Friendship Over
Yuri's POV
Continuation of Flashback... Keifer screamed one after another because of the pain. He pulled his hair several times. "We are waiting for the CT scan and MIR results. For now, we just gave him a pain reliever which will take effect in a few minutes." The Doctor told us "Thank you, Doc." Keiren answered. "No problem. If you need something or have some questions don't hesitate to ask." The doctor ï¬nally left the room. I just sat there looking at Keifer who was still rolling around in pain. Hahaoya came over and sat next to me. "Yuri, let's go back to your room? You need to rest." "Watashi wa koko ni tomaritai." (I would like to stay here.) "Dakedo----." (But----) "Hahaoya... Onegaishimasu. Watashitachiha otagai ga ima hitsuyÅdesu. " (Mother, please. We need each other now.) She forced a smile at me. "Okay, I understand. But please don't forget to take your medicine." I nodded. She said goodbye and went back to my room. She left me here like I wanted. She also tried to get Keiren to come with her but she left me like me. Keifer gradually stopped screaming until she ï¬nally fell asleep. I sat up for a moment and suddenly my legs and thighs twitched. But I felt more pain inside. "Brother will be okay too, right?" Keiren asked. I forced a smile. "Of course... Keifer." She stood up from the sofa she was sitting on and moved next to me. Her eyes were sad. She was still looking for Keigan and then this happened to Keifer and me. "I wish Kuya Keigan was here." I heard Keiren whisper. I ruffled his hair. "We're here for you and your Kuya." We talked for a while until we both ell asleep. I just woke up when I heard movement in the room. When I opened my eyes, I saw Keifer sitting on the edge of the hospital bed and dazed. His eyes were lifeless. I slowly stood up and approached him. "Keifer... W-does something hurt you? He's laughing----." "Yuri..." He cut me off. "...Do you still remember anything from the accident?" My mouth dropped open. I knew he was going to ask about it but I hadn't thought about what to answer yet. "I don't." Those words came out of my mouth spontaneously. Bullshit Yuri! I still remember. I remember Percy and Aries being inside. I didn't want to tell Keifer that. I knew that when this happened, everyone would be looking for someone to blame. "How is Aries?" He asked again. The truth is, I haven't visited Aries yet. I've only ever met Angelo and he's the one who told me not to go see him for now. He said he still isn't talking and it's not good to see us right away because he might think we're blaming him. "I'm not sure but Angelo said that he's alright." He suddenly stood up and removed the dextrose again. He quickly walked outside. I tried to chase him but my leg was hurting. Just as I was walking out the door, Hahaoya arrived. He looked surprised and worried as he looked at me. "Yuri----." "Please... Please check on Keiren ï¬rst. I'll just follow Keifer." I didn't wait for his answer. Even though every step I took hurt, I tried to catch up with Keifer. He was already riding the elevator when I caught up with him. "Where is Aries' room?" He asked seriously. "You have to rest Keifer! What do you need from him?!" He didn't answer. He just pressed the floor number next to the floor we were on. I didn't know what he wanted to do. I couldn't read anything in his actions. But I feel nervous! When the elevator door opened. He quickly approached a nurse station. "Where is Aries Fernandez's room?" "S-sir?" The nurse answered him a little surprised. "Where is Aries Fernandez?!" A nurse picked up the phone and dialed the number. It looked like she was planning to call security. I immediately went to them to stop Keifer. "We'll go see him later. Maybe he's been---." "I don't fvcking care!" "Sir! Calm down!" A nurse stopped him. "Just tell me his fvcking room!" "Keifer! That's enough!" Just as some nurses were about to approach someone grabbed Keifer and threw him against the wall. We were both stunned. Angelo didn't react while Keifer looked at him with a bad look. "What do you think your doing?" Angelo asked authoritatively. Keifer quickly pushed him away. "Where is Aries? I just want to know something." Angelo looked in another direction, which I think was Aries's room. "He's resting. Just come back another day." He quickly answered. He was about to push Keifer away but he just blocked his hand. His calm expression quickly changed. His eyebrows immediately met. "What happened? Why did Percy die?" Keifer asked. I looked at the nurses as if watching them. Angelo did the same. "Do you have a spare room that I can borrow? We just need to talk." He told the nurses. They quickly pointed to the room not far away. The two immediately went there and I followed. Closing the door.... "Damn it! What were you thinking?! You get too much attention!" Angelo said angrily to Keifer. "I want to know what happened? Why did Percy just disappear like that!" Angelo looked at me as if asking. Maybe he was wondering why I didn't say anything. I didn't want to talk, I didn't want to come after me. "The car---- crashed." "I already know that!" He cut Angelo off from what he was going to say. "...I want to know why you didn't do anything!" "We did something." I interrupted. "...we've requested a rescue mission to ï¬nd---." "What rescue mission?! Are you telling me that there's no dead body?! Then how can you make a conclusion if there's no body found?!" His eyes were almost dark with anger. "The car was found.... My car to be exact. My car you ran away from to do your stupid things!" Angelo followed Keifer's angry eyes. "...But there's no body inside. With the strength of the river current and the height the car ell. Do you think anyone could still be alive ?! Think about it, Keifer!" I bowed my head. After all, it was our ault that this