Chapter 80

"Eat it," he said in a cold voice.
I didn't feel like staring at the food on the table. He prepared all of it. This is my last day here. So maybe he took the time to prepare breakfast for me.
They are appetizing though. Especially the shrimp and fried squid, my stomach couldn't bear to eat. Yesterday I still had no appetite. And it's not because of my hormone. It is due to my emotion.
It hurts me to think that he doesn't seem to want to be with me anymore. He pretends not to know me. Even if he doesn"t admit I already know. I know he is Zion. But I can't understand why he had to push me away? Why he had to act as if he knows nothing about us?
"Geline," he called, almost pleading, "You were still like that yesterday."
"I don't want to eat," I averted my gaze.
"It's a long trip back to the city. You might get hungry."
"What is it to you then? Are you my boyfriend?" I raised an brow.
She messed up her hair. Then it hardly stopped.
"Whether I'm your boyfriend or not, you have to follow me."
"I'm leaving ..." I almost grabbed the luggage, then walked out.
There is no more reason for me to stay here. Even if I'm hungry on the trip, that's my problem!
"Neilani!" he bawled. He is following me.
"Can you leave me alone? It's like you're not used to it."
"What are you talking about?"
"For almost a year I have suffered thinking you were dead. For almost a year you have left me to mourn Zion-"
"Tangina, I'm not him!" I was stunned by his loud cry, "You're just Zion of Zion. How long will you end up in illusion?"
"Until you admit the truth!" I turned my body in front of him, "I won't stop until I hear from your own mouth the reason why you're like this? I'm having a hard time and you know that ..." I strutted towards him. A slap to the chest I next awarded him, "Don"t
you have to deny your true identity because it's the last time you see me, "I cried with both annoyance and sadness.
"How can I stop if I'm not pretending?" he lifted my chin up, "You're the one who deserves to stop. Stop living in the memory of your past," he wiped my tears away using his thumb.
I broke his hand. Then back off.
"I'm just leaving ... If you really want to forget our past, I'll let you go. If this is what makes you happy Zi-" I swallowed hard. There seems to be something blocking my throat. The reason is that it is difficult to add to what was said, "Let me go ..." after saying that, I quickly turned around.
I pulled my baggage towards the nearest boat. The banker was right and was leaving. I will ride.
"Neilani!"
"Gee what?"
Just yesterday he really wanted me to leave. Now that he's leaving, he's holding back. I can't stand being in one place with him. Thinking that he is probably faking things. It may be true that I believe he is Zion. He doesn't want me anymore, so he is doing this. He would rather stay on this island and live in the shadow of an evil pirate than get back at me.
If that's what he wants go ahead, I'll stop him next time and hope that the former sweetness of the past will return. I won't force him to be with me, when he can't stand it anymore. But I will never forgive him for what he did. He ruined me entirely ...
"Geline let's talk."
"We don't have to talk anymore. Louie, Zion or whoever you are! I want to go home. I'll go home where you don't want to and where you want."
"Listen to me first," he grabbed my wrist.
"Release me," I tried to withdraw my hand from him. But he just tightened his grip on it. At the same time forcibly pulling me back to the hut.
"What ?! I need to go home."
"You won't go home first."
"What do you want ?!"
He pushed me inside the hut. Then the door was quickly closed. My luggage was left outside. Phone and wallet included. When they were gone, it would be fuzzy for me to go home.
I still plan to call Spencer when he lands in town. I'm going to reconcile him.
"Let me explain. Let me clear things up to avoid misunderstanding."
"Are you going to laugh again that you're not Zion?" I raised an eyebrow and with all my might, slipped out of his grasp, "You're too obvious."
"Looks like and behaves just the same person right away?" his jaw slightly tensed.
"What do you call it, just deja vu?" I laughed sarcastically, "Just tell me the truth. I'll understand if you have enough reason," I pushed him away.
But he was not even shaken. He closed the gap between us. He leaned one palm against the door, while the other leaned against my waist.
"How many times do I even say I'm not Zion? Do I still have to show documents to prove it?"
His stared right into my eyes. I didn"t see even a single emotion in his eyes. That's a good thing. By hiding true feelings.
"Documents can be fabricated."
"Oh God ...." he said, almost a whisper. He looked up and bit his lip. He is getting pissed.
Especially me. If he's upset, I'm angry. Because he was obviously lying. The first time our eyes met, I knew he was Zion. But there is something else that really prevents me from believing the previous inference. But now, I know the truth. And I promised not to be affected by his reasons and lies.
"Looks like you're just kidding. Better yet just let me go," I took his hand away. Then get away from it.
I headed to the kitchen. I am suddenly getting thirsty. But when I focused on the food on the table, that was my appetite. I"ve been disliking them lately. But now, I want to taste everything. This will gonna be the last time I'll have a taste of his recipes. Once I leave this place, I will never return.
"Eat first," he said. There seemed to be no tension between us.
"No, thanks ..." I answered, with sarcasm.
"The more you can't get out of here if you continue to be stubborn."
I didn't answer. I quietly took the clean glass from its container and approached the table to pour water.
