Nyappi Brrrittday
Keifer's POV
"... I'm gonna take my horse on the old time road... " I watch him sway his hand. He is obviously enjoying the song from the internet, which I don't know how he learned to use. "Keifer..." He called me. "...How can I hide my post from a speciï¬c person?" Hide his post? "Uncle?" "I will greet you on Facebook but I don't want my jealous brother to see it." "You don't have to greet me online." He pouted a bit. "But I want to." I shook my head. Uncle Kier looks good now. I even saw him playing Mobile Legends on his phone when I came. He's acting like a real millennial. I approached him and closed his laptop. "I appreciate it much more if you greet me in person." I said smiling a bit at him. He pressed his back against the backrest of the chair. He looks at me intently. "I just remembered... Did my older brother allow you to visit me again?" "Well... H-he doesn't know that I'm here." I said while massaging my nape. He laughed a little while shaking his head. "Fuck his rules." I smiled. He looks at me from head to toe. "What's with the tuxedo?" He asked. "Is that your costume for tonight?" Costume? "I don't think so. I wear this for the so-called-photoshoot organized by Hazel." "Your cousin Hazel?" He asked and I nodded as an answer. He chuckled a bit. "Hazel and his twin Clyde are a great combination." He shook his head. "Hazel the feminist while Clyde the masculinist." "More like a woman hater." "He hates them because his ï¬ancée leaves him. Poor boy." I simply shook my head. She leaves him because he's an idiot. A good example of ad*ck headed human. I saw Uncle about to stand up so I quickly helped him up. He even held onto his hips to stretch and stand up properly. "Ow, my bones." He said and walked slowly."I miss my younger days." I followed him and saw him go straight to the room where he entered before. Same room where he took the photo album. I waited for him outside the room. It's a good thing he didn't take so long to ï¬nish his business inside. He came out with a wrapped box and my ribbon. The texture looks old probably because of the color of the gift wrap. "Happy Birthday my grandson." He said and handed me the gift. I accepted and smiled. "Thank you Uncle." "Would you like to open it now?" He asked and gave me a serious look. I got confused but I still nodded. "I'll leave you here alone." He said and left me. I decided to walk towards the patio. The sliding glass door is open. I sat in the same place where Uncle always sits. I slowly remove the ribbon and wrappers. Then I realized that the wrapper was really old and it's not a design. A box appeared to me, a bit smaller than a shoebox. I opened it and saw various photos and papers. Some of the papers are folded and look fragile. I took one and slowly opened it. That was my surprise when I saw Angelo's name and it's a fvcking last will and testament of someone. What's with that Demon? I read the contents carefully. It was a handwritten testament and blood was used to mark the ï¬ngerprint as a sign of signature or authenticity. I read the name out loud. "A-angel Watson?" The guy beside my Monster Dad. The guy that my grandpa adopted before. But I don't understand why he left money to Angelo. And it says here that he's leaving all of his money to him. I hope I'm wrong. I looked inside the box. I saw a few photos of that guy and.....Angelo's Mom? She looks so young. Probably high school base on her clothes which is a school uniform. Few more papers that supports the last will with signatures of my own Mother. And ï¬nally at the bottom of all documents and photos, a hand written letter from my Mom for me. That's how heavy my chest feels when I see those marks of dried water. I know it's not an ordinary water drops. Those are her tears. My Mom. I slowly read it. Each word affects me and giving ache in my heart. Keifer my son, forgive me if I gave you so many responsibilities at a young age but I have no choice. How I wish I can ï¬nish what I started but I know it's not gonna happen. The paper is stained with spilled ink. Must be her tears while writing this letter. I want to hug you and repeatedly ask for your forgiveness. I made a lot of sins not just to you but to your father and to your friend Angelo. I arch a brow. Angelo? What does he have to do with it? Your Dad loves me with all his heart but it's not enough, I'm not enough. So I decided to continue my plan. The inheritances should be yours. No one deserves it but you. But I need to distract them to divert their attention. And your friend's Mom came, Gemini Fernandez. Angelo's Mom! What the hell is this?! A young, intelligent and lovely woman. A lot of people love her instantly. Your father shows an interest but he's not the only one. Your uncle named Angel also pursued her. And things happened. She got pregnant without knowing who's the father. But I know who. I know exactly. I quickly put down the letter and washed my face. I don't like what I'm reading. I want to burn the letter but I have to ï¬nd