Care

ANGELLE

"Are you listening, Couz?"

"Huh?"

Ate Jove squints her eyes and bites her lip, confirming that my mind is indeed preoccupied.

"It's been two days, Couz. Move on already, we've moved on." Ate Jove says, crossing her arms.

I gulp. "You don't understand me, Couz. You're not in my situation, that's why you're saying that," I retort and roll my eyes.

"I'm sorry, Couz. I just wanted to tell you to stop thinking about it for now." Her words make me bow my head, and I feel the corners of my eyes starting to water.

"Why is Link like that?" I suddenly ask, taking a deep breath. Ate Jove sighs and approaches me, gently placing a hand on my back.

“That's how guys are, Couz. Didn't I tell you before that I don't like Link for you? Because hype beasts are never satisfied with just one." I hugged her tightly and sobbed.

"I don't want to live anymore! I don't want tooo! Why does Link have to leave me?!" I ask, Ate Jove separates from me and faces me.

"Couz, you need to move on. You and Link weren't meant to be—"

"THERE'S A FIRE!"

I jerked up on the bed, startled by the person who had the audacity to shout at me in my own room. I woke up because of her yelling.

"What the hell are you doing here!?" I snapped at her, but she just responded with a smile. "I'm asking you! Why are you here? Did I give you permission to come here?"

She winced and sat on my bed. "You act like you're not my sibling with the way you speak. Tch! Anyway, I came in here without permission because I was surprised to hear you talking while you were asleep." I was talking in my sleep?

"Excuse me?"

"Who is Link?" I furrowed my brow.

"Link? What about him?"

"I heard you earlier saying, 'I don't want to live anymore! I don't want tooo! Why does Link have to leave me?' I haven't met him yet?" Shit.

I must have been sleep talking again.

"Don't mind him,"

"Tch! Was he your ex?" She asked, always so talkative.

Meet Angelica Shaine Musco, my sibling.

"Shut your mouth and don't ask me about that guy, leave!" I snapped as she stood up from her seat and raised an eyebrow at me.

"I'll eventually meet Link, it's easy to connect, right?" I glared at her, but she just smiled before leaving.

Ugh! I really hate her guts, nah. Ever since Lica and I became like this, we've been close, but like normal siblings, we also have arguments that get resolved in a few hours. That's just how she is, too high-maintenance.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead in frustration. Why do I have to dream about that? And it was such an ugly dream too.

I took care of myself and took a shower. Afterwards, I went downstairs to have breakfast. I passed by Mama and my siblings who were watching TV in the living room, so I proceeded to the kitchen and ate alone.

I paused in the middle of eating as I suddenly remembered what Lica said earlier. I sleep talked and mentioned Link's name?

Why do I have to dream about that? I was just sitting on Link's lap and random thoughts kept entering my mind. And it's been a week since that happened. MOVE ON!

When we saw each other last night, he didn't even acknowledge me, as if we were back to being strangers. I also found out from Prof that he and his Gipsy broke up. I'm really puzzled by what Ate Jove said in my dream. She didn't like Link for me? But she's the reason why I have these bad dreams. Because of her leaving me.

Sigh, why am I even thinking about that? Link is not my friend, and I don't care if he's broken right now. We're strangers, after he gave me that nasty look last night as if I did something wrong to him. Tch!

"ATEEE!"

I almost jumped out of my seat when my youngest sibling suddenly shouted while holding my ringing cell phone. And when he noticed that I was startled, he slowly handed me the phone with an 'uh-oh' expression.

"Why are you scaring me?" I asked, placing my hand on my chest. Damn. I almost had a heart attack there.

"It's Kuya Isiah calling," he replied.

I sighed and accepted the cell phone, he left and went back to the living room to watch TV.

I looked at the caller ID on the screen and saw that it was indeed Isiah calling. I didn't let the phone ring any longer and answered it.

"Hello,"

"We need to talk, Angelle."

"We're already talking, hehe," I replied with a smile.

"I missed you. It feels like forever since we last saw each other. How have you been?" I asked, genuinely happy to hear from him.

He smiled back at me. "If it's only been a week and I already miss you this much, imagine how much I would miss you if it were a year."

I couldn't help but smile at his words. "I feel the same way. I miss our other friends too. Even though we can chat on social media, it's just not the same as being together."

He nodded in agreement. "If it were just a single ride from there to here and vice versa, I would come to see you every day. But the distance is the problem."

