Eight Chapter: Happy Birthday (2)

Hypoxia.

A state in which oxygen is less than the minimal level or absolutely none at all to the body tissue leading to failure of maintaining homeostasis. This can cause headaches, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, etc. If not immediately addressed, survival is difficult. Ten minutes maximum is your time limit.

Of course, that's not what's happening here!

I'm currently wedged between two heavy-duty mallows. Someone, help me! I quickly tap out, hoping Sis Marga would understand I'm about to pass out from her massive jiggly puffs. Thankfully, she seemed to understand what I meant and finally released me from her python-like hold.

Gasp!

I took deep breaths of air, filling my deficient lungs. It was less than a minute, but long enough to almost bring me to my ancestors waiting on the other side.

"Haa … Sis Marga, you're too fierce …" I said breathlessly.

Sis Marga, ashamed, coughed on her hand. "Ahem, I was too excited …" 

"You almost send Blacky to the netherworld with those useless jugs of yours," Big Bro didn't miss the chance to insult her.

Sis Marga ignored him. She reached out to hug me, much gentler this time, and softly said. "I'm sorry Alex, I hope you forgive me." 

My head on Sis Marga's chest. "You don't have to be sorry. I miss you too," I replied softly.

Hearing that, Sis Marga, suddenly stopped moving, eyes hidden behind her hair.. And then she suddenly looked up and, maybe it was my imagination, but I could bet I saw some hearts in her pupils glowing with intensity.

As if she finally couldn't take it anymore, she pounced on me once more and bombarded my face all over with kisses. "I miss you so much, Alex!"

"This b*tch just flat out ignored me, huh …" Big Bro said, annoyed, in the background while I'm still drowning from Sis Marga's affection. 

Smooch! Smooch!

Big Bro's eyebrow kept on twitching as this farce continued to happen. Finally losing patience, Big Bro yanked Sis Marga off of me.

"Can you stop molesting Blacky!" Big Bro shouted with fervor.

Sis Marga, surprised by the sudden shift of position, annoyingly glanced at Big Bro.

She flicked her hair behind and put her arms beneath her breast. "What a slander, in what way, am I molesting Alex?"

She continues with self-righteousness. "I'm merely expressing my love. Is that wrong?"

"Love, my ass! Look at Blacky, she looks like she's just been assaulted!" Big Bro pointed at me on the sofa.

My hair was everywhere; my clothes were creased all over, added to my sloppy position, I looked, like, as if a hurricane just passed by. Obviously, after Big Bro yanked Sis Marga off, I immediately fixed myself. I cannot allow even a second of improperness since black should and shall be elegant and chic! 

That's why when Sis Marga followed Big Bro's finger …

"Hm? I don't seem to get what you mean. My Alex still remains as cute and handsome as ever." 

"Huh? Are you blind? Look at he—" Big Bro stopped mid-sentence, shocked at my clean appearance. "Eh? Weren't you just looked as if a d*mn amazon woman rode you to death?"

I acted clueless, tilting my head as if I were confused by his words. And a little irked by his chosen comparison. 

This guy has no sense of decorum whatsoever …

Sis Marga walked closer to Big Bro, seemingly trying to put her hand on his shoulder, but hesitated and put her hand down again as if she was disgusted at the thought of touching him. "It's okay, Ankur. We all know sometimes you seem as if you're out of your mind." 

A tick in his head appeared, pissed off by her words. "Are you trying to say I'm crazy?! And don't think I didn't notice what you're thinking!"

"Oh my, I simply do not want to get your germs. It might be contagious. And no, I'm not trying. You really are crazy," she spoke with certainty.

"You b*tc—"

"Ankur."

Big Bro was interrupted by someone calling his name in a cold-biting tone. 

Big Bro froze in his tracks, slowly rotating his neck as if he was a broken doll toy. "A-aunt."

"Why did you stop? Continue what you're saying," Aunt said with a smile that does not seem like a smile.

"Haha, I'm saying, Aunt, w-we should go to the beach in summer. I k-know some good places nearby," Big Bro nervously laughed as he tried to save his ass from getting whooped by Aunt.

"Eh … is that so? Then you probably better off planning or … was that just a lie?" Aunt told Big Bro knowing it's a lie, but probably is trying to humor Big Bro with his horrible excuse.

"Y-yes, I'll get to it, ma'am!" Big Bro stood up straight and went off to who-knows-where.

Aunt is really scary when angry … Good thing I rarely make Aunt mad at me.

I took a sip of some cola treating the scene like a theater movie. I glanced to the side and saw that Matthaios was doing the same. I raised my fist at him, signaling to him to fist bump it. Understanding it, he also raised his fist and lightly bumped it with mine.

Comrade.

I nodded my head in satisfaction internally.

"How have you been?" Sis Marga, now sitting beside me (I didn't notice her, how?), asked gently as she snuggled up on my side, pushing her soft chest at me.

