57 - Difficult

She's about to say something when the man grabbed Fender's shoulder and led him out of their shack. She followed them outside and took the young man's hand. She begged to him not to come along.

"I'll be right back, Blessy. I promise it! I love you, and I'll return promise.”

"Don't leave... Don't... F-fender… don't please..." She don't want to let go of his hand. She doesn't mind if people stare, and she's like a wet chick begging for him not to go. They have no idea how important Fender is to her

“Zerus. We're leaving right now. ”

“Fender! No!"

"I promise I'll be back. I'll return as soon as possible. They just simply ask me to do something, and I'll be right back.” He le go of her grip.

She shook her head. Fender did not keep his promise last night too. She's terrified of what he says, ‘promise.’ What if, Fender will disappear while she was waiting? How can she be certain that he will come back? How?

“D-don’t! Please, Fender... Don't follow them... 'Don't leave me... Please, don't!" She dashed here, hugged the young man's back, and sobbed loudly. Fender won't be able to leave without her! But those men yanked Fender away from her without any emotion.

"Fender…"

"I'm so sorry, Blessy…"

She was pumped. Then Indang and Tonyong came up to her. She wanted to chase him down, but a man told her not to. It was as if her heart was being torn apart by excruciating pain. She knelt down, her eyes welling up with tears. Her chest constriction makes it difficult for her to breathe properly. She is having difficulty accepting the situation that has brought her nightmares.

I'll wait for you.





FENDER PROMISED that he would come back to her, and so she did wait him. She waited despite the fact that she cried every day and couldn't sleep some nights, wondering if everything he's okay. She couldn't even ask him what kind of organization he was referring to, for at least she knew what it was.

She's scared, that's the truth. She's scared that Fender will forget her forever and will not return, even he promised.

She's alone in the shack, and Indang and Tonyong were her only company. She can't able to work properly especially after reading the last letter Fender had placed in her old bag.



Blessy,

I know you'll be upset for abandoning you and joining them. Yes, I promised God that I would not abandon you and would remain by your side no matter what, but Blessy, I love you. Because the girl who gave me a name and a reason to live loves you this much, that's why I'm doing this.

I decided to join the organization. This is an organization where we are expected to contribute. I had no intention of staying with them at first because I'm aware of the group's policy. All I want is for your dreams to come true. To realize your life's ambitions. I had no education and didn't even make it to grade one, and I don't want the same to happen to you. Because of you, I learned to write and read, and now we will realize your dream of becoming a Doctor.

I'm going to save money. With a large sum of money. Blessy, I love you. Remember that, and please don't grow tired of waiting for me. I left some money that I had previously saved. Use that while you wait for me. I'll return as soon as possible. I'm not sure how long it will be, but I know they will protect you even if I'm not there.

Blessy, I hope you'll forgive me.

"Fender..." Her tears fall down from her eyes. "You are so unfair!"





THREE years have passed. There is no Fender. That promised to return to her. She is now eighteen years old, and a lot has happened in the three years she has been without the man. The trauma she experienced from the four men who were nearly rape them made her fearful of talking with men. Nonetheless, she learned to be brave.

The trauma she received was the result of the step she took to encourage. Fender is no longer the one who always comes to her rescue, and she claims to be more stable now. She no longer cries, as Fender claims. She only cries when she thinks about him and misses him, but she then smiles to herself.

She is no longer at the Dump Site; after a year of waiting for the man, she left. After several months of waiting, another masked man arrived and handed her a large sum of money and a letter from Fender saying everything was fine and that he would be back soon. She simply keeps the money and never spent it. She's unable to move the funds that are sent to her. But then she decided to look for the young man wherever she was.

Fender gave her an address and phone number in the last letter he sent her. He stated that when she's ready, she go to that address. She leave Payatas with the money she had hidden underground. She bid her two friends farewell and took a taxi to McKinley Hill BGC. The young man hopes to be there and waits for her, only to be disappointed yet again.

There was only a caretaker present, who gave her the house key and a letter. The caretaker claimed that it had been waiting for her for a long time, and that the house was named after her. She is the only one in the house, which is quite big. Fender stated in the letter that she would study again to pursue her ambition.

