"Please! Please! Help me!!" A boy in his school dress, his uniform rumpled and blood-stained, ran down the road, desperately waving his arms to stop the rushing vehicles. His eyes were wide with fear, reflecting the chaos around him, but not a single driver slowed down. "Sir! Sir! Please—" he cried out, his voice cracking, but the car zoomed past, leaving him feeling utterly abandoned in the middle of the road. Tears streamed down his cheeks, glistening in the harsh sunlight as he knelt, his small frame shaking with sobs, and screamed his heart out, the sound raw and heart-wrenching. Time was slipping away, and with a surge of determination, he stood up, his legs trembling as he raced down the road. Suddenly, the world around him began to spin, a dizzying blur of colors and sounds, and his legs gave up beneath him, collapsing onto the driveway.
*Screech*
Amaya slammed her brakes, her bike skidding to a halt as a body fell right in front of her. Her heart raced, and her eyes blazed with a mix of anger and disbelief. "Did you fucking get my bike to die on?!" she shouted, ripping off her helmet and tossing it aside. She jumped off her bike, ready to unleash her anger, but her breath caught in her throat when she saw the blood splattered across his shirt, vivid red against the white fabric. "Please, please save mom…" he whispered, his eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears, a haunting reflection of fear. Amaya took a step closer, her heart softening as she realized the blood wasn't his. "Hey, hey! Just breathe! What happened?" she asked, her voice now steady and calm, as she handed him her water bottle, the cool plastic a small comfort in the chaos.
"Excuse me! My little brother—he brought my mom in half an hour ago! Which room are they in?!" A young man in a mechanic's outfit, grease smeared across his clothes and hands, stood breathless in front of the hospital receptionist desk, sweat dripping from his forehead and neck. His eyes were wide with urgency as he scanned the busy hospital.
"Alex Brother!" A frantic voice rang out, echoing through the sterile hallway. Alex turned to see his brother, Alen, rushing toward him, his clothes stained with blood. "Alen! What happened to you?! This blood!" Alex's heart dropped as he trembled, gently cupping his brother's face, his hands shaking with fear.
"It's not mine! Mom is in the operating room! There!" Alen pointed toward the door, his voice a mix of panic and determination. Outside the operating room, they spotted Amaya, her phone pressed to her ear, her expression fierce and focused. "That sister gave us a ride, and when the doctor refused to operate without payment, she punched him and said she'd cover everything!" Alen explained, a hint of admiration in his voice.
Alex felt a rush of gratitude and relief. He smiled at Alen, pulling him into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry you had to see that. Mom is going to be fine, I promise." He wiped away Alen's tears, guiding him to a chair. "Just sit here and wait. I'll thank that amazing sister and be right back." With a reassuring smile, Alex walked toward Amaya, who had just finished her call and was now looking at him.
"Um... Thank you, thank you so much for everything. I honestly don't know what would have happened if you hadn't given them a lift and... and covered the expenses earlier." His voice trembled, tears welling in his eyes, glistening like tiny jewels. He pulled his phone from his pocket, fingers shaking as he struggled to regain his composure. "How about you share your bank's QR code, and... and I'll pay you back for the medical fees and your dress too?"
Amaya let out a weary sigh, her gaze drifting to her dress, now filled with bloodstains. "Can you really pay, though? Do you have enough money to cover all of that?" Her brows arched skeptically, her tone laced with concern.
Alex's smile wavered, a nervous chuckle escaping him as he replied, "I-I'll talk to my boss. I swear I'll pay you back everything in a month."
Amaya shook her head gently, a soft smile breaking through her serious demeanor as she began to walk down the hallway. "Don't stress about your mom's condition. She's going to be just fine," she reassured him, her voice steadying. She glanced back, her expression warm and encouraging. "And about the money," she added, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat, "If you need more, you have my number. Just call me. Don't worry about it. You can pay me back whenever—10, 20, or even 30 years from now. I'm not in a rush."
"Thank you..." Alex's voice wavered, and he quickly brushed away his tears as he followed Amaya outside. "What's your name?" he asked, his voice softening.
"Amaya," she replied, opening the door with a gentle smile. "I'm Alex. Honestly, I can't thank you enough, Amaya." He wiped his tears again, sincerity shining in his eyes.
Amaya smiled back, but her gaze drifted to the street, searching for someone. "What's wrong? Are you looking for someone?" he asked, a hint of worry creeping into his tone. Amaya nodded, rolling her eyes playfully. "Just a friend." Suddenly, her expression shifted, eyes wide as if a thought had just hit her. "Oh, right! Please make sure Alen gets to the doctors and has something to eat. I'll come by tomorrow with my friends to check in on you all."
Alex blinked in surprise, his heart racing. "You really don't have to—"
"Am I not allowed to come?" she interrupted, her voice firm yet laced with warmth. "Of course you are," he said, letting out a relieved sigh, a smile breaking through as he felt a sense of comfort in her presence.
