TWENTY ONE
=ASHLEY’s POV=
I know Asher is angry when I left him earlier. We had already talk that I would wait for him in the parking lot but I go and left him. It is like that I let him know that I could trade him for anything or anyone. I made him look like a fool earlier in front of Eugene.
I don’t want to do that, but Eugene is right, I need to know the truth. I can’t stay quiet when that man dies without being able to talk to me. I don’t want that to add to my regrets for the rest of my life.
I know that nothing will happen and everything will not be changed even if I know the whole truth. But I can not be silent until the question in my mind is un-answered that I have long wanted to find an answer.
‘WHY ME?’
With the number of women, why did they choose me?
And now it will have the answer. All I had to do was go to the person who could give me an answer before it’s too late.
“Are you alright?” Eugene asked so I looked at him.
“I don’t know,” I replied as my chest continued to throb.
“Just relax, we’re close.”
Relax? How can relax if what I will face is not just anyone? But one of the men who abused me. One of the men who hurt me and ruined my life.
“We’re here.” I frowned when I realized where we were.
We are here at the hospital where my son is also confined.
Was it meant to be a coincidence?
“Let’s go.”Eugene came down first but I didn’t immediately follow. He walked over to my door and opened it. “Ashley.” I took a deep breath first. “Come on,”
I got off and went with Eugene.
As I walked towards the man’s ward I felt like I was floating in the air. My legs feel weak. It seems like anytime there is some kind of bomb I face that will just explode lightly.
“This is his room.”
My body trembled, my knees trembled as I stood in front of a door. My chest was pounding and I didn’t know if I was going to step inside.
“Ashley,” Eugene called to me.
I turned to him but I did not answer.
Am I ready to face the man in that room?
Can I do it?
Eugene grabbed the doorknob then pushed softly.
“Wait,” I held his hand to stop him. “I don’t think I can. I think I made the wrong decision.”
“No, you made the right decision, you’re just not ready.” I did not answer. I remained standing and staring at the door.
“Don’t leave me, please,” I said.
“I’ll stay. Come on.” He opened the door and went in first while holding my hand.
And there he is. Lying in bed. There is oxygen, very thin, with a woman —— she was the one who bumped me at the hypermart.
As I looked at the man in bed I couldn’t help but think of what he had done to me. Suddenly the memory of the past returned.
How he let me go.
(“Run, they won’t let you go. Kranky won’t let you go. I heard that after they finish what they want from you they will kill you.”
My whole body trembled in fear because of what he said. They will also kill me even if they get what they want.
“Why are you doing this? Why are you letting me go?”
“Because I’m not as bad as you think. My only mistake was that I went with them. I didn’t know there was a plan like this. But maybe it was also God’s plan so I can help you. I hope you will forgive me. I know that what I did from you is not enough for me to be forgiven. Not now. But, hopefully, the day will come. Go now before they will come.” He said as he handed me the car key.)Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.
After that incident, I didn’t see him again.
“Thank you and you came.” Weakening but he said while smiling. “Thank you,” he repeated.
I didn’t realize I was in tears. If Eugene hadn’t handed me the tissue I wouldn’t have noticed it.
More than two years ago. He might lose weight. Something had changed in his physical appearance. But I will never forget him. I knew that he was the man who let me escape.
One of the four men chased me.
I didn’t say a word and just remained standing My hands trembled as the memories came back to me. The memory of how I suffered at their hands. How they tortured me. How they hurt me and how they drove me away.
He and those with him.
The night that ruined my life. The reason Charles came into my life. The night that I lost everything to me and caused me suffering from then until now.
The night that caused what I am going through now at the hands of Asher.
“I’m sorry.” He started while crying. “My conscience bothered me so I looked for you. I want you to know who our leader is. With him, you will know everything why we did that to you.” I took a deep breath then smiled bitterly. I approached the bed while Eugene was behind me.
“Reymark Polio is his name. He is also known as Kranky. He’s the mastermind of your kidnapping” He was giving me information while continuing to cry.
“Why did you do that? You ruined my life. Everything from me. You took from me everything I have.” I just kept crying.
“I don’t know. I just went along but I don’t know. Sorry, Ashley, I hope you forgive me. I’m about to die. I want to die peacefully. And I will only be quiet when I tell you the truth together with your forgiveness.”
Forgiveness?
Is there still forgiveness in my heart for what they did to me?