Chapter 9 Nine

• “Hi Elyyyy my friend!” I paused typing my report on my laptop when someone suddenly spoke on my phone. I saw Alexis’ name on the screen, as it was set to auto-answer when on my speed dial.
• “Oh, you witch, why are you only showing up now? Why have you been absent for two days?” I scolded her. The background went silent, so I furrowed my brow.
• “I just had some things to take care of, you witch, and I filed for a three-day leave,” she said, laughing on the other line.
• “So, you’re absent until tomorrow?” I asked while still typing on the keyboard. I’ve already done half of my work for the day; I’m almost finished, and I still need to make copies of everything before organizing them in the cabinets. It’s past six in the evening, overtime again.
• “Mhmm,” I sighed, knowing what she was going to say next.
• “There’s a problem,” I concluded.
• “Huh? Who? Where?” I sighed even though she couldn’t see me.
• “You,” I said, which made her silent. “Gotcha,” I added, then laughed.
• “Freak,” she laughed back. I know her better.
• “Witch,” I replied. I saved my report before closing the laptop. “Where are you?”
• I stood up and grabbed my jacket. It’s September, so the breeze is starting to get chilly. I also grabbed my wallet and car keys before going downstairs to change my clothes. I already have dinner with me, so I changed into a comfortable sweatshirt and smart pants.
• We decided to meet at the nearby park, just 7 blocks away from our houses. It’s a bit far, so I arrived before her. After a few minutes, she arrived, wearing pants, a tee shirt, and a jacket, and she was carrying a small plastic bag.
• “Why are you dressed like that? Where are you coming from?” I asked when she sat down.
• She smiled hesitantly and hugged me, surprising me. “Ely.”
• I patted her shoulder. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
• She pulled away from the hug and looked at me closely. The fatigue and continuous crying were evident on her face.
• “Ely, I have a problem.”
• “Tell me, so I could help,” I said, and she shook her head, making me frown. I had a hunch, but I wanted to confirm it.
• “I’m pregnant, and the one who impregnated me is married,” she said softly, but it was enough for me to hear.
• I could hardly move because of what I heard. Yes, I heard it. I’m not deaf. But I never saw that coming. She’s too decent for me. If it came from someone else, I might understand, but not her. Not to her.
• I felt my hands tremble, and tears welled up in my eyes. My hand moved on its own and landed on her cheek. The surprise was evident on her tired face.
• “Ely. I’m sorry. I know I promised you that this wouldn’t happen until I got married. But… But I really love him.”
• I let out a bitter laugh. Love again. That kind of love is the reason for this.
• “You love him? Does he love you? What did I tell you?! Alex, you don’t have a family anymore. I’ve been your sister since I met you. But why is it like this? Why?”
• She cried even more. She’s guilty. Yes, I know she’s guilty, and I’m angry. I can hardly breathe. Is it going to happen again? Will the same mistake happen over and over again? I don’t tell her the reason why this is happening. Why I’m keeping her away from these kinds of possibilities. Because I don’t want it to happen again. So, I take care of her. But here we are again. What happened to me is painful. I feel like I couldn’t do anything.
• “Ely, I’m sorry.”
• “You should be.” I tapped her hand that was holding mine and stood up, then walked away.
• “Ely! Wait!” She shouted, and I stopped, but I was still facing away.
• “Why? Why don’t you want me to get pregnant by my boyfriend? You haven’t even met him yet; you’ll like him. And he promised me marriage.”
• I clenched my fists at her words. Liars! Damn them. Bastards. He just promised marriage, and she’s already spreading her legs? What if he changes his mind, and she’s already pregnant? They don’t think.
• “I lost a friend who was like a sibling to me because of that promise. So, I can’t blame you. I took care of you because no one else would, I protected you because I considered you my sister.”
• Yes, I went through that. But I learned. I want her to learn too, but no, they’re all fools. But she’s my friend, fool or not, she’s still important, and I still consider her my sister, so I need to understand her.
• I went straight to my car and quickly drove off. I didn’t plan on going home yet; I needed to calm down. A few minutes later, my phone rang, an unregistered number, but I still answered it.
• “Who’s this?” I asked.
• [You’re over speeding.] My heart skipped a beat because of the familiar voice. How did he get my number?]
• “Where did you get my number?” Instead of answering him.
• [Stop the car, let’s talk.] He said firmly. I sighed and parked my car, then got out.
• “What do you want?”
• He approached me, and I was surprised when he hugged me. I couldn’t move. What? Why isn’t my brain functioning? Figuratively. What did this guy inject into me?
• “Come on. Cry. Let it all out,” he whispered near my ear. I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall from my eyes.
• “W-what are you saying? Let go of me!” I said, trying to push him away. But his embrace was too tight for me to escape.
• “For now, forget that I hurt you before. I can lend you my shoulder to cry on.”
• Because of what he said, tears suddenly welled up in my eyes. The tears I’ve wanted to shed for a long time, I feel like I can finally release them now.
• “J-Jaxon,” I said between my hiccups.
• “Sshhh. Everything’s gonna be alright.”
• THIRD PERSON
• “Nice shot, dude,” a man standing not far away said, adjusting his black leather jacket.
• “I know,” his companion on the earpiece replied arrogantly. “I never knew that he could be this reckless. I’m excited to know why.”
• “Isn’t it too obvious? It’s because of that girl. We’ve known for a long time why he left her and hurt her, but it seems the idiot couldn’t resist,” he grinned as he watched his target in front of him, obviously pleased with what he saw, and he quickly started his motorcycle, which had been parked in front of the condominium as an exciting target.