Chapter-331

Last day


Jay-jay's POV


"Why is this stove like this? It's black." Eman commented on the stove
I burned.
"That's by design. Don't pay attention to it." I said and he just shrugged
before starting to cook.
That's the trend these days with social stoves.
I turned my back on him and let him do what he was doing.
Denzel was with him helping him cook. Apparently he had plans to follow in
his footsteps.
I headed straight to the terrace where the others were hanging out. They were planning to
take a dip in the sea but they changed their minds when they felt
hungry.
"We really didn't know you were bringing Jay-jay here.
I expected him to just go to your mansion." Edrix said to Kei-kwanan.
"And it took a few days." Rory added.
"You're there in Aries. He came to us looking for
Jay-jay from Kuya. But my little brother Tukmol isn't there either." Felix said and I suddenly
imagined Aries' face.
I guess that's already forming a bad curse. If I don't
come back soon, the two of them will punish me.
Don't go back.
I'll just stay here on my island. I'll probably live here.
I'll just build a signal and internet tower to live a good life. I'll just do online
shopping and pay with coconuts. I'll teach
the fish how to use the internet.
Hey...sometimes I really amaze myself with my own intelligence.
I noticed the way David, Yuri and Kei-kwanan seemed to exchange glances
. It was obvious that they knew something and we were the ones who had no idea.
I couldn't help but suspect them.
Whatever they know, I'll wait for them to let
me know. I'll just give them until today. If they still don't have it,
I'll bury them alive in the sand.
"Buko!" Eren shouted, grabbing our attention.
"Niyog!" The young kumag shouted.
We watched for the approaching kumags.
Blaster, Josh, Mayo and Kit were following them, each with their own things.
"What are you arguing about?" I asked.
"I don't want to believe that what I'm holding is called Buko."
Eren replied before lowering the kuko he was holding onto the terrace's frame.
"Is there anything different?" Ci asked annoyed before facing me. "Isn't
this a coconut?"
"Knock it. If the sound is crisp, it's a coconut. If you can't
knock anything, it's a kuko." I said and they did.
Josh was different. He knocked Blaster's head with a little more force
. He immediately hit him with a punch so he moved away
while smiling.
"That's what it is." Yuri said and shook the coconut he was holding. "I can
hear the juice inside."
"Let's open it and drink." Keiâ€"kwanan said and looked at me.
"There, you won't climb a tree anymore." Oh,
I'm confused.
"Who climbed a tree?" Yuri asked and looked at me. "She tried to climb to pick a coconut." The shameless King
of Cobras
answered with a sarcastic tone . "Idiot! You climbed a coconut tree?" Mayo asked laughing so I looked at him
with a frown. "No way!" Felix said and they started to tease each other. "What a fool!" Eren laughed out loud.
"You should've taken a photo." David joined in. Traitor! "You're all punks!" I cursed at them and they
immediately fell silent. "Oh, I cursed." Ci said. They looked back and forth between me and Keiâ€"kwanan. I
raised my eyebrows at them with a cross arm and smiled arrogantly. "Nothing will happen. Wait for whatever
you want." I said and faked a laugh. "Oh, that's really impressive." I heard Eren say. I immediately picked up the
nearest coconut and was about to throw it at him. The lukos immediately ran away while laughing loudly.
"Let's open that coconut or we might even die." Drew said and pulled his hand away from me. They each
grabbed a coconut and coconut. Keifer joined them in the back where they were going to open their things.
Yuri and David were left on the terrace while watching the tukmols walk away. "So, no more profanity rule?"
