Promise

Promise

Chapter Four

Miggy took me to the university football field and we sat in bleachers as he treated my wound. I didn't say a word while he was doing that. I also couldn't look at him because I was embarrassed to face him. I'm embarrassed because he saw me like that as if I just wanted to kill my enemy earlier because of anger. I really can't control my anger especially when I'm hurting so much.

"Ouch!" I groaned because of the excruciating pain I experienced while Miggy was treating my wound.

"I thought you haven't felt anything," he said, so I looked at him so our eyes met.

"Idiot" I mumbled after I took off my eyes on him, and a few seconds after he continued treating my wound.

"You don't have to do this. You don't need to treat a monster like me" I stated,

"Don't say that! You're not a monster—"

"Then, what am I?" his eyes suddenly widened because of the tone of my speech. I gulped because I think I did something wrong again, I took my eyes off him again.

"You're not a monster" he uttered but I didn't bother to look at him.

"You're just hurt by the thing they said to you" in shock I looked at him. "I heard everything. Starting with the woman who says you have something with her boyfriend, and what the man told you earlier. All the hurtful words they said to you—I heard all that." I was dumbfounded as he said those words.

"At first, I felt terrified. However—" he stops treating my wound and he rests my wounded hand into his lap.

"—When I saw your eyes while looking at the people watching you one by one, that's when I found out that you are hurting too much. Not only to your enemies before but also to the people who think you are a monster… but you're not" I forced a smile because of what he said. I knew he was doing this to comfort me.

"I'm a violent person, Miggy. That's why my family le-left me" I stammered as I felt the pain coming again.

"Maybe… maybe this the cost I need to pay for" I gave him again a forced smile.

"I will never change. I will grow old alone because I will only hurt the people around me as well"

"You really won't change if that's your mindset" my forehead furrowed as I thought of the last thing he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked. Instead of answering my question, he just smiled at me and walked until his feet touched the ground after he faced me again.

"Promise me that you'll never do any violence again," he said,

"I can't promise that!" I shouted because my voice is quite small and he can't hear clearly where he stands right now if I can't elevate my voice a bit.

"You can!" he forced me. He approached me and I was shocked when he put both his hands on my face and he slowly brought his face closer to mine. I can't move my foot to push him away from me, even my hand seems to be stuck to my seat so I can't move.

"Promise me" It's as if I can't even get out for some unknown reason. I just stared at him while my whole system was malfunctioning.

"Pr-promise" I congratulate myself for trying my best not to stammer, but I did. What an embarrassment I am. I breathed a sigh of relief as he removed his hand and turned his face away from me. Did I mention how handsome he looks? Because he is handsome, indeed.

"I'm rooting for that," he said while pointing his pointed finger to me.

"I'm gonna be by your side from now on" his forehead furrowed again because of what he said. "What are you talking about?" I asked,

"Umm, we will go to university and go home together" My face was like a painted 'what' reaction because of the idea he thinks.

"Are you nuts? We are not on the same schedule. You are a Multimedia Arts student while I am a Medicine student"

"That's fine. I have my ways" he said and smiled widely,

"You're gonna be two-hour early to your class" I noted,

"Isn't that good? I can't be late anymore" he replied,

"Okay, deal?" he lends his hands to me like he wanted to shake hands to end this deal but I shook my head.

"C'mon! I'm not satisfied with just the promise, it's okay when you're with me" I was shocked when he said that. A strange feeling is emerging inside me again.

"Fine," I said,

"Yes!!" He shouted happily; I couldn't help but laugh softly because of his reaction.

A week with Miggy is kind of enjoyable. He is nice, but a little bit naughty. I always secretly laugh every time we go to university because his face was just awake, obviously still drowsy. He was still yawning while we were walking down the street.

Whenever the class ends, I wait for him in our university cafe because my class ends earlier than his. I always see him running towards the cafe whenever I wait for him. I'm not certain that why time seems to slow down when I see him approaching me.

When we walk home, he always has a lot of stories to tell me, as well as his stories, which make me laugh so badly that I almost pass out. I'm curious as to why Miggy becomes stunned or stops after I laugh or smile. I'll ask him why, but he just answers me with a smile, an angelic smile to be specific.

But today is different, Miggy told me that we weren't going home together because they were going to do a group presentation. It means, I'm gonna be alone again.

I suddenly felt changed that I was alone because I was with Miggy for a few days even though I was alone for a few years and now he's not with me. it's just a week but it feels a long time ago like as if I were used to it

Since I had no choice, I just went home alone. I'm leaving the university with students like me who are going home safely, but I'm not like them. I hadn't been far from university when I felt a strong thump from my cheek. I lay down on the concrete ground because of that. I close my eyes to the extreme pain I feel.

Hanz lifted me from the floor using the collar of my blouse. He lifted me till his face met mine, then slapped me hard. I spit blood because of that.

"You almost killed me, you beast," he said then gave me another strong blow.

I would have punched him but…

'Promise me, that you'll never do any violence again'

My hand remained in the air as my whole system stopped because I remembered Miggy told me. I slowly looked up at Hanz and there I saw his crazy smile.

"You want to punch me? Go! Idiot!" he yelled after he punches me in my stomach causing me to weaken my knees. I can't stand anymore because of the pain I felt right now. Like, the pain I feel is slowly killing me.

I'm ready to fight. I want to punch him until he feels the pain, he's inflicted on me. But I made a promise, and I want that promise to be kept. I want Miggy to trust me because I kept the promise, I made to him. I don't want him to think I'm a real monster, indeed.

I just closed my eyes and stopped feeling the kicks Hanz was giving me. I wanted to scream for help but couldn't. I want to call for help, but I only want Miggy to assist me.

I was praying that the person who wanted to help me would come. Gradually, my vision became blurred, so I didn't know what was around me. It was great because it was sunny, and Now, I can barely see a group of people running closer to where I was. A man was approaching me; I couldn't see him because I was already weak, but I had a feeling he was something I have prayed for to come to my rescue.

"Millie," the man said, I made a small smile to my lips when I heard the familiar tone of voice in front of me.

"Millie, wake up! It's Miggy" he said seemingly reminding me that he was Miggy.

"I… I po-promise you t-that I w-will never do any… any violence" I really tried to speak properly, but I can't.

"I… do wh-what you ask, and I'm… glad to see you here s-saving me"

"Fuck! Shiela, call an ambulance now!!" you heard Miggy's tone that he is nervous while carrying me into his arms.

"Don't close eyes, please. I'm begging you, Millie" My eyes widened when I heard her plea. I don't know why I remained calm while I was looking at him when he doesn't know what to do.

"Just stay with me, Millie. Please, just stay" because of what he said my heart was racing. It seems that because of those words I am more confused than I am. Whether I am hurt or thrilled because of him.

If I had previously accused my own conscience of why I had even previously helped this person. But now, I feel thankful for my conscience for bringing me this kind of person I knew not existed in the world, who gives my dark world a color.

I feel I have found my counterpart.