I understood what he meant. We used to live in Cavite, and Antipolo is quite far. It requires multiple transfers and can be exhausting to travel.

"Don't worry, when I have the time, I'll personally visit you there," he assured me.

His words made my heart flutter a little. I smiled and replied, "Okay, just let me know when you're coming, alright?"

"Sure thing. By the way, I have to hang up now. We have something to attend to. I'll call you later if I'm not busy. Take care!" he said.

"You too," I replied before we ended the call.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

I smiled after talking to Isiah. Isiah is not only my best friend but also my secret crush. He doesn't know about my feelings for him, but I have a feeling that we both share something more than just friendship.

I continued eating my breakfast with a smile on my lips. The unpleasant dream I had earlier was completely forgotten.

•~•~•~•~•~•

"Where do you two plan to study?" Papa asked Lica and me as we were having dinner.

As soon as Papa came home from work, he suggested we eat. He must have had a tiring day at work because he told Mama they had a lot to do.

"Oh, Ate Jove suggested a school to me," Lica suddenly said while chewing her food.

"Where is it?"

"It's nearby, Pa," she replied.

"Do you want to go there?" Papa asked her, and she nodded in response before taking another bite of her meal. "How about you, Angelle?" Papa then turned to me.

I paused my eating and smiled.

"I'm planning to go to Maximo High, Pa. Ate Jove is there, so at least I'll have some company," I said, noticing Lica's reaction.

"That's the same school I was telling Papa about," she interjected.

"Well, that's great. You can go to school together," Papa said.

"Pa, where will Kuya Jr and I go?" our youngest sibling, Hero, suddenly asked.

"Your Mama will take care of that," Papa replied. Hero nodded and continued eating.

After we finished eating, I let my stomach rest for a bit before heading upstairs to prepare my bed for an early night's sleep. I didn't have anything else to do. I spent the whole day at home, either watching TV or staying in my room out of boredom.

I threw myself onto the bed and tried to drift off to sleep. However, no matter how hard I tried, sleep eluded me.

"I'm in love, in love with you~"

My attention was drawn to the side table as my phone started ringing. I sat up, picked up my phone, and couldn't help but smile when I saw that it was Isiah calling.

I answered the call.

"Did you eat your dinner?" he asked immediately. His tone sounded different, as if something was bothering him.

"Y-yeah, why did you call?" I asked.

"To check on you. Your sister Angelica sent me a picture. Who's the guy?"

Which guy? Lica must have edited another picture of me with some random man and sent it to her brother Isiah.

"Who is the guy?" I asked, puzzled.

"I don't know who he is, you were the one with him on the jeep, so you should know him."

My eyes widened, and I sat up in bed. What the heck! How did he find out? And what picture is he talking about?

"W-well, he was just concerned about me because I looked like I was about to faint," I explained.

I heard him scoff. "Really? Maybe he just wanted to touch you."

I frowned at his words. I understood his annoyance because his voice had changed, but it was wrong for him to think that way.

"You're misunderstanding, Isiah. The guy has a girlfriend, he was genuinely concerned about me at that time."

"To you, there was no malice, but for him, there might have been. It's as if he was embarrassing you in front of the people on the jeep. If he was concerned, why didn't he just hang on the outside to give you more space?"

"Hanging on the outside is difficult, and besides, it's prohibited. You know that, right? It's not a big deal, it's been a week already."

"I'm just worried about you. I'm afraid that other guys might take advantage of you, especially when I or Lelia and the others are not with you." His voice was filled with concern.

"I understand. I'm sorry if I worried you. I just didn't know what to do at that time. Let's just forget about it."

"Don't talk to people like that anymore, okay? He even dresses like a Jejemon."

I felt a sudden wave of annoyance when I heard Isiah's words, but I brushed it off. He was probably just upset.

"I'm fine, Isiah. Don't worry."

"Good to know. It's okay, I understand and I'm sorry for the sudden call. I was just alarmed by what Lica sent to me," he said. "It seems like you're going to rest too, so rest well. Goodbye," he added.

I didn't have a chance to say goodbye before he ended the call. I held my head and sighed.

I could sense that Isiah was angry and not okay. And I feel guilty, it's my fault that he's feeling this way. I know he just wants to protect me, especially since I don't really know Link that well.

