Chapter 14

"Arie, Auntie Grace, and Uncle Alfredo are here to talk to us about school or something it sounds urgent. So, get your lazy bum up and going they seem excited about something. C'mon, lazy bum get up… get up."

"Argh, I'm enjoying my reading time here, can't you see the climax is near in the story."

"Read later, walk now."

"Fine, fine, I'm up you demanding old man."

"Did you just call me old man, old sissy?"

"Ariella! Kim! Come here now, we have something to tell you two that is super important for your future."

"We're coming, auntie, I'm just dragging her lazy bum out of the bed!"

"Hey! Don't call me lazy bum, you old man."

Big bro just ignored me as he continues to drag me out of the room towards the living room by the hand. Seeing my godparents with apparent excitement in their eyes I could already guess what they're about to tell us. Oh well, let them have their moment of excitement while I just act of surprise. I'm pretty much sure that those two didn't ask for any kinds of important information about the evaluation for the special class and they just wholeheartedly agreed to it. Big bro will be surely happy about it.

"I got a call this morning for your school faculty informing us that you two got nominated to be part of the special class if you pass their evaluation that will be happening tomorrow morning at the school, they also said to not bring anything but water and food to eat for lunch." – Ninang Grace told us with apparent enthusiasm, if I didn't know any better, I'll think Ninang is a child being praise non-stop by her parents because of baby faced and small (petite) structure. She's not that small but small enough you'll mistake her as a young teenager with five feet in height.

There is a word that fully described my Ninang's physical predicament I just can't put my finger on it. Oh well, I'll remember it eventually in the future. Stealing a glimpse at my big bro's reaction towards the good news I almost tumbled down from the surprise of seeing him act like he's aged. Jumping from the surprise and shouting… no… cheering, yes that's the right word for it, cheering through the air as he pumps up and down his arm.

And so, I acted like my age which wasn't that hard seeing my family makes me happy no matter is the occasion, besides remembering big bro's word to me when we reconciled from our fight. `I do not take others' choices even if for the greater good. So, I've decided from this point on when the four of them are ready and have the strength and power to back it up, I'll be ready, to tell the truth. I hope I'll be ready by then because having a big secret and lying to them is not my forte. It will only take some time for them to figure it, I just hope before that happen, I've already told them the truth.

"By the way, Ninang, did they say about what kind of exam will be doing or a clue what will happen tomorrow? Because I've heard some nasty rumor about it if a student fails the exam, they said the student who fails the exam undergoes mental trauma or something."

"Nonsense, don't believe rumors easily, no school would allow such absurd actions towards its student that will compromise their comprehension to study." – Ninong Alfredo said nonchalantly

"Now, let's celebrate it's my treat, c'mon little Arie stop worrying. Call mamang and papang so all of us can go to Cuisine de Paraiso, get ready as we'll be eating our dinner over there. Thankfully, I've got a friend who can set a reservation… dress nicely too." – as expected of Ninong Alfredo, he never seized to amazed at the way he spends his money, fortunately, he doesn't brag about his abundance of money to others or act arrogantly.

"We might have a problem with that one, uncle." – big bro said stopping Ninong Alfredo from his tracks.

"And what would that be, Kim?"

"When you said dress nicely, you don't mean like those semi-formal clothes right, because I don't have those kinds of clothes. I only have casual clothing that you can see when you go to the wet market." – big bro nervously said as he rubs his nape while glancing up and down for Ninong's reaction.

How could I forget such an important thing about big bro? Big bro is an illegitimate child that comes from my maternal grandmother even if my maternal family treats him as a part of our family, big bro's father's family doesn't. Whenever we aren't paying attention they'll treat him badly just because he's a bastard and his father doesn't even care.

We are not a rich family, especially my maternal family but they're not that poor, it's quiet in the middle like a mediocre family. So, for my big bro to not have well-conditioned clothes and personal materials is expected.

I'm so stupid for not even remembering such important detail in big bro's life, that's one of the reasons why he became a drug addict before in the previous timeline. My maternal grandmother is not that good at parenting even though she's a good parent but with so many children equal lots of responsibilities plus grandchildren. Kim would lack parental love and care, especially with how his father treats him.

"Then will go shopping for you son, we can't let you look like a wet chick, and you don't have to worry about whose money going to pay for your clothes because I'm the one paying not your monthly allowance. And no, you are not paying me back son, you are part of our family now, so deal with it but don't get used to it." – this is what I really love about Ninong's personality, he'll help a person as best as he could but not over help them, so they won't get dependent over his money. Well, ain't he nice, my Ninang got lucky for marrying such a man, and thankfully, he's not a cheater too. A wonderful combination.

"Thank you, uncle, I won't forget this, I'll do my best to become part of the special class, so I'll be proud to say that I'm part of this family and won't be ashamed that I'm a bastard child leeching off this family."

"What the heck are you saying, big bro! Who said those words to you? I'll mince their body like ground pork and feed them to pigs. How dare they insult you, big bro." – I'm so mad right now, like how could a person say those words to a boy just because he was born out of wedlock and wrong time doesn't mean it defines who he is.

My big brother is an innocent boy that will grow up to become a brave selfless man in the future, he will do great things along with mistakes, but those mistakes don't count being a child born out of wedlock.

"Remember Kim, you are part both of the Lewis family and Legaspi family no matter what others has to say, or you might hear in the future. An illegitimate son or not, you are Kim Legaspi, my brother-in-law and big brother of Ariella. You are not leeching off our family because you are part of the family, Kim. Remember that, okay?" – Ninang Grace comforted big bro pulling him into a warm hug as tears falls in his eyes, a sob escaped from his mouth continuing with crying.

It breaks my heart to see my strong big brother crying his eyes out like this, but to become a strong person, one must admit to himself or herself that projecting such weakness to others and admitting to them you are hurt is the bravest and strongest action I could ever see. Weakness can become strength or vice versa, it depends on the situation.

"Ignore those people, they're just unreasonable people that karma will bite in the future, so ignore and forget them. They're useless to you, cheer up now… we still have time to go shopping before our reservation. Ariella be a dear and let your grandparents know that we will be going out, okay?" – Ninong Alfredo verbalizes as he takes out his phone calling a person who I assume that a friend of his in the Cuisine de Paraiso to make a reservation.

I got out of the house glancing back towards big bro seeing him calm down and smile sweetly. I should probably spoil him today with lots of clothes that will suit him or something. I'll think of an idea on how to spoil him later after I informed mamang and papang about our abrupt outing and got ready. Maybe we will see something that big bro likes or is interested in.

Yeah, that's a great temporary plan, I'm so awesome at taking care of my family. Now that we are talking about family, I'm wondering how Olivia is doing right now, her class should've started a few days ago too. I hope she's doing fine and making friends. ~Sigh~ I missed that girl and bubbly talkative attitude. I should buy her some toys before summer, I'm sure she'll like it if I remember correctly, she likes those little kitchens set toys where a kid will pretend, they're cooking food.

After everything was prepared our abrupt outing has been set and now, we are on our way to SM short for Supermall, it's the nearest mall to our original destination.