Chapter 32

Surprisingly, I still typed a message here, including the address of the whereabouts. I will just ignore the policy made between the two of us. You're in a dangerous situation, are you still acting?
I was about to click the send button, when I heard Tobbie's voice once again.
I'm already honest with him. Slowly, but heavily every while. The same goes for the breathing reach up to here.
My instinct was telling me he was looking at this direction, one wrong move will surely be the end of all. I had to halt my breath if possible, be wary enough cause this is a life and death situation.
"I really don't want to do this. But in two months of paying attention, you haven't even been able to look once. This is the only solution I could think of to get you Gee, sorry in advance ..."
How can I think he wants to, even though I see a bride always with me? How can I think that he wants to get my attention, when every time his eyes are fixed on him, Rox is watching?
I am so invested on the way they show affection towards each that got me blinded on the tragic story behind. I never want to ruin a relationship, I never imagine being the reason of a couple's break up. So it never crossed my mind to look at Tob as more than a well -educated fellow student and friend. Or even if it doesn"t have a boyfriend, at least a percent less chance I"ll notice it, because learning is just focused attention.
He doesn't have to say sorry. Cause when he really is, there's no way he'll come up with this shit.
"One ... Two ... Three ..." I counted weakly. Things to do often when tense and nervous.
This could help me relax.
Someone will save you Gee, I just trust.
"Gee show up. It's not good to hide ..."
It would be worse for me to show up. I'll just wait for a miracle here.
"Do you know the story in this place?"
Depends.
"According to what I have heard. Many people, specifically the former workers of this warehouse died here during the fire and explosion."
It was just a simple fire in the back of this area, no explosion took place. This place got abandoned because of business cessation. Any creepy stories are just made up to scare anyone that would dare come here.
This man, he's just going to catch the story, he's still wrong.
I bent my elbow over my knee, then lowered myself. When he was sure that it was going away, he then turned on the phone again to see if anyone was replying to the message sent.
I immediately saw Zion's reply. I was so nervous lately that I didn't even press the send button. So sometimes I don"t trust the fingers. It looks like I have my own brain, even if I don't use my mind, it's okay because the hands will take care of it.
It somewhat results to some advantages, but mostly disadvantages. Just like when my head hit Zi's head in the chin. My demon hand, I think was dazzled so I landed there.
Thinking about it again made me curse. It was an embarrassing event that I do not want to experience again.
So much for that. Why is it that instead of the current situation I think about, the past embarrassment comes first?
Nabuang naka ghorl ?!
'What happened?'
I first read its answer.
If only he could go straight here, right? It won"t ask any more questions.
I subconsciously rolled my eyes. There was no hope of escaping the brink of shame.
"Tob there's someone outside!" I heard another voice whisper. It is confused and looks confused about what to do.
"Who?"
"How would I know?"
"Looks like that girl of yours asked for help. Where is she by the way? Let me give her a lesson."
"Easy man, you can never touch my Gee."
I am no one's property, how dare you ?!
"Looks like I already know where he's hiding."
My breathing hitched and heart immediately pulsated after hearing Tob's last words.
I bit my lip so hard. Without enough courage, he still tried to prepare himself for its possible attack.
As soon as the hiding cabinet opens, kick straight away. That's all you're going to do Gee, please fix it if you want to live longer in this world.
I took a very deep breath. Pray a miracle again today.
Whoever the person they say is on the outside, I hope this is the savior I am asking for.
Silence ensued. I couldn't sense any footsteps anymore, even Tob and his friend's hard breathing.
What happened?
I put my ear to the opening of the hiding place, just in case anyone heard. But I only heard creeping silence.
I waited a while longer to confirm that they had left Tobbie.
I slowly signed in relief then shifted on my position to open the cabinet with so much care. But then, someone robustly did it first.
I sighed violently. By instinct, the plan posted in the brain was immediately made. Unconditionally kicked the abusive man's stomach.
In shock it lost its balance and fell down. A very good opportunity I used to escape.
I immediately jumped off the cabinet.
"Arghhh ... Fuck, that hurts!" he exclaimed.
Only then did I realize that another person had been hurt.
I still can recognize him even in the dark. The illumination of the moonlight bleeding through the window help me confirm it.
"Zi!"
"You are so brutal Gee," he growled.
Despite his death glare, I still found a reason to smile.
I am safe!
"You don't have to follow me, I am safe now. Thanks to you," I muttered reluctantly as I made my way back home.
"I'm not following you."
"Really?" I stopped walking and turned to face him.
Tob and those with him escaped. After a fight, Zi immediately went straight to different parts of the Warehouse to look for me. It was too late to realize that the blasphemers still had the strength to run away.
They just deserve to be punished, but I don"t know where to find them. I know they are not that stupid to continue to go to school while remembering that there is a female victim.
And I'm also not that strong to continue to face them despite what was done.
"We're heading in the same direction," he shrugged.
I looked coldly, then grinned.
"I know!" I lifted my chin up. Brave in the face of it, even though the truth is already eating away at the whole system.
Why did I even think he was following?