I should have reacted at that time, I should have just gotten off the jeep and looked for another one, but I was too embarrassed to do so.

"Excuse me!"

I snapped back to reality upon hearing a call from outside. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't bother to look out the window to see who it was.

I was still wondering where Lica got the picture of me and Link in the jeep. Ate Jove wasn't there, neither was she. Ugh!

"Mom, there's someone outside!" I heard Jr say from the living room.

"Lica, go and check who's outside," Mama instructed Lica.

After a few moments, Lica appeared in my room with a mischievous grin on her face. She's acting cool again. Maybe she forgot that she have done something wrong to me.

"Who is Link among the three guys?" Lica asked, furrowing my brows.

"Three guys?"

"Yeah, there are three guys looking for you. They said they need to talk to you," she said.

I sat up and go outside to see what Lica said. And why is she asking me who Link is? She's the one who told Isiah about him.

When I went outside, I saw Russel, Wendell, and Kervin. Oh, the three bald guys are together. Just kidding, they all have army cuts, maybe they're trying to be called triplets.

"Hi?" I greeted them. "What brings you here?" I asked.

Kervin smiled. "Can you help us?" I furrowed my brows.

"Help with what?"

"Link had an allergic reaction and we don't know what to do." Russel replied, allergic reaction?

"Maybe Prof knows?" Wendell shrugged.

"We've been trying to take care of Link since earlier, but we have no idea how to help him because only our aunt is taking care of him."

But what am I, their aunt, for them to approach me?

"Why don't you call someone who can help him?" I suggested. I could see the disappointment on their faces.

"Tita's house is far." Kervin answered.

"What about Ate Jove?" I asked again.

"She's at the market with Andre, probably on a date at this hour." Wendell said.

"Okay, wait for me here. I just need to ask for permission, be right back." They nodded in response, so I went back inside the house and approached Mama and Papa who were in the kitchen, seemingly discussing something.

"Excuse me, pa. I just need to ask for permission," I said.

"Where are you going?" Papa asked.

"Link, Ate Jove's friend, is having an allergic reaction and no one is taking care of him." I replied.

"Alright, just make sure to come back home soon." I nodded and was about to leave when Mama called me.

She approached me and handed me the medicine she takes when she has an allergy attack, yeah. Mama also has allergies and asthma.

"Give him this to drink, in a few minutes, his breathing will improve." Mama said.

When I went out, they invited me and we went to Link's place. I wouldn't have gone if I didn't feel sorry for him, it's not like me and Link are okay.

And I have my own issues to think about, I'm really stressed right now. But I need to help him because he's in a pitiful state.

He gave me such a nasty look last night, like I was his enemy. So he should be grateful because I'm still being kind.

When we arrived, we saw Prof and their other friends taking care of Link, who seemed to be struggling to breathe. He still had rashes all over his body, he was only half-naked so I could see the rashes on his body up to his neck. Even his abs—shit, not now, Angelle.

"Guys, Angelle is here." Kervin said, so they all looked at me, including Link.

I could see the extreme exhaustion and distress in his eyes. It was pitiful, and I felt so sorry for him. Only his friends were here. There wasn't even an adult present.

I cleared my throat and quickly approached them, sitting on the vacant chair next to Paps Justine, and looked at Link using the nebulizer. Does he have asthma too?

"What did he eat that triggered his allergy?" I asked while checking the rashes on his body.

"Andre bought shrimp earlier for our meal, we forgot that Link is allergic to seafood." Prof replied.

"Maybe his asthma was triggered by the allergy." I said.

We've actually thought about that, but no matter what we did for Link, it didn't seem to help," Paps said, visibly worried.

Meanwhile, Prof was in the kitchen, and I could see that he was making a call.

I wonder why they didn't take Link to the hospital to avoid all this trouble. It would have been better for him to be checked by doctors, especially since Mama always gets brought to the hospital due to her severe allergies.

"Please get him a shirt, and also get me some warm water so we can gently wipe him down." I instructed them, and they immediately followed my orders.

I moved to the seat next to Link, which was like a bed-sofa style. He looked at me and I couldn't give him a cold stare right now, even though I'm still mad at him. I'll help him with his suffering first, as it might even be life-threatening.

After he finished using the nebulizer, I wiped his body with the warm water and a clean towel. At first, I felt shy about doing it since his friends were here, but in the end, I still wiped him down. Where is his mother?

