Chapter 4

2 hours and 50 minutes of negotiation.

When my medicines were delivered, Raho handed me a bottle of water and a sandwich.

"Eat first before you take your medicines"

"Yeah. Thank you"

I looked at my medicines then unwrapped the sandwich and take a bite. The other hostages were also given sandwiches but they do not touch it.

"Balantay"

He raised his hand and called one of his men.

"What is it?"

"Look after Nita"

"Okay. By the way, who is next?"

Raho looked at me before he answered.

"That old fox"

I almost got choke with what I heard.

'Is he imitating me?'

"Ah... that quack doctor. Bibit will be glad"

Balantay responded and guarded me when Raho left my side.

3 hours of negotiation.

"Hello?"

Leila responded to the call of Raho.

"Bitch. I will release two hostages on one conditon"

"What is it? Also, my name is Leila. Not bitch"

"Who cares? Tell to your supervisors that they need to reopen the cases of Melissa Guerrero, Stefan Villamor, and Isaac Lopez. These are all related to medical malpractices of different doctors, but the real murderer of these children is the famous doctor Nerissa De Dios"

"Okay"

"I know when you bluff, bitch!"

"I said my name is Leila!"

The negotiator dropped the call.

"You are hot-tempered"

A young lady commented while seductively looking at Raho.

'Disgusting'

He thought and rolled his eyes.

"Do I allow you to talk, dumbass?"

The young lady was shocked and embarrassed because her charms did not worked at him. Even Raho's men laughed at her.

3 hours and 30 minutes of negotiation.

"Drag Nerissa De Dios near the driver's seat"

Raho commanded and two of his men dragged her in front of the driver.

"You can now revenge for the injustice of your daughter"

Raho said and handed him a gun. He received the gun with his trembling hands and pointed it to Nerissa, aiming for her head.

"W-Wait! If you want justice for your daughter... I will voluntarily surrender to the police. I w-will tell them the crimes I have committed! So, p-please spare my life!"

The driver looked at Raho.

"It is your choice. I already handed to you the justice you want for your daughter"

"Will you really surrender?"

"O-Of course! I will!"

He lowered the gun and pointed it at Raho. I stand up from my seat when I sensed danger around Raho.

'What is that? Why am I worried?'

"Bang!"

Raho excitedly made that sound when no pellet came out from the driver's gun when he pulled the trigger. He laughed like a madman and then he stopped, sending shivers to the driver and the civilians.

"Make a clean 'surgery' on that quack doctor"

"... I hate traitors the most. Shoot him"

He coldly commanded and the driver was shot on his mouth while Nerissa's neck was cleanly slit. I closed my eyes on the bloodshed that I witnessed.

'At the end of the day, they are criminals. But...'

I thought while shutting my eyes. I can hear the sobbing of the hostages because of the traumatic scene.

"I will release two hostages now. Bring two wheelchairs in 15 minutes"

When I heard Raho speaking, I opened my eyes and saw him in front of me, in a not so distance yet not so near space between us. He was in a call with the negotiator before he hang up.

"Are you okay?" "Are you okay?"

We both asked the same question at the same time. I don't know why I asked it, but I know the feeling of being betrayed by someone. He might be used to it, but I believe that he is still human capable of being hurt after being betrayed.

"I-I'm okay"

I stuttered a little for whatever reason. When he sat down beside me, I sat down too.

"Are you worried about me?"

"N-No...!"

"Then, is it my imagination that you are ready to run to me when I got really shot?"

"Why would I--? hah!"

I fanned my face because I started to get embarrased. His argument is true anyway.

'Why does this man always...make me confused with my own feelings'

I thought while fanning my face.

"That habit of yours...I am glad there are things that did not changed"

I stopped fanning my face when I heard that.

"Did you perhaps..."

'No...they know every single thing about us'

Raho is looking at me, waiting for me to finish my sentence.

"No, nevermind"

I ignored the possibility that he and I personally know each other before.

"I love you, Nita"

I froze at his sudden confession, struck silent by his words. Yet, I could not help but stare into his eyes.

"Our time is unpredictable. I want to tell you this unspoken words that I kept for years. At least before my time ends"

He let out a heavy sigh and looked at my bewildered expression.

"You hate others flicking your forehead unless it was me"

My eyes widened at what he said. Raho is my childhood friend in high school who always topped the whole batch.

"P-- Ouch!"

He flicked my forehead really hard when I tried to call his real name.

"I am not that person anymore"

He chuckled upon seeing me rub my reddened forehead.

"You are so mean"

I pouted because, for heaven's sake, it hurts!

"I did this once on our way home. You still react the same"

He laughed joyfully, and I remembered how we always took the same bus home. Once, he flicked my forehead hard, and I reacted just like I did today.

"Hm. You even blew on my forehead back then to ease the pain"

Unknowingly, I am smiling at the memories of us during those days.

"I miss those days"

I spoke and noticed the affectionate way he gazed at me. My heart began to race. It felt like experiencing the thrill of falling in love for the first time all over again. To be honest, he was my first love, but I hesitated to confess due to rumors that he was already dating someone from another class. When I got to know the girl, I decided to let go of my feelings because of her wonderful personality.

'If only I knew his feelings back then, I should have confesssed'

"I've wasted 34 years waiting for this day to come"

Instead of blowing my forehead to ease the pain, he pulled down his mask and placed a warm and long kiss on my forehead that he flicked.

"Still hurts?"

He asked with a charming smile, just inches from my face. The smile that I fell in love with, 21 years ago.

"Hic"

Just like at that time, I got hiccups at his unpredictable actions.

"Cute"

He slid back his mask and chuckled while gently patting my back.