I leaned in, bringing my lips close to Reena's ear and whispered,
"I went hunting. My target this time was aggressive… that's how I ended up like this."
Reena nodded in understanding.
"Amir, where's Nara? I haven't heard about her in a while. Why hasn't she come over?" She shifted her attention to Amir.
"She's not feeling well. High fever." Amir replied curtly.
Reena suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me along. I shot her a sharp glare.
"Come on, let me treat your wounds."
I yanked my hand away.
"No need. I already went to the clinic. Where's Rayqal? Haven't seen him around." I glanced around, searching for her brother.
"Oh, Rayqal… He got shot in the leg last night. He hasn't woken up since."
My brows furrowed in concern.
"Why didn't you take him to the hospital?"
Reena sighed weakly.
"We can't."
"Why not?"
"If my dad finds out, he'll assume the worst. And then, without a doubt, he'll beat the hell out of Rayqal."
I nodded, finally understanding.
"That's actually why I need your help…" Reena batted her eyelashes repeatedly.
"What?" Amir, who had been listening, immediately stood up.
"I need you to remove the bullet from Rayqal's leg. You know how to do it, right?" She nudged my shoulder.
"Of course, I do, but—"
Before I could finish, Reena clamped a hand over my mouth.
"That's all I needed to hear. Now, come with me." She grabbed my hand again, dragging me along.
"Ugh, Reena! Can't you see Fariz isn't fully recovered yet? Let him rest first!" Amir suddenly objected.
"Wait, are you still in pain?" Reena turned to me with concern.
"I'm fine, but…" My gaze flickered toward Amir, who subtly signaled me to refuse.
"But I need to rest first."
Disappointment flashed across Reena's face, but she nodded anyway.
"Fine. I'll get Amir to do it." She turned to Amir, grinning.
"Okay, but… are you even good at it?"
"Of course! I'm a pro at this." Amir winked at me.
"Alright then. Fariz, you go rest. Amir, let's go to Rayqal's room now."
Amir nodded and followed her.
Just as they were about to leave, Reena suddenly stopped and looked at Amir suspiciously.
"Wait… why are you injured too? Why is everyone covered in wounds? Were you guys secretly wrestling or something?"
She pulled out a bottle of ointment and handed it to Amir.
"I already told you—I fell." Amir shot me a knowing look.
"Yeah, sure… but if you just fell, why does it look like you have a knife wound on your neck? Did you fall onto a blade or what?"
I was starting to get a headache from Reena's endless questioning.
"I helped someone who was getting mugged last night. The thief had a knife, and I got nicked in the process." Amir explained.
Reena nodded slowly, finally satisfied with the answer.
"And you, Fariz! Why aren't you resting yet?" She crossed her arms, glaring at me.
"I want to see Amir remove the bullet."
"Nope, not happening. Just rest for now."
Not wanting to argue further, I sighed and headed upstairs to my room.
"Come on, Amir." Reena tugged him along.
I flopped onto my bed, utterly exhausted from last night's fight.
"If it weren't for that annoying girl getting in the way, I would've sliced him up ages ago… Ugh, so frustrating!"
I grabbed a pillow and threw it to the floor.
Soon, my eyelids grew heavy, and sleep slowly took over.
•••
I woke up from my sleep when I felt someone caressing my face. Still groggy, I looked up.
"Eh, you… What the hell are you doing in my room?!" I shoved Amir, who was standing in front of me.
"Have you forgotten, sweetheart? You're my lover." Amir leaned against the door.
"You bastard! Do you wanna die at my hands, or should I scream so the whole house knows about your disgusting behavior?!" I yelled furiously. Amir's face changed in an instant.
But then, suddenly, he burst into laughter, slapping the wall.
"Crazy!"
"I don't care if everyone knows how rotten I am, but can you live with the identity of Farah Aida as a woman?" he asked mockingly, his gaze stabbing into mine.
"Arghh, get out now!" I shoved him out of the room.
"Why are you so flustered? I just came to check on you. Who knows, maybe you'd rot to death in here because you missed me too much." Amir winked at me.
Smack!
His face turned to the side as my slap landed hard on his cheek.
"Don't push your luck, Amir!" My rage burned hotter with every word he spoke.
"And let me tell you something—don't be too bold thinking everything you do won't come back to you…" With that, he walked out of the room, his eyes glinting with sinister amusement.
"Argh!"
I punched the wall, trying to release my frustration.
"You're worthless, Amir. I will make sure you die by my hands." My mind was already weaving countless ways to end his life.
