Chapter-190


Open ears


Jay-jay's POV


I want to leave the room. I wanted to open the door and step
outside. I wanted to because I was hungry.
I couldn't eat dinner because of what I found out. I thought
my hunger would subside because of what happened but my stomach didn't seem to want to be involved
in the drama of my life.
But I was scared, I was scared that when I opened the door
I would find out another secret.
Maybe I have a twin that I don't know about?!
I looked at the wall clock, 11:39pm. I was sure everyone
in the house was asleep but even so I was still scared.
My stomach was rumbling loudly. It was like it was screaming
'Kingina! Feed me!'. I couldn't let this
hunger pass through sleep, I hadn't eaten properly this afternoon.
Despite myself, I turned the doorknob and slowly pulled him closer to
me. I glanced outside for a moment, the lights were off. I took out
my phone and used its light to serve as a beacon on my way.
Deep in the torch!
Every step I take is slow----wait! I look like
a thief in what I do! I quicken my pace and head straight to the
kitchen. I even see some of the maids entering their rooms.
I turn on the light when I get to the kitchen. It's still far away but I can see
the one who will give me life. The one who will cure the pain I feel
. The one who will make my sad heart happy.
The refrigerator!
It's a portal that will take me to a strange paradise. I open the
refrigerator door and I applaud what I see. There are so many leftover dishes and
there's even a cake!
I grab a dish and heat it up in the microwave. While
I wait, I look for something to eat. I even saw
a Chuckie that made me laugh a little.
Pffttt... Kid!
I know whose Chuckie that is. It's Kuya Angelo's,
he often drinks it when he's stressed. I keep wondering if I can
get some because Kuya might get angry. But he won't
know who it is.
My smile widened. I took one and shook it.
I was about to remove the straw stuck to the back when I looked at the
kitchen door. Aries was looking at me with his arms crossed while not reacting.
I quickly put the Chuckie back in the fridge and closed it. I went back to the microwave with a dead smile
to check what I was heating. I heard his footsteps
approaching my place.
I was nervous for some reason I couldn't understand. I couldn't move
and felt like I was going to faint. I just felt his presence behind
me so I closed my eyes.
I waited for him to say or do something. When I realized nothing,
I opened my eyes again and saw his finger approaching the microwave.
He pressed something and his heart lit up along with the buzzing.
What a fool! I forgot to press the choices.
I scratched my head and looked back at him. He was no longer behind me. He took
a cup and made coffee. I looked back at the microwave when
the bell rang. I first grabbed a plate to transfer it to.
I thought he would leave after making coffee but he still stayed
there, near the sink. After getting what I needed,
I started eating. I looked confused because I glanced at him with every
bite.
He didn't look at me so I didn't know if he noticed
me. While I continued eating, what happened earlier played over and over in my mind
. It felt strange.
But I was just surprised by something. His age and mine, the same.
I'm sure we're not twins because my brother is a year older than me
. I was still confused.
"Stop looking at me." He said, stopping me from
thinking.
"S-sorry..." I said almost in a whisper. "...Ari----what else should I call
you?"
I wanted to slap myself for asking. Seriously?!
One of his eyebrows raised, causing me to bow my head.
"Nothing will change." He said firmly.
Okay.... Still Aries. Aries the horoscope! How is Taurus?
I can't get our ages out of my mind. I didn't want to talk about
things like that with him because everything was still fresh, but
I couldn't help but ask.
"Aries... W-why are we the same age?"
One of his eyebrows rose again. Along with a sharp look at me
while drinking from the cup. I even overcame the raising of my eyebrows. He barely
shaved his own to make it look straight.
He put down the cup he was holding and sighed.
His lifeless eyes looked at me.
"I'm a year older than you. I just said
we're the same age so you wouldn't think I was your older brother." He explained.
