From The Ashes We Rise

Chp 41: The Only Hope For Me Is You

I rubbed Ariff's hand gently as he started breaking down again. I let him cry for a while until he could regain his composure. I held his hand as he tried his best to calm down. Eventually, he stopped and excused himself to the bathroom to wash his face.

"So what's the plan?" Ariff asked, entering the room again.

"Since the kidnappers are demanding a ransom, why not just pay it?"

"You're just gonna let my parents follow their orders?!" he growled.

"I wasn't finished yet."

"What's the rest of it? It can't be only that."

"Just let me think!" I snapped.

Ariff grunted then lay down on his bed. He covered his face with a pillow.

"Wake me up when you're done," he sighed, his voice muffled but audible.

I sat in silence, thinking continuously about how we could rescue Ariana. I also had to rack my brain for possible ways to find out where the kidnappers were hiding. A few minutes later, I heard the bed creak as Ariff sat up again.

"So?" he asked. He yawned a little as he hugged his pillow.

"I know what to do now," I replied.

He perked up. "What'd you have?"

"It's a simple plan, really," I began.

I explained to him that the kidnappers' hideout was unknown to us still and that maybe we could lure them out with the money. Ariff sat on the bed, trying his hardest to take it in. He also tried to fill in any holes so that it all made sense.

"Basically, you have to tell your parents to pay the ransom, then make a police report. From there you'll have to tell them that there is a little girl's life on the line. That would make the police be more aware of your situation," I summarised.

"So we'd be able to schedule a meeting point with these dudes, then we apprehend them and free Ari?"

"Yep. You're catching on really fast," I commented.

"Is that our game plan?" Ariff asked again.

"It's not quite done yet. We still need to figure out how the police could be involved in this." I leaned against the bedpost.

"I know!" Ariff exclaimed, standing on the bed then sitting down again.

He peered over the bedpost to look at me. "The officers could hide then they'd only come out when we think it's necessary," he proposed.

"But what if they found out the police were with us?"

"They're professionals. They know what they're doing," Ariff assured.

By the time we were halfway done with our plan, it was time for dinner. Since I was still at his house, Ariff invited me to eat with his family. I accepted it and followed him downstairs.

It was a fairly quiet dinner; nobody wanted to talk. Ariff's parents didn't ask us about our plan yet because we weren't even finished. We returned to Ariff's room later to patch up any possible flaws in the plan. I forgot how long we took to figure all of it out but from the looks of it, I think we spent the rest of the afternoon and the evening just for that.

By the time we were done, we had finished several packets of sweet drinks, crackers and a few trips to the bathroom. I had noted whatever we discussed on my phone for further reference. I would send it to Ariff later.

"First, you, your parents and I would meet with the kidnappers at wherever they tell us to. After that, we'll inform the police investigating our case of the perpetrators' whereabouts. Second, when we get there, your parents would hand over the money in cash, as instructed. Then, we signal to the officers to come out and apprehend them. Third, should the kidnappers threaten to kill Ariana, I allow you to use your powers to stop them," I described the plan again.

"I think that's all of it," Ariff clarified, getting up from his bed.

I nodded, standing up.

"Oh, by the way, thank you," he added.

He proceeded to hug me, as tightly as he usually did. It felt like my ribs were breaking due to his immense strength. I had no choice but to hug him back. With each time he said "Thank you", his grip on me would become tighter.

"Anytime. But please... I can't... breathe," I choked, almost out cold.

"Oh, sorry. Too strong."

He released his grip on me. I fell to the floor, coughing and spluttering. I took a while to catch my breath. Eventually, I managed to stand up again.

"Next time, try not to give bear hugs," I reminded.

He shrugged. "I love you so much I could kill you," he joked. He reached out to pinch my cheek.

"Stop being stupid," I said, slapping his hand.

Both of us made our way to the living room where Ariff's parents were. They waited for us to sit down before finally asking us what we should do.

I was the one who had to explain everything to his parents, from following the kidnappers' orders to involving the police. They made a few objections but Ariff managed to dispel their arguments very well. After I was done, I asked them if they would be willing to follow. After much thought, they agreed.

Ariff's father went on to call the kidnappers again. He gave in to their request and informed them that they would pay the ransom in cash. He signalled for me to write down the address. I jotted the meeting place down on my phone as he put the phone on speaker. Apparently, it was somewhere along Old Lim Chu Kang Road. I had no idea where that was.

After I was done, I let Ariff write it down on a piece of paper for his family's reference. He passed the slip of paper to this parents to keep. Both his parents thanked me for my help. They initially wanted to reward me but realising Ariff was getting flustered, they decided against it.

"I don't need to be paid with money for my help. I just wanna save a life. That's all," I said. Ariff gave me a thumbs up to acknowledge what I just told his parents.

I left Ariff's place quite late at around 9:45 pm. I was too tired to even fly back so I just asked Ariff's parents to send me home.

I dropped off at the orphanage expecting a scolding from Mdm Li, but she didn't seem to mind me leaving the kids alone. She greeted me like she normally would when I passed by the kitchen. Ian must've done a good job in making sure everything was in check.

"Thanks," I told Ian as he met me in the living room.

He saluted me again and stood at attention. I laughed, returning the gesture.

"Good job, soldier," I said.

"Yes ma'am!" he shouted, then scampered off to goodness knows where.

"I'm a boy!" I called out after him. I heard Ian giggle as he ran off.

I chuckled as I climbed up to my room. I went to take a shower after grabbing my clothes and towel. I collapsed onto my bed without drying my hair. My brain was fried that day... I hope it was worth it.