"Oe! Ama!" Amaya spun around, and caught sight of Fred walking toward her, his helmet dangling from one hand. The moment his eyes fell on the blood-soaked fabric of her dress, his expression darkened, and he shifted his gaze to Alex, who stood frozen in disbelief seeing him there. "You-!" Fred barked, his voice sharp as he lunged forward, grabbing Alex by the collar, fury blazing in his eyes.
"You know him?" Amaya's voice calmed as she grasped Fred's wrist, trying to pull him away from Alex. Fred released his grip, disbelief etched across his face as he turned to Amaya, his voice a low growl filled with concern. "Did he do something to you?! Whose blood is that on your dress?!" His fingers brushed against the crimson stains, panic rising in his chest. "Wait—! Isn't this my favourite shirt?!?" He exclaimed, lifting Amaya's hands as if inspecting any further damage, his eyes darting over every inch of the ruined fabric.
Amaya, feeling bored to reply, slid her hand at Fred's pants, quickly digging into his purse. She pulled out a handful of cash and took Alex's hand then pressed the money into it. But before she could utter a word, Fred yanked the money back, his glare piercing. "Not a single penny will go to you, even over my dead body!" he shouted, his voice echoing with defiance.
"His mom got into an accident. She's in the operating room," Amaya interjected, her tone shifting to one of threat. Fred's fierce expression softened as he lowered his gaze, the fight draining from him as he placed the money back into Alex's palm with a pout. "No, no! I don't need it," Alex protested, trying to withdraw his hand, but Fred's glare hardened, his voice steady. "It's for Aunty, not you."
With a final, lingering wave at Alex, Amaya turned to leave with Fred, her posture relaxed and unhurried. Alex stared at Amaya's back, his heart thumping against his ribs, but he quickly shook off the feeling. "Alex brother, can I meet her again?" His little brother hugged his leg, eyes sparkling with curiosity as he looked up at Amaya's retreating figure.
Alex rubbed his head and smiled, trying to sound reassuring. "She'll come tomorrow," he said, his tone light. He watched Amaya walk away, her calm demeanour leaving a lingering sense of stability in the air.
"Urgh! It's the fifth formula I used! Why isn't my answer matching the book's?!?" Zeya groaned, grabbing her own hair in frustration. "Two plus five isn't eight, sweetheart." Zeya's eyes widened as she turned back in shock. Amaya stood behind her, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"Ama!" Zeya exclaimed, jumping into Amaya's arms, who caught her effortlessly. "Did you miss me?" Amaya asked, her voice low and teasing as she hugged Zeya tightly, their bodies pressed together as they walked toward Zeya's room.
"A lot! Oh no! I was angry with you! Let me go!" Zeya squirmed, trying to break free, but Amaya held her firm. "Angry at me? Why?" Amaya raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence while a playful smirk lingered on her face. Zeya shot her a glare, folding her arms and turning her face away, her cheeks flushed.
Amaya chuckled, the sound rich and inviting, as she dropped Zeya onto her bed. "You're cute when you're mad," she teased, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Zeya's ear.
"Don't touch me!" Zeya snapped, slapping Amaya's hand away while her heart raced. "I called you more than fifty times, but not once did you pick up!"
Amaya leaned in closer, her breath warm against Zeya's ear, her finger tracing Zeya's cheek with a feather-light touch. "Okay, next time, I'll answer even while I'm driving. I promise, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice dripping with playful seduction. As her hand slipped inside Zeya's dress, tracing her hips with cool fingers, the air thickened with tension, and Zeya's breath hitched, caught between irritation and undeniable desire.
"A-Ama…" Zeya stuttered, her breath hitching as Amaya's cold fingers danced along her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Despite the chill, her cheeks flamed with warmth, and her stomach fluttered with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Amaya lifted her gaze, her eyes sparkling with a blend of longing and joy that made Zeya's heart race. "You're so beautiful when you're flustered," Amaya teased, her voice low and sultry. She let her fingers trace the outline of Zeya's eyes, lingering there as if memorizing every detail.
With a gentle kiss on Zeya's forehead, Amaya rested her head against hers, the warmth of their closeness sparking the air around them. "I missed you, sweetheart, a lot," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Zeya's breath caught as she felt Amaya's hot breath ghost over her lips, arousing a fire within her. "Ama, you're—" Zeya began, but the words died in her throat as she gripped the bed sheets tightly, her whole body trembling with desire. "You can't just—"
Amaya smirked, leaning in closer, her lips teasingly brushing against Zeya's, "What? Can't just what? I thought you liked it when I got close." The teasing glint in her eyes made Zeya's heart race faster, caught between wanting to push her away and pulling her in closer.