A small chuckle escaped my lips as I smirked at my own plan.
"Two bastards who always push me to the edge—both should die at my hands."
I grabbed my hoodie and cap before carefully opening the window.
Scanning the ground below, I smirked.
"Just the first floor? Heh, I've jumped from the tenth before."
Without hesitation, I balanced myself and leaped down from the window.
A wide grin spread across my face as the sunlight kissed my skin.
"Now, time to find a weapon to take down my enemies." I walked cautiously.
"Rat poison, acid, or Clorox… hmm?" I pondered for a while, picturing the possibilities.
Finally, I arrived at a store selling household items.
"Yes, sir, can I help you?" A young woman stood behind the counter, looking at me.
I stared deeply into her eyes.
A sly smile formed on my lips as I slowly pulled out a syringe filled with a mysterious liquid.
Zap!
I jabbed the needle into her shoulder in one swift motion. Her mouth immediately foamed as she collapsed to the floor.
"Yes, you can. You can be my test subject." I looked down at her lifeless body.
"Hmm, rat poison? Not strong enough… I guess I can't use this."
I nudged her body aside with my foot, then took all the items I needed and slipped them into my hoodie pocket.
•••
"One, two, three, four…"
A small giggle escaped me as I admired the weapons I had gathered on the small table.
"Hmm, I don't need rat poison… boring and weak." I tossed the tiny bottle of rat poison into the trash.
"Hmm, Clorox? Sounds interesting!" I examined the bleach bottle.
"Caution: Not for drinking. If it gets into your eyes, rinse with plenty of water."
I chuckled at the warning.
"Looks like this is the best choice." I poured some bleach into a small empty bottle.
"Ready to meet your maker, my dear enemies!"
I adjusted my outfit before stepping out of my room.
Slowly, I approached Reena and Rayqal, who were deeply engrossed in their chess game in the living room.
"Oh, my Romeo is awake." Reena grinned mischievously while moving her chess piece on the board.
I kept a neutral expression and sat beside Reena, observing them.
"Oh yeah, I'm about to checkmate you… Get ready to lose, Reena!" Rayqal laughed wickedly as he cornered Reena's chess pieces with his own.
"Ugh, come on, give me a chance! I'm still learning." Reena pouted and batted her eyes at her brother.
"No way! If I go easy on you, when will you ever learn?" Rayqal moved his piece again, tightening the trap around Reena's king.
"Aaaaa, brother!" Reena's face turned anxious as she saw the inevitable loss ahead.
"Why are you suddenly panicking? Just relax." Rayqal snapped his fingers in front of her face.
Slap!
I felt a sudden, strong smack on my shoulder.
"What the hell?! Why are you hitting me out of nowhere?!" I rubbed my shoulder, stinging from her fiery slap.
"It's your fault! Why did you sit next to me? Now I can't focus!" Reena frowned, looking like she was about to cry, and started hitting my shoulder repeatedly.
I swatted her hands away as she continued attacking me.
"Why am I the one getting blamed?! You're just dumb and don't know how to play!" I glared at her.
"Ugh, I don't care. Move! If I lose, I'll have to treat him to McDonald's, and I don't want to!" She pushed me away forcefully.
"Fine, whatever!" Not wanting to argue, I got up and headed back to my room.
"Umm… Fariz, why don't you just sit here?" Rayqal patted the cushion beside him.
"No way!" Like hell, I was going to sit next to a perverted guy like him!
"Oh, come on, Fariz! Sit next to my brother. I won't be motivated to play otherwise…" Reena pouted, trying to persuade me on behalf of her brother.
"I said no, and I meant it!" I shot back at Rayqal when he tried to use his sister to manipulate me.
Without wasting any more time, I stormed out of the house and sat on the bench outside.
"The air's pretty nice out here." I took a deep breath of the fresh air.
Cough, cough!
I suddenly started coughing when a strong, burnt smell invaded my nose.
"Who the hell is putting on a fire show here?!" I grumbled, my eyes darting around, searching for the source of the smoke.
"Assalamualaikum, who are you?"
I was plucking leaves off a nearby tree when I heard a voice. I turned to look at the person speaking.
"Are you talking to me?" I pointed at myself.
The old man furrowed his brows, looking puzzled.
"Is there anyone else here?"
I stepped closer to him.
"Do you live around here, old man?"
He nodded slowly.
"Yes, you're standing right in front of my house."
I froze for a moment, staring at the man.
So… this was Reena's father? The police inspector?