I just nodded in acceptance of what he said. That's why he used to laugh at me when I congratulated him on
his birthday, because the age I was saying
was wrong . I felt sad. Even back then, he really didn't want to tell me. I don't know the story of why he was
adopted. Our relatives say it's for the best for both of us. But it didn't work out. I didn't say anything. He
finished drinking his coffee and left. I was left alone while staring at the food in front of me. This is annoying! I
know he's mad at me. A big part of me is sad because we can't get along despite what we've been through,
but I also have anger towards him. I think of him as my cousin, so I just let him go and answer him when I get
the chance. But now that I know the truth, I want the two of us to make up . Even if it's not like before, at least
we know that we're okay. Even if he doesn't recognize me as his brother, that's fine with me. I held back the
tears that were welling up in my eyes. I finished eating immediately and washed the dishes. I also washed the
ones Aries drank . I turned off the light and quickly went back to my room. I cleaned my body first before
completely lying on the bed. My mind was blank until I fell asleep. I woke up to a loud knock in my room. It
was as if I had an enemy looking for me. No one spoke, just a knock. What a great wake-up call! "Wake up!" I
shouted so annoyed that the knocking stopped. Wow! That lightning would come out in the morning. It would
knock like there was no tomorrow. I got up with a bang. The first thing I looked at was my cellphone,
wondering. I felt sad. I sighed deeply. Until now, he still hasn't answered my texts. His cellphone is turned off
when I call him. Shit! Keifer... I stood up and went straight to the bathroom. I got ready to have breakfast.
When I left the room, Aries was right outside his room. He looked at me lifelessly before walking away. Before,
when he looked at me like that, I just made him suffer. But now it felt like he was heavy inside. When we got to
the Dining Room, Mama's voice dominated the laughter and stories. "Good morning Jay!" He greeted me with
a smile. There was nothing good about my morning! "Good morning too." I replied before sitting down. Aries
was sitting opposite me, starting to eat. He seemed to be oblivious to the people around him. He was
hunched over and eating one bite at a time. I also started eating and pretending not to be oblivious to the
people around me. But I still overheard their conversations. "They'll be okay too... That's all." Mama said. "It
doesn't seem like it. Look at them." Grandma said and I could feel them looking at us. Aries and I looked up at
the same time and our eyes met. I immediately looked away from Grandma. "W-why?" I asked with dead
malice. They just smiled at me. They really can be fooled. It was obvious that we were their topic. They
probably felt that Aries and I would be okay because I knew the truth. But that was just their feeling. Aries
finished eating first. We were almost in a row, which is why we walked back to our rooms in a row. We were
only a few steps away from his room but he suddenly stopped. I looked at him in surprise but he didn't face
me. "Stop it." He said which surprised me even more. "...Don't expect anything like them. We won't get along."
He didn't wait for my answer. He walked quickly and entered his room. I was tied up there while looking at
where. Should I expect anything? I shook my head before walking back to my room. I quickly took a shower
and got ready. I could still see the scars I got from yesterday's accident. Every muscle in my body ached but
I'm used to it. Benefits of always fighting! I was walking to the living room when I heard Kuya's angry voice and
Aries complaining. "I don't want to!" Aries said annoyed. "Follow my orders, if you don't want me to take your
car back from you!" Kuya Angelo replied. Kuya's gaze shifted to me when he saw me. "Go with Aries." Kuya
ordered me. "Huh?" "Go with him. You two go in together and if possible, go home too." I saw Aries messing
with his hair. He couldn't do anything so he quickly walked out straight to the garage. "Why? What for?" I asked
Kuya when he was sure that Aries had already gone out. "Maybe what happened to you yesterday will happen
again. It's good that you're safe." He replied and walked away. Safe! Ulowl... Who are you kidding? They're just
trying to get us close and get along. They're just wasting effort. I walked out, I was planning to just run away
rom Kuya's orders. I was already feeling heavy because of my problem with Section E. Then it got even worse
when I found out the truth. Whatever their plan was, they should stop it. I was even more in trouble. I stopped
at the gate of the house when I saw Aries' car stopped. The window on the driver's seat door rolled down and
his sad face appeared . "Get in." He ordered. "Don't... I have to go somewhere else." I answered lifelessly and
started walking. I hadn't even gotten far when I heard his car horn honking loudly. When I looked, his car was
behind me. He was gripping the steering wheel tightly and was clearly irritated. "Get in!" He shouted angrily. I
sighed deeply. I approached the back seat door and opened it. I immediately got in and closed the door. I
knew he didn't want me to be here with him in his car so I chose to sit in the back seat. I could feel his
irritation towards me but I chose to look at the road. He started the car and the only noise I could hear was
our breathing . It was annoying! He wasn't doing anything but I was hurt. Or maybe I was hurt because he
wasn't doing anything. I was used to him yelling at me out of anger and annoyance but now that he was
quiet....Sigh! I felt so useless . Aries' car stopped, a corner before reaching the school. He didn't say anything
but I knew what he meant. I voluntarily got out of his car and let him go to school first. Only the smoke from
the car was left in front of me when he left. The smoke was a good thing! Haaayyy... I walked into the school.
