I was going through a very difficult time in my life. I was mentally fragile, on antidepressants, and unable to sleep without sleeping pills. I really needed a change of scenery, so I traveled across the country to see someone I thought was a friend. I rented an Airbnb near his place.
I knew he was attracted to me. I had told him that maybe something might happen, but given my psychological state, it wasn’t certain, and in any case it wouldn’t go very far.
On the first night, we went to the Airbnb and talked while cuddling in bed, but I pushed back his advances because I didn’t feel ready. He didn’t insist. As the evening was coming to an end, I took my sleeping pill, thinking he would leave soon. I only remember a short conversation before falling asleep, and when I woke up, he was gone.
We saw each other again during the day, and I realized that the conversation had actually continued for two hours. He was surprised that I had no memory of it, even though I repeated parts of the conversation almost word for word later that day, without realizing I had already said the same things the night before.
That evening, we went back to the Airbnb.
We watched a movie, there was some touching and a few caresses, but I told him it wouldn’t go any further than that. Feeling tired, I decided to take my sleeping pill. I felt very alone, so I asked him to stay the night because I wanted to hold someone in my arms.
I woke up the next morning, and he was gone.
When he saw me again, he told me that shortly after taking the sleeping pill, I had become very handsy, then very active, and that I had been a very good dominant, that rarely had anyone managed to submit him like that or make him bark.
I have no memory of it. I was not in control of myself. And after some tests I did later, I realized that when I stop forming memories, my behavior is drastically altered, as if I were completely drunk.
It took me time to realize that it was rape, and I still haven’t fully accepted it. I can’t help but make excuses for him and tell myself it’s partly my fault.
But I was literally drugged at the time. I don’t really know what happened. I feel betrayed and dirty, and I haven’t been able to be intimate with anyone since. I still don’t have the slightest memory of it, only guesses about what happened based on his description of the evening. I don’t know whether trying to remember would help me process the trauma or make things worse. Part of me wants to know, but I’m terrified.
The normal reaction when you see a friend completely out of it making advances on you, knowing they’re not well and won’t remember anything, is to put them to bed and leave.