Chapter-357

Convincing


Jay-Jay's POV


Aries and I were busy chatting. We were sitting on the floor of
his room while eating chutchirya and candies. There were
also soft drinks. These are midnight snacks.
This is how bonding is.
We hang out here because Kuya and I can scold each other if
he sees us in the kitchen. Mama is in my room and sleeping.
I left her while she was sound asleep. I'm sure she'll join
us when she finds out that my brother and I are together. It's not that I don't want her to join, but I really don't.
She and Aries
will just fight . "If her enemy has guns, why did you rush there?" she asked me, referring to what Kuyang and I
did when we rushed to Yuri's house. "Of course I was worried, but Kuya also drove there." I answered and
suddenly remembered his gun. "Do you know Kuya has a sideline?" I asked before drinking the sprite from the
can I was holding. "Sideline?" he repeated. No, frontline. "He has a gun." I said in the same tone that gossips
on the corner tell stories. "He does." he answered as if he knew very well. "He even took me to a shooting
range to teach me." I looked at him as if I had been tricked. He knew and was still taking him to teach me.
"Why? What's that for?" "He said it was just a hobby. I can see your teacher there too." I was slightly taken
aback. "Sir Alvin?" He nodded before taking out a gummy worm and eating it. Sir didn't look like he would hold
a gun. Plus, he was the type of person who would beg to fix a mess rather than point a gun. Maybe that was
Sir's double hanger - he didn't have one. Maybe he was just trying to be different. What if he was taking out his
stress on us? He was thinking about our faces on the target. That's why he was so calm in class because
that's where he was taking out his anger on us. Dead. "I want to try that too. Next time I'll go with you." He
winced. "Don't. Maybe you'll make us the target." I scolded him. I'm not that angry with them to point a gun at
them. I bet Kuya will slap them but I won't go that far. I'm thinking too much. Kuyang might shoot me before I
can even get a bullet. I even opened a pack of gummy candies and poured them into the clear bowl in front of
us. That picture of Aries made me stop and type on his cellphone. I looked at him in surprise that he noticed
immediately. "I sent it to Ella. She's still awake." he said and I replied . "Please." He quickly got up and gave me
a hard time before going back to typing. That's it, as long as I talk about my boyfriend, he always annoys me.
You thought his girlfriend was beautiful. Please don't break up. "You're so infatuated with your boyfriend, aren't
you?" I asked sarcastically, giving me a hard time again. "As I should. Why would I be infatuated with another
woman while I'm with her." he answered me. "But you're the one who's loyal." "Because yours isn't." he replied,
surprising me. "I guessed that the new one will only have a girlfriend in a few years." I pointed at him. "Ha! It's
a good thing you're just 'guessing'. That means it won't come true. That's why it's a guess." "It could also be
true. It's like your answer on your exams when you guess." "Why is your Ella loyal to you?" I asked annoyed and
he stared at me as if he was telling me that I already knew the answer. "She doesn't have to be loyal. She just
comes home to me." I grimaced. "How stupid is that?" I felt like I wanted to slap him to make him feel bad
about his love. "Look. She made a mistake but we're okay now." "Oh, that's stupid." I said and he reached out to
pinch me but I slapped his hand. We really are siblings. He turned his cellphone back to type a message. I also
thought about mine and sending a message to each of them. I also had someone to talk to. It seemed like
Keifer and the other Ulopong were already asleep. Only one replied to them. Percy... From: Percing... Message:
Why are you still awake? Not good for your health. I frowned. He's still awake too. He should be the one to
sleep because it's not good for his health. I still replied to him. To: Percing... Message: Midnight snack. I
replied and sent the picture of what we ate. Aries' thigh was just caught in the picture, which Percy quickly
noticed. From: Percing... Message: Is that Aries? If you were together, you wouldn't be mad at him anymore?
Nice! I was about to answer his question when another message came from him. From: Percing... Message:
Did he inform you about his plan to convince your Mom? What plan? And why does he know that? I faced my
brother who was drinking coke from the can he was holding. He was still looking at his cellphone while doing
that. He really didn't want to take his eyes off his wife. "Did you talk to Percy?" I asked and he stopped drinking
to answer. He coughed slightly. "Yes, we met earlier." My mouth dropped open. I thought he was really angry
about that storm. I couldn't imagine that he would go to my stepbrother. Or maybe he went to fight but it didn't
seem like that was the case because Percy was talking well. Yes, he was doing well. "Why?" I asked while my
eyes widened at him. He coughed slightly. "To talk about my plan, so you can see Papa. I want to make up for
it." I wanted to touch my heart. I was thrilled by what he said. He wanted to make up for his foolishness so he
came up with a plan. But I still couldn't accept his 'Papa'. But maybe that's okay. It's because of him that he
considered himself Papa's son. It wouldn't be bad if Aries and I only recognized one Dad. I was stunned for a
moment. Where is her real Dad? I wanted to ask but she might not be happy. Let her think I'm pushing her to
her real Dad. Next time. "I want you to take that back." I said while spinning the gummy worm in the air before
swallowing it. "Before that, I just want to remind you not to act without thinking." He ordered and I nodded.
