Chapter 46
I'm still a little weak now but I have to pretend I'm okay. They shouldn’t have noticed the wound on my forehead. They shouldn’t know what happened to me.
When they find out, they will transfer me to a another school/university in States. I don't want to move to another university. I preferred to study at the University de Forde even though I had many painful memories of that place.
I sat on the bed while looking in the mirror on the wall of the room. I'm still in the hospital, here in private room.
I still have a band-aid on my forehead and if I remove it, the wound can still be seen.
I lowered my gaze to my body.
Dirty lips touched my neck. A dirty man who almost ruined my life.
I soaked the cotton wool with little amount of water, squeezed it a little, and rubbed it on my neck.
Maybe if Driver Gong and I just went home, I wouldn't be here in the hospital. I would not have applied cotton with alcohol on my neck but lotion. I would not have had a band-aid on my forehead if I had come home after dinner with Samuel.
I used my freedom. I am free. Yes, I am free to do whatever I want to do, but I am doomed to be free.
I never thought that something might happen to me.
Freedom...my freedom put me in danger because of myself.
I took a deep breath first to get rid of the worries in my mind.
My parents are waiting. They are waiting to see me. What can I say? My forehead hit the wall so there's a band-aid? I tripped and my face sank on the road?
I have to lie? But I hate lies but I need and I have to lie. Let's say, it was just white lie. To lie for a good reason.
I just don't want them to worry so I need to lie.
*/ gasped.
I forced a smile in the mirror when suddenly I saw a folded clothes on the side table.
I stood up to pick up and look at that. I put it on top of my thigh.
Wait ... I remember this but it's not mine. It's not mine. I don't have extra shirts.
I lifted it to open it and see what kind of dress it was.
Wait ... why is it here? Did I wear it?
This black hoody jacket belongs to Neil Samson. Why is it here? Did he go here? Are they with Draek and Leighden?
This hoddy jacket is familiar to me but I don't know and I don't remember when was the last time I saw this jacket.
Why is it here? Is it Leighden's jacket? She left it here? Is it Draek's jacket? Did he forgot to take it out?
Hoddy jacket. Hoddy jacket.
Who's the owner of this jacket and why it is here?
Is this belongs to Neil? W-wait! As far as I remember, Neil was wearing jacket and the same as this. Is this his jacket?
I don’t remember him being with Draek and Leighden but if I’m not mistaken, I heard his name.
Wait! Wait a minute! Is he the man punching the rapist? Is that him?
Before I could take my eyes off the jacket, I whispered his name.
Impossible! He's not that man! Maybe Driver Gong and impossible Neil.
I shake my head before I put the jacket back to table.
*/knocking
I barely looked at the door. Wondering who he/she is.
I heard a knocked again.
"Come in," I said. "Driver Gong," I called after he entered.
No! Driver Gong is not that man. Driver Gong is fat. He didn't punch the rapist .... if so, who?
My forehead furrowed as I watched him approach.
"Is there a problem, Señorita?"
If not him, maybe Neil — never! Why would he do that? Why would he go to the place where I am?
He hates me! He hates me so much!
"You alright?" he asked.
"Driver Gong," I softly called as I looked at him with curiosity. He looked directly at me in the eyes. "You have the same eyes as Nanny Yuna," I said instead of asking who was the man that punched the rapist and saved me.
I don't understand myself why I said those. I just really noticed that they were the same eye color.
He has not yet spoken.
"Are you siblings?"
"A-are we the same e-eyes?" he still stuttered the question. I nodded. "We're just the same eye color, Señorita, but Nanny Yuna and I are not siblingd," he said with a laugh.
That’s not really what I want to say. That man is bothering me. I can't say and insist to myself that Neil is the man. Maybe they just happened to have the same jacket. Draek might have this jacket.
I was silent, so was he. I want to speak but my mouth was shut. I want to ask him but I don't know how to start. I want to be clear. I don't understand why I'm still trying to find out who that man is but I want to know.
Leighden and Draek left. I won't be able to ask them because they are not here.
I barely looked at the jacket on the table beside my bed.
‘And who are you?’ I asked in mind.
I was frowning.
"Do you remember who brought you here?" he suddenly asked so my spirit woke up.
I nodded and looked slightly at him then looked back at the jacket again.
"But ..." I took the jacket first. "Is this yours?"
I didn't look at Driver Gong when I asked that. I just stared at the jacket I was holding.
Still laughing a little, he replied, "No, Señorita."
I immediately looked at him when he said that.
"I-it's not yours?" I wonder the question.
