chapter 38

Past

Jay-jay's POV

There was a time I got so annoyed at Ci-N because of her laziness and the mess she made in my room. Back then, all I could think about was how to kick her out. My room was peaceful when she wasn't around. I didn't have to clean every day—or every night.

But my world was shaken the moment she arrived. She kept eating snacks—chips, ice cream, juice or soda, candy, and cake—almost nonstop. I was always hanging out at the Mini Mart buying her midnight snacks.

I did her laundry because she didn't know how, and she didn't want the maids at Tita Gema's house to do it—she said their hands were full of germs.

I was always sleep-deprived from watching movies on her laptop. I often got scolded for her mischief—and I always took the blame. Tita Gema and Kuya Angelo even gave her more attention than me most of the time.

And worst of all, Aries and I fought frequently—because of her.

Chaotic? Yes.

But so much fun...

---

My shoulders slumped as I watched her pack her things. I didn't want to help so she'd take longer. So she'd stay longer.

There were times I wanted her gone, but now that she's really leaving… I don't want her to go.

"Why don't you help me out?" she said to me.

I sighed and approached her. But instead of helping her pack her suitcase, I did the opposite. I was taking things out.

"Hey! We'll never finish like that. Keep going!" she said angrily and snatched the clothes from my hands.

"Can't you just leave tomorrow instead?" I asked.

"Mama won't let me… she said it would be embarrassing," she said, sitting next to me. "If you really don't want to be apart from me, just apply as my maid."

I gave her a death glare. Was she crazy?! Why would I work as her maid?

"It's actually a good idea so Keifer and Aries won't get jealous anymore," she added.

Huh?!

"Keifer and Aries?" I asked, confused.

Keifer I could understand—he's the jealous type. Even a candy in my mouth makes him jealous. But Aries? That was hard to believe.

"How do you know Aries gets jealous?"

"His eyes. He looks so envious whenever we're having fun together," she quickly replied.

Yeah, right.

That's as clear as muddy flood water. Maybe he's just annoyed that Ci-N gets all the attention in the house.

She went back to packing. Even though I didn't want to, I helped her. As I was folding clothes, I noticed something.

"Hey, this is mine!" I said, holding up a t-shirt.

She looked at me and laughed. "Let me keep it."

I grimaced, but gave it to her anyway. We managed to pack all her stuff into her huge suitcase, which amazed me. With all her clothes, toys, and random junk, I thought they wouldn't fit—but somehow, we made it work.

Then there was a knock on the door—it opened. Kuya Angelo walked in and immediately looked at Ci's suitcase.

"All set?" he asked us.

Ci-N smiled and nodded. We stood up and started pushing the suitcase out of the room together. It was so big I could probably fit inside it. But we barely got past Aries's room and I was already feeling faint.

"Ci-N! What the hell's in your suitcase? Gold bars?!"

She just shook her head. We were nearing the stairs, so I gave it one last push—and accidentally sent it tumbling down.

Shit! Shit!

"Argh!" someone yelled.

We rushed downstairs. My eyes widened when I saw the suitcase… and someone underneath it.

"A-Aries! I-I'm sorry…" I said, trying to lift the suitcase.

Aries pushed it off with all his strength. Ci and I helped. We finally got it off him, but he really seemed to be in pain—especially in his chest.

"Hey… I didn't mean it," I said, reaching out to him, but he slapped my hand away.

"What the hell?! Where did this even come from?!" he yelled.

"S-Sorry. It's my suitcase," Ci-N said.

Aries slowly stood up and shouted at her, "You're already leaving, but you still have to be a burden?!"

I stepped in front of Ci to shield her. "It was my fault! You don't have to yell at her!" I said, glaring at him.

You could tell he was in pain. Sweat was dripping down his face. He just walked away but shot Ci-N one last glare before leaving.

We tried again to push the suitcase. When we finally reached the front door, Kuya Angelo met us and took over—he almost face-planted once he realized how heavy it was.

"How much do you wanna bet? Kuya's not gonna be able to lift that," I whispered to the little brat.

"He will. Your brother's strong," she said.

Kuya tried to lift it, counting "one-two-three" to get momentum. Ci and I laughed—he looked like he was having an asthma attack.

"Get in the car! You still have time to laugh at me?" Kuya snapped.

We quickly got in. Ci and I sat next to each other, and she wrapped her arm around mine.

"I'm gonna miss you…" I whispered and rested my head on her shoulder.

"Jay, don't be so dramatic. We'll still see each other at school."

I shot her a glare. She really knows how to ruin a moment!

It was quiet during the ride. I just watched the lights from the buildings we passed by. Her new condo wasn't that far, but it felt like another world.

