Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 11 - While She Was Sleeping

In a world full of dilemmas, Dahlia never thought that she would experience this kind of difficulty. Since she met her dead husband, her life turned upside down, and to be honest, she didn't feel an ounce of regret fighting for their love.

Even knowing that being with him might put an end to her life, she still stayed.

They promised to stay together. To love and to hold until death does they part. They have been through a lot since they were teens, got tested by destiny, broke apart by her family, they still ended up marrying each other.

But perhaps, they chose the wrong place and time.

Dahlia was still in pain and bedridden. The doctors were trying to figure out how they could save her. She wasn't opening her eyes, unmoving, and looks like she's already dead. The machine ticking was a shred of evidence to tell that she's alive, which was a good sign. They were just planning to take out her baby by cutting her womb.

She was half-conscious, so she could still hear what they're saying. One of the voices sounds familiar and by just hearing Simeon's mother, she hopes.

Unconsciously, a tear fell down her cheek. In her sleep, she couldn't help but travel back to the past... The day wherein she and Simeon met for the first time.

It was raining cats and dogs in the middle of the afternoon. No one really expected the sudden change of the weather as it was hot an hour ago.

A lot of students were stuck in the waiting shed near their university, as well as Lia.

She didn't bring an umbrella. Her parents were too busy to send someone to pick her up. Even though she wanted to call their driver, she couldn't as they snatched her phone from her. She didn't have a friend to call either, and she was too scared to borrow her block mate's phone.

Everyone knows her as the shy and soft smart girl in their university. She has the looks and brains, yes. But she can't find the reason why no one wanted to be with her. It's like they were avoiding to conversate with her.

She's not scary either. In her collar-ed sweater and jeans, does she look dangerous? No.

She sighed in the corner. She wanted to burst out in frustration.

The people around her decreased as some of them were being picked up by a car, rode a bus, while she's stuck...

She wanted to cry at the idea that she doesn't know how to commute!

Her parents always had someone to go with her. And she was too stupid not to remember or study every single detail of the places. For what?

She thought she would always have someone beside her that would serve her and she was too dependent on them.

Groaning, she kicked her feet on the hard surface feeling pissed.

“Dang. Am I going to sleep here?” she cried. “It’s too dark and cold to sleep here. There’s no blanket and a comfortable bed. My lamp isn’t here, too...”

She sniffed. A tear fell down her cheek thinking of her situation. If she would ride a bus, she would just probably get lost.

Lia doesn’t want to make her situation worse.

She leaned on the wall and closed her eyes, holding her bag tight on her lap. Good thing she wore a bit thick sweater, so she wasn’t that cold.

She heard footsteps but didn’t bother to look at who. Maybe it was just another student stuck with her in this shed.

Well, at least she’s not alone.

“Are you going to stay here until dawn?”

Like a flash, she stood up causing her bag to fall. Her eyes went wide when the things inside scattered on the ground!

“S hit...” she uttered, realizing that she forgot to zip her bag! What happened just added to her stress.

Now she has to pick all those pieces! In front of this... Wait...

Slowly, she raised her head, studying the man from head to toe. From his white sneaker and ripped jeans, to his black shirt that was obviously wet from the rain.

Then to his face... When she saw the man, she stepped back.

He was thin and tall. Hair was so thick and long that it covered his round and big eyes. It was messy but by looking at him closely, she could see the beauty hiding.

Her mouth gaped open slightly. “Who are you?”

“Oh, you don’t have to know. I was just passing by...” he answered with a smile. “I noticed you sitting here alone and thought maybe you need someone to accompany you until your driver picks you up.”

Her brows shot up. And how did she know that she has someone to pick her up?

Well, not today as her parents forgot that they had a daughter waiting for them to come.

“I don’t have a driver,” she said. Lia started picking up her things and put them back in her bag.

The man didn’t even offer his hand to help her. She hissed silently. What a un gentleman!

They both sat on the bench and Lia was looking somewhere, avoiding him. It was uncomfortable as she could feel his stares. She even had to scoot away from him.

