My Heart Was Wounded Deep
Chapter 33

Kikan still seemed a bit doubtful. Whether he can come to Jason's game this Wednesday, or should he be present at the next game only.

"The hat is a good idea" Rey said, trying to convince him. "The weather is hot now."

"Let me see what I can do" Kikan said as they stepped to the front door.

"alright. I'll pick you up at 14:30"

Kikan grabbed Rey's arm as she stepped out, then suddenly took it off as if she realized she was doing something she shouldn't have done. "Wait, what do you mean? pick me up for what?"

"The match. Especially?" Answer Rey.

"I didn't expect to be picked up, I could go there myself. No need to pick up." Kikan.

"Of course it is necessary."

"No, there's no need! I can do it my way. I remember having a bike out here." Kikan pointed to where Rey had taken her bike. "Did you happen to see it?"

Rey thinks about denying it but doesn't want Kikan to have a reason to call Devan. "There's a friend's place"

"Your friend's place?"

"Do you remember Nanda, my friend from school?"

Kikan.

"He's got a bike shop in town."

"So?"

"He's fixing it."

"Hows it? you mean... You brought my bike to the store?"

"That's because you need transportation to get here and there."

Kikan's face is hardened. "But I don't want you to provide it."

Rey took a deep breath. "Don't let your pride stop you from anything you need, Kikan. .."

"Preciousness? all I have left is respect for myself. You want to take it too?"

Suddenly uncomfortable, and feeling more responsible than ever for taking part in Kikan's affairs. Rey shifted legs. "I never meant to."

"Good." Kikan raised his chin. "Because I can go alone. I don't need your help."

Rey thought of mentioning how much Kikan was grateful for Devan's kindness but was worried that if he mentioned it, Kikan would return all the items they had bought. "Alright," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

"That means no more food," Kikan insisted, and stared intently at Rey.

"There's nothing else. And leave your bike in the store until it's fixed." Said Rey.

"I don't care, I don't want to be pitied" Kikan said.

"And my friend, he fixed it for free. It's not a pity...''

"What?" sue Kikan. "Why do you want to help me?"

To reduce the guilt of letting her parents tell her to break off their relationship, and for not behaving better during her time in prison.

There are times when Rey is tempted to change the decision, giving Kikan's letters to Jason. But after convincing himself that Kikan has too many flaws in his character, Rey can't do that.

Rey has more guilt. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

Kikan was being indifferent. "At that age..."

"Don't make excuses for me" Rey interjected. "I know what love is, and I used to love you."

Rey did not wait for Kikan's response. He did not ask Kikan to forgive him. Maybe it's too much. Even so, He really wanted Kikan to know that Kikan was not crazy for trusting his own heart.

Kikan stepped onto the front steps and the step caught Rey's attention as she was about to get into the car. Kikan remained silent, not even waving.

But she smiled, and inevitably Rey returned her smile.

...☆☆☆☆☆☆☆...

When Devan comes to Jason's game, wearing a leather bracelet that Kikan made for him, Rey tries not to let it bother him, but she realizes her eyes are glancing at the bracelet many times.

"He hasn't come yet?"

"Who?" rey asks, pretending Kikan hasn't been in her mind for a second since the woman returned.

"You know who. Jason's mother."

"Not yet."

Devan's ruffled waist. "Maybe I have to get to her place, to see who knows she needs to be picked up."

"I returned the bike last night." As the day was getting late, and all the lights were out, Rey left the bike next to the trailer, where she had found it earlier when they brought Kikan clothes and food. Rey also left a hat for him, if if Kikan had not gotten a hat to hide the seams.

Devan kept looking around in the crowd. "Home's pretty far away." Said.

"Not that far, if he uses his bike. I'm sure he'll be here soon." Rey doesn't want Devan to pick Kikan up, especially Kikan doesn't want to be picked up by him.

Devan seemed to dislike Rey's reaction, but he sat down and put his feet on the bench below them. "It takes courage to come here, especially on a bike."

"There's no harm in riding a bike." Said Rey.

"If you do it to stay healthy or for the environment, it's not. But riding a bike because you're an ex-con and you don't have better transportation, it just makes people find something else to belittle you." Devan.

"People in this city feel as if they already have enough reasons to underestimate it."

"That's why I'm worried. I don't like to imagine everyone pointing at him and looking at him." Devan.

"He's not even here yet, Van.."

"If he comes."

"He'll be fine. He just wants to see Jason play." Said Rey.

"So he'll vent. I-i understand. He dares to face many things, but this one won't be easy."

Rey looked at her friend sharply. He doesn't like to hear Devan worry so much about Kikan. Because only he and Devan are in the circle of their unmarried friendship. None of them had met the right woman. Rey is suspicious that Devan secretly likes Kikan, but Rey won't let Devan start thinking that Kikan might be the right woman. "Don't worry about him, Bro."

Devan retorted by staring unhappily at Rey. He clearly felt the comment was unnecessary, but Rey did not withdraw. He pretended to watch his son warm up. "Oh, that's it" Devan said.

Rey follows Devan's gaze and sees Kikan choosing to sit in a corner, so as not to attract attention. Shortly after his parents emerged from the left side of the Tribune, Rey's parents always came if the situation allowed. Now that he's retired, half of Jason's entire game is always there. But he hoped they wouldn't come this time. He didn't tell them Jason's match schedule this time, nor did he tell them that Jason invited his mother.

"Hello!" Rey's mother approached them. Rey grabbed her hand and helped her sit down. He did that when his father greeted the parents of the other children on the team. But he had a hard time showing a happy reaction when he met his parents. Kikan had faced quite a lot of difficulties, the last thing he needed right now was to deal with Rey's parents.