As soon as I reached the gate, I saw the students staring at me. "He really embarrassed her!" "He didn't even
defend her." "What a pity." The students murmured. I immediately got a clue as to why they were staring at me.
The rumors spread like wildfire so I wouldn't be surprised anymore. With what happened to me yesterday, I'm
no longer in the mood to understand them. What happened to me was too heavy. Just think about it if I had to
listen to every comment they made that wouldn't help me. To be honest, I'm afraid to go in. I'm afraid because
of Keifer's anger. I'm afraid because I don't know how to face each of them. I'm afraid.... When I arrived at our
building, I felt something. They were quiet and did n't seem to be in any trouble....but that's all I thought. "Tell
me the truth!" David shouted. I was already by the door when I heard that. I stopped and listened to what they
were talking about for a moment. "Don't order Keifer!" Rory replied. "... He'll tell you anyway. It just takes the
right time." "I feel sorry for Jay-jay." Ci-N said, which made my heart beat faster. Feel sorry?! Really?! "They
already told me to stop that plan!" Eman shouted angrily. "You're a liar! You were one of the leaders of that
crazy plan!" Denzel replied. Plan?! The words they were saying were jumbled in my mind. I was confused! I
couldn't understand what they were talking about. About me, about a plan and they wanted me to know the
truth because they felt sorry for me. "Just tell me properly and then we can apologize." Blaster said. "It seems
like it's that easy, doesn't it?" Drew said sarcastically. "Jay-jay won't forgive us." Yuri said. "We'll make him pay."
Rory said. "It's not that easy." Edrix replied. I was even more confused by what they were saying. I wanted to
know the truth, I didn't want this anymore. Do the people around me always have secrets? My step into the
room was like a punch to the moon. They were all looking at me in shock. I tried to hide the emotions I was
eeling. My gaze fell on Keifer who didn't react. "J-jay-jay...." They called me in whispers. They were all
complete. Even Kit, whose face was swollen, was here too. "W-what's the truth? What's the plan?" I asked
weakly. I wanted to know the truth but I didn't want to either. There was the fear, the fear of being hurt again by
what I found out. My hunch was strange. They all looked at Keifer. He had no emotion, his arms crossed while
leaning straight back in his chair. "What's the plan? What's the truth?" I repeated to the questioner while not
taking my eyes off him. Speak up! "Keifer... Speak up." Yuri pleaded. "Keifer! Tell me!" "Speak up!" "What's the
plan? What's the truth?" I repeated and this time my voice cracked. Just tell me! Tell me! He remained
unresponsive and looked at me. It was as if he didn't care about what was happening around him. It was as if
he didn't care about me. Tears were starting to form in my eyes. Every breath I took was deep because of the
blockage in my throat. It felt like I was being strangled. "Keifer! WHAT'S THE PLAN?!" I shouted as my tears
ell. I couldn't control my emotions anymore. I was having a hard time with him just staring at me and not
moving. The others were obviously shocked by my reaction but they chose to look away. "You sure you want
to hear it?" Keifer asked seriously. I tried to hold back my tears and nodded at him. His smile turned bitter as
he shook his head. His mouth slowly opened but I didn't hear any voice or any noise from anyone else. It was
as if I had suddenly gone deaf and it took a few seconds for his words to sink in . "I used you." I remained
speechless, waiting for him to say next. A group of tears fell from my eyes again. "...and the whole Section E
knows it." The feeling of my heart being beaten by no one. All I could do was cry and stare at where I was. W-
used? Keifer stood up and slowly walked towards me. "I used you to get revenge on my cousin----oh wait! Your
brother." I shivered at what he said. Does he know about that too? Does everyone know too? How? How did
that happen?! And why am I the last one to know? I shook my head while still staring at him. The expression
on his face didn't change. "I-I don't understand." My lips trembled. Keifer stopped a few feet away from me.
Our eyes met and that's when I noticed his cold and dark eyes. The way he looked at me now was the same as
the first time we met."Then I'll explain it to you." He said calmly. "...The moment Aries showed up in front of
me, acting that he cares for you the plan started- ---to be exact? That was the time that we made fun of you at
the gymnasium." That was when they hit me with a ball. My nose was bleeding and before my vision went
dark, Aries arrived to stop me and tell me to go home. "...We make sure we have your information----thanks to
Rory here." I looked at Rory but he immediately ducked to avoid me. "...We found out that you and Aries are
siblings." That's it! They knew!