out what's this all about. I take advantage of her situation especially when the news spread like wild ï¬re. Some say that it was your Dad's child. I didn't say nor done anything to stop the rumor. Until she gave birth to a healthy boy. But who is her father? He can't be my brother. I can't accept that. I'll just disown myself from this family if the suspicions of the Elders are true. I know the whole Watson Empire will look for that child. They will do anything to ï¬nd out the truth about him. So, I did what I think is the right thing to do. Eradicate the existence of those people who know the truth. I crumpled up the paper I was holding. Sheâ€"she eradicate them? My Mom can't do such a thing. One by one, I watch them bleed and beg to be saved. Until your Uncle Angel found out that it was me who was eliminating them. He tries his best to save the others, including Gemini. He decided to make a deal with me but he betrayed me and I have no choice but to end him. The mystery of Angelo's real identity remains. With the help of his own mother as an exchange of keeping her son alive, she makes sure no one will ï¬nd out the truth. If someone asks, she will shut her mouth. If someone dares to investigate, she'll tell me and I'll end them. Our little game continues until Angelo shows up in our house. A teenager who's obviously discovering his own self. He's looking for his biological father. I don't know how he ended up in front of me, but I know he's determined to meet him. There's no way he will ï¬nd what he's looking for but I still gave him the location. It took him just a week to ï¬nd the grave of his own father. Without any clue from me, without a tomb or marker he still manages to ï¬nd him. He's dead! Angelo is not my brother. The rumor is fake. I badly want to jump and shout like a caveman discovering the ï¬re. And here I thought I'm related to that demon. That kid, Angelo was in pain. I saw how he begged his Mom, seeking for an answer. But that's not what bothers me. He's capabilities. He can do things beyond what I expect from him. One day, he'll grow wiser and it won't take long before he ï¬nds out. I have no choice but to make a move. Using the last will of Angel, I made sure that his son will follow what I want. Like what his mother did for me. He became the diversion. He successfully managed to get their attention. He fooled everyone except for one person. Your own Dad. They also planned to fool that monster? Of course if he did touch Angelo's Mom, he could be fooled but he wasn't. What does it mean? I continue reading despite the time. Once your father found out about the last will of your grandfather, I know he will kill you. I needed to divert his attention too, but I failed. Everything got out of my hand. My planned ruined and things got worst. I then read the next paper. Same with the ï¬rst paper. There are water stains and ink are almost spread on the sheet. I'm scared on what your father can do to us or to you. Sooner or later he'll ï¬nd out about my plan but I haven't told the truth to that Angelo kid. I know I'm no longer alive when you receive this. So please, do me a favor. Give the rest of the documents to Angelo and end this game that started with you and his real identity. Ask his forgiveness for me, please. Talk to Gemini as well and tell her that Angel really loves her until his last breath. I have so many regrets from my past but I will never wish to turn back the time because I know I may not have you as my son. And I will never regret the day that I ï¬rst held you in my arms. Did you know that I got your name from a guy who saved me? The guy I truly fall in love with. I mark him as my keeper. Can you tell Keigan that it was your father who named him but I know it was after a Royal knight. And Keiren was originally Kim renz but I decided to change it close to your name. I wipe the tears from my eyes. I just realized that our names are quite special to her. I continue reading until the last part. She keeps asking for forgiveness not just to me but to Angelo's family too. She explained every part of the plan, who I should trust and to whom I should ask for help. It took four pieces of paper to ï¬nish the letter. And after reading her letter, I made a decision. I put the letter back in the box. I lowered my head same time as I clenched my ï¬st. These past few days I keep thinking If I should continue this ï¬ght. I've been missing Jay-jay too much. I can't even take care of my siblings . But after reading my Mom's letter about her sacriï¬ces for us and regrets. I know to myself that I have to continue. I looked at the open box for a moment. Angelo needs to know the truth. He also needs to get the full amount of his inheritance. No wonder he can pay the annual fee of his membership. He has money hidden. That's all he seems to be doing is trying to use it to pay off their company's debts. Why? What are you up to? I closed the box again and went inside the house. Uncle stood with his two hands behind his back. He looked at