After drinking, I went straight to my room. He blocked the very way out. Definitely sure of wanting to lock me up here again. But I don't tolerate such behavior. Also, I made up my mind to leave right now and leave him. If I had to go through the window to escape him I would.
And so I really did.
"Geline Neilani!" I heard him shout from inside the hut.
I just stared and ran to where the luggage was left. But I ended up stopping midway. I was statuesque on the stand and could do nothing but watch the group of men fiddling with my belongings. Even my phone and wallet.
They laugh out loud. It's like greedy people who have just seen grace. They opened all my personal belongings. Dislikes, such as clothes are thrown in everywhere. They even touched my laptop and polaroid camera. What the-
"Let's go," a warm hand wrapped on my wrist.
It was Louie. He pulls me away from the men I know are his companions. I have a few more to face. Those men who mocked him in the past.
"My things!" I'm angry here. The voice was a bit louder. So the opponents noticed.
Their eyes went to us. Their smiles widened even more. It looks like demons have just come down to earth to sow terror and find enjoyment. They even saw my equipment by chance.
They look around. There was another nodding and applauding animo staring at a beautiful show.
"I'm telling you ..." the man in the lead walked closer to Louie then. He was still the standing leader of the group, "You really have a woman," he shamelessly scanned me from head to toe.
"Beautiful and smooth," bluntly harvested one.
"Looks delicious..."
Louie moved in front of me.
"Don't hurt him," he said calmly, but with emphasis in his voice.
"Why, what are you going to do? You're just a weak creature and a loser. Do you think we'll be afraid of you?" the ugly leader raised an eyebrow.
He is bulky and tan. He has a tattoo on some parts of his body and a scar on his right eye. It was a little taller than Louie. But I'm sure he can still knock.
"Give me back my things," I entered the conversation.
"Why ... What if we don't want to?"
"I am obliging you to give it back to me."
"It's English again," he laughed sarcastically, "I'm sorry ah? But we get annoyed when someone speaks English."
"I'm more disgusted!" I shouted. Reason to stop it, "Disgusted with your face I can't figure out where you were conceived. Is it out of resentment or gastritis?"
Louie squeezed my wrist. He is stopping me from spilling more facts. I knew he was just holding back. This was obvious in the line of his face.
But with what his companions were doing, there seemed to be no reason to suppress the emotion that wanted to explode. If he doesn't want to help me, I'll take the initiative.
"Why, your courage?" It was about to start at me, but Louie quickly interrupted, "Get out of there if you don't want to get hurt."
"Let me go man. Let me give that bastard the lesson," I said, almost a whisper.
"Don't underestimate him, will you?"
"Don't underestimate me either," I annoyed pinching his side.
It winced in pain. And I didn't let go of myself. Even before he could recover, I was able to rush to the man in front of us. I was about to punch him in the face. So in a quick motion, it lifted its arms. What he didn't know, he was really the center of what I was going to target. I kicked it real hard. Making him scream in so much pain and agony.
His colleagues were alerted. They immediately ran closer. Someone else approached their leader. Others chose to confront me to give a lesson.
But none of them succeeded. Before they can touch even a single strand of my hair, Louie already knocked them off. The others who were hit by his fist could not believe they were shaken. They can't believe Louie is this strong. They all thought it was weak and defeated. But little did they know, he is just hiding a scream. And now filled, finally he stepped out of his shell.
"Beat those two!" angry shout of the leader I knocked down.
I am now the one who laughed at his situation. Mabaog sana ...
While Louie was protecting, I was doing everything in my power to get the equipment.
One by one I grabbed the clothes they had scattered and put them back in the bag. My important things aren't here anymore. They"ve got it all.
Someone managed to pass through his arms. It pulled a powerful kick to my side. I lost my balance and fell down. That's just the grimace of pain. It would have unleashed another attack. But Louie had already pushed him away.
"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly.
"Don't mind me ..." I forced a smile.
I'm not well! I think I even broke a bone.
Though hurt, I forced myself to stand up and fight with him. I need to get my things!
"Here!" he threw in my direction the transparent envelope with important documents. It had my passport, certificates, ID's and other things. I always carry them with me, just in case I think of leaving for another country.
"Thank you."
We just need to get my wallet and cellphone back.
None of my own turned my gaze on the incoming man. He is holding a knife. Enraged and towards Louie. He became busy with other opponents. He didn't notice it and it was too late to stop it.
He was stabbed on his right arm!
I quickly ran closer to the opponent. It was accompanied by a strong kick. He threw away the knife. One opportunity I used to attack it one after another. Until he fell. Using all my strength, I punched his face. It lost consciousness but I was still not satisfied. It was like I wanted to ruin his whole life.
"That's enough ... Let's get out of here," Louie pulled me away. Blood flows down his arm, down. Given the size of the wound he sustained, he could have died.
"Oh my God! I am so sorry ..."
"Let's go," he quickly grabbed my luggage. Then I was pulled to the center of the island, "I have to get you out of here."
"How are you?"
"I can handle myself."
"I won't leave you here," I shook my head.
"They will start chasing me, even in hell."
"Then, I'll fight with you ... Even in hell."