Yuri asked and leaned his shoulder on the terrace post. "That's right. Don't be too harsh." David added. "Just
here. He took it away in exchange for his longer life on earth." I said and they laughed. We were enveloped in
silence for a moment until David said goodbye and went to help Eman inside. "How are you?" I immediately
asked Yuri. He forced a smile. "I'm okay, I saw you." I simply kicked him away before he laughed. I preferred his
natural laugh. Not the obvious one he was forcing just to say he was okay. "I'm serious." He said, making me
serious too. "When I'm with you, I don't need to pretend that I'm okay." I smiled at him. "Whatever your problem
is, remember that I'm only here. Not just for family, but for sports ." I imitated an old commercial. He laughed
out loud. What I said sounded familiar to him. "I should have come to see you this weekend. If only I hadn't
gone to this island." I said. That was actually my original plan. I wanted to know if anyone was taking care of
him at their house. Based on his appearance recently, it was obvious that there wasn't. Maybe later, he wasn't
able to eat properly either. "Too bad, I still had a barbecue on Saturday." He whined . "Just barbecue? Poor. I'm
a salmon steak." I boasted and he laughed. "What steak? Maybe steak." I pouted. "When you're rich, steak.
When you're a poor, steak. Just fried rice is okay." His laughter grew louder. I was laughing too. At least I knew
I could make him laugh with my intelligence. Even if it was the only way I could ease his heavy feelings. "You
really know a lot of things." "Of course. I'm pretty, like this is my island." I answered and he was stunned for a
moment. "Your island?" I nodded. "Yes, given to me by the King of Snakes." "Wow." He said sarcastically. My
smile disappeared and our eyes met for a moment. What was his problem? He immediately looked away. "S-
sorry. I'mâ€"." "He didn't buy it from me if that's what you were thinking." I had no emotion when he said it. "Not
like that. But why did you forgive him that easily?" "I haven't forgiven him yet." I shook my head before turning
my back on him. "You're belittling me." I walked inside the house. I even heard him call my name. Is it wrong
or me to accept his pasalubong? Am I such a lowly person? Even if I work my whole life, sell my soul, or
borrow from all the bumbays, I will never have my own island. And another thing, with that Kei-kwanan's
attitude, it's as if I can refuse. So when he scolded me, I stabbed him in the lung with his island. I continued to
the kitchen where Denzel and Eman were. "What can I help you with?" I opened it to them. "You're welcome,
please clean these fish." Eman said. The memory of yesterday quickly came back to me. The frozen fish and
the blazing frying pan. And the burnt kitchen. "I wanna help too." Yuri suddenly appeared next to me. I ignored
him and went to the sink where the fish were. He was still following me. I grabbed a knife and did the same . It
was obvious that he was just doing what I was doing. "I'm really sorry Jay." He whispered while grabbing fish
rom the sink. "It's okay. I understand." My lifeless answer. "I thought you forgave him because of the island."
"We finished talking before he told me about this island." "If you've already talked, why haven't you forgiven
him yet?" I looked at him annoyed. "Is that a question? It's like you don't know how hard I've been." He nodded.
"Of course. But aren't you fragile?" He knew very well. I heard Denzel and Eman's soft laughter. It was like they
were listening to what we were talking about. "How did you say that?" "You forgave us so quickly." I gave him a
hard time. "Can't I just be a good person?" "More like a fool." Eman hinted so I turned to him. "He said he was
ery good." Denzel's correction was a bit harsh but his crooked smile was still there. "I'll slap you with fish." I
threatened and they laughed. Snakes. I just continued what I was doing. We almost just handed Eman what
she needed. We cut, cleaned, looked for ingredients and whatever else she often does. Until she finished
cooking and called her fellow Snakes. It was like calling for a feeding program because the tukmols had
arrived. But since we couldn't fit in the kitchen, they just took the food and brought it to the terrace. I was
stunned when I saw the low table with banana leaves on it. The snakes were arranging it themselves. They
lined up the food before sitting on the floor to level the table. I did the same. Yuri and Ci-N were next to me
