Behind The Bars

Chapter 4

Another week has passed. Everyday is the same as the day before. It has become a routine - wake up, clean the house, prepare breakfast, have breakfast, rest, have lunch, watch tv, read books, clean, prepare dinner, have dinner, then sleep. The days went by fast with these same routine everyday. There are some days we get into an argument like that one time he spilled his coffee on the floor just after I mopped it. I got so frustrated and we went shouting at each other. When he got home, he immediately approached me and apologized. He always approaches first which is fluttering for me. Well, it is always his fault anyway.

It's almost midnight and Joshua hasn't gone home yet. Rain is pouring heavily outside. The cold atmosphere radiates inside the house. I looked at the clock. It's 11:56 pm already. I sighed as I clicked the remote to turn off the tv. I stood up and went into the dining area. The food is cold already. Upset, I started taking them inside the refrigerator. I walked towards the light switch to switch off the lights when I heard a loud knock at the gates.

"Six! Six!!"

I heard Joshua shouting outside. I rushed outside and saw his shadowy figure. I ran towards him not concerning being wet with rain.

"What happened?" I asked while openning the gates.

"Help." He said beneath his breath. He went in and put his arm over my shoulder. It was then when it became clear to me. His clothes is covered with blood in the abdomen part. His left hand tries to stop the bleeding. I can sense him becoming weaker.

"What happened to you?!" My voice cracked and trembled in fear and concern.

"I was stabbed."

I escorted him inside the living room and laid him on the sofa.

"Wait here. I'll call the ambulance." I said while I grabbed the phone up.

"No! Please don't." He said while panting heavily. "I rather die than be sent to a hospital."

His voice was very serious. But what am I supposed to do?

"I-I don't have a choice." I said nervously."

"Then leave me to die here!" He said. "Don't call the ambulance!"

My hands was shaking as I held the phone. I am not used to be in this kind of situation. I can't just let him die! But, I know there is a reason why he don't want me to call the ambulance. I stood there for a while unable to make a decision when suddenly I thought of another way. I put down the telephone and rushed inside the bathroom. I took out a first aid kit at the medicine cabinet and hurried to Joshua. I sat down on his side and cut off his clothes with a pair of scissors.

"What are you doing?" He asked me all puzzled.

"This will hurt, but please bear with it."

I striped off his clothes and wiped his wound with a clean cloth. He hissed with pain. I was relieved. No veins nor arteries were damaged. But the wound is too deep. It needs to be sutured. I took out a medical sewing kit and sterilized them with alcohol. I took the forceps and started to work on his wounds.

"Aaggghhh!" He shouted in pain.

My heart was pounding. I know it is my dream to be a doctor. But I did not expect myself to be suturing someone already. I tolerated his pain. Tears started to well up in my eyes. As much as I don't want to see him in pain like this, I cannot let him die as well. I put on a clean gauze on his sutured wound. He passed out after I finished the last stitch. I stared at him and wondered. What if I escaped that day? Who will be by your side right now?

I stood up and fixed the things I used. I went back to the bathroom and put back the first aid kit and threw away the needle I used. I cleaned my blood-covered hands and sat back beside Joshua. I'm glad I did not escape from you. I'm glad to be by your side right now. Now please, stay alive okay?

~~~

I felt someone brushing my hair. I openned my eyes and saw Joshua responsible for that. He is awake.

"You're awake." I said as I lift my head up. "You want to eat? Or drink something?"

"I'm thirsty." He replied. I grabbed a pitcher and a glass with straw from the kitchen and went back to him. I poured him a glass of water and lent it to him. He took the glass and drank.

"Do you want more?" I offered. He shook his head. He lent me the glass. I grabbed it, but he refused to let go. He held my hand with his other hand and put the glass on the coffee table beside us.

"Sit down." He commanded. I did what he told me to do and put the pitcher beside the glass on the table. His hand still holding my hand. I felt an unusual throbbing in my chest as we stared at each other silently. Then finally, he uttered.

"I was not like this before. I was not an addict. Like any other kid, I was loving, caring... I was happy. But, there was something missing. My mother was always happy for me, but my father is not. For him, I am always wrong. He seems uncontented with me - my grades, my actions, my... Me. I was able to tolerate it at first, but it's hard to endure when you see your brothers treated well by your father except you. He was proud of his sons but me. We were always arguing with each other. Day and day, all the time there was non-stop argument between us. Then I lost my ambitions. I lost my will to study. I started slacking off and went with a bad set of friends. That was when I started my habits. When my father found out about it, he got furious. That was when they thought of leaving me in the house. My mother insisted but my father was determined. Getting a house is not a problem. He is extremely rich anyway. My mother wanted to stay with me but I convinced her not to. I don't want her and my father to argue more. Then, they left. I was all alone. I seeked comfort from my friends but all they did was help me escape from my problem and not confront them. Then I met you. You sticked with me. You endured me, it's something that happened to me for the first time. You made me realize my mistakes. You took care of me... Whenever we argue, despite being mad and furious, I felt... loved. After a long time, I finally was able to feel that beside my mother. Whenever you tell me to stop smoking, or stop drinking alcohol, I may get mad but... honestly, I feel like somebody cares for me."

Then there was silence. The tic of the clock echoed in the room. We stood there in silence. His warm eyes pierced through me.

"Why are you telling me this?" I was confused. My mind is bombarded with mixed emotions. Then he gripped my hands tighter.

"I like you Six." He said. My heart suddenly raced faster. Countless thoughts invaded my mind. "Six." He called again. "Please tell me you like me too."

I stared at him unable to respond. I slowly pulled back my hands away from his grip. I took the glass and pitcher and stood up. His eyes followed my every move. As I was about to leave, he pulled back my shirt.

"Six..." He called. "Tell me."

I looked back at him. "Joshua... I can't tell you that." I said and he asked me the reason why.

"I don't like you, Joshua. I always wonder why I do these things for you, but now, it's finally clear." I paused for a while and everything suddenly became quiet. "I think... I think I'm in love with you already."