"Oh, I'm Fariz, Reena's friend. Sorry if I was rude just now." I bowed at a full ninety degrees.
If I followed my heart, I wouldn't even dream of being polite to someone who looked this arrogant!
"Oh, you're Reena's friend? Well then, come inside."
I nodded and followed him back into the house.
"Eh, father!"
Reena rushed forward, wrapping her arms tightly around her father.
"Why did you take so long to come home? I've been waiting for you for days." She clung to his arm affectionately.
I glanced at her father, puzzled by his silence. He didn't say a word, nor did he return Reena's embrace.
Pang!
Pang!
I stood frozen, shocked by what had just happened.
"Why did you come back to this house?! How many times have I told you never to set foot here again?"
Reena, her cheeks now red from the slap, collapsed to the floor, sobbing as she hugged her father's legs.
"Father, I miss you…"
Her father pushed her hands away coldly.
"Reena, how many times do I have to tell you? It's dangerous for you to come back! Do you want me and your brother to die?!" His eyes were bloodshot, his face twisted with restrained anger.
"I know… but I can't live without you and Rayqal." She shook her head desperately.
"You can't be selfish, Reena! Everything I've done is for your own good. Now get out of my house!" He shoved her toward the door.
Father,I don't want to—"
I noticed Rayqal just standing there silently, not saying a word.
"Get out!!"
I was stunned by what was happening. Without another thought, I rushed into Amir's room.
"Oi, get up now!" I grabbed his hand, pulling him away from the video game he was engrossed in on his phone.
"Oh? My sweetheart came to visit me? What's wrong? Miss me? Do you want to cuddle?" He smirked, holding my hand.
Pang!
I slapped him so hard his head tilted to the side.
"If you spout nonsense one more time, I'll break your teeth!" I yanked him out of the room.
"Eh, where are we going?" Amir's face scrunched up in confusion when he saw Reena crying and her furious father.
"Reena's dad just kicked her out. So, what now? Are you going to stick around when even she's been thrown out?"
Amir nodded, understanding the situation.
I walked up to Reena and pulled her out of the house.
"Good! Take that useless friend of yours with you!"
The door slammed shut behind us.
Amir let out a sigh, rubbing his chest before gently patting Reena's shoulder as she continued sobbing.
"Come on, don't cry like this. You're gonna make me cry too." Amir pulled Reena toward his car, which was parked nearby.
"Tsk, tsk… He's my father. But he kicked me out just because he's afraid his enemies will come after him?"
I stayed silent, realizing that my plans to eliminate my enemies had to be put on hold due to this unexpected incident.
"Enough of that. You're strong, right? If you keep crying, your face will get all swollen, and you'll look ridiculous at school tomorrow." Amir tried to comfort her as he drove toward Reena's place.
"Eh? School's tomorrow?" Reena asked.
Amir nodded, smiling slightly.
Silence filled the car until they arrived at Reena's house.
"Thank you for comforting me… and for sending me home." Reena smiled sweetly at Amir in the driver's seat.
"You're welcome. Make sure you come to school tomorrow, okay? I'll miss you guys." Amir threw a quick glance at me.
Reena nodded softly before grabbing my hand and pulling me inside the house.
•••
"Hey..."
"Hey..."
I was engrossed in watching a brutal murder scene on TV when I lazily turned to look at her.
"Have you packed your stuff? Your clothes for school tomorrow?"
I stayed silent, not in the mood to entertain her.
"Oi, I'm talking to you, not the wall!" She smacked my arm, forcing me to look at her.
I shook my head in response.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk… Why are you still being lazy? Go get it done now!" Reena stood with her hands on her hips, looking stern.
I glanced at her briefly before turning my attention back to the TV.
"I'm not going to school." I replied flatly.
"What? You can't just skip! Do you want to be blacklisted?" Reena shook my shoulders repeatedly.
"Do I care?"
Smack!
She slapped my arm again.
"Ugh, you're so stubborn! I don't care, you're going to school. I'll pack your things myself!"
Reena huffed and stomped off to my room.
I chuckled darkly as I watched her go.
"Girls… willing to enslave themselves in the name of love." I smirked.
Even though I'm a girl, I would never be as foolish as Reena or Nara. Especially when it comes to guys like Amir—he doesn't deserve to be taken seriously. The moment he gets a chance, he'll take advantage.
As if I don't know. I've lived as a guy for years, and almost every man I've met only wants to have fun with women. Especially easy ones like Reena.
If I told Reena or Nara this, they'd probably strangle me. But that's the cold, hard truth.
Most women just don't realize it.