IT WAS MIDNIGHT when my cell phone rang and when I looked at who was calling I frowned. Mom called. What's wrong with her and she called while they were just in the other room. Since I had no plans to get up I answered the call even though I was still a little drowsy.
"Why?" I have no appetite for questions.
"We are in the hospital because we took Janel and her fever didn't go down."
“Huh! How is she? ” What I heard made me get up.
“She is OK, she is resting. We didn't just wake you up because we thought we could come home too. But she needs to be confined first because she is dehydrated. Samples of his urine and stool have also been brought to the lab.” I was complacent because I thought about what had happened.
“But Mia, we didn't have anything with us when we left, can you bring Janel's things even a dress just a replacement for now. I will bring the others later when I come home in case she really needs to be confined for a long time,” mama begged me.
"All right," I simply replied then turned off the call.
After talking to mama on the cell phone, I immediately went to Janel's room to get some things. I prepared only a few clothes and some personal hygiene and then put them in a small bag. When I fixed her belongings, I booked a taxi that arrived immediately. I closed all the doors and gates before leaving. I am comfortable that there are no thieves in this area because there are guards rumored to be here every night.
At the hospital, I found my sister sleeping peacefully. Mom and dad were on the side of the bed. He was already inside the ward and they took her to a private room they were here first while waiting for the lab test result. When I gave Janel's things, my mother sent me home. Dad give me his car key but I refused. I said I'll just take a taxi so that in case the result comes out and hopefully ok, they can go home right away.
I got out of the hospital at two o'clock and instead of taking a taxi, I thought of taking a jeepney because the road was quiet. Just a moment and I was on board as well. I go down to the corner of Mang Kanor's shop which is now closed. The place was also quiet and it looked like I was just wandering around. I wasn't scared so I just kept walking. But to my surprise, someone walked up to me and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Don't shout, or you wouldn't like what I will do." I felt cold water poured on me and all of a sudden my knees shook. I didn’t know what to do when suddenly there was a sharp one on my side. I guess all the nervousness and fear is with me and at these times my soul seems to have left me.
"Come with me." The man commands me. In my fear, my body moved spontaneously following him. It was as if I suddenly became a robot and became submissive. We walked and I didn’t know where he was going to take me. I was nervous and secretly prayed. My mind is already confused because of the various negatives that are playing in my mind. I don’t know what will happen to me right now. All I knew was that bad people were with me and seemed to have bad intentions towards me.
I wanted to shout but I knew I wouldn't get anything out either. I might be doomed before I grab the attention of the neighbors. I just pass on to God whatever can happen to me. Even the truth seems like I don't want to step on my foot anymore.
In the old abandoned building, we seem to know where he will take me. In the abandoned part of the subdivision that is quiet and not very accessible. My mind turned more and more and my flesh was almost completely negative. During these times I knew exactly what could happen to me. What is on my mind now is that something bad will definitely happen to me and I can do nothing to defend myself.
I could not keep quiet when I saw an empty building. All I could think about was praying that a miracle would happen and save me. Hopefully, someone will pass by and see us and the man will run. But there seems to be no real hope because the surroundings are so quiet.
“Don't worry miss beautiful because we will just play house playing. You are the mother and I am the father and we will make a baby,” he said then accompanied by a devilish laugh. "I will also release you later as long as you are kind and obedient to everything I want." Even though he didn’t tell me directly it seemed like I already knew what he wanted to convey. At these times I already knew my consequences.
He took my hand and slowly turned the door lock. When it opened he guided me inside but even before I could take a step the man jumped out. He fell to the floor and as he was about to stand up a powerful kick hit him in the face.
One by one someone came out of the side of the building and approached the man. The previous punch to the man stood up and immediately approached me. While its companions erected the man and held him tightly.
"Miss are you ok?" a man asked me. I just nodded and looked at him. Based on the clothes he was wearing he was a barangay police. The man also approached to punch the man who intended to harm me. I recognized him immediately none other than the arrogant man
"Oh, it's a good thing that Jr. saw you, otherwise you might have been one of the victims of this rapist." Jr. hit the guard and then talked to me.
“I will send you home. Go to the police station tomorrow with your parents.” I looked at him and nodded but did not speak.
I could not understand myself as long as I knew now that my life was in danger and this man in front of me saved me. The man I used to mistake badly but has now become my savior.
"All right J, take her and we'll take care of it." Jr. nodded to his companion and invited me to walk.
We are together now as we make our way home. We were both quiet and no one wanted to talk. I don’t know what’s playing on his mind. Until we get home. I opened the gate and the door as he just followed me. I immediately sat down on the sofa and I felt my whole body go numb. It was as if all my energy had been exhausted without me knowing why.
"All right, I'll go now," he said goodbye but I didn't answer him because what happened was just sinking into my mind.
Almost something bad happened to me.
At that thought, I suddenly burst into tears. I sobbed and sobbed without knowing why. Suddenly I felt hands on my shoulders. When I looked up I saw Jr. standing in front of me.
"Thank you," I said softly as I continued to cry. "Thank you for saving me." Then my tears flowed one after another.
I felt him sit next to me and hug me while caressing my back.
“Shh! You're ok, you're safe. I'm just here to watch over you.” And all my tears flowed as my face sank into his chest.