happened. If we hadn't asked Aries to come with us, this wouldn't have happened. But it happened, what's the point of blaming. "Because Percy is strong! I know he'll live! I know---." "HE IS DEAD! The police have already declared it. It's been 72 hours since he disappeared." It felt like something was stabbing my heart. So hard to believe. It's hard to believe that he even called me for a picture while inside the car before the accident happened. "Aries saw how the car fell----." "And he didn't do anything?!" "Keifer!" I said to him. "I know you're fvcking devastated right now. But you need to understand! You weren't there so you don't know how hard it was for Aries to get Percy out of the car!" Angelo took a deep breath. "...even if he almost couldn't get out. So imagine what he's feeling." I agree with what Angelo said but at this time. Keifer's brain was already closed to receiving an explanation. "Are Aries and Percy in the car together?" It was like cold water was poured on me when he said that. I looked at Angelo, I was about to yell at him and tell him what he was doing wrong. No one speaks. One word from any of us and Keifer will explode like a bomb. I can't take my eyes off Angelo and he does the same to Keifer. "Are they in the car together?!" He asked again. A few seconds passed and he suddenly turned to face me. He was about to come out the door and I knew he was going to Aries. I tried to stop him but he just pulled me away like a curtain. Damn it, Keifer! I fell to the floor and my thighs and legs started to ache. Angelo tried to help me. "Chase Keifer!" I shouted and he did. I rested or a few moments before ï¬nally leaving. I was still far away but I could hear Keifer screaming. He was very angry and constantly being mean. Even the nurses were making a fuss. There were people peeking in from other rooms. Keifer was obviously disturbed by his absence. When I approached Aries' room, Angelo was already holding him back while he tried to break free. Aries was on the floor with his face covered in blood. "Percy died because of you! You let him die!" Keifer shouted angrily. "Stop it Keifer!" Angelo shouted and still tried to drag him out. "I WILL NEVER FVCKING FORGIVE YOU!" I could see Angelo struggling to stop him. Until a few nurses came up to them and tried to stop him. One nurse gave him an injection. It only took a matter of seconds and Keifer gradually weakened. A few more moments and he lost consciousness. I just looked at them. I just looked at my friends who I had been with through all the events in my life. I just looked at our riendship that seemed to be ruined because of the death of one of them. I wanted to apologize. I didn't do anything for them. I feel like I'm useless. Forgive me Percy.... EndOfFlashback... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Jay-jay's POV "That mess is still going on because of the issue with Ella and the beating of Aries in the cafeteria." Yuri added. That was also the reason why Section E couldn't go to the cafeteria before. "His mind is really narrow." I said a little annoyed. "... Brother Angelo is right! He wasn't there, he didn't see what happened! Why would he blame everything on Aries?!" "I can't blame Keifer." I looked at him in surprise. "Why?" "Because that's what he's been doing to himself all along. He's blaming himself for not being there and for being unconscious while his friend is dying." He took a deep breath and put down the glass he was holding. "... he always does that. When something wrong happens, he blames himself . He'll think that because he wasn't there that's why it happened." He felt like he could have prevented what would happen if he had been there. "What did you say?" "He tells me. When we smoke or drink." I pouted. The closeness between the two of them is really strange. It's like a bromance. Could it be that they're gay? "Why did he ï¬ght Aries when he's blaming himself? It 's just a trip, isn't it?" He laughed a little. "No. He's done blaming himself. So he should blame who's to blame." That one is really a joke. I can't say anything to the King of Cobras. But it seems like what happened to them was hard. They thought they lost a friend and then one day he would appear in front of them and be alive and well with nonsense. "What did you feel when Percy showed up?" I asked again. "Various. Shock, happy, sad, anger.... threat. The last word he said was almost a whisper. I understand. They told me that when they found out he was alive. Maybe he had plans to take revenge and he would use me. But it's like Percy said. He's not that kind of person, he's not like Keifer. It's like something pierced my heart. Here it is again.... It's just like a cycle. It keeps going through my brain. "Are you okay, Jay?" Yuri asked, bringing me back to reality. "Oh-yes... I just feel something in my stomach." "Maybe you're emotional. "You're scared." He teased. I frowned. "Have you ever been hit in the face by a plate?" I asked sarcastically while holding the plate close to me. "Do you want to try it?" He laughed a little and made a peace sign. He thanked me, he's handsome. It would be a shame if a plate hit his face. But it would be even worse if the plate was shiny. You could see it because it was so shiny. We chatted for a while about the place. I found out that this resort was his idea. It was actually a beach resort but it was moved a bit away from the sea because he planned to turn the road to the beach itself into a large inï¬nity pool . He said he had more plans to show me but he asked me to ï¬nish this garden ï¬rst because he really planned to set up a garden dinner but it ended up being picnic style. I was tired of the effort. It also took a few hours before I thought about going home. Yuri had already left the utensils and plates we were using. He said his staff would