"What's the plan?" "We need to cool your Mom's head first. She should be less angry and have compassion for
your suffering from not seeing you." He started. "When she feels sorry, we'll convince her to let you go." Good
idea. I've proven in the past that she's still hot- blooded towards Papa. Her anger is too much but I'm willing to
gamble just to convince her. "If we can't calm her anger towards Papa, at least we can open her mind to let
you meet." He added. "So what? We always fight whenever I talk about meeting Papa." He paused for a
moment before taking a sip from the can. He seemed deeply concentrated. The horoscope was really
different. I took a chutchirya and stared at it while watching him. "Don't say it directly to her. Think of
something else you can tell her to open that topic." His solution. Wow. Smart. I envied my stupidity at how
quickly he thought of a solution. I wish I had at least gotten a piece of his intelligence. We are siblings but why
does it seem like he's the only one who's caught the brain. Tricky. I nodded in agreement. I guess I'm smart too
and can think of something to do. But I'm sure we'll end up fighting with my Mom again . We're both stubborn.
Where else will we inherit? I thought for a moment.What kind of personality does Papa have? Did I inherit
anything from him? He's an engineer, maybe he's smart. Maybe it's just a little bit in the face because many
people say that Mama looks like me. Our gossip neighbors in the Province say that Mama was beautiful when
she was young. Her complexion is different compared to her siblings so they immediately knew that she
wasn't Grandma's daughter. They also say that she would flirt even though her clothes were torn while playing
in the street. She was also always invited to barangay beauty pageants but Grandpa wouldn't let her. Someone
even offered to be an actress but they weren't sure. Because it's just gossip. My Mom's personality is said to
be a punch in the face. She has a sharp tongue and fights with anyone even if she's older than her. As long as
her anger is active, everyone stays away from her. That's not surprising. If I did inherit anything from her, I
hope it's just her beauty. But our blood is sloppy, being sharp is all I got from her. That's why many people
offer me, offer to fight. I really hope I inherit something beautiful from Papa. It's so sad when everything
comes from Mama. I looked at Aries. He was already facing Papa. I guess he noticed something similar about
our father.
"Aries... What kind of person is Papa?" I asked, which he quickly
answered.
"A down to earth person. He enjoys little things like you.
He also doesn't spend much on himself. He's strict when it comes to work and gives orders
but in a good way."
I'm not strict. I'm down to earth, I'm a go-getter.
I enjoy the little things, I enjoyed being with Ci-N.
That's a similarity.
"Sometimes stubborn. I've also noticed that when
he wants something, he has to get it." He looked at me. "You're you."
I was about to smile because we had another similarity but
I winced. Why is he still stubborn and
always wants to get what he wants? I'm not like that â€" just a little.
"Am I like that? I know I'm stubborn but I don't
always insist on what I want."
"And that's exactly why you're hard headed. Because you insist on
doing what you want." He explained annoyed. "Do you want an
example?"
I pouted before shaking my head. Yes, I agree, stubborn and
gets what I want. At least Papa and I are the same.
I'm not alone.
"In terms of our appearance, what's the similarity?" I asked again.
He thought for a moment as if remembering Papa's face.
"Maybe in the eyes. You look more like your mother."
"Ours." I corrected him. "You call someone who isn't your father Papa but
you can't call our mother Mama."
"Did she act like a mother?" He asked seriously. "It's even better that
your father felt like a father to me even though he wasn't my blood."
I stared at him. He really had a deep resentment towards
Mama. Even though I was like that, I couldn't deny that
I was still looking for her. I was angry with her but I felt like
I still needed her and wanted to be with her.
I also wanted to feel like I had a mother.
"Aren't you looking for her too? The feeling of being with
your real mother?"
He shook his head. "Mama Gema did that for her."
And Grandma did that to me.
"Even once?"
She fell silent.
"Even for a moment?"
I snorted.
"Even for a moment?"
She looked at me as if she was considering whether to tell the
truth.
"Even for a second?"
She sighed. I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Even like this?" I raised two fingers and seemed to peek through the
small gap.
Just a little.
She looked away before nodding for a moment. I
laughed out loud as I poked her in the face.
"Admit it too!" I teased.
She immediately gave me a hard time.
"Have you forgiven your mother?"
She asked me.
I shook my head. "I can't say. I know I'm still angry with
her but I don't know. Then I'm waiting for her to make up with us."
"Will she make up with me? She's putting things first." She said annoyed.
It's true. She has many opportunities but she's putting her first to find
a husband to present to us. But she also left him later because
she was scared of what Papa was doing.
But why would Papa separate them like that?
"You think... Papa wants to get back together with Mama?"
She suddenly laughed out loud. She even coughed because of the
choking.
The light was so happy.
"I don't know and I don't wanna know." She answered me so
I winced.
What's wrong with them getting back together? I've heard many
stories where ex-couples get back together. Sometimes
the relationship becomes even deeper.
Maybe it's not bad to hope.
"Let's finish this and go to bed." I said and grabbed the
remaining chutchirya.
