Two Moments of Life

***

The guy shut the door, probably to prevent me from escaping. He then looked at the unconscious kidnapper.

"How the hell did you manage to render him unconscious."

"Just smacked him good in the window when he looked out." My heart was beating fast. It was a dangerous situation. But I cannot show him that I am scared of him in any way.

"Played dirty, huh?"

"Not dirtier than you guys."

"Why?! Why is it always some brat messing up my plan?!" He started talking to himself probably frustrated by the situation.

*Bzzzt* My phone started vibrating in my pocket.

"It is like this city just hates me! Last time it didn't go well with that girl and now this time again! Why are you brats such a pain in the ass!"

"Huh?!" Did I hear that right?

"What huh?"

"Y-you just said something about kidnapping a girl, right?" I was barely able to speak.

"Yeah! Last time that bitc—"

"SHUT THE HELL UP YOU BASTARD!!" I dashed towards him trying to punch him in the face but he grabbed my arm and threw me to the door.

It hit harder than I thought it would. I was furious at this guy but right now, I can't let him take away my focus from the problem at hand.

"What the hell did my sister even do to you?"

"Sister? Wait, are you the brother of that WeTuber's daughter? It is again the same family messing up my plans. Everything was going fine but she just had to try and run away."

"So you just killed her?"

"The bastard laying unconscious there was the one who tried to stop her by scaring her with the gun but slipped while running after her and misfired. I just had a good idea. I would just take you both hostages and escape from here. Then get money from both of your parents. A good idea indeed. Now let's hurry up before the cops break through my men who are holding them off outside. Retribute for your foolishness now."

I was standing in front of the door now and the guy had his back to the window. It was finally time to execute the plan. I put one hand in my pocket and raised the other to signal that I was ready.

"It's you who is about to receive retribution!" Jiro who was standing behind the window with a fake gun with plastic bullets meant for kids started shooting those plastic bullets at the guy.

Of course, they were not going to do anything but that was not the point. Startled by something he was not prepared for, he fell to the ground. As his focus shifted from me and he lowered his guard I took the cloth once again and ran towards him covering his mouth with it. I hurt my arm in the process but managed to render him unconscious too.

I knew if there was someone with them who would be able to break through the lock and I wasn't able to spot him or he was not present when I was observing, it would create a serious problem. I instructed Jiro to keep this gun on him as a security measure. After running away he gave me a call; that was the vibration.

Since I didn't pick up the call, it meant that there was some problem so he ran towards the house at once. I made him lower his guard by making him think that rendering the other guy unconscious was pure luck and I didn't have anything on me to defend myself. I was hoping this would not happen but it proved good to be prepared for this. Although, I hurt my arm in the process. It was hurting really bad.

After that the police came in, successfully arresting the kidnappers. Kayo and I were taken to the hospital for a check-up. I signaled Jiro to run so he was not found by the police. I was reprimanded by both the police and my parents a lot but I didn't regret anything I did. I was able to successfully protect Kayo and not let history repeat itself. Kayo was unconscious due to fatigue and not getting proper food and water for days but it was nothing serious. Kayo's father also scolded me but thanked me too. With this, the rescue was successful.

I told the police and my parents about the relation of the kidnappers to my sister's incident too. They both started crying and were happy that the kidnappers would finally face their punishment. I also felt like I was able to do justice to my sister and tears started flowing through my eyes.

*What is she thinking if she is watching me from up there?* I thought and smiled.

***

It's 8th October now. Midterms are getting closer and closer. Yesterday was a hectic day. My elbow joint was apparently dislocated a little. Thank god it was just a little. I knew I was not getting out of that situation unharmed but this was much better than the worst-case scenario.

 Kayo was still unconscious when I last saw her. Her father took her back home with him. I didn't go to school today too because of my injury. Kayo also didn't go obviously. She was probably still in a lot of shock so I avoided visiting her till evening but there was something that I had to do now, as soon as I could. I went to her house in the evening and knocked on the door. Kayo opened the door and for some reason, as soon as she saw me, she closed it.

"Hey! Why did you close it?"

"I can't face you right now."

"Why?"

"I can't!"

"Come on! Open it." After some time she opened it again and timidly came out. "So, why were you not opening it."

"I mean... because of me..." I see. So that is the reason.

"Come, let's go for a walk in the park." She looked puzzled but agreed.

It was pretty cold and the sun was also about to set. The coldness and the beautiful sunset were creating a really pleasant atmosphere. Kayo was fidgeting like she really wanted to say something and was trying to get her jumbled-up thoughts in order so I waited for her. Eventually, she said:

"Why did you come to save me?" I guess her father told her everything.

"It was not only me but Yoko and Jiro too though."

"Yeah, I know. They told me about everything. You were the one in the most danger. Look, you are the only one injured too. And seriously how did you even come up with this plan." So the main criminals were Yoko and Jiro, not her father.

"It is not like I was just gonna leave you alone. As for the plan, I guess I am just a genius."

"Not really trying to be modest anymore, huh?"

"I mean I have more or less come to terms with it."

"But still... how am I supposed to face you after you went through so much because of me."

"Listen here, this is embarrassing so I will only say it once. You were there for me when I was feeling low. You were there to give me a push when I was hesitating. You were there to celebrate with me on any achievement. You were there to stand for me when I was cowering with fear. You have been there for me ever since you came into my life. It is obvious that sometimes I need to do the same too. From now on, I will be there for you whenever you are feeling sad, hesitating, in trouble, or happy. Besides, it is a boy's job to protect a girl, isn't it? Took me quite some time to realize that though. Uhh... anyways, it is embarrassing, let's go."

When I turned to look at her her face was red and I could see small tears in the corner of her eyes as she was smiling. I smiled too as I grabbed her hand and started walking back towards home.

"I love you!" She murmured something.

"Huh? What did you say?"

"Uhh... N-n-nothing!" Her face was even more red. I smiled and hugged her.

"No taking that back now," I whispered in her ear.

"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!" She started hitting me with slight punches like a kid as I laughed at her reactions.

"I love you too! More than anything in this world." I replied to her confession.

She went totally red. Just as I started to walk ahead she suddenly grabbed the scarf I had around my neck, the same scarf which she gifted me on our Christmas Date, pulling my face closer and kissed me.

"No one is taking that back," She said with a smile as she ran ahead.

"I won't let you even if you beg now," I said as I ran after her laughing.

A cold breeze was blowing but I was feeling warm inside. Just a year ago, I could have never thought I would feel something like this and would be able to love someone. Life is too short and unpredictable to be mulling over things. Everything that has happened has led me to one conclusion. Life is just like two moments, fading in the blink of an eye, so we should spend them with the ones who we love the most and face its problems with them by our side so we can smile while facing those problems.

Surely then, these Two Moments will be the most beautiful to live.

***