Once we finished, we let Link rest for a while. It took a bit of time to convince him to take the medicine because he didn't easily trust the medication. Thankfully, my convincing power was strong enough, and he agreed to take it.

"Thank you so much, Angelle. If you hadn't agreed, we might have had to rush Link to the hospital." Prof sincerely said, and I smiled.

"Why didn't you bring him to the hospital right away?"

"He didn't want to go." I nodded in response.

Link had his reasons for not wanting to go to the hospital. I think I shouldn't be nosy about it. One of my friends in Cavite also refuses to go to the hospital due to trauma.

We were all in the kitchen, they were drinking coffee while I had milk.

"By the way, where are Link's parents? Shouldn't they be the first ones you called?" I asked, and they all exchanged glances before Paps spoke up.

"The truth is, Link is the only one living here. He's just being supported by his aunt, but he doesn't come back to his father's house anymore." Oh, so they have a broken family?

"How about his father? Where is he?" I didn't want to ask too much, but I was curious why Link is the only one here in this big house.

As soon as I entered earlier, I was impressed by the house. It's big, and you can tell that the people living here are wealthy because of the expensive furniture.

"His father passed away," Timothy replied sadly.

I couldn't immediately respond to his answer. How is Link living alone?

"Who takes care of Link?" I asked.

"We do." They all answered in unison.

I was speechless at their response, as if I was surprised by their answer.

•~•~•~•~•~•

EVEN NOW, I still can't believe what I've learned about Link. His mother has another family, and his father is no longer with them. Only Prof and other friend is left to take care of Link because they've been childhood friends. I feel sorry for Link. I had no idea his situation was so difficult.

He has no parents to guide him, and he's left to fend for himself.

Their friendship is also remarkable. The kind where no one gets left behind, where friends take care of you when you're sick. They're not just friends anymore; they treat each other like siblings. Link is indeed fortunate to have friends as kind as them.

TING!

I glanced at my phone, which was lying next to my pillow, and read the message from the messenger.

Albert WScott: Thank you, again. Angelle.

I smiled at Prof's chat in the group chat. How many times have they thanked me? Five or ten times, perhaps.

They included me in their group chat. There are only a few of them in the group chat, and they're all close friends.

Angelle Musco: No problem, Prof. Anyway, how is he? Is his breathing okay now?

When I left, he wasn't doing so well. He had rested, but he was still catching his breath, so we had to use the nebulizer on him.

Albert WScott: Yeah, he's okay now. His rashes are also gradually disappearing, thanks for the medicine you gave him.

Angelle Musco: Just let him rest, he'll be fine by tomorrow.

Albert WScott: Okay... anyway, do you have plans for tomorrow?

I frowned at Prof's question. Plans? I tried to remember if I had any plans and then I remembered that Isiah was coming over. He had messaged me. I couldn't not see Isiah; we rarely get to spend time together.

Angelle Musco: 'No, but I have a visitor coming over, so I can't go out. Why?

I put my phone down and adjusted my position on the bed. I picked up my phone again when I heard the messenger tone.

Albert WScott: We were going to invite you over for a snack, but we can do it some other time when you're free.

Aww, I would love to have a snack with them, but I need to attend to Isiah. He's quite sensitive and gets upset easily.

Angelle Musco: Next time, Prof. I promise, I'll agree next time.

Albert WScott: Okay, sure. You should get some sleep, or you might lose your beauty.

I laughed at Prof's chat. He was flattering me.

Angelle Musco: Okay, thanks.

I logged out and placed my cell phone on the bedside table. I prepared myself to sleep, but before I could even close my eyes, my phone rang.

I groped for it on the table and checked the caller ID, but it was just a number and not registered. I answered it and said "hello" three times, but the person on the other end didn't speak. The line was silent, and it seemed like they had no intention of speaking.

"Hello, who is this?" I asked.

"Thank you," was the response before the call was ended, which left me puzzled. Okay, who was that? Someone who would call just to say thank you? For what? Did I know him?

I could tell it was a man from his voice.

I squinted as I put my cell phone back on the bedside table and tried to resume my interrupted sleep.

However, I was abruptly awakened by the thought of someone. Could it be Link? But that seemed impossible. Would he thank me for taking care of him? Nah, if it was him, I wouldn't care. But if it was him... ugh, I'm so confused. Anyway, if it was him, it's nice that he thanked me.

But still, he's my adversary.