and Keiâ€"kwanan was opposite me. Before starting, I thought about praying for the snakes and saying thank
you. I smiled because they know how to cook. "Eat now!" We shouted before starting. We each took our turn
to grab and eat. Eman's long cooking process was finished in just one go. We even had a refreshing coconut
juice. A great vacation. We rested for a while before packing up and getting ready to go swimming . The guys
looked like excited kids at the sea. "Put on some sunblock!" I said to Ci annoyed. She kept complaining that
the sun was hurting her skin and she kept running back to the heater. "Put it on my back! Quick!" She ordered
me. I winced but I did it anyway. I did it more often so she wouldn't complain. "Me too! Put it on me too!" Eren
growled so Ci immediately left. I hit her with a bottle of sunblock lotion. "Aray... Why?" "I hope you brought your
girlfriends "You put it on first." He turned his back to me and bowed slightly. I just put it on so I could leave. I
thought I would put it on my back but I blinked when I saw that they had already made a line. Son of... "What is
that?" "I think so." Rory said before smiling broadly. Even though I wanted to poke them, I still did what they
asked just to finish. It was good that the others had their own sunblock so Yuri didn't run out of the one I had
brought with me, which I used on Ci and Eren. The Sea Snakes ran quickly except for Keiâ€" who couldn't run
because of his wound. It was good that he could walk properly but still had some occasional stumbling. But
he managed to carry me. He faced me when the others were gone. "Would you like me to put sunblock at your
back?" "Would you like me to punch your face?" I imitated him. "I won't expose my back." His ridiculous
laughter came out again. But it quickly disappeared, surprising me. "So, what did you and Yuri talk about? You
look so happy." He asked. I couldn't tell if he was jealous or worried that I had something serious. I raised an
eyebrow at him. "Just something. Do you mind?" He coughed slightly. "He should've told you." It turned out he
was actually planning to tell me what they knew. I thought they were going to keep a secret from me again. I
didn't know why I seemed excited but I suddenly anticipated what he would say. "W-which one?" "The reason
why Angelo wants me to hide you." He said and looked into my eyes. "Your Dad is back." I dropped the bottle
of sunblock lotion. My gaze didn't leave him and tears fell on my own. Is Papa back? He's back from abroad.
I'll see him again. "We need to go home." I couldn't help but started to walk away but Keiâ€"kwanan immediately
stopped me. "Calm yourself. We need to find out first why they are not letting you see him." He explained but
my eyes were fixed on the sea and I was already thinking about how I could get home. "I'm going homeâ€"."
"Jay-jay!" He shouted right in my face while holding both my arms. "Dad's here again. Maybe we canâ€"." I
almost felt sorry for him. "Angelo will never allow you. Please listen to me!" "Why?!" "I don't know....yet. But I
will soon find out then we will think of a plan on how will you meet your Dad without them knowing. For now,
you need to calm yourself and follow my plan." He held both my cheeks. "Trust me, please?" He was right.
Kuya pushed me away because he had a reason. It was obvious that he didn't want to see us anymore. What if
I forced him? Kuya might be even stricter and prevent us from seeing each other. Even though I didn't want to
trust the King of Snakes, it felt like I had to let him see my Dad. How many times had he done this? How many
times has he helped me find and see Papa? He always finds a way. I shouldn't doubt what he said because I
believe he can do it. "T-thank you." He smiled at me and hugged me. "For your happiness." I bit my lip for a
moment. It seemed like he was far from the old Kei â€"kwanan who always confronted me. Maybe he really did
everything to change himself and make sure he wouldn't do to me what his Dad did. When we released our
hug, he quickly kissed my forehead. I immediately remembered the Snakes and that they might see us. I
punched him weakly in the stomach. "Aw." He moaned weakly. "Maybe they might see us." "So?" "Maybe we
won't and I haven't completely forgiven you yet." His gaze quickly turned sad to me. I felt guilty but I had to be
tough. I didn't want everything to be easy just because he explained. There were still things I didn't