She followed Fender's wish. She realized its their dream that she'll become a Doctor. She had a hunch about what job Fender had, but she didn't want to believe what her brain was telling her. She refused to believe. The man she loves might not have done anything illegal. Even though her heart was filled with anguish, she trusted him.

"Blessy!"

"Yes?"

She was painting on the house's terrace. Painting and playing with colors by hand was one of her hobbies. Because of the painting, that is where she expresses her emotions that she is unable to express to everyone.

"Someone is looking for you."

She never stopped painting. Her attention remained fixed on the canvas in front of her. She's been painting Fender for a few nights now.

"Who is it, Nanang?" she inquired of the housekeeper, who had now become her maid.

Behind her, a baritone voice said, "Fender Hearst."

No!

When she turned around, her world stopped as she noticed the man squatting against the wall. He was dressed in a black leather jacket and a black cap. He was dressed entirely in black and wore a mask.

F-fender?

No. Her eyes are deceiving her. She had never met a Fender of this stature! She estimates this man's height to be 6'1. It's not her Fender Hearst! Someone else was in front of her, despite the fact that she appeared to be deafened by the force of her heartbeat. She's trying to convinces herself that someone else is standing in front of her.

She immediately pointed the paintbrush on him right away. "You are not my Fender! Get out!"

He take step closer to her, but she backed away. Her heartbeat was beating fast, and a part of her heart wanted to hug the man, but she's hesitant. She clutched her paintbrush tightly, convinced that it could save her if it did something bad.

"Blessy," He said as she stepped back. "It's me."

“F-fender…” She let go of the paintbrush as he removed the cap and mask he was wearing from his face. It's like the world begun to spin quickly to her. She couldn't believe her eyes. As she stared at him, tears welled up in her eyes and she could barely blink. "Fender?! Is that really you?"

She run to him and hug him tightly when he smiled at her. Her eyes are no longer deceiving her! She's not duped since she could feel the warmth and love of the man in front of her and hugged her as if there were no tomorrow.

"You've been crying a lot up until now."

She sobbed even more and couldn't speak. It's like her heart was about to burst in those moments, and she didn't want to let go. Fender physical body change and she almost didn't recognize him for it. Far away from the young Fender, who she shared a shack with in Payatas. His face changed and it took on a more mature appearance.

"I really miss you! What took you so long? I thought you forget me. Y-you kept me waiting for too long…" She sobbed in his hard chest. She forgotten that she'd painted something.

"But, love, I'm here."

Her chest trembled as he said those words. Even his voice change. A baritone voice that any woman will fall in love with. Her Fender is now different, but her heart can't deny the fact that she still love him. There was no change.

"You're not leaving again, right?" she asked, looking up as their gazes met. His eyes always tell her that everything is fine and that she shouldn't worry because he is right next to her. One of the reasons she love because of his eyes. It's overcast.

"I'll stick by your side." He smiled. Blessy was caught off guard when two of his dimples emerged. Before, there were almost no dimples on his slim cheek, but now there are and it adds him more appeal. "Blessy, I love you. We'll be living together from now on. I swear I'm not going anywhere. And I'll keep my word to you this time. Three years without you is more than enough. I love you so much..." After caressing her cheek, he kissed her on the lips.

She felt heaven when Fender kissed her. God brought her long-awaited dream! Then Fnder lifted her up, she leaned against his chest. When he took her to her room full of paintings, she didn't complain. He gently placed her on her soft bed and sat beside her. They are equal and face each other.

"Are you still mad at me, love?"

She shook as she smiled tearfully. “No”

"Are you sure?" He stroked her cheek and placed his finger on her lower lip. He kissed her on the forehead and gently caressed the shape of her lip.

“Yes. Yes, I was really mad before. But I love you, I love you so much that I able to wait you for three years, even though it feels like I'm going to die thinking if you're okay. I had so many doubts but I always remind myself that I love you…"

He did not say anything. He simply hugged her and allow her to hear his heartbeat. She became more relaxed. She knew Fender was telling the truth this time, so she didn't have to worry. That night, she slept peacefully in the man's arms. She slept without a care in the world.