"Eh, can you take your hand off my shoulder now? Wow, wow, wow, I gave you a hand, and now you wanna hang your whole arm on my shoulder too?!"
I rolled my eyes in annoyance at Rayqal's hand still resting on my shoulder with no sign of him moving it away.
"Okay, fine!"
I roughly removed his arm from my shoulder. Rayqal looked momentarily stunned but only chuckled softly.
From the driver's seat in front, Alvin occasionally glanced at us through the rearview mirror.
"Sigh, I don't even know if you two are actually a couple. Every time you're together, you always have something to fight about…" Alvin commented while turning left into a junction.
"Oh, come on. You don't understand anything about love. Only people in love understand the feelings of those in love. Right, baby?"
Rayqal winked at me.
I kept a blank face. But honestly, it was so exhausting and stressful pretending to be in a relationship—especially with someone as flirty as Rayqal!
"Hey, what are you daydreaming about? Have you reached the moon yet? If not, I wanna join too!"
Alvin teased when he noticed my lack of response.
"Alright, stop staring at my girl. Just focus on driving, or you'll get us into an accident!"
Rayqal pouted before pushing Alvin's shoulder, making him face forward again.
"Eh, don't be mad at Alvin like that. He's been driving for a while; at least let him entertain himself to shake off the exhaustion."
I looked at Rayqal with a calm expression.
"Seriously? Sigh, sometimes I don't even know if you're dating Alvin… or me."
I smiled sweetly at him while gently rubbing his shoulder.
"See? Even your hot girlfriend isn't mad at me. You're the one overreacting!"
Alvin stuck out his tongue at Rayqal.
"Whatever!"
Rayqal sulked, crossing his arms and turning to face the window. Huh, sulking, huh? Like I'm gonna coax him… but I probably have to anyway. Such a hassle, this crazy guy!
Alvin just shrugged.
"Ahem, Alvin, can I request a song?"
I wrapped my arms around Alvin's neck from behind and whispered in his ear.
"Of course, anything for you, dear."
I nodded in understanding.
"Can you sing Savage Love, please?"
I batted my eyelashes at him repeatedly.
Alvin grinned.
"Sure! Oh yeah, to someone named Rayqal sitting in the back, sulking… listen to my angelic voice singing this song! Oh, by the way, this is a request from someone named Farah, dedicated to her sulking boyfriend in the back!"
I covered my mouth, holding back my laughter. Alvin was always up to something!
"Since I don't know the full lyrics, I'll just sing the chorus, okay?"
Alvin asked seriously.
I nodded slightly while glancing at Rayqal, who was still sulking.
---
Savage love
Did somebody, did somebody
Break your heart?
Lookin' like an angel
But your savage love
When you kiss me
I know you don't give two fucks
But I still want that
Your savage love
Your savage love-love-love
Your savage love-love-love
You could use me
'Cause I still want that
Your savage love
Your savage love-love-love
Your savage love-love-love
You could use me
Baby
Savage love (oh girl)
Did somebody, did somebody
Break your heart?
---
"Stop!"
Alvin instantly stopped singing.
I blinked in confusion, looking at Rayqal.
"What? My voice isn't good? Don't tell me you're gonna say it sounds like a buzzing mosquito… or else, I'll make Farah smack you!"
Alvin put on a serious face.
"No, I just wanted to tell you guys…"
Alvin and I simultaneously stared at Rayqal, who looked serious.
"What?"
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"You missed the turn for our destination."
Alvin's mouth fell open. I also smacked my forehead.
Pap!
Rayqal flicked Alvin's head.
"Ouch! What's your problem? What's so hard about turning back? You're so dramatic, old man!"
I chuckled before wrapping an arm around Rayqal's shoulder, seeing that he wasn't as serious anymore.
Alvin finally made a U-turn.
"Anyway, your voice is really good. I didn't expect an airheaded guy like you to actually be good at singing!"
Rayqal said, patting Alvin's shoulder as he drove.
Alvin grinned proudly.
"Well, that's Alvin for you, obviously."
I smiled and nodded at him.
"But wait, what did you just call me? An airhead? Hmph, in that case, let this airhead drop you off by the roadside right now!"
Alvin stuck out his tongue at Rayqal.