He suddenly smirked and his expression suddenly changed. I couldn't tell
if he was angry or if he was planning something.
"...but the plan has no use. That asshole don't care about you and my
revenge is useless." He said and laughed slightly.
It was like a different Keifer in front of me now. His eyes were dark and
seemed full of anger.
"K-keifer... T-that's it." Yuri said.
My legs and feet stiffened from standing. I wanted to think that
what he was saying was just a 'Joke'. But no, he wasn't joking and he didn't like to
joke.
My tears kept falling that's why my cheeks were wet.
Even if I wiped them away, I couldn't do it. It felt like something heavy was pressing down
on my chest.
"You're just using me? Is that part of making me love you?"
My voice almost wouldn't come out because of what was happening.
I didn't want to ask that question, I was afraid of what he would answer but
I still wanted to know the truth. I hope the wrong thing was playing in my mind.
Suddenly he laughed as if I said something funny.
He walked back to his table.
Maybe all this was just a joke. Maybe they were tripping me. Maybe
he was just getting back at me.
Maybe after he laughed he would say the
line I was waiting for----'Just a joke, you're funny because you're annoying.' And he would say he couldn't
do that because he loves me.
I hope everything I was thinking was right because I knew it wasn't.
My heart completely broke when he spoke after laughing. And the words
he let out changed everything for me.
"Of course it's part of my plan."
Jusko!
I covered my mouth from crying loudly. I didn't care
about my appearance anymore. I also backed away because my knees were weak and
I grabbed one of the tables.
SAY IT! THIS IS NOT A JOKE! HE BELIEVE THAT
HE WANTED ME TOO! HE LET ME FALL FOR HIM!
HE JUST USED ME! ARGH!
YOU STUPID JAY! YOU'RE STUPID AND
HE DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU!
"Jay..." Yuri called me and was about to approach me but I looked at him
evilly.
"Do you know?" I stopped myself from asking. "...You were part of the plan?"
Yuri stopped approaching me. It was as if his tongue had pulled back and he couldn't
speak. He couldn't even deny it with a simple shake.
I cried even more because of his reaction.
ALL OF THEM!
My gaze shifted to Ci-N. He was also crying while looking
at me and seemed to be pleading.
"Are you part of the plan too?" I asked tenderly.
He sobbed while trying to wipe away his tears. "I'm sorry,
Jay."
That's why he apologized to me before, because of this.
They've just started doing something stupid with me. I couldn't believe it,
the amount of trust I gave them.
I also looked at the others but they all looked away.
Only David stared at me for a long time. But even with him I was angry.
Did I do something wrong?! Why did I have to be played with
like this?!
I looked back at Keifer without any expression.
I couldn't see even a hint of pity or remorse for what he had done.
"W-why Keifer? W-why?"
He didn't answer. I couldn't stand it any longer in front of him, in front of
all of them. What was the point of me crying in front of them? Even though
my knees were shaking, I forced myself to walk away.
"Jay! Wait a minute!"
"Jay-jay."
"Wait a minute! Jay!"
I had already walked out the door when I felt someone grab my arm.
I immediately pushed it away and glared at him.
"What else do you need?!" I asked Yuri angrily.
"I'm sorry..." He took a deep breath. "...Please. Let me exp---."
"Don't try any more!" I wiped my cheek. "...
You guys really are best friends! You guys are so good at manipulating!"
"Jay... Believe me, we're already regretting----."
"So you admitted it?! Because your conscience is eating you up!"
I looked behind her when I noticed Ci-N following her.
She was still crying. I wanted to feel sorry for her appearance, but I couldn't.
"You're just another..." I shook my head. "...I considered you a brother and now you're like this."
"Jay... I'm sorry." She said.
I also saw the others looking at us. I glared at them
until I stopped at Yuri.
"That's enough..." I said almost in a whisper and immediately ran away.
I endured the pain and aching muscles in my legs and thighs. But it felt like
nothing could hurt more than what I was feeling. The word
Crushed wasn't enough to describe how painful it was.
I could hear Yuri and her arguing behind me. It looked like they were trying
to follow me but the others were stopping me. I ran faster,
I was almost at the school gate when I saw Aries looking at me.
They wanted to get back at him...
That's why I was experiencing all of this, because of him. Because they wanted to
get back at him. They used me to get back at him. BUT BECAUSE OF
HIM, I WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE THIS!
I feel the pain all at once. My vision is blurry
because of the tears. I don't know if I've made it out of the gate but a
loud horn stopped me at the same time as an approaching car.
*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*