She did the same. She also finished the contents of the can she was holding.
When everything was finished, we also helped clean up the mess.
We took the trash together and used a clear bowl.
After cleaning, we went back to our rooms.
I went straight to the bathroom and cleaned up for a while.
After what I did, I immediately lay down on the bed. I glanced briefly
at Mama who seemed to be fast asleep.
"How are you?" She asked and made me turn around in surprise.
I thought she was asleep.
"You surprised me." I said while still holding my chest.
"Your conversation was so funny, your laughter was so loud." She adjusted
the bed so that she could face me. "You even disturbed Angelo."
My eyes widened. We were almost caught off guard. But why
didn't she just let us into the room to scold her?
"How did you know?"
"I met her before I went to the kitchen."
Could she have heard what we were talking about?
"Our voices were that loud?"
She shook her head. "It was just your laughter."
I breathed a sigh of relief. I thought she had figured out our plan.
"Go to sleep. You still have class." She ordered and she closed her eyes
to sleep.
"Okay..." I replied.
I tried to close my eyes and find a proper place to sleep.
I've turned around in bed a few times and still can't sleep.
I put a pillow under my feet but still nothing. I lay down,
lay down, and turned to my side but still nothing. I guess I shouldn't have had
soft drinks or eaten candy. My brain is still hyper.
How can I sleep like this?
"Why are you moving around so much?" Mama asked annoyed, obviously
still sleepy from her voice.
"I can't sleep." I pouted.
I faced her and saw her trying to open her eyes to look at me.
"Count sheep."
"Let's just go for a walk." I tried to comfort her but she immediately turned her
back on me.
"I'm sleepy. Don't hold it against me if you can't sleep."
I felt annoyed with her. Was it my fault I couldn't
sleep.
I pushed her slightly. "Why are you sleeping here again?
You're already there." I said annoyed.
She didn't face me. "I'm going to hit you."
"There are so many rooms in the house and you're just cramming in here."
I added before pushing him slightly again. "Go away."
He tried to hit my hand but it didn't reach so
I kept pushing.
"Jay!" He yelled at me. "Go to sleep. Don't make me feel sorry for you
while you're awake."
I ignored him and just continued what I was doing. I couldn't
help but smile because I could feel his annoyance that he was trying to suppress.
I hope your sleepiness goes away.
"Go away. Go away." I said and he suddenly faced me.
I thought he would be angry with me but he suddenly hugged me tightly
while holding both my arms and hands to his chest.
"Let me see if you can move." He said and closed his eyes again.
I didn't move and waited for him to fall asleep so
I could free myself. He became quiet and his breathing was deep.
I counted a few more minutes before trying to get away but I failed
because he had already made me wait.
"Hey..." I whispered. "Mom, are you asleep?"
I didn't get an answer.
"Hey... Mom." I whispered again.
I heard her soft moan. I still couldn't sleep
so I thought of talking to her even though she was asleep.
Hehe... I hope you're dreaming.
"Mom..." I whispered right into her face. "Money."
I heard a soft answer but it wasn't clear. But even
then I couldn't help but laugh.
"Mom... I'm pretty, right? I'm prettier than you. You're jealous."
"S-Okay." she replied softly and I giggled softly.
"Mom... I'm going to have a boyfriend. His name is Keifer."
"Mmhh..."
I smiled widely. If only I could laugh out loud
, I would have done it earlier. Too bad, I wish I could record it so
I could watch it with her. But my arms were tight so I didn't know how.
I suddenly had an idea. And I knew I could
use it on her.
Yes, my brain.
I tried to free one of my arms to reach my cellphone
that was just under the pillow. I immediately turned on the cam to video her.
"Mom... do you love Aries and I?" I whispered.
"Yes." she replied.
"What about Dad? You do?"
She frowned but I didn't get an answer.
"He said Dad would get back with you." I said and
his frown deepened. "He said you're still his lab."
I wanted to laugh because it seemed like he suddenly consumed what I said.
He frowned after raising his eyebrows.
Even in dreams there is anger.
"He said he won't stop until you two make up. Are you okay
with that?"
"No." he answered shortly. "He said he'll only stop if you agree to see us. Is that
okay with you?" "Yes." I almost screamed out loud. I immediately turned off the video and hid my phone. I
would now have something to use on him if Aries and I's plan failed. I was thrilled by the idea of making Mom
surrender. I bit my lip hard as I looked at Mama. I just had to put her to sleep so she would agree. I wish I had
done it earlier so I wouldn't have to struggle like this anymore. "A-Oh..." I heard her say. "Your dad...will kill you."
My smile disappeared and was replaced by fear. Who would Papa kill? "Will kill... our... child." Who was he
referring to? I suddenly remembered what Percy had told me about my grandfather. I thought he was referring
to my dad but he sounded like my dad's dad. I wanted to wake Mama up to ask her about what she had said
last time but I thought she wouldn't talk when she was awake either. She moaned again and spoke slowly.
"Our kids... are naughty." she said and her lips slowly smiled. I don't know why but a tear fell from my eye as I
watched my mom as if she still had a connection to her ex-husband. My dad.