far this day was going good, and it was all because of Sasha. She walked downstairs to see her mother sitting near the breakfast table surrounded by papers.
“Mom, you look . . . exhausted” Terrible was the word she wanted to say but she didn’t want to be rude to her mother, not anymore.
“Oh Hi honey, I thought it would be best if I worked at home for a while. Don’t mind me though” Yuri’s mother buried her face in the papers. There was no danger now, since Anton was taken back to prison charged for harassment and trespassing. There was also a restraining order filed against Anton so if he ever came ten feet close to Yuri or her mother, he’ll be sent to prison for good.
Meanwhile Yuri searched for her cellphone everywhere, it looked like having an alter has its own disadvantages as well. Sasha usually never uses her cellphone but when she does, she leaves it at the most unexpected places.
Like the other day Yuri had found her cellphone in her closet. Yuri took her mom’s phone and dialed her number until it rang. She heard the ringtone sound from upstairs. Her feet took big steps towards her room and followed the sound as it got louder. The phone was in her bed side cupboard drawer with a yellow note stuck on it.
“Yay, you found me! I left you a gift in your inbox ;)”
“What now?” Yuri thought as she opened her inbox only to see Jason’s text.
“I’ll be there around 8 to pick you up” It read.
Wait, why was Jason texting her that he would pick her up? She quickly checked her sent box but all the messages were deleted. Yuri wondered why Jason had even wanted to see her anyway. After realizing she had stayed in one place without moving Yuri searched her eyes for the camera, she needed to make a video update.
But she couldn’t find it in its regular place. Sasha had clearly hidden it; Yuri went to look for it like she was in a treasure hunt. After minutes of nonstop searching she opened her drawers to find the memory chip with a yellow note pasted on it.
“Watch me ;)”
Yuri inserted the chip into her laptop and watched Sasha’s video update for her. Seeing Sasha all bubbly even after recent events made Yuri happy. In fact she knew how much Sasha was trying to cheer her up and it was working.
“Hello beautiful, now I know you’re thinking why on earth is Jason coming to pick you up? The reason is I think he should be there for you this time as he was there last time. I know you both broke up on bad terms but still wasn’t he the one to help you cope up with those issues the first place? Since your mom called school and explained to the principle that you won’t be going for a while, Jason somehow heard the news and called me. So I told him to come over. Maybe this time, you two can try again? So have fun!”
Listening to Sasha so positively pushing her towards Jason made Yuri feel strange. Even though their break up tore her apart, Yuri was finally accepted that she and Jason were over. Time passed quickly, Yuri took a quick shower and started blow drying her hair. She wore the black and white dress that Sasha bought for her.
She stared at herself in the mirror while she did so; all she could see in the reflection was her old self. She didn’t feel the need to be mean and bossy anymore. It was almost as if the hole in her life was filling up and she has no idea what was causing it.
She wasn’t feeling the pain from her past because she was happy in her present with people who actually cared about her. Like Sasha for instance, even though Sasha lived in her body she knew for a fact that Sasha would never hurt her. In fact Sasha looked out for her all the time, she remembered reading qualities about the alters.
Multiple personality Disorder is a rare disorder, some of the victims suffer from three or even five alters at the same time. Each alter has a different purpose, some encourage the host into becoming a better person while the other despises the host and tries to ruin the host’s reputation. But in Yuri’ case it was different; she was gifted with only one alter, Sasha.
She couldn’t ask for a better alter than her. Sasha didn’t have a purpose; she didn’t even know who she was until she came to life. Yuri wondered if she should tell her mom about this. Would she react well?
“No” Sasha’s soft voice responded to her question warning her not to. Yuri realized Sasha was right.
Yuri quickly got ready and waited until Jason arrived to pick her up. The doorbell rang and when she opened the door, she saw Jason holding a bouquet of water lilies which happens to be her favorite flowers, smiling. It was unexpected but sweet she thanked him as she took them and placed it in a vase.
“Shall we go?” He asked and Yuri nodded.
During the car ride to wherever Jason was taking Yuri, they didn’t speak. Truth was Yuri felt strange to talk to him given their history.
“Yuri, you must tell me what you’re thinking” Jason finally spoke.
“I am not thinking about anything” Yuri replied slowly.
“Yes, you are. Tell me what you’re feeling”
“I feel that you should stop asking me what I am thinking” Yuri murmured silently but Jason heard her.
“I am only trying to be there for you, let me in”
“Where were you all this time Jason? You only care about me when something bad happens” Yuri snapped. Jason parked his car near the driveway and looked at Yuri as he took her trembling hands. Her face is red as she bit her lips not to burst into tears. Yuri thought she was handling it well but she finally broke down.
“I tried to be there for you, you broke up with me, remember?” Jason replied. He didn’t try to be a jerk instead his hands reached for Yuri’s blonde hair and tucked them back. They were really over, but Yuri still needed Jason by her side, as her friend.
“I need you to be there for me, you have no idea what I am going through” Yuri sobbed.
“Shhh, I know I know” Jason leaned forwards and wrapped his arms around her and Yuri buried her face in his chest. They were friends before they dated, good friends. Jason was someone she could rely on. But things had changed after they broke up, not only Jason changed, Yuri did too.
“Now tell me what is exactly going on?” Jason asked pulling away from her. Yuri stared at his curious face as she bit her lip again. This time it was not because she tried not to cry, it was because she was done keeping Sasha as a secret and the words were at the tip of her tongue.