Min Ah had tears in her eyes and when she felt the fingers running down her body. Min Ah was packing her handbag while the driver walked in. He stood behind her and touched her. Min Ah hated it.
"You are on your period I see," he said.
"Please stop," she begged the driver in this early thirties. Min Ah was always alone at home ever since she was young except the times maids cleaned the houses and cooked for her. And only her driver Ronald stayed with her. He joined them when he was only 25 and saw Min Ah growing up everyday. To Min Ah and Tim, he was like a part of the family taking care of all the household matters at home. Until one day when Min Ah was dressing alone in her room, Ronald showed and saw her. He has been trying to approach her ever since then. He always visited her whenever he could and bought her things. Tim who trusted Ronald like anything let him handle matters free and allowed to take Min Ah out for shopping without him. Min Ah at first had no idea what Ronald was doing to her, often touching her at places.
Later after she hit puberty, she found it uncomfortable. And she had the courage to Google what is happening to her. She was shocked shen found the truth but she did not have the courage to speak the truth. And Ronald threatened her saying he had recorded her. Thinking it's true, Min Ah chose to suffer alone and try to change Ronald.
Min Ah tried her best and kept asking him ti stop. But she failed to notice that the windows were open and that Derek watched the whole scene.
She heard the door bell ring and felt relieved. She pushed Ronald away and ran to the door. She wiped her tears. And quickly opened the door while Ronald left through the patio. She was shocked to see who it was.
"Derek," she said. She did not know what to do. "What are you doing here? I thought you left," She stood still and did not invite him.
"I forgot my notebook here," Derek said. He was panting. And eager to walk in. He did not know how to react. He could not decided to ask her or to catch the man or to report anyone about it. Derek walked in and took his notebook. He sat on the sofa. "Can I get some water? I ran back here from the bus stop,"
"I can see that," she said and walked back. She was not in her good spirits. Derek felt too bad for her. He wanted to punch that man but he was too powerless. He felt sick of the world and he wanted to ask her about it. But Derek did not wish to hurt the girl. He had no idea how to handle it.
"Lunch?" he asked her when she brought water.
"Am going to, Why don't you have it with me?" she said looking at the patio. Derek understood that she is trying to have company. He regretted rejected her before and agreed to join her.
"Yeah, I mean is it okay? I honestly feel burdened,"
"You don't have to feel bad, I told you I will always have you here as a part of family, I was never joking, you are my only friend, don't feel burdened it always my pleasure," she said to him and smiled. "I will serve the lunch," Min Ah got up from the sofa and walked back to kitchen. Derek followed her. Two sixteen year olds trying to handle life and being there for each other.
They were tired of it but they had limited choices, intact nothing. Derek and Min Ah settled down on the table. "Can I ask you something?" he asked her.
"Yes," Min Ah went pale all of a sudden.
"Am not trying to use you or anything, I got used to travelling with you every day to school. Can you keep it doing it? Pick and drop? Since you are on your way," Derek asked shamelessly though he was aware that the deal had not ended. But his parents were not aware about it.
"Dear lord, do you even have to ask me that Derek?" she said keeping her fork down. "I will of ocurse keep doing it, you don't have to worry about it, I thought you were going to ask me to stop it," she said feel relived and laughed a little. Derek felt glad to see her smile and laugh. He could see the tears stains but ignored them, not telling her, pretending to not have noticed it. "Derek, you are stupid,' she said.
"I am, phew," he said and dug into his plate of fried rice and chicken. She looked at for a minute surprised to see how friendly he is all of a sudden and doubted herself wondering if she failed to notice it before. She smiled and ate her food.
"When are you leaving for shopping?" when Derek asked that, her pleasant smile disappeared immediately.
"Now," she said.
"Can I join? Mom asked me to buy a sock, so I was planning to alone, I did not wish to come with you, now thinking about it,"
"I would be delighted if you join me," Min Ah a deep breath and told him. She really looked glad and close to tears. But she pretended to be fine unaware he had known about the abuse. But she least doubted his intentions. Derek successfully passed all the milestones without letting her know.
Derek forgot about his meeting with Taaliyah completely. To him being there for Min Ah mattered the most at the situation. But Taaliyah had already reached the library on time, waiting for him at the door itself. Excited girl, ready to meet her best friend after a month. And listen to his music.
Min Ah got ready and locked the house while Derek waited in the car for her. He watched Ronald closely while Min Ah say next to Derek. Ronald looked through the mirror at the two. And Derek caught it.