Chapter 3 | Discharge
1668 Words
Femi’s Point Of View
“But, Ms. Custa, do you know who is behind the offer in the black market? What is so special about you that you cost that much?”
Everyone in the office is curious about this girl. Even though she is expressionless at this moment, I could see the sadness in her eyes. I though she would cried after receiving the folder but her composure remains.
Maybe it’s because she’s been through a lot. She don’t know if her parents are alive. And when she was adopted, the family fall apart because of her.
“I think it was the doctor who rampaged. I know I am one of the most recognizable children back then so I guess they would like to use me or kill me to shut me up.”
I wonder how recognizable she is. According to her records, her intelligence is quiet recognizable but contrary to that, she have a sickly body that an ordinary flu could last for a week. I could see how fragile she is.
“I see. That’s it for now. Since you are now under the MA’s protection, and currently the lead to that case, you will be staying at the MA’s dorm. Take a rest. Sergeant will fetch you when you get discharge.”
“Thank you.”
We left her on her own. I feel sad for her. We are walking down the stairs when I suddenly stop.
“What’s the matter, Sergeant?”
“We have one more room available.”
He looked puzzled. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean… I would like to request to be Hanyah’s guardian. She’s been through a lot. She needs an environment that would help her heal.”
For a couple of minute, Lieutenant remains quiet. I know this is a hard request. But I really want to help her.
“Don’t let your guard down, Sergeant. Although she never said any lie earlier, that doesn’t mean that she’s harmless. Compare to other offers in the black market, her reward is higher that the Class A criminal. They posted with that big amount because she is hard to find or catch.”
“But would it be nice if we could keep an eye on her? She may cause danger but maybe she will let is know everything when she became comfortable. His foster father loves her so much. If-”
“She could possess more than one matter. She could harm you and Alithir.”
“But we-”
“It’s that what you really like? Fine. I’ve warned you. You prepare the documents needed.” He said and walked faster.
I don’t know if I made the right choice but it feels like I should do this.
“Thank you, Lieutenant.”
***
In the very next day, I visited her. I am walking on the hallway in when a nurse approach me. It’s Hanyah’s nurse.
“Sergeant, you’re here for Ms. Custa?”
“Yes. I brought some lunch.”
“Well, she doesn’t eat well since she woke up. She said she doesn’t have an appetite. She didn’t eat her breakfast earlier. She’s been crying since yesterday and the night shift staff thought that a ghost is crying at the middle of the night.”
Oh poor child. “I’ll talk to her. Thank you.”
When I reach her room and opened the door. She immediately looked at me.
“Sergeant… You’re here. I thought I will get discharge tomorrow?”
“Yes. I visited you because my cousin, Alithir cooked a lot today. I don’t have anyone to share this so I visited you. Have you eaten already?”
“Ah.. no.”
“Great. You’ll love this. He is a great cook.”
She didn’t reject my offer. After I set up the food for us, she stared at the chicken adobo* in the container.
“Taste it.”
She forked a piece of meat and inserted it into her mouth. It immediately brightens her. “It tastes good!”
Her eyes glimmer. It was the first time I saw her a little happy. Now, she’s eating it with rice.
“I told you. By the way, a nurse told me you skip breakfast.”
“The food here tastes bland. This adobo is superb. I wish I could cook as tasty as this.”
So, that’s the reason. Hehe.
“You could ask him when you go home with us tomorrow.”
She suddenly coughed so I hand her my water. “Are you alright?”
“*cough* Yes. Thank you. What did you say again?”
I laughed. “You’re coming home with us tomorrow. The higher ups approved my request to take you. I will be your new guardian and you will be staying at my house with my cousin.”
“But… why?”
“I need another person at home. Ali will be out for a month so it will be lonely. And the vacant room in the house was never been used since we rented the place. Wait. Don’t you like it? Do you want to stay in the dorm?”
“No… I just find it weird since we haven’t know each other yet you welcome me into your home.”
“No, its fine. You see, my cousin and I were orphans. It’s really good to have someone with you so I requested for it. I hope it’s okay with you.”
She nodded and smile.
***
“Ali, faster.” I dragged him inside the hospital. He hates visiting hospital unless its in the morgue. “Aren’t you interested to meet her again?”
“What do you mean? Of course I AM NOT.” He looked pissed.
I told him about being the new guardian of Hanyah yesterday and asked him to fetch her with me.
“C’mon. I know you were excited to see her again. You can’t sleep last night.”
He is so cute when he is in denial. I love teasing him.
“Shut up! I hate you! Let go of me!”
“Shh! We’re in the hospital, you stupid.”
“Then please stop using your matter with me! You’re invading my privacy.”
“Privacy? C’mon. Just don’t touch me when you’ve done something private.”
“Shut up. Stop dragging me.”
He keeps on taking my grip on his hands but I’m stronger than him so basically, he can’t.
“Femi?”
I asked her to call me Femi and in return, she wants me to call her Anya.
We saw Hanyah standing outside of her room. She waved at us so I waved at her with the hand I’m using to drag Alithir.
“Fem, let go.” Alithir whispered.
“C’mon. Stop blushing.”
“I’m not.”
“Anya, what are you doing outside?”
“Sir Philip is settling the bills. He asked me to wait here.” She looked at Alithir. “Hi, I haven’t thanked you for what you’ve did. Thank you so much and I’m Hanyah.” She offered her hand.
She is livelier than yesterday.
“Alithir.” He said and shakes her hand.
Oh boy. I could smell that he likes her. I never imagine Alithir being soft but when he rescued Hanyah back then, he sounds like a prince charming saving a princess.
“Why are you smiling like that? Tsk.”
Now he’s back in his old bad boy self.
“By the way, the adobo you’ve cooked yesterday taste superb. Can you teach me next time?”
Hanyah attacked! She moved so quick. Now, Ali, how are you going to handle her cuteness?
“S-S… Stop acting close. We’re not even friends.”
Hanyah’s smile disappeared. “Oh. Sorry.”
Minus 10 Alithir.
“You’re here.” Lieutenant arrived. He handed me a folder. “You can have lunch outside or go home.”
“Lieutenant, I’m cooking at home for lunch. Do you want to join us?” Alithir asked.
“Ali, he is a busy person.”
Lieutenant is workaholic. So he will-
“Sure.”
Okay.
“Yes. Lieutenant, are you craving for something? I can cook it for you.” Alithir said with excitement.
Alithir idolized Lieutenant. I can't disagree with him because I idolized him too. Even though he is always cold and serious, he never fail to help those who are in need.
"Let's go?" I asked Hanyah and she smiled.
At home, Lieutenant helped Alithir cook while I was helping Hanyah arrange her luggage. Mrs. Beatson bring me her luggage after Mr. Custa's family left her stuff in the apartment.
"Sergeant, do you like him?" she asked out of the blue while we are waiting for the two to serve the food.
I looked at her and she's staring at Lieutenant.
"W-What are you talking about?"
"You're easy to read, Femi." she laughed. “He looks good in pink apron, doesn’t he?”
I looked at Lieutenant. Did she catch me staring at him in my apron? He actually looks ho-
"What's the matter?" Lieutenant asked and seat beside me.
Hanyah grin. This silly girl.
- Writer