“I could send you home,” he offered. “I’m not a bad guy though. You could have my ID, or even inform the police that you’re with someone named Simeon Du Marais.”

She shook her head. She’d rather have the police fetch and take her home than this stranger! But she has no phone to call them.

Again, she scooted over. Her butt’s now at the edge of the bench.

“I don’t talk to strangers, sorry...”

The latter chuckled. “Then, let us introduce ourselves, so we can consider each other as friends and not strangers.”

“Shut up,” she harshly turned her head to look at Simeon. “I’d rather stay here and wait than come with you! Who knows what you’re capable of?”

“Seriously...” Simeon blew a deep breath. “I’m not a bad guy! But anyway...”

Fear creeps through her when he stood up as if he was going to leave! Alright, she needs someone to accompany her because she feels so lonely sitting alone!

“I heard someone died here, right at this place...” He said casually. “An unknown group rob and killed the woman that was sitting right in your spot.”

She quickly jumped on her seat upon hearing him!

“It was raining and dark, too. According to the report, she was waiting for a bus but she was too tired and she fell asleep, waiting. It was already midnight when she woke up. Sadly, a group of men was just waiting for her to wake up before executing their plan.”

“Then why wait?! They could have just...”

Suddenly, there was a group of men running towards the shed. Unconsciously, she walked near Simeon and hid behind him, even clutched his shirt due to fear.

“They could have just taken her things when she’s asleep,” she continued.

“The group of men did something to her aside from robbing and killing the woman.”

“You’re scaring me...” her voice shivered. “What if that group of men was planning something?”

Simeon looked at her through his shoulder, then let out a small laugh.

“Now you’re judging those men.”

“What if...” she defended. “I’m just stating the possibilities. They look like they’re capable of doing bad things.”

This time, Simeon never holds back himself from laughing hard and loud. Meanwhile, Lia was confused and took a step away from her.

She kinda feels ashamed for him.

“Stop laughing!”

“Then stop making me laugh!” He told her, not being able to stop himself from chuckling.

It took him a minute to compose himself. While he was laughing, Lia was trying to eavesdrop because she could hear the men talking! One of them was even glancing in their direction!

Taking out her notepad and pen, she faced Simeon.

“What’s your name? Address? Cell Phone number? Name of your parents? Also, give me all the identification cards you have with you.”

Simeon bit his lower lip. “Are you seriously asking me that?”

“C’mon! Just answer me! I wanted to make sure that I’m safe with you! And at least I would have something that the police could look into if bad things happen to me while I’m with you!”

“Geez...” Simeon sighed.

Taking her pad and pen, he turned her around and laid the notepad on her back, then started to scribble his personal information.

“I hate you...” Lia uttered under her breath. “Just make sure that I’d go home safe and sound. If not, I will prolly hunt you.”

Once he finished, he took a piece of paper and gave it to her then smirked.

“To be fair, write down your personal information, too.”

Her lips parted. “What... What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “Just write your name, complete address, and phone number. So if something bad happens to me, at least it would give the police an idea who I’m with before my death, if ever.”

“You’re...” She pointed him with her finger. “You’re too much! I wouldn’t do something bad that would harm any of us!”

“So do I...” Simeon turned his back from her.

Lia had no choice but to do the same thing. She was gritting her teeth as she wrote her name, pressing the pen too hard to let him know that she was annoyed!

“I hate you so much,” she cried annoyingly then, put a period way too hard that made Simeon wince in pain.

“Ouch, that hurts!”

“Serves you right!” She threw the piece of paper in his direction. “Where’s your car? I want to go home...”

“Who said we’re going to ride a car?”

As if on cue, someone from the group of men interrupted them, throwing a key that Simeon quickly catches.

“It's a full tank,” the stranger told her.

“Good, then...” Looking at her, he pointed to the motorcycle that was parked just near them. She just noticed it now.

“No, no, no...” She shook her head. “We’re not going to ride in that damn thing, Simeon!”

“You have no choice, Miss...” It was the stranger. “And please, stop judging people by their appearance. It’s not good.”

This time, she just wanted the ground to swallow her. They heard... And Simeon was friends with the group!