Assuming you're too much on that part Gee.
"Why didn't you call a police?"
"I did," I turned my back on him again and walked away.
"Are you alright?"
He had asked that before. I see I have no scars e. He is this-
I was even more embarrassed to think that he had to be hurt to save me. He has bruises on the side of his eye and on his lips. While fresh blood is still flowing from his head allegedly caused by the hard object that Tob hit.
"Let's go straight to the hospital."
"Is something wrong with you?"
I sighed violently.
Why is he thinking of me, even though he needs first aid.
"Zi is gone. Your wound needs to be treated, so let's go straight to the hospital."
"It's nothing ...."
I can sense him looking away now.
With so much of this happening in her life, did it eventually become normal? That pain, bruises and blood stains is nothing now but a simple consequence of impulsive act.
"The hardness of your head too!"
Suddenly my phone rang. I quickly snatched it from my pocket, but when I saw mama's registered name, I hesitated to answer.
I seem to know the first words he will utter.
"What kind of joke is this Neilani ?!"
Expectedly, I was still surprised. Because there is a part of the system that hopes the cow this time, he will open something else. Instead of getting angry, they would ask me what the problem was, if I was okay, if I was still breathing or if I was giving up.
"Sorry-"
"There's a policeman here right now. You're asking for help."
She was probably referring to Lieutenant Hans. Apart from them, I also thought that he might be trustworthy so I sent a message as well.
I personally asked for his number the first time we met. In case something bad happened, I would somehow have the police to help me, and I did. That's all, he wasn't the first to come.
"Why did you get your message like that? It's not a good joke."
"It's April now, ma, just accompanying someone else's trip. Sorry ..."
I stopped walking again, when I sat down weakly ...
"Don't do it again."
"Is it really just a prank? What if something really bad happened to my sister earlier?"
I heard Grant's question from the other line.
"It's like you don't know your sister. Be careful, always think about the steps to take. There's no reason for her to be in danger."
This is the exact reason why I just want to keep the problem with me. Now I regret that I even included my own family in the message.
She has so much expectations from me. He taught me how to shun evil, how to investigate the person who deserves to be betrayed or not. The fact that I was probably deceived and almost ruined by my own decision was a huge disappointment for it.
"I'm sorry again."
"The police still sympathize with you, come home right now."
"It's not even eight o'clock."
"I told you to come back before eight. Don't come into this house if you're late for the conversation," he quickly turned off the call. I was not allowed to answer.
"O-kay ..." I said as I sighed heavily and look down, feeling so sad.
"It's raining," Zi whispered softly. It's like I sat down as well.
"Let's go to the hospital first-"
"You're being sent home," he interrupted me. Wearing the sarcastic look.
"'Aren't you watching Zed's game with Kiesha? I guess how fast you got to the Warehouse. The racing camp is so far away," I changed the subject.
I don't even want it to take me to the world of both pain and joy ... At home.
In there, I am both free and not. Free to cry without everyone having a sight. And unfree to move the way I want, unfree to show the real me. Cause there's always standards set upon.
I am also happy with my own family. I was so happy to see and hug them somehow. If it weren"t for mama, I wouldn"t be in this position today. She gave me life, she helped me survive in this messy and dangerous world. But sometimes I just can"t really help but be offended by the words it utters, especially the way it guides.
It was just too much for me. Like everyone else, I want to have fun. Want to experience the things that a simple woman enjoys. I want to feel love, I want to personally know the risk it has. But sad enough ... I can't.
"The contest didn't go on, so we went home right away."
I was pulled back in reality. I almost forgot that Zion was with me.
I would have answered it, in case the phone rang again. It was Lieutenant Hans, calling this time.
"Where are you?" opening it says.
"Close to home."
"Are you sure it was just a joke before?"
I was stunned.
Shall I report it?
"Let's meet at the park near here," I said after a while.
I should just say here what happened. He's a policeman, maybe he won't miss it.
"Okay."
I also immediately turned off the call.
"Come on," I firmly gripped Zi's wrist. Before even trying to stay away.
We need to heal his wound. I don"t want the day to come to repent anymore because we were allowed to part ways without him first aid.
"Where are you taking me?"

We stood together.
"I'm going to kidnap you."
"Are you so desperate to claim me?"
"Yes Zion Leander. Don't try to dance anymore, there's nothing else you can do."
I was actually able to joke despite feeling sad.
"Tsk," he just parted my hand. When moving to the other side of the road.
"Why are you getting stuck again?"
I hear nothing in response. He put his hands inside his pocket, then bit his lower lip. Maybe halting himself from saying something?
"I couldn't help but to think that you actually hate me," I put my hands in the pockets of my pants, then looked up.
This time, it was preferred to keep an eye on the stars.
"Because I'm also cursed by you," I added. "I can't be friends with someone like you. Maybe Kiesha has already told us about the diamond rule of our family. I hope you'd understand my part. There's no way we can be friends. Cause ... Cause you are too dangerous for me, "I chose to whisper the last thing.
As before, I still haven"t heard an answer from him.