"Here we are," I led him to sit down under a large tree.
We've been running for long. Just get away from the weavers. This island is not very big. Moments from now, they might find us. But Louie is getting dizzy. The blood was already penetrating the cloth I tied to his arm. I need to find a cure for this.
"Just leave," he said. He is gently pushing me away.
"Are you stupid? You need me," I snorted.
I felt bad. If only I hadn"t been so stubborn. If we had just run earlier, he wouldn't have been injured now. I'm still really stubborn. I failed to consider how important life is than any material things. I could even buy a new laptop, cellphone, and clothes. It can also make way for important documents. But life, when lost, is vaguely restored.
"You'll just be damned Geline. You need to save yourself," he chewed on his bottom lip. His wound seems to be hurting.
"We are in this together. I will not leave you," he said then I quickly left in front of him.
I looked for herbs that could heal the wound. I've done various research about plants and their use. Now I can only apply what I have learned.
"Here we are!" I heard a familiar voice shout from not far away.
I quickly bent down and hid behind the flying plants.
They are getting close to where I am. As much as they were angry and wanted to chase us, so was my heartbeat. They will definitely not release us once we are arrested.
"Just straight!"
Right in front of me they passed by. If it weren"t for the plants, they probably would have seen me. I closed my eyes and prayed heavily.
'Don't let us perish'
I waited for the surroundings to calm down. Then slowly stood up and looked in Louie's direction.
He is looking back at me too. Worried and in pain.
I raised my right hand and made an okay sign. Nothing to worry about. They just passed us. After that I walked again to continue finding medicine for his wound.
As I go far, he is getting smaller in my sight. Until he completely disappeared from my sight.
"Gotcha!" clusters of herbs I finally found. Just near the big tree where he had taken me in the past.
While taking the medications I kept looking around. In case there are opponents. It"s best to be elusive before everyone gets caught.
I didn't stay long in the area. After getting the aim immediately ran back to where Louie was. I run as fast as I could. Opponents may have found him. Maybe he's being bullied now, I'll really blame myself.
I was so nervous that no image of him could be found in the place where I left him. Even my things are gone.
Where is he ?!
"Louie? Oh my God! Where are you?"
I subconsciously walked out of the place. Directly in the direction in which the crash of the wave is heard. Maybe he's on the beach? Maybe we found a boat we could use to get away from here.
My precautionary steps became violent. In the beginning it was just a simple walk. But eventually I ran the distance from where it was to the opposite side of the sea.
But I see no one. There is no sign of Louie. Even any traces of him is nowhere be found.
Where is he ?!
"Louie!"
"Zion!"
"Where are you-" I screamed the next time I was released after being suddenly pulled by someone to the back of a tree.
"Where is it?"
"Dito yata!"
"Maybe they'll go back to the hut. Come on, let's chase."
The opponents were strong just behind where we were hiding. They were really determined to find us.
"Relax Nielani ... It's me," he said behind me.
My back is leaning against his chest. As the hands gripped his arm that was around my waist. His other hand is covering my mouth, halting me from creating any sound.
When safety was assured, he immediately let me go.
I annoyed him hard and not on my own slapped on the shoulder. Coincidentally, his wound hit my palm. He winced in pain and subconsciously leaned close to me. A little closer, he would kiss me.
"Sorry," I said guiltily. Not minding how intimate he was.
I rubbed his face and looked him straight in the eye. I thought I'll gonna lose him. I thought he was doomed.
"You made me so worried," I couldn't suppress a tear anymore.
I'll go crazy when he's gone too. His face is the only remnant I had. While I am here in this chaotic place, he is the only one I can hold on to.
"Hush ..." he wiped my tears with his thumb, "I'm fine. They almost saw me before. It's good and I got out of hiding right away.
From his face, my eyes trailed down to his wound. It's still bleeding. If not given first aid, he will bleed.
I pulled him to sit down. Then the luggage was opened. A pink dress I pulled out and tore. Next I took the herbs. It simmered, until the green liquid came out.
"Take that off," I said, referring to the piece of cloth on his arm.
He removed it immediately. I moved closer to him. The liquid sealed his wound.
"Shi-" his face twisted.
"You endure the pain."
"I'm patient," he replied quickly.
Our eyes locked. He is looking intently at me. I can get lost into his gaze. A matter of fact, I am slowly getting into it. And just like the usual, I don't see Louise's pair of dark brown eyes. I see Zion's ...
From my eyes, his gaze dropped to my lips.
"Your lips ..."
"What?" I craned my neck.
"It's too pale."
"So?"
"Let me kiss it ..." his fingers is playing with the tip of my hair, "So I can give my red."
I sighed violently. My cheeks get hot, even my whole body. Even without looking at myself in the mirror, I knew I was blushing.
He plastered a little smile.
"You are blushing," he teased.
That's how annoyed my whole system is. I lightly applied the herb to his wound, then took the torn cloth and tied it around his arm.
"You're already in a dangerous situation, you've even managed to joke," after what I was doing I carelessly stood up.
I am not mad. Actually I'm ashamed of him. He got me right there ... He got me big time!
To be continued...