A world full of ridiculously rich people.

---

We parked. We hadn't even gotten out when I saw her entire family waiting at the entrance. Her siblings were there too, and so was Rakki standing beside her sister.

She sighed beside me, then looked down and started fidgeting with her fingers.

"This is it… From now on, I'll live on my own."

I felt sad. I knew she wasn't ready. She's only 14, and she thinks like she's 4. How is she going to live alone?

She looked at me. "Are you sure you don't want to apply as my maid?"

I immediately pinched her cheek. So annoying! Why is she so set on me becoming her maid?

Kuya put her suitcase down. Her family was waiting for her. I took her hand.

"It's okay… Just call me whenever you need anything," I said.

"Thank you," she said, forcing a smile. "Now that I have my own place…" Her smile widened. "…I can throw parties and invite gir—Argh!"

I punched her in the gut to shut her up. I was already feeling down about her leaving, and she had to joke around?

Annoying!

"Just kidding… Why'd you have to hit me?" she asked, almost crying.

"You're so annoying!"

I got out of the car. She followed. Kuya Angelo pushed the suitcase. Even if he didn't show it, I knew—

"We're sorry for the trouble, Mr. Fernandez," Ci's mom said to us. "I know Ci-N caused you a lot of inconvenience."

Ci-N looked down, clearly embarrassed.

"It's alright. Ci-N didn't really give us a hard time," Kuya Angelo said, smiling.

Yeah, right. Maybe not you—but me?! Totally.

"Let us thank you for letting Ci-N stay in your house. How about dinner?" Ci's dad offered.

"Thanks, Mr. Peralta. That will be great," Kuya replied.

"Saturday night?"

"Sure."

I kept glancing between Kuya and Mr. Peralta. Their conversation was just so… rich. Even if I spoke in English, it wouldn't sound that classy.

I looked at Ci, who was glancing sideways at her siblings. I looked at them too. Her older brother was glaring at me—expected. Her sister looked me up and down like she was inspecting my soul.

Even my toes.

Rakki forced a smile. I smiled back. But seriously, why was he even there?

Part of the family already? Wow. That's sweet.

"Ci-N! Let's go! Say thank you and goodbye to your friend," her mom called out.

She turned to me and smiled. "Still not applying?"

So persistent!

I shook my head, laughing.

"Too bad… The salary was ₱50,000."

My eyes widened—but she burst out laughing, so I knew she was just messing with me. That brat!

I ruffled her hair even though honestly, I wanted to rub her face on the ground.

"Bye, Jay. See you at school tomorrow," she said, walking toward her family.

Kuya walked up beside me and slung an arm around my shoulder. "Let's go?"

I nodded. We got in the car. As it pulled away, everything was quiet.

Because the noise was gone.

Sigh...

Kuya stopped in front of the Mini Mart.

"Let's go… I just need to buy something," he said and got out.

I followed, puzzled. He grabbed a basket and started picking out stuff. Then he looked at me.

"Go get whatever you want too, Jay," he told me.

I smiled and grabbed a basket too. He said whatever I wanted—so I might as well take everything. Just kidding. But seriously, I wanted it all.

While I was browsing, I noticed someone on the other side of the shelves. He had corn-colored hair. He was tall—you could see his head even over the high shelves.

Corn-colored hair!

It suddenly reminded me of someone. Who was that again with the hideous name who kinda looked like the guy who sang PPAP?

"Jay-jay?" someone called.

I looked—and saw the guy with the yellow hair. The one who looked like that singer.

"Tiger?"

"Knew it was you!" he said, approaching me.

I instinctively stepped back when he moved like he was about to hug me. Thankfully, he figured out I wasn't into hugs.

He looked like a mess!

Ripped long sleeves, faded shorts, slippers with socks.

Nice outfit!

"How'd you end up here?" I asked.

"Obviously took a car and parked outside," he said sarcastically.

"Ohh… So you didn't walk from the car to the door?" I replied with sarcasm too.

He went silent and stared at me. Then suddenly burst out laughing—and I couldn't help but laugh too. What a weirdo!

"Jay!" Kuya Angelo called. "You good with that—" He stopped when he saw who I was talking to. "Leo?"

Leo?

Who's Leo? I kept looking between Kuya and Tiger.

Wait a sec… Leo? Like a lion?

I looked at Tiger. "You're Leo?"

He grinned widely. Kuya slung an arm around my shoulder and pulled me a little closer to him.

"How are you, Angelo? Long time no see," he said in a teasing tone.

Kuya's hand on my shoulder suddenly tightened, so I looked up at him. His eyes were locked on Leo—Tiger.

"I'm fine. Nice seeing you here." Kuya's answer sounded forced.

They stared