"Eh, come on, you guys. Don't fight. Just let me be the one to get out of the car!"
I pretended to reach for the door handle, but Rayqal widened his eyes and stopped me.
"Okay, fine… shut up, please!"
I waved my hand in the air, signaling them to be quiet.
Both of them nodded and made a zipping motion over their lips.
Finally, peace and quiet—just the way I wanted.
•••
"Errm, Reena, are you okay?" Nara looked at Reena with concern as she massaged her temples and gritted her teeth.
"I'm o-okay. Just a little dizzy." Nara nodded and handed Reena a glass of water.
"How about Amir? Any news about him?" Despite her pain, Reena still asked about Amir. Nara let out a weak sigh.
"Nothing yet. I'm worried too—what if something happens to him? I miss him." Nara ran her hands over her face. She looked around the now-empty classroom, as it was currently recess time.
"Relax. We're all stressed and worried about his disappearance. Just pray that he's okay, alright?" Reena gently stroked Nara's hair.
Nara slowly nodded.
"Where are Lina and Fina? Haven't seen them in a while. I miss them!" Reena asked, confused.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. They're still in the village, which is why they haven't been at school. Fina said they had important matters to handle there," Nara explained in detail.
Reena nodded in understanding.
"Oh, I see."
"Aren't you going to eat? There's only fifteen minutes left. If you're hungry, let's go to the canteen," Nara said with concern, looking at Reena.
"Ermm, I'm not actually hungry. Are you? If you are, I'll come with you," Reena offered.
Nara smiled and shook her head slowly.
"I have no appetite."
Reena shook her head at Nara's behavior.
"Why don't you just go eat? I can keep you company," Reena said, not having the heart to see Nara looking so pale.
"Okay then, but you have to eat too!"
Nara raised an eyebrow.
"Sigh, fine. For my dear friend, right?"
Reena let out a small laugh as she got up and grabbed her best friend's hand.
"Let's go!"
—
After all the problems and obstacles we faced, we finally arrived at the place we were supposed to be at hours ago.
I put my sunglasses, which had been hooked onto my shirt earlier, back on. The afternoon sun was scorching, and I couldn't stand the heat.
"Woah, finally here. My butt feels like it's glued to the seat after sitting in the car for so long..." Rayqal quickly put his arm around my shoulder and started walking slowly, with Alvin following behind.
"Ermm, what is this place? What are we doing here? Is this the 'fun' place you guys were talking about?" I looked around.
It was just a vast grassy area with a narrow alleyway behind it.
"Just follow us. I guarantee you'll have fun soon!" Alvin responded, patting my shoulder.
"Eh, why are you touching my girlfriend's shoulder? Mind your own business. Come on, Farah!" I felt my hand being pulled quickly as Rayqal, clearly impatient, started walking.
Alvin just chuckled.
"Just wait till I have a girlfriend. Forget touching—no one will even be allowed to look at her!" Alvin pouted and glared at Rayqal.
"Ugh, I wouldn't even want your girlfriend. Your taste is terrible. You'd probably even date an underage girl!" Rayqal rolled his eyes in disgust.
I smirked, not bothering to get involved in their usual bickering.
"Hey, dating an underage girl is fun, right? You can do so many things..." Alvin grinned mischievously and let out a small laugh.
Smack!
I hit his head.
I was always surrounded by perverted guys like this! Huh, all talk but no real action!
"Stop being such a creep! You're disgusting!" I scoffed before continuing to walk.
Alvin rubbed his head while chuckling.
Rayqal, beside me, shot Alvin a glare.
"Hurry up, old man!" I grabbed both of their hands and pulled them along.
I was quite amazed when I realized we were entering a dark and somewhat hidden alley.
My heart pounded. What were these two sleazy guys up to? If they took me somewhere sketchy, I'd make sure they paid for it!
"Ha, we're here!"
My eyes widened as Alvin opened a door hidden within the alley.
"Hey, what is this place? Explain, before Chan finds your corpses here!" I was still confused about where we were.
The room was completely painted black.
Ugh, my eyes hurt just looking at it. Black everywhere!
Rayqal rubbed his chin and glanced at me.
"You'll understand soon enough," he said with a meaningful smile.
He pulled a gun from his pocket.
Bang!
Moments later, five men dressed in black approached Alvin and Rayqal, then knelt before them.
