I didn’t know her.
She wasn’t my friend.
She didn’t go to my university.
But she was like me.
She was Malaysian.
She was studying in Taiwan.
She was far from home — just trying to build a future somewhere peaceful. Somewhere safe.
Now she’s gone.
And I can’t stop thinking:
What if it had been me?
Her name was Ms. 蔡.
She lived quietly.
She didn’t go to dangerous places. She didn’t take foolish risks.
But she was hurt — slowly, painfully, by someone she knew.
With bare hands.
No one came.
No one heard.
She died afraid, alone, and in agony.
If you’ve never thought about what it feels like to be hurt like that —
Let me tell you:
You don’t just pass out.
You stay awake.
You feel everything.
Your brain begs.
Your body panics.
You know you’re slipping away.
But you can’t stop it.
And the court?
The man who did this cried.
He said he was sorry.
And that was enough.
🔸 First trial: Life imprisonment.
🔸 Second trial: Life imprisonment.
🔸 Final verdict: Reduced to 18 years.
That’s it.
Eighteen years.
That’s what her life was worth.
I’m Malaysian.
I’m a student.
I’m alone in a foreign country.
And the justice system just told me:
If something happens to you — your life is negotiable.
If I die like she did,
Quietly, painfully, forgotten —
Will anyone remember?
Will anyone fight for me?
This isn’t just about one country.
It’s about how many systems around the world treat violence — especially gender-based violence.
If you’re young, polite, and tearful in court — your crime becomes negotiable.
She’s gone.
He gets a second chance.
He gets therapy.
He gets to heal.
He gets to “start over.”
She gets nothing.
No justice.
No future.
No legacy.
I don’t hate the place where I study.
But I need to say this:
❗The justice system failed her.
❗And that terrifies me.
Please.
Don’t forget her.
Don’t let her die twice.
I’d be happy to share the original Medium version, but I’m currently waiting for mod approval before posting the link here. You’re welcome to DM me if you’d like to see it.
[EDIT: I’m currently having trouble replying to comments — Reddit may be auto-hiding my replies. Please know I’m reading everything and I appreciate you deeply.]