A Way To My Dream

Chapter 26: I want justice, not revenge

"I want justice, not revenge."

"We saw her lying on the road. I thought she was dead, her body was cold--ice cold. Miraculously, she wasn't dead yet. We took her to the nearest hospital since we don't know what to do nor what happened to her. She was announced to be in coma-- she doesn't have any information so we took care of her. The doctor said she was under this unknown substance. They took a few drops of her blood for examination and she was diagnosed for having taken XCX drug-- we don't know what is was. She woke up after three day. She doesn't want to eat nor speak. The doctor said she was in trauma. Their are psychiatrists who tried to help her but she refused to speak to them, she'd throw things at them, muttering incoherent words and threatened to kill herself. I told the doctor we'd take care of her at home because I think their method wasn't helping her at all. After a week in the hospital, we brought her here. I tried talking to her, but she wouldn't budge. She was quiet for a week, she's refusing food and only drink water. Her bruises and wounds are healing. She's always in daze or silently crying. I thought to myself; this girl doesn't need medical care, what she needed was love and comfort. I gave it to her. I started telling her story of different sort-- aside from horror and tragic. I could tell she's starting to warmed up. I would share my own story, the predicaments, setbacks and difficulties I faced at early stage of life before I started to serve in this temple. After two weeks of continuously telling her stories, she eventually told me what happened to her--I didn't expect she would. I motivate her, because why not? That's what I do, I motivate everyone I come across with. Then one day she asked me if does she still have hope. I told her; no one can tell expect her. I have faith she'll stand one day and she did not disappoint. Then this wonderful and chirpy morning came, I woke up early-- I usually do. I saw her there at the temple's backyard, she was dancing-- I didn't knew she could dance. From then on, she'd go there and dance. I took the liberty of teaching her self- defense."

Ashley was sitting across him, intently listening as he speaks. It was the oldest monk in the temple, Tang Xuanzang-- he's addressed as Monk Sanzang. He's one of Leona's savior.

Itwas early in the morning. The sun has yet to rise. Ashley couldn't fall asleep when he woke up so he went out the room. He was reluctant to leave her alone in the room at first. But he needed to know what happened to her, everything that she refused to say. Then he saw him as he was strolling. The monk was sitting on the floor in front of a Buddha statue. He approached him and asked. It semeed to him that Monk Sanzang summarised the details, which he's thankful for.

Ashley didn't think his heart could recieve furthermore blow. Then again, if it's about Leona his heart would always ache for either good or bad reason. This time, it's bad reason. It's his birthday. He didn't went home and chose to stay at the mountain. He and Leona asked permission to Monk Sanzang to stay. Gladly, the monk did permit him for her sake. They did sleep on her bed together-- with a pillow in between.

'I refused to sleep with a ,an before marriage! Hmmp!'

It took him lot of control not to burst out laughing at what she said. How cute can she get?

"I knew she will always stand, I believed in her. How ironic I used to hate everything of the likes of her. But I came crushing down for her. Is it possible to love a person for a short period of time? I didn't think I could feel this love so great. My heart hurt when she cries, and it would rejoice seeing her happy. How can my heart clenched when she's near me." He sighed. In reality, Ashley was worried. He did try to deny it. He denied his growing feelings for Leona. How could he possibly understand how he feels when he only felt it the first time. But, she's great. She wasn't afraid to reach her dreams. She's determined. He thought; I would give it a shot. If she wasn't afraid reaching her dreams then he shouldn't too. She's his dream.