understand. Math. "I get it." He said and forced a smile. I just nodded before turning my back on him and
walking towards the Ulopong turtles who were clearly enjoying the sea water. Ci-N was carrying a life
preserver banana and Eren was carrying a donut. They both got it from the villa's storage room earlier. While
Dabid was lying on the sheet he had laid out on the sand, enjoying the warmth of the sun but he looked more
like he was asleep. Josh was already destroying the sand castle that Blaster and Drew were making. Eman
was cutting up the starfish he had caught. Felix shot him for being so brutal. Kit and Mayo were walking along
the beach while still holding hands. Lande. Almost everyone was in the sea and swimming. Even Yuri was
waving at me happily in the sea water. "Let's go Jay!" He said to me. I quickened my pace to get closer to
them. "Keifer! Let's go swimming!" They shouted while waving at the villa. I looked back at what they were
waving at and saw Keiâ€"kwanan who was following me. He also waved to his fellow Ulopongs before taking
off his top and coming towards me. I just screamed when he picked me up and walked towards the beach. Oh
my... "H-hold on! Hey!" I stopped him but he had already jumped into the sea and suddenly let go of me. The
lukos immediately laughed. It was a good thing he wasn't standing in the deep water. I immediately stood up
and splashed him with water. "Is that all you got?" He asked angrily and the water started to splash, which the
Ulopongs joined in. Each one of them splashed water. It was up to whom to hit. Even those who were having
un on the sand also stepped forward and splashed water. Until they tripped over the sleeping David. Rory and
Calix came over and positioned themselves at David's head and feet. They simultaneously held his arms and
legs before carrying him towards the sea. "What the hell!!" He screamed when the two suddenly swung him
before letting him go. We laughed loudly until they started acting silly again. There was a swimming race that
was clearly cheating. There was a competition to hold their breath in the water for the longest time. There was
a swimming lesson. Ci-N rode on David's shoulder and Eren imitated them by riding on Josh's back. The two
ought and forced their opponents. Whoever fell first, lost. Ci was small but his body was heavy. "Ci-N! Ci-N!
Ci-N!" We shouted. Eren fell but he was not the only opponent. Kit and Mayo faced him. Kit climbed on Mayo's
shoulder and was the one fighting Ci-N. But the young kumag still did not give up. Kit fell and Blaster, who
climbed on Drew, faced him. But Blas was too heavy because Drew gave in with just one push so they both
sank into the sea water. While I was busy laughing, suddenly someone entered between my legs and I slowly
rose. I screamed loudly so they all looked at me. What is this again? When I looked at who the animal was,
Yuri's red hair caught my eye. "It's our turn!" He said and I hit him on the head. "Tell me!" I shouted at him but
he started walking closer to Ci. "My bet is on Jay-jay!" "Fuck Jay so he'll be upset right away!" " Grab Ci!" "You
idiot!" "To the face! Your mind is dirty!" They teased me with laughter. And when I confronted Ci, she suddenly
smiled silly while raising and lowering her eyebrows. She looked like she was stealing panties. "FIGHT!" They
shouted and it felt like I had rung a bell. I quickly grabbed both of Batang Kumag's hands and pushed him with
all my strength. It was obvious that he wasn't going to lose. Yuri moved forward to gain force for my push but
Ci overcame me. He let me push him so when I was confident that I would win, he suddenly pulled back and I
ell straight into the water. I felt the water hitting my back. My eyes were closed but I was starting to see a
blurry image. "RUN! RUN! DON'T STOP! DON'T LET ANYONE HURT YOU!" Mom? I knew it was Mom's voice. But
I couldn't understand what she was saying. I also couldn't understand the sound of her voice. I immediately
went up when I felt the lack of air. I wiped my face and eyes to open them. I was panting heavily as I looked
around me. "Hey! Are you okay?" Kei-kwanan asked worriedly, which made the others look at us. "Are you okay,
Jay?" Yuri asked and came closer to me. I nodded. "I-I'm okay. Just breathing." Yuri also nodded to accept
what I said even though he obviously didn't believe it. The King of the Snakes stared at me. The others went
back to having fun, while I was dumbfounded and confused by what was happening. Was what I heard part of
my past?