Riya was sitting on the cold floor with the woman in front of her. They were in Riya's apartment. Riya was cleaning the wet blood on the woman's face. As Riya was cleaning, the woman was becoming younger like she was a teenager. Her body was full of fresh and old bruises. She even had one blue eye. Riya was being very gentle but the woman was still hissing. Susan entered the room with the medical kit in her hand. She placed the bag next to Riya. Riya thanked Susan and started fiddling with the bag. The woman was looking at Riya. She was admiring Riya for some time. She could not see properly because her bob black hair was on her face. Kris entered the room with two white packets in his hands. He placed them on the kitchen counter. Susan came to help him.
Riya took out some red-colored ointment. She took a sniff of the ointment. Her face made a weird reaction after smelling it. She put a few drops on the cotton wool then she started applying it to the woman's wound.
"Sss.", she hissed again.
"Sorry about that but it tells that it's working. If it burns or stings, that means it's killing all the bacteria in your wounds.", Riya explained.
Susan came with four plates. "Girl, you were quite fast over there. Where did you learn how to fight?", she asked.
"I just know how to fight.", Riya answered while applying on the woman's forehead. She was looking at Susan. "Do you allow doctors to come to your apartments?", she asked.
Susan knew what Riya meant. "No, but a friend of mine is a doctor. I will call her."
"Please, she is very bad."
"No problem."
Riya looked at the woman. "What's your name?", she asked.
"Ling.", she said while hesitating.
"Well Ling, I'm Riya Moodley. This is Susan and..."
"Kris Wang, Wang Liang's brother.", Ling answered in a low tone.
"Nice to meet you Ling.", Susan and Kris spoke at once.
Ling did a slight bow then looked back at Riya. Riya was doing her best to sort out the wounds. The wounds were quite deep which would probably get infected. Ling was still watching Riya. Riya noticed Ling's stare.
"Are you okay?", she asked out of concern.
Ling wrapped her arms around Riya's neck. Riya moved slightly back. She normally did not give people hugs in a hurry. She normally did not like people touching her except her friends and family. Kris and Susan were also looking at them. Ling started crying out of the blue. Riya could hear it. Riya tapped Ling's back like she was a baby.
"It's okay, you are safe now.", Riya spoke.
Ling removed herself from Riya. She wiped the tears away from her face. "I'm just crying because I'm happy that I don't have to live with that man anymore.", she said while crying.
Riya looked at Ling with some sadness but she did not show it. She did not want to ask any questions because she did not want to make matters worse for Ling. Susan and Kris came to the group with the containers. They place them on the floor. They took a seat while looking at Ling.
Riya finally made her decision. "Ling, you can stay with me for a while. Susan will bring food for you, Kris and my friends will check on you now and then.", Riya said.
Ling looked at her. "Can I just stay here for a few months?", she asked.
Riya nodded. "Sure, you can help me decorate my apartment. It will make you feel better.", she said with a loving smile.
Ling smiled back. "Thank you, Riya."
Ling's stomach started growling. She placed her hands on her stomach. Riya laughed a bit. "How long have you not eaten a proper meal?", she asked.
"For six months, I was only eating bread and butter."
Susan and Kris looked at Ling with shock. Riya's expression was indifferent. "Lucky, I ordered four containers of food. You look so thin.", Kris said.
Susan gave them plates and a set of chopsticks. Riya gave a plate and a set of chopsticks to Ling. Ling bowed to Riya as a 'thank you' gesture. Riya started dishing out food for Ling. Riya put two pieces of sticky soy sauce chicken drumsticks, plenty of noodles, and some vegetables stir-fried. She made sure that Ling had plenty on the plate.
"Thank you.", Ling said to Riya like a little sister.
Riya nodded with a smile. Riya started dishing out for herself. Susan and Kris were already eating. They were looking at Riya's fingers on how she was holding the chopsticks. Riya was a bit clumsy but she could hold it properly. Riya moved her face away from the food and sneezed out loud suddenly. Everyone stopped eating and looked at her.
"Riya, get some medication.", Susan said.
"What's wrong with Riya?", Kris asked.
"She is sensitive to the pollen and there are so many roses here.", Susan answered then continued eating.
Riya took some noodles and took a bite from them. It was spicy but she could handle it. But it was so delicious. Everyone was enjoying the meal. Ling was struggling to eat properly because her lips were sore. But she was enjoying the food that she had not eaten for a long time.