me for a moment and at the box I was holding. "I know, there are times that you want to give up and leave everything here." He approached me slightly. "But I saw how your Mom works hard. I can't afford to see you giving up everything she sacriï¬ces for." I nodded briefly and forced to smile. "I know, from the start, I understand it already. But my life, my world, my future Queen is waiting for me." I close my eyes and sigh. "And it looks like she'll wait a little longer." Uncle chuckled and hugged me. "Happy Birthday Keifer. I know you can do it." He let go of me and pointed to a room near us. I approached him as he wanted. I open the door and what's inside surprises me. It's a room full of clothes. From accessories to shoes and ties. All branded and expensive brands. Some are limited editions and the others are never seen designs that's meant for a well known person. "That is your Mom's gift." He pointed out the box. "Here is mine." He gestured his hand to the clothes. "Now, suit yourself and get ready." He turned away from me and closed the door. I let myself look around. I'm not really into expensive clothes. I don't give a fvck about the brand. But all of this still excites me. If Jay-jay could see this. I felt a twinge of relief when I remembered what I should do. My original plan is to go back home after the day of my birthday. But that's not going to happen. I need to secure everything I'm leaving here before I go back. So much for my birthday. I just want this day to be over. I just chose to buy clothes to wear like Uncle said. As I continued looking, I felt my secret phone vibrate . I took it out of my pocket. Unregistered number is calling me. The number is familiar to me but I can't ï¬gure out who it is. I have no plan of answering it but for some reason my guts is telling me to. I answered the call but made sure I was alert and wouldn't speak. "Hey....GagongBaliw." I covered my mouth. I know who's that voice is. "...It's me! Jay-jay is beautiful." I bit my lips to hold my smile. I miss her voice so much. "Who are you really?! I can't ride your trip because you're so strong. You're a friend! You know that! Tell me who you are? You're stressedâ€"too much!" She said and I can sense her irritation. "Can you please say something? My saliva is drying up just talking like this and you're still speechless." I badly want to speak. I want to scream that I miss her so much. If I could only hold her right now. I closed my eyes to feel her voice. At least she's in front of me in my imagination. "Hey! Whoever you areâ€"I know you're close to Keifer. Maybe ... what... please..." She paused for a second. "...Nyappi Brrritttday." Nyappi? Is that a word? I tried not to laugh but I still couldn't help it. I just moved the phone away from my mouth a little. Now she thought I'm not GagongBaliwâ€"or the other way around. She thought GagongBaliw is not me. WHERE DID THAT GAGONGBALIW COME FROM?! "Okay. Laugh. Be happy there." I heard her say. She paused again for a while. I know she's thinking about something and I'm having a bad feeling about it. "...Maybe you could tell me too..." She sighed heavily. "...please tell me he's back. His fellow Ulopongs are having a hard time..." I sat down on the floor because of the softness. I know they're having a hard time and I also know he's having a hard time. And I'm having a hard time too. "...he needs Section E..." How about you? Do you need me? "...a lot of people are counting on him..." Do you count on me too? "...he also wants to be with his friends..." And I hope you are too. "Please tell me too... Whatever he's doing. Hurry up." I washed my face. One of my fears. He's getting bored. Please hold on for a while. "...I also wish for his birthday. He'll be true to his feelings..." My eyes are starting to get cloudy but I still manage to smile. Wish granted. "...I also wish he'd forgive me..." She has no reason to be sorry. I should be the one to apologize. "...for what I did to him." Her voice is starting to change as if there's a lump on her throat. Why do I feel like she's saying goodbye to me? Is she giving up? Oh gad, no! "I really hope he comes back soon... but if he can't. We'll accept it okay." Stop! Don't say things like that. "...please tell him that, huh? I'll expect it." She's giving up. She can't wait for me anymore. Tears started to fall from my eyes. I put the phone away and didn't hear what he said next. My other hands are covering my eyes. She doesn't want to wait anymore. I've let go of my phone completely. I've also pulled my hair. She doesn't want to be with me anymore. I'm just asking for a little time. I can't just leave everything here. Please Jay! "Keifer." I look up to see who it is. I'm quite surprised to see Ion standing besides me. She kneels down and looks at my face. "W-what happened?" For some reason I saw the Ion that I know before. The Ion who always have a care about other peoples well being. The Ion that use to force me to call her sister. The Ion that I have a crush before.