"That doesn't fit me," he laughed in response. "You know my body is a bit fat, Señorita," he added.
"I-it's not yours, whose is it?"
"I don't know, Señorita. All I know is, you were carried by a man with your friend Leighden and another man," he replied. I couldn’t help but open my mouth at what he said. It formed 'O' in shock.
Did someone lift me? S-seriously?
"... that jacket was already on your body while he was lifting you," he added, which made my mind even more confused. "It's a pity you didn't see him. He left as soon as he took you here to the hospital. Leighden and the man with her were left here earlier while you were still asleep," he continued.
I don't understand.
Is he referring to Neil? Is h-he Neil — no! Why would he do that?
"D-do you know him?" I asked.
"I don't know him," he replied. I tried to remember everything that happened before I even passed out ... but I heard Draek shout his name. "... but as far as I can remember ..." I looked at him and waited for what he would say next. "... when he was leaving ..." he stopped again. ‘What the heck, Driver Gong! Say it!'
"When he's leaving ...?" I repeated.
"... when he was leaving, he said goodbye to Leighden and another man. If I'm not mistaken, Draek is the name of the man left here with Leighden."
Leigh and Draek were with me earlier while I was still unconscious. Who is the man who carried me?
Is he Neil — No! N-not him! He doesn't care about me like he told me before so why would he do that? He hates me! He hated me so much and he won't do that! He's careless!
Is he really Neil — no! No! Not him! He can't be! Tsk! Disgusting!
I just forced a smile as I looked at the jacket I was holding that was still on top of my thighs.
"It's a pity. I couldn't even thank him before he left," I whispered as I looked at the jacket on my thighs.
Whoever he is, if ever he is Neil, I want to thank him for rescuing me. I owe him my life. If they hadn't saved me, if they hadn't come, I might be suffering now. I might be raped but...thanks, God.
I didn't notice that a sweet smile drew on my face as I looked at the jacket.
"I'm sure you know him, Señorita," he said abruptly.
"How can you tell?"
He got up from his seat and sat down next to me. He looked at me and held my hands then smiled. "Because, Señorita, I saw in his eyes the concern as he lifted you. His eyebrows met but I saw in his eyes the concern and sadness. Maybe he's your friend," he said before caressing my cheeks. I frowned at what he said.
'Concern? Sadness?'
"I-I didn't see him because I was unconscious when he lifted me up."
He suddenly fell silent and stopped caressing my cheek. He removed his hand from my hand and on my cheek then stood up and walked around.
"What are you doing, Driver Gong?"
He seemed restless. He will walk to the left and walk back. He goes for a walk. What is his problem?
"Can you stop what you're doing? I'm dizzy from what you're doing."
"Wait, Señorita," he said as he continued what he was doing. "Ah! I remember that!"
"Huh? Which one?"
He approached while still smiling at me. He sat down next to me again.
"I already remember his name when Leighden called him."
I just stared at him while waiting for what he would say next.
Driver Gong is still hanging me. He can correct what he says.
I almost raised an eyebrow as I waited for him to formulate what he was going to say.
"Who is he?" I asked.
"If I'm not mistaken, Señorita, Leighden called him by the name 'Neil'."
My ears almost rang when I heard Neil's name. I could not move or speak. I just blinked steadily.
Neil?
Is he Neil? He carried me? Is he the reason why that man's plan to rape me didn't go through? He's the one who helped me? He saved me?
He's the one punching that man?
Is he Neil? Why would he do that? ‘Doesn’t he care about me? Especially in how I feel.
He also has this jacket? Is this his jacket?
Why did he do that? Why did he help me?
"Is he your friend?" Driver Gong asked.
I heard Driver Gong's question but I couldn't speak.
“If ever we meet again, I will thank himfor rescuing our only Señorita,” he said. "...for saving your life, Señorita," he added which made me smile.
I was about to speak when I noticed Nanny Yuna just entering.
“Okay, Doña Pershey, you can go home now,” she said. I didn't hesitate to stand up. Driver Gong also stood up.
When I stood up, I put on Neil’s jacket. This is the first time — I've worn Neil's jacket twice. I will return it to him and I will be grateful. I will thank him for saving me. I will give imthis jacket back to him and I will leave the words ' I owe you my life, Neil.'
He was kind. I know. I thought, despite everything, he didn't really care about me anymore.
"Let's go home," I said.
I'm so grateful, blessed, and honored that I'm still alive. I have second life. This is my second life and this is a treasure. This is another chance that God had gave to me.