Rayden remained hidden in his makeshift alcove as a group of men approached, their voices growing louder as they drew near. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he realized they were accompanied by a captive woman.Peering cautiously around the corner, Rayden watched as the men roughly pushed the woman forward, her hands bound behind her back. She stumbled, almost falling to the ground, but they yanked her upright again, laughing cruelly.Rayden's heart raced as he struggled to comprehend what he was witnessing. It was clear that the woman was in trouble, and he knew he couldn't just stand idly by and do nothing. But he also knew he needed to be careful – confronting the men head-on could put both himself and the woman in even greater danger.As the group drew closer, Rayden pressed himself further into the shadows, weighing his options. He needed to find a way to help the woman without alerting the men to his presence. But as he watched their rough treatment of her, he knew he coul
After dinner, Rayden now stood in front of the mirror, getting himself ready for an important event. He was fixing himself up for something that he needed to attend to."Oh, my handsome son! Where are you heading, my child?" Mrs. Rebecca curiously asked, her interest piqued.Rayden faced his mother and replied, "I'm going to Isabelle's place, mom."Mrs. Rebecca neatly brushed Rayden's hair and straightened his collar."Son, if your father were still alive, he would surely be proud of you. Especially now that you're becoming a fine young man.""Wherever he may be, I'm sure he's proud of both of you for taking care of us," Rayden said, placing his hands on his mother's shoulders."Are you sure about Isabelle?" Mrs. Rebecca asked, her question tinged with doubt."Yes, mom. I'm sure she's the woman I will love forever..." Rayden's eyes sparkled as he spoke those words.They were just two siblings. He worked hard as a fisherman to provide for his younger sister who was studying. Rayden was
As Rayden stood there, seething with anger and regret over his impulsive act, one of the bystanders, fueled by the spectacle, approached him. This bystander, a burly figure with a confrontational demeanor, issued a direct challenge to Rayden."Hey, you! If you're so courageous, why don't you prove it in a one-on-one fight?" the bystander taunted, his voice dripping with provocation. The other friends who had been watching eagerly joined in, cheering and goading Rayden to accept the challenge.But Rayden, overwhelmed by his inner turmoil and the weight of his emotions, couldn't find it within himself to engage in a physical confrontation.His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Isabelle, the love they shared, and the painful separation forced upon them."Sorry, I can't," Rayden replied, his voice tinged with sadness and distraction. "I have more important things on my mind."The bystanders, initially eager for a fight, now registered a mix of confusion and disappointment on their fac
The gangsters quickly fled when the patrolling police arrived. They saw Rayden lying on the ground, appearing lifeless.They hurriedly approached him to check his condition."Can you stand up, young man, or do we need to carry you?" asked one of the police officers, crouching down to the injured Rayden.Rayden couldn't speak due to the intense pain he was feeling. He could only moan in response to them."Buddy, we should call for backup," suggested one of the police officers.Another officer grabbed the radio. "Come in base, over..."The other line responded, "This is Santa Lucía Police Station, over.""We have a young man beaten on Mabuhay Street. Send backup to apprehend the gangsters... Also, send an ambulance, over...""Copy that, over..."The two police officers carefully helped Rayden, supporting him as they leaned him against their vehicle. They gently laid him down."Poor guy, he's covered in bruises," lamented one of the officers, placing a hand on his chest."Yeah, buddy. Th
After three days, Rayden was finally discharged from the hospital. His bruises had healed, and he was feeling much better. The people who had beaten him up had been caught."Oh, my child. Are you feeling better now?" Mrs. Rebecca asked, concerned."I feel physically better, Mom. The pain in my body fades quickly, but the pain in my heart, even with the slightest relief, still lingers," Rayden expressed his emotions."Oh, child. Forget about those things for now. You are kind, hardworking, brave, and handsome. You take after your father and me. I know you will overcome your love troubles..." Mrs. Rebecca gently held both of Rayden's cheeks.She embraced him, offering comfort for what he was feeling."Even though I fail in love, I am fortunate because you are always there to support me," Rayden said."Because you are my child. I love you and your sister dearly. I hope you both take care of each other when I'm no longer around," Mrs. Rebecca raised her chin."You will never be gone from
Leila quickly returned with a glass of water, her hands trembling as she handed it to her brother. They both knelt beside their unconscious mother, fear gripping their hearts."Mom, please wake up," Rayden pleaded, his voice laced with worry. "Leila, help me lift her head so she can drink the water."Leila gently supported their mother's head while Rayden carefully tried to pour a few drops of water into her mouth. However, to their dismay, Mrs. Rebecca remained unresponsive. The water trickled from her lips, unable to be swallowed."Oh no, what do we do now?" Leila's voice trembled with panic. "Brother Rayden, we need to bring her to the hospital!"Rayden's eyes widened, realizing the urgency of the situation. He nodded, determination replacing his fear. "You're right, Leila. We have to get her to the hospital immediately."As they prepared to carry their mother, the sound of rain intensified outside. Dark clouds enveloped the sky, releasing a torrential downpour. The heavy raindrops
As Rayden, Leila, and Ricky arrived at the hospital, their hearts pounding with a mix of relief and anxiety, they wasted no time in rushing Mrs. Rebecca to the emergency room. The urgency of the situation was evident, and the nurses and doctors quickly sprung into action."Please, you have to help her!" Rayden pleaded, his voice filled with desperation as he held tightly onto his mother's hand. "She collapsed, and we don't know what's wrong!"The medical staff, recognizing the gravity of the situation, swiftly took charge. They whisked Mrs. Rebecca away on a stretcher, wheeling her into the emergency room. Rayden and Leila instinctively moved to follow, hoping to stay by their mother's side.However, a stern-faced doctor intercepted their path, blocking their way. "I'm sorry, but you cannot enter the emergency room. It's crucial for us to assess and stabilize your mother's condition. Please wait outside."Leila's eyes welled up with tears, her voice quivering as she protested. "But sh
At seven in the morning, the sun cast a golden glow on the sandy beach as Rayden and Ricky landed from the boat. The salty breeze tousled their hair as they carried with them a bountiful catch of fish, their hard work paying off.Rayden's mother and younger brother stood waiting on the shore, their eyes lighting up with joy at the sight of the freshly caught fish. Mrs. Rebecca's voice filled with gratitude as she embraced Rayden. "Rayden, Ricky, thank you both. This is a wonderful gift."Rayden beamed with pride, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. "Mom, these fish are for you and our family. Ricky and I worked hard to catch them, hoping to bring some happiness and delicious meals to our table."Ricky nodded, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Absolutely, Mrs. Rebecca. We wanted to contribute something special for you all."Mrs. Rebecca's eyes sparkled with appreciation as she looked at her son and his friend. "You both have hearts of gold. Let's cook these fish and enjoy a