I remained on my ground. This is the first time I talk to him for long. It's only now that we've been together for so long without Kiesha.
"I am still setting my eyes on you. Still unsure if I should trust you. I don't know, even if you told me not to do something that would motivate me to recognize you, it would have no effect. I know this is so unfair, knowing that you just saved me ... "
I can't forget he was also one of those sent the message earlier. I mean, it's really trustworthy.
But I don't know. I couldn't seem to understand my thoughts anymore.
Am I still setting my eyes on him for my bestfriend's safety? Or this time, it was actually for my heart's satisfaction?
Ew!
It seems like the morning turned out like this. What does this kind of feeling called by the way?
I started walking, while still looking up.
I guess I'm blabbering on now? As he became even quieter. I don't seem to be talking anymore.
I decided to look straight ahead. It's too late to avoid. Before it could be done, the face hit the light pole that was unexpectedly hit.
Because when I remember passing by here earlier, the poles were just on the side.
It's on the edge ... There is no life and no reason to move. In fact, I moved it myself. Surprisingly, in which direction the feet are heading.
I let out a soft curse. Gently pat the injured part of the face, then turn in Zion's direction.
But as what my instinct told me so, he wasn't there anymore. In fact, I'm just an idiot here speaking alone.
Very good!
"Poor pole, man hit."
That's how I slightly jumped in panic, after hearing his voice from behind.
It shook me past me. Signal of showing open frustration.
"I thought you were gone," my brows furrowed.
"I moved again while you were busy blabbering on," it said last before I finally left.
"Wait a minute!" I run towards him.
I even had to drag him to the pharmacy to buy some medicine for the wound. He really didn't want to go to the hospital, because he was supposed to be able to cure his own problem.
And of course, as a person duly responsible, I am obliged to help.
"Two hundred in all."
None of my own snatched the money I was carrying in my pocket. The wearing glasses were adjusted first, before addressing the Pharmacist again.
"Two what?"
"Daan ..."
"Road ?!" I screamed in shock. Reason to turn those who heard my band.
Zi is included. I would have sat quietly on a nearby bench. His head is no longer bleeding. But due to red stains on the dress and neck, the condition is still noticeable.
"This is it," I sadly handed over the accumulated allowance this week.
Why did it reach two hundred?
I stared intently at the remaining fifty, as I handed over the bag of purchases. Then the two shoulders fell as they walked closer to him.
"Let me pay-"
"Shhh ... Can you just shut up? Don't try to pay because I won't accept either. I am the reason for this, I should just buy your medicine," I said to him.
"Turn around. Let me see the wound on your head."
I myself moved his body backwards. Looks like no intention to do e.
I first took the cotton and betadine out. Searched the exact location of the wound. When he saw it, he quickly frowned.
Is this what he says just a little bit ?! E, the contour is almost one inch. Then he was still bleeding. We really have to go straight to the hospital, this is serious!
"Do you know how?" he asked doubtfully despite the silence.
"I have years of experience in first aid, don't underestimate me."
He just handed the wet wipes inside the bag, then wiped the blood on a few parts of the body.
We just got everyone's attention even more. There are those who are no longer restrained and actually come forward to ask what happened.
"There was a fight on the road we took to get here, I was just touched," was the only good reason I could think of for this.
"We're at seven eleven."
"You done treating my wound?"
"Not yet," I shook my head. "But I suddenly wanted to eat ice cream. It's only fifteen, thirty -two. I still have fifty pesos here, solve! I'm an alpha kid, I know ..." I joked at him.
"How about my wound?" he stared at me darkly.
"Can I go there?"
One by one I grabbed the ones used in the treatment here.
He fell silent again. Stand up, then start walking away.
"Just a joke. Of course I'm done treating that."
He remained silent. Raised his right hand, then waved goodbye. This time, it looks like he has plans to actually leave.
"Wait-"
"Gee!"
My eyes immediately averted to someone behind.
"Did I think of the Park? Good and I noticed you," he added.
"Hey, sir Hans," I smiled awkwardly.
I forgot our meeting.
"It's just Hans. What's your problem?"
"It's like this," I gestured to the seat Zi had left.
He nodded, then sat down.
He was no longer wearing a uniform, just like when the two of us first met. He looks more of a handsome civilian tonight, and can be perceived as someone working in a modeling agency.
"Something really bad happened earlier. At the Warehouse I went to, a fellow student almost raped me."
"I knew it," his jaw slightly tensed. "Why did you lie to your family earlier?"
"Personal reason. I don't want them to get involved in this, so now I am about to ask a very big favor," I paused for a moment.
"What's that?"
"Can you investigate on the case? Please help me find them, but without my family knowing ..."
He could not answer immediately. Just kept staring at me, obviously estimating what was right to do.
"Fine," he said after a while. Followed by a sigh of defeat. "But can you tell me the whole detail?"
"Of course," I smiled a bit.
From him, my gaze shifted again to Zi's side. But not a shadow of it was seen. He left for real!
The trick, I said we would buy more ice cream ...
To be continued...