"I need someone to be my punching bag today," Rayqal stated firmly.
"I want two girls—I'm going to kill them today," Alvin said seriously as he pulled out his gun too.
The five men nodded quickly before disappearing through another door.
"Sit down first. Our entertainment will arrive soon. Just relax!" Alvin said excitedly.
My eyes gleamed as I looked at the various weapons and killing tools hanging on the black walls, all still shiny.
As soon as we sat down, an elderly woman dressed in black approached, carrying a tray of drinks.
"Here, sir, miss..."
I stared at the dark purple liquid in the glass, feeling uneasy.
"What is this?" I lifted the glass and eyed it suspiciously.
"That's the most expensive and superb whiskey here. You have to drink it!" Rayqal also grabbed his own glass.
Alvin suddenly whispered something into my ear.
"Do you want to play?" he asked sinisterly, covering my ear.
I nodded quickly and grinned.
"Hey, old lady! Come back here!" Alvin suddenly shouted at the elderly woman, who was about to leave.
The old woman was stunned and approached us with an unsteady gait.
"Yes, sir?" she asked softly.
Alvin glanced at Rayqal briefly and made a hand signal, to which Rayqal nodded in understanding.
"Kneel before her now," Rayqal ordered, pointing at me. The woman obeyed and knelt at my feet.
"Kiss and lick her feet now," Alvin commanded.
I was dumbfounded.
Were they insane? There was no way this old woman would actually do it, right?
But I was wrong. Without hesitation, she lowered herself further and started kissing and licking my feet.
Her wet tongue against my skin made me feel disgusted.
Smack!
Out of reflex, my foot jerked upward in revulsion, kicking the woman square in the face.
Alvin and Rayqal froze for a moment before both burst into laughter, watching the woman now bleeding from her nose and lips.
I smirked.
"Hahaha, I didn't know you knew how to play along!" Rayqal winked at me. I smirked back before grabbing a tissue and wiping my foot.
The woman simply lowered her gaze to the floor, blood dripping from her lips and nose.
I licked my lips quickly, feeling a rush of excitement at the sight of the fresh red blood.
But I had to restrain myself—if Alvin and Rayqal noticed anything, it would raise suspicion.
"What are you standing around for? Get lost before my foot kicks that old face of yours again!" Rayqal snapped, shoving the old woman's head.
She nodded slowly before hurrying away.
I chuckled.
"So, this is the 'fun' place you guys were talking about?"
Alvin and Rayqal nodded in unison.
"Yeah, isn't it great? But our real game hasn't even arrived yet. Soon, you'll be having so much fun you won't want to leave..." Rayqal said, handing me a glass of whiskey.
I declined.
"I don't drink."
Alvin laughed loudly.
"Seriously? A bad girl like you usually wouldn't say no to this. Especially when it's expensive whiskey. You're missing out..."
I shrugged, not in the mood to entertain him.
Rayqal placed the glass back on the table, crossing his legs on top of it while closing his eyes.
"Our entertainment is taking too long to arrive. Those guys really need to be taught a lesson," Rayqal muttered without opening his eyes.
Alvin nodded, looking equally displeased.
"How do you even get your… 'toys'? I mean, someone has to die for this, right?"
Rayqal and Alvin both lifted their heads, exchanging knowing smiles as if sharing some secret.
Rayqal seemed to consider something before giving Alvin a meaningful look. The two of them appeared to communicate silently, leaving me to glare at them, waiting for an answer.
"So, are you going to tell me or not? If you guys are just going to have a silent conversation with your eyes, I might as well leave instead of sitting here like an idiot."
Frustration boiled inside me—I felt like a useless prop with these two.
Alvin ran a hand over his face before reaching out to touch my chin playfully.
I quickly slapped his hand away, clenching my jaw in irritation.
"Hey, don't push your luck! She's my girl!" Rayqal smacked Alvin's thigh, his expression turning sharp.
"Hahaha, relax, bro. I was just messing around. Farah's fine with it—nothing serious," Alvin teased.
"Are you seriously not going to answer my question?" I hardened my voice, my face serious.
Was it that hard to answer? It wasn't like I was asking them to solve an advanced math problem!
"Rayqal, answer her… she's your girl, after all," Alvin said with a smirk.