Not A Safe Place

Allie got startled when suddenly Ate Elsa appeared at her side, gasping for breath. Behind her was a young man about her age and precisely the one whom she saw singing a while ago.

"What happened?" asked Allie, her eyes shifted from Ate Elsa then to the man who silently stood beside her.

"It's Ben, starting a bloody fight again, and mauled Ramil badly. I need to go back, Allie, I am just taking Ajie out from there. He's not used to this kind of scene, and he must be terrified. I'm leaving him to you, Al. Please take care of him."

With this, she ran back again, and Allie was left staring into her back until she disappeared from her sight. She then turned to Ajie, who remained standing silently beside her, staring blankly at the direction of her auntie.

"Your name is Ajie, am I right?"

Allie broke the silence, seeing that Ajie seemed to have no plan of speaking up.

He nodded while glancing at her. "Yes."

There was silence once again, and Allie became uncomfortable.

"Hmmn... My name is Allie, short for Allyza."

"Thanks."

Allie stared at him, wondering why he was too silent. Was it because he got so scared of the incidence or because he was just dumb!

"Please, sit down," she motioned for him to sit down beside her on the rock.

Ajie hesitated, feeling agitated to sit down close to her. Yet, thinking that it would also be an insult to turn her offer down, he finally gathered his courage to settle himself beside her.

"Why are you here? This is such a dangerous place," Ajie finally spoke up. To

"Ajie, don't get me wrong. I just got amused that you finally talk. Nowadays, it's so seldom to find the so-called 'men of few words'."

"Are there no cases of rape and murder in this place?" he asked again, ignoring her comment.

Witnessing the bloody fight in his aunt's place, aggressions such as rape and murder couldn't be slightly

regarded.

"Of course. Horrible cases of rape and murder happened in this place before. Not to mention that this place is also a drug den," she answered as she gazed into his gentle and worried eyes, smiling weakly.

"Then you should not come here alone."

"Look over there! " Allie pointed her finger towards a tower with a red light.

"Few meters away from here, there are factories of computer parts, electronic components and of irons and steels. The owner of these companies supports the improvement of this district, especially the road developments and the proposed erection of a new bridge that would address the city's current problem of worsening traffic jams. His presence in this place will not only provide the solution of road congestions but is also providing solutions to the hundreds of jobless individuals through employment. His condition is to protect his workers, especially the women who would be passing this way since most of them come from this place. So, the security department of the city government assigns police patrol officers day and night. The red light indicates that the security camera is on."

"So do you mean that before you come here, you look first for the red light?"

"Of course," Allie smiled while Ajie sighed in relief.

"You're on vacation?" Allie diverted their topic, now that he seemed to be already comfortable with her.

"My parents want me to enroll in a big university, so I'll be staying with my uncle or auntie."

Allie gave her a pursed smile. "Just look for a boarding house near the university. Stay away from this place."

"What about you? Your family? My relative's family?" Ajie couldn't help wondering why she seemed to imply that they were safer in this place than him.

Allie chuckled out loudly. "I grow up in this place, and most of the people here know me, my family, and your family. You are new here, and the newbies are always a threat to the drug monsters here, thinking that they are spies."

Ajie fixed his gaze at her, contemplating what he should do. He just realized that city life was not all about success and opportunities but could also be hell. Too different from the peaceful haven in the mountains.

"Allie, Ajie!" Ate Elsa's voice ended out the seriousness of their topic as they both turned to her.

"How's the commotion, Te?" asked Allie calmly as if it was just a simple incident.

"It's over, finally. The cops came over, and Rod brought Ramil to the hospital... " Elsa sighed, knowing that this was only a temporary pause to their current contention.

The irony of it was that these drunkards never learned their lessons. Next weekend and all the coming weekends, they would be gathering again for another drinking session. And as expected, they would end up killing each other again.

"Auntie, what did that man mean when he said something about mom?" He looked at her intently, unblinking.

Auntie Elsa smiled. "When your mom was young, Ben was one of his stubborn suitors, but Issa chose your father instead. It took him a long while before he was able to move on. And every time he got drunk, he would always swear that he would take his revenge once their path would cross."

"I see."

"Ate, am I right in saying that Ajie is not safe here?" Allie just wanted a confirmation to make her suggestion valid to his analysis.

Elsa did not answer right away. She still thought if it was, indeed, right to tell him the truth.

"Jie, we must let your father leave early. It's so sad to say that the most dangerous people in this place are our relatives." Elsa felt so sorry about this, but there was nothing she could do.

"Allie, can you please help Ajie enroll in college tomorrow, and can you also help him find a safe place to stay?"

___

Hours later, when they were all settled into their bedrooms, Allie peeped into the hole in her bedroom wall. She could see Ate Elsa's lawn due to the bright moon rays lighting up their place.

Just as she expected, revenge was coming soon. A man came in with a black knapsack and sneaked into the main door. With a gadget in his hand, he was able to open the door quickly, eliminating even the slightest sound. She watched closely until the man came out and disappeared into the dark mangroves.

Early before daybreak later, the sound of the police cars awakened everyone in the neighborhood. As soon as Allie went out of the door, Ate Elsa ran to her, crying.

"Ally, what shall we do? The police just found a bag full of drug

packets in Ajie and Leo's things."

Allie quickly moved her eyes to look for Ajie. And there she saw him, standing so pale beside a police officer. Then, she heard the officer's command.

"Explain yourselves at the station and go with us right now."

...