My Heart Was Wounded Deep
Chapter 13

While Kikan was wearing a seatbelt, Devan watched him with a very obvious curiosity. Kikan felt that it was the price he had to receive for receiving Devan's help. Kikan has been labeled as a freak in this town, a person more worthy of reproach than anyone else.

"I'm sure you have a camera on your phone" he said. "Please take a picture."

"I'm sorry." Devan sounds a little embarrassed. "It's hard not to be surprised to see you. You look different."

So is Devan. Like Rey, Devan is now muscular, not that Kikan cares. Anything that has to do with Rey except Jason, it's off limits to him. He can't even be friends with this guy." I'm almost seventeen years old. Of course I look different."

"I mean you look beautiful" Devan explained. "You're growing up better than the rest of us."

Devan must not have noticed the scar on his face. "I'm sure it's not true."

Devan leaned forward and observed Kikan's feet. "Your feet are bleeding."

Embarrassed, Kikan lifted the most painful leg so as not to touch anything in the car. But Devan added to the car's speed, so he definitely didn't want Kikan to jump out. "You told me to go up."

"It's a work pickup, not a luxury vehicle, so don't worry about it. You can use a tissue in the dashboard."

Kikan took the tissue. While trying not to show how painful his wound was, he patted the tissue on his now open blisters.

" How long have you been home? " Devan asked while driving.

" Three days" he answered

Kikan nailed his eyes to his feet, Devan was almost as handsome as Rey, but he didn't want to admit it. He thought to himself how he got into Rey's neighborhood. "Look, I'm not sure why you helped me. But if it's because you're looking for an opportunity to warn me not to bother your friend, I assure you I won't do that. I won't trouble anyone. Especially Rey or Lori's family. I intend to live alone, manage my own affairs, and see if I can possibly get to know my son before he grows up and goes to college." Kikan almost added, that's not an exaggerated request? But he held it. Kikan knows they don't deserve to be in this town, don't deserve anything, even to breathe the same air.

"The fish crossed each other, embracing the body tightly while observing the scene flashed outside the window." He has no business protecting me. "

They were about to arrive at Kikan's driveway when Devan said, "It's nice of you to send Jason money. I don't think people in your situation would bother to do that."

Rey also told Devan about the support he sent for his son? They must still be as close as they used to be, Kikan concluded.

" With an amount like the one you sent, you're bound to need a sacrifice." Devan added" It's hard to make a living there. "

" I'm trying my best." Oh my god, that's true. Kikan worked hard and long at the same time, making bracelets, thanks to a hand-knitting course that inspired him to do business, and not buying anything as much as he could, to raise a little money for Jason." I want to do my part."

"You're very generous"

"I'm happy to do it" he said in a quieter voice.

Devan stopped his car near the residence whose yard looked messy. And Kikan's mother's dog barked wildly.

Kikan opened the pick-up door, as soon as his foot climbed the ground, he said, "Thank you for driving me. I'm sorry if I looked reluctant or ungrateful."

After saying that, Kikan tried not to grimace holding his painful leg. He stood on one leg watching Devan leave. And bewildered when, after putting the reverse gear in, Devan never drove.

" If you need a ride, especially if your feet haven't healed, call me" Devan said, then wrote his phone number on a piece of paper, which he then gave to Kikan.