I didn't put too much thought into it since I'm used to it and answered. "It's fine, how 'bout you, Sis?" 

She heavily sighed and further snuggled up on me. "Those annoying pests are bothering me again. I'm so annoyed, Alex."

"They're like dumb-stupid-idiots, who don't know how to take no for an answer.

"Aren't they ashamed of themselves? Do they think they stand a chance with that face?

"And even if their only chance is their personality, but with their deplorable attitude, do they really think I'll like them?"

She continued to rant about her frustration. Similar to Aunt, they like to talk and talk until the receiving party's ears are about to fall off. However, I didn't interrupt Sis Marga and just let her release all her bad feelings away. 

Sis Marga is the perfect example of someone who suffers from success. With her goddess-like looks, suitors from everywhere flock to her like bees to a flower.

She was a tall, graceful woman. Sis Marga got Aunt's metallic gray hair with natural big wavy curls ending just above her butt. Eyes shining in a golden color, inevitably sucking you in with its honey-like appeal, glistening like gems under the sun. 

An alluring body shows her appeal as a mature woman, with curves at the right places and great assets that many women would envy and men would love—although, some women would probably also like it. Combined with her responsible and dependable personality, she was often given duties; relied on, and admired by peers and professors alike. In return, she tends to get pent up a lot and release all of it, like now, at me.

I silently listen to all her grievances, giving some comforting pats on her back or head. Letting her snuggle all she wants and say whatever she wants. This is the only thing I can do to Sis Marga since I can't really ward off everyone who tried to bother her and we're not even at the same school to assist her with her duties. 

***

After a while.

"I'm sorry, Alex. It seems I bothered you again …" Sis Marga guiltily said after realizing how much she said.

I gently smiled at her, caressing her hair softly. "I told you, you don't have to be sorry. As long as you're okay then I'm happy." 

I added. "I know how much you do your best, so it's fine once in a while to stop and take a break." 

Sis Marga silently stared into my eyes, face unreadable. She slowly leaned, almost as if she was trying to kiss me on my lips, and wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. 

"..." she was just silently hugging me tightly. So I just silently hugged her back, lightly patting her back.

Her face buried on my shoulder, she said in a muffled voice. "... Thank you."

"You're always welcome."

It's such a touching scene anyone with a heart would find heart-warming …

"Sorry to intrude, but could you pass me that plate? It would be much appreciated," Matthaios abruptly asked from the side.

"Ah, yes," I awkwardly said, a little caught off guard.

I let go of her and passed him the plate. 

"Thank you." 

Sis Marga just laughed softly at the sight.

"Blacky, Ma just called," Big Bro appeared like a wild p*kemon.

"Oh. Then, uhh … Sis, Matthaios, I think we need to go home now." 

Sis Marga visibly deflated but had no choice but to bid farewell.

"Sigh … Take care on the way home, Alex," Sis Marga reluctantly said her goodbyes.

She turned towards Big Bro. "Drive Alex safely home, I hope at least you know better than putting her in danger."

" I know, I know. You don't have to tell me twice," Big Bro waved his hands, showing he knew what he was doing.

Sis Marga seemed to want to say something but decided against it and simply hugged me goodbye. 

"Thank you for your time and presence, Alex, Ankur. May you return home safely," Matthaios, as always, formally greeted us goodbye.

"Just tell Aunt Sotiria we went home already if ever she woke up," Big Bro said while tying his shoes. 

Aunt Sotiria went to take a nap since it was already past midnight. She was never someone who stayed up late, after all. 

Big Bro stood up and said our goodbye for the last time. "We'll be on our way then."

"Bye. Thank you and happy birthday again, Sis Marga," I waved my hands while I said goodbye.

"Let's go out sometime, Alex, if you're free that is," Sis Marga said as she hugged me for the last time.

"Sure, I'll make time for you, Sis. "

Sis Marga kind of twitched and after a moment, finally released me. She looked a little flushed, maybe because it was hot? (It's the middle of the night, Alex, don't be an idiot). Never mind and pushed it to the back of my mind. 

"We'll be going now."

***

At home.

We quietly entered through the gate, and slooowly opened the main door. 

Big Bro signaled to me to go in first. So I went inside first and was surprised when I saw Mama sitting in the living room. 

"Ma, why are you still awake?" I asked, putting my bag down somewhere at the side.

"I was waiting for you two," Mama drowsily said.

"I'll go to sleep now, I'm tired," she added.

"Yes, yes, go to sleep, Ma. You didn't have to wait for us, you know?"

Big Bro gently pushed Mama's back, bantering a little while they walked towards the room. Seeing that Big Bro would take care of Mama, I washed up and brushed my teeth. Went to my room and flopped down the bed, immediately falling asleep. Tired and probably will be more tired tomorrow.

Good night.