" FIWMMB"/COMPLETED/TAGLISH

50 : SAVING HER

JOHVIE POV

"Freen, you don't have class today, right?" I asked, my voice laced with worry. We were in the warehouse, Kisha safe for now, but the ever-present threat of Nop loomed over us. Even with the guards, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching, waiting for his chance.

Freen smiled, a touch of weariness in her eyes. "It's a holiday, so no school. We'll go out later to get some food. Pnam said they ran out of supplies, so grocery shopping it is."

I nodded, relief washing over me.  "Who's coming with us?"

Freen was busy organizing something, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Just the two of us. Becky can stay here. We have three guards, so don't worry, we're safe."

I sighed, the anxiety I couldn't explain settling in my chest.  "Freen, I'm... I'm just worried. What if something happens to me? I hope you'll take care of Kisha. Treat her like your own sister..."

My words hung in the air, and Freen's smile vanished. She frowned, her eyes narrowed, and then she pinched my side, a playful but firm gesture. "What the hell are you saying, Johvie? It's not funny, okay?"

I chuckled, a little sheepishly, and glanced at Kisha, who was playing in the living room. "Just saying, you know? In case..."

Freen shook her head, her expression softening. "Even though... It's still not okay to hear that kind of talk from you."

The drive to the grocery store was tense. I couldn't shake the unease that had settled in my gut. I reached out and hugged Freen's arm, hoping to find some comfort in her presence. She smiled down at me, her touch a soothing balm.

"Everything will be okay, Johvie," she said, her voice firm. "Everything will go back to normal when Nop is caught."

I nodded, trying to believe her. But a strange feeling lingered. It was like a premonition, a sense of impending loss. I didn't want to let go of her, even for a moment.

When we arrived at the supermarket, three of our gang members followed us, blending in seamlessly. Freen had insisted they dress casually, making it look like a normal grocery trip.

"Do you want anything, Johvie? Did you buy anything for Kisha?" Freen asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I peeked into the cart, checking each item. It was all there. "No more, Freen. I got everything for Kisha."

Freen beamed, grabbing the cart from me and pushing it away, her laughter ringing through the aisles.  "Hey, Freen, what are you doing?" I called, chasing after her.

She laughed, a childlike joy in her eyes, and our guards, caught off guard, burst into laughter as they followed. "Freen... wait!"

I caught up to her and pulled on her shirt, making her turn. She laughed again, her eyes twinkling with amusement. I tried to pull her back, but stopped short when I saw a display of dried mango.

"Wait... I want that!" Freen exclaimed, grabbing a bag. "It's Becky's favorite. She'll be so happy."

I watched as she carefully selected a few pieces and tossed them into the cart. "Do you like dried mango, Johvie?" she asked.

"Ahh... no, it's fine, Freen. You've bought so much for me and Kisha, it's enough."

Freen agreed and pushed the cart towards the checkout. After we paid, I invited Freen to grab some street food. I wanted to treat her, even if it was just a simple meal.

"Are the calamari good here?" Freen asked, her face lighting up. "My mom used to make calamari at home, when brother Drey was still alive..."

I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. "Of course, the vinegar is amazing. It's the best way to eat calamari outside, Freen."

She grinned, her eyes sparkling. "I'm excited, Johvie! I'm already drooling!"

I laughed, shaking my head. Freen was like a kid sometimes, especially when she was happy. But it was those moments that made me love her even more. She was a warrior, a protector, but also a friend who could be silly and carefree.

As we pulled up to the street food stalls, I couldn't help but smile.  "Freen, come on, we're here."

One of our guards quickly opened the door for us. "Thank you!" Freen said, her voice filled with gratitude.

The guards were about to join us, but Freen stopped them. "Only one of you can come with us. Johvie and I can handle this. You can go with us, Cris, and bring food back for the others."

Peter and Glen nodded, and Cris followed us to the food stalls.

"Just eat whatever you want, I'll take care of it," Freen said, her eyes beaming. "Choose something for Peter and Glen too."

Cris quickly picked out some calamari and fish balls and then headed back to the car.

"And let's buy this for them, right, Johvie?" Freen asked, picking up a bag of snacks. "I know they'll like it."

I nodded, choosing my own food. I felt a pang of sadness, knowing that I should be the one treating her.

We were happily chatting about school and other things while we ate, but my laughter died in my throat when I saw a man standing by the wall, wearing a black cap. He was staring directly at me. I quickly grabbed Freen's arm and looked away, trying to be inconspicuous.

