Chapter 29

My parents and the officer who questioned me talked for a while. I didn't inquire about what they had discussed because I was busy listening to Tiden's stories. I just smiled as he talked about his experiences lately, especially the preparation for their upcoming concert in Bohol.

After a while, the officer approached us. My parents weren't with him so I think they were busy talking to the doctor. The man closed his eyes. "Many crimes have occurred in the paddy field in Baranggay Masulob-on. Just last night, the precinct received a report. Two women were raped."

I looked down. The truth is that I don't know why the officer was talking about that but I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the police knew what was going on in that area. Fortunately, I ran away from the covered court last night and didn't let the drunk men lay their hands on me. I may have become a victim of evil intentions.

"What are your plans for the place, Sir?" I asked and played with my fingers.

"We'll continue our patrol for now, Miss. We'll send a report to the National police." He smiled sparingly. "It's to prevent any more victims in the area, just like what happened last night. It's a good thing to mobilize our forces around that area."

I smiled sparingly. "That's good, Sir."

It's a good step but it won't erase the root of the problem. But I'm not in the position to propose some plans to an officer.

He smiled. "By the way, I want to thank you, Miss. The police realized that the area should not only be patrolled. They need to put more light poles in that area so that there will be no more incidents like yours, Miss. The area is really muddy because it is close in the paddy field. The light pole is only positioned in the covered court where the rice is harvested. It seems that one light pole is no longer effective."

I secretly laughed at what he said. Did they only realize it now? I shrugged. "Glad to help, Sir." And I smiled.

Soon the doctor came to my bed again with Mom and Dad. I was advised not to move too much so that my knee wound would not bleed. Then, I can go home.

Before I could say anything, I was surprised when I saw Tiden approaching the bed with a wheelchair from the corner of my eye. I blinked and frowned. When did he thought to look for that? We were just talking and I didn't notice him leaving my side while I was talking to the doctor.

Papa lifted me to sit in the wheelchair. I thanked him. It was Tiden who pushed the wheelchair out of the hospital. My parents and the police talked for a while, so Tiden took me straight to the parking lot outside the hospital.

My parents' car is parked outside. We waited for a while before Papa came over and activated the car. Tiden carried me inside while Papa folded the wheelchair and placed it in the compartment. Mama sat in the passenger seat.

"Are you comfortable with that, Joy?" he asked.

I nodded and smiled at the rearview mirror where Mama was looking. "I'm okay, Mom."

"Good." She turned to Tiden who was sitting next to me. "Thank you, young man. What's your name again?" Mom asked.

Tiden smiled slightly. "Tiden Rude, Ma'am."

"Ah. Call me Aunt Reb. You are the one who told us that Joy is in the hospital. Thank you very much."

"It's nothing, Tita Reb. I'm Rishell's friend so I'll help her."

Mom smiled. "You are a good friend, Tiden. It is good that my daughter has a friend like you."

Tiden looked down slightly. There was a small smile on his lips. "Thank you, Aunt Reb."

I pursed my lips. Even if he didn't say it, it was obvious that he was relishing the feeling of being praised by my mother.

I yawned and leaned my head on the headrest and back seat. I closed my eyes. I just felt Tiden's arm around my shoulder and he put my head on his shoulder. I adjusted the inclination of my head and pressed my face onto his neck. He gently caressed my cheek. I slept comfortably in his arms.

I WOKE UP to the feeling of floating. When I opened my eyes, I saw Tiden's face so close. There's no smile on his lips and it's my first time to see his serious expression. Whenever he's with me, he always wore a small smile on his lips but not now. I felt my cheeks warmed so I looked away.

I noticed we are at El Grande Lat and are about to enter the house.

"Wanna eat something?" he asked.

I shook my head. I leaned my head on his shoulder again and yawned slightly. "Just take me straight to my room. I want to take a shower."

"Do you want me to help you?"

"In the shower?"

He laughed. "Nah. You might scream."

I hit him gently. "You'll scandalized my Mom."

"I know," he said mischievously. I laughed again. He put me down on the sofa and talked to Mama for a while. He then asked permission to take me to my room. Mama just nodded so Tiden carried me up the stairs again.

"Am I heavy?" I asked.

"Mmm... yes," he replied.

I slapped his chest jokingly. He laughed. I just shook my head. I unlocked the door and he walked inside, to the bed then gently made me sit on the side of it. "Are you okay being alone?" he asked and knelt in front of me.

I looked down at the gauze on my knees then looked up at him. "When do you think this wound will heal?"

"Maybe next week."

I stared at him. I could clearly see his almond colored eyes. "I want to attend your concert."

"Maybe you can't." He smiled. "But we'll be live on the streaming site."

"But it's still different when seeing you perform face-to-face. Besides, it's a waste of the VIP ticket you gave if I can't use it."