take care of cleaning. I hugged the bouquet of flowers as we walked back to his car. "Thanks for dinner. I missed eating sushi." I said and punched him lightly on the arm. The only thing I really liked was the sushi! He winced and rubbed his arm. "Welcome. Let's go, I'll bring you. It's a long way to go." I nodded and got in the car. During the trip, I heard my phone ring a few times. I took it out of my bag and looked at it. I had a message from Kuya Angelo and GagongBaliw. I opened Kuya's message ï¬rst because he also had missed calls. From: Kuya Angelo Message: where are you? Why didn't you answer your phone? I was a little nervous so I quickly replied and said I was on my way home. Next, I opened GagongBaliw's message to me. I was a little surprised because they were one after another. From: GagongBaliw Message: hey, I miss you. From: GagongBaliw Message: R u busy? (Are you busy?) From: GagongBaliw Message: I really wanted 2 talk 2 u. From: GagongBaliw Message: Can i Call u? From: GagongBaliw Message: c'mon, i want to hear ur oice. From: GagongBaliw Message: where ru? From: GagongBaliw Message: who's with u? From: GagongBaliw Message: Jasper Jean. "Who are you texting?" Yuri asked. I looked at him for a moment before putting my cellphone back in my bag. "K-kuya... He's looking for me." I answered. He nodded in acceptance of my answer. I don't know but I feel like I shouldn't tell him that I'm texting GagongBaliw. I don't know why but a big part of me wants to keep him a secret. I want to be the one to ï¬nd out who he is. "Have you and your brother talked about... Canceling the engagement?" He asked hesitantly. "Not yet." I almost whispered my answer. "He didn't say anything?" "No." "He probably won't lecture you." He said with a smile. "...He even thanked us." My forehead furrowed at what he said. Thank you? For what? That must be weird. Maybe Brother Angelo is out of his mind. "Why thank you?" I asked in surprise. He looked at me for a moment before facing the road again. "He said he didn't want you to be involved in the company's problems." My eyes suddenly widened. I felt like jumping for joy. Brother Angelo really didn't want to get me married. He was just being orced. Brother Angelo is really handsome. That's my lab lab! "W-really? He said that?" He nodded while looking at the road. "The truth is, Angelo was giving us another business proposal before. The one that didn't involve marriage. That's why I told Tanda not to accept it." My smile disappeared and I felt like I was going to punch the person I was talking to. It was a good thing it suddenly occurred to me that it was over. That was back then and we're not engaged anymore. Just calm down, calm down. "You did that? You're really crazy." I said a little annoyed. He laughed a little as if what he did was okay with him . Thanks to this little guy, I was satisï¬ed. If I hadn't kicked him, I would have kicked him. I fell silent when I suddenly remembered something. Kuya's drunkenness in the past and how miserable he looked. "W-what's the partnership between Kuya and his company? Is there no hope for that?" I asked. I could see the sadness on his face even though he was ocused on the road. I already had a guess at what his answer would be. "I'm sorry Jay. They didn't let me and Tanda get involved in that matter." He said it! I knew Yuri wouldn't let Kuya leave like that. It didn't seem like his amily was happy about the breakup of the engagement. "...But when I get a chance, I'll talk to Otosan." Even though what he said gave me hope, I still couldn't help but feel sad. Kuya was almost exhausted from work. Lastly, he hasn't been able to get a girlfriend. Our journey took a long time because of the distance. It was already 9pm when we got home. I didn't ask him to drop me off to take me to the gate. It was already too late. I was still hugging the bouquet Yuri gave me when I entered the house. The lights in the living room were off but there was light on the stairs. I was about to head straight to the bedroom when the lights suddenly came on. Kuya Angelo was sitting on the sofa with a glass in his hand and a bottle of wine on the table in front of him. He was looking at me seriously. "What time is it?" He asked lifelessly. Hmmm... Time to sleep? "A-nine o'clock." I answered almost in a whisper. His gaze shifted to the bouquet of flowers I was hugging. He put down the glass he was holding and slowly stood up. "Who's that from?" He asked as he walked towards me. I took a step back. "W-for..." "For Keifer?" I shook my head but he didn't seem to accept my answer. I was surprised to see his eyes blazing with anger. "We almost crawled here because of the problems but you still managed to date me." He said ï¬rmly. I stopped moving back when he poked my head. The pressure made me close my eyes. I wanted to moan because of the pain but I chose to keep my mouth shut. "Is he the reason you don't want to marry Yuri?" He pointed at my head again. "...is he the reason you prefer him? Just choose a scum like you." Scum? That's how he looked at me. I have to admit that what he said hurt me. A scum of society like young people with no future. He suddenly grabbed the bouquet from me. My tears fell along with the suddenness. I was afraid of Kuya because of his actions. He looked at the flower for a moment before throwing it on the floor. Its petals exploded in the air. He wasn't satisï¬ed yet and was still kicking it on the floor. He faced me and pointed his ï¬nger. "Stay away from Keifer." You idiot! Yuri gave it to him. I didn't wait for what he would say next. I quickly ran into the room and locked the door. I wiped away my tears. I don't know why Kuya was like that but the joy I had earlier when Yuri said that Kuya didn't want to marry me, all of that was gone and replaced by fear. I don't understand Kuya.