Love and Justice

In a small village where everybody knows each other, there's this boy who never stood a single fight. Whenever someone tries to make him mad, he will just turn around, never daring to even prove to them that he is strong enough to protect himself. And so, the villagers call him coward.

His name is Ian Lee. His whole life is a paper, just plain pure white. But then there came Yani, the bubbly, pretty, caring girl who rocks Ian's world. She totally surprised him, she showed him how beautiful is it to live, she told him to appreciate the fact that he was given the chance to see the world. A world full of mystery.

"Ian, I'm always here for you. Remember, they cannot take it," she says looking at Ian intently.

But Ian could only refuse Yani's love. He says he is not the right guy for her. He says she will find a guy better than him. He says she should stay away from him. He tells her lies and Yani wishes he would spare him the truth because those lies are so unbearable.

"Couldn't you see? I am a coward, Yani. I won't be able to protect you from any trouble." He outragedly bursted out, his eyes are a forest of emotion Yani doesn't know how to comprehend.

"I am not asking you to protect me, Ian. I am begging for your love! Don't you get it? I love you and it's killing me to see you push me away," Yani shouted crying her heart out. Her silky hair covers her face, not wanting Ian to see her shed as tears came rushing down her cheeks.

It's as if he slapped her in the face. And it left a painful mark not on her face but in her heart.

"I love you but maybe this love just ain't enough because you don't feel the same way. Fine, I get it Ian. Maybe, you're everything I couldn't have." Yani softly said as she reached for the door and never look back.

Ian stood there, paralyzed. He doesn't know if he should follow her or just let her go. Yani is everything and he couldn't ask for more. If he keeps her, would she be happy tied to a coward like him? Yani doesn't deserve to be miserable. She deserves a happy ending.

But in Ian's side, he is not sure if there is a happy ending.

Iran remained still. He ponders and wonders in every possibility. Hope, he thought, is the only chance. Hope is a pocket of possibility. And the world is full of possibilities.

Then the past came rushing. It keeps playing in his mind. Every ounce of memory, every bit of it, the flashback plays. And once again, Ian was ten years old.

He was wearing tattered clothes facing his mother in behind bars. His eyes are wet, his heart is totally broken seeing her mother's fractured face.

His mother is in agony. She could only live for minutes and Ian, ten years old Ian, can do nothing about it but cry.

"Son, my life is over but yours has just begun. I don't want you to be like me. Please take care of yourself while I'm gone. Walk away from any trouble if you can. You don't have to fight, son. You don't have to prove you are a man. So please, please, please promise....." He bite back a scream until his mother's last breath.

She died pleading. Those were his mother's last words.

Two years later, his father went for a war. And only a flag returned. Because he's dead.

His mother fought for justice, his father fought for the country, and Ian, he doesn't have to fight. He doesn't want to end up to be like his mother and father. So, he walks away in every trouble even if it means he will be called a coward.

Then he heard a scream. A scream asking for help. And he doesn't need to think twice before realizing who is the owner of that voice because he is sure enough who it is: Yani.

He ran toward the door where Yani had just went out. And with his very own eyes, he saw her being pinned on the wall. Four guys surround her. And then, one of the guys started kissing her forcefully but Yani kept pushing him away but his grip was so tight she could only muffle a scream.

It was all Ian could take. Anger was building inside him. He could watch no more. But all of a sudden, he heard his mother's last words. For a moment, he stopped because in those moments, he knew he is going to break that promise.

Without a word, he went out, exposing himself.

When those four guys saw him, they just laughed. But Ian is focusing, and only then that they see the rage Ian had kept for all those years of turning his back.

Then they fought. Yani couldn't believe her eyes, she even have to squeeze them shut and pinch her cheek just to make sure she is not imagining or even dreaming.

Ian throw punches enough to knock three guys down. Yani could see Ian is tired, too tired to fight. So, when the last guy tried to throw another punch, Yani ran toward Ian and hugged him. Then they fall to the ground.

And the last guy ran away with fear evident in his eyes.

Ian helped Yani stood up. "I'm sorry, Yani. I'm sorry for being a jerk. I'd understand if you're going to leave me now."

Yani said nothing.

She's silent for a while but after a couple of silence she managed to ask. "Why did you save me?"

Ian laughed before he cups her face and kissed her. "Because Yani, I didn't want to lose you, okay? I love you."

Yani could only smile as she reached for his ears and whisper. "I love you too, Ian. Always have, always will."

"And now, I just wish my mother would forgive me. Mom, I tried to avoid any trouble but right now, I know I should fight. And I will fight for this girl beside me. I'm sorry mom and thank you, too." Ian remarked.

They say justice is blind, and sometimes deaf just like love. But then love only goes blind when we play blind, deaf when we play deaf but really, love and justice only exists to those who believe. Like Ian and Yani.