Comfort Woman : a Filipina's Story of Prostitution and Slavery Under ...

6
Comfort Woman
Julia was still working in the big house, not knowing her father
was sick. She found out only when one of her relatives went to the
landlord’s house and told her. That same afternoon, Julia asked Doña
Saring for permission to visit her father.
Julia was happy to be home, she even forgot her sadness for a
while. She met her childhood friends, especially Anna, her cousin
and close friend. She and Anna chatted, laughing and recollecting
the times when they were young children.
Anna had grown into a beautiful woman. When they were talking
intimately, Anna whispered, “Julia, I want you to be my maid
of honor, because I will be marrying an American soldier at Fort
Stotsenburg.”
“You’re joking,” said Julia.
“It is true, my parents have given their permission. His name
is William. He wants the wedding to be held at the camp, but my
parents want it in the Catholic church of Angeles,” said Anna. “I will
ask your mother if she will let you.”
Julia only smiled. “Do you love him?” she asked.
“Oh yes, I love him very much, and he, too, loves me very much,”
Anna replied.
When Anna left, there was a great sadness in Julia’s heart.
Rita also came to visit and chat about friends. She mentioned
Alfonso, her brother. “He wants to see you, too,” Rita said. One night,
Alfonso and his male friends serenaded Julia. He returned every Saturday
night to visit and court her.
Julia was very disturbed because she knew that she was not a virgin anymore.
She did not know whether she should encourage Alfonso’s visits.
When she saw her father, Julia cried. Her mother was crying,
too, saying that due to his illness, Alberto could not work in the farm
anymore. For the fi rst time, Julia learned that it was Don Pepe who
was providing for her family’s daily needs.
It dawned on Julia that she could not run away from the landlord’s
shadow. She cried secretly when she remembered Don Pepe’s cruelty.
She could not protest against his advances anymore. She realized that
were it not for his money, her father might have died. And the fi nancial