"W-why, Johvie?" Freen asked, her voice laced with concern.

I looked back, but he was gone. I couldn't be mistaken. That was Nop.  "Let's get out of here, Freen."

She looked surprised. "We're not finished eating yet. It doesn't run out, you need to finish that before we leave."

I quickly started eating, my heart pounding in my chest.  I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled over me.

I scanned the area again, but Nop was nowhere to be seen. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Do you have wipes with you?" Freen asked.

I turned to her, my mind racing. I checked my bag, but realized I had left it in the car. "Just wait here, Freen. I'll get it from the car. It's just a short walk."

I hurried back to the car, the street mostly deserted now. As I reached for the wipes and a water bottle for Freen, I saw Nop walking towards the food stalls.  I ran back, my heart pounding in my chest.

Freen saw me and waved. I waved back, shouting at her. "Freen! Get out of there... R-run!"

She looked at me, confused, her eyes full of questions. I saw Nop pull a gun from his waistband, and I ran faster, my heart screaming.

"Johvie?" Freen called out, her voice laced with fear.

A gunshot rang out, echoing through the street.  I reached Freen, pulling her into my arms.

"P-Freen?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "You're safe."

She hugged me back, her eyes filled with a sadness that cut through me like a knife.  Her hand was covered in blood.

"J-Johvie? Help! Help us!" she cried out, her voice breaking. She looked at me again, her hand still stained with my blood.

It was then that I felt the pain in my back, a searing, burning sensation. I looked at her, tears streaming down my face.

"P-Freen... Ma- My sister... Kisha?" I whispered, my voice weak.

"J-Johvie? Nooooo..." Freen cried, her voice filled with anguish.

I could hear the murmurs of the people who had gathered around us. I felt the blood dripping from my wound, staining my shirt.

"Johvie! Please... We're going to the hospital. The ambulance is coming. Hold on, okay? Don't give up, please!" Freen pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.

I smiled at her, a bitter, painful smile. I slowly reached out and touched her cheek.

"P-Freen... Ahhh-You know H-how much I love you R-right? I-I can do everything F-for Y-your Safety T-thank you F-for treating me like a family..Ahh-and for loving me and Kisha ! E-even for the last time, Y-you didn't leave us...Cough "

"Don't talk anymore, Johvie," Freen said, her voice choked with emotion.

The three guards rushed towards us, their faces etched with worry. They were frantically searching for Nop, but he had vanished.

"I'll kill you, Nooooop!!" Freen screamed, her voice filled with rage.

I heard her cry out, and I smiled, because somehow, even in my final moments, I was in Freen's arms. I loved her, and I was grateful for her love.  Maybe this was my karma, the price I had to pay for my past mistakes.

But...

Cough 2x

I looked into Freen's gentle eyes, my vision blurring. My body felt heavy, my breath shallow. I knew I wouldn't last much longer, but I was happy. I had met Freen and Becky, and the whole gang. I loved them all.

"J-Johvie? Can you hear me? Huh... Johvie? Hold on for the sake of your sister, please! Fight back, okay?" Freen pleaded, her voice desperate.

I clung to her arm, my strength fading.

"I-I love you, Freen... I-I love Y-you and Becky Ahhhh--- cough and our G-gang. Ah-take care of Kisha F-for me P-please..."

I felt her tears falling on my arm.

"P-Promise me, please!"

"P-promise, Johvie! Fucccck... Why isn't the ambulance here yet? For god's sake!"

One of the gang members approached her. "Boss Freen, the ambulance is here."

The medics rushed to my side, loading me onto the stretcher. I was delirious, losing blood, but Freen didn't care about the blood staining her clothes. All that mattered was that I was safe.

As the ambulance pulled away, Freen was left behind, her sobs echoing in the night.

Freen's POV

I felt Cris's hand on my shoulder, and I quickly wiped away my tears.

"Boss Freen... Nop escaped! We haven't caught him yet."

I glared at them, my anger burning like a wildfire. "Find that bastard. Alive or dead, bring him to me! I won't let him escape after what he did to Johvie! I'll make him pay for everything he did to me and Becky. If I had given him a chance before, I won't forgive him now!  I'll bury him alive, no matter where he hides, even in hell! I will find him..."

"We'll find him right away, Boss," Peter said, his voice filled with determination.

They supported me, their faces grim, and followed the ambulance.  I was left behind, my heart heavy with grief and rage.  I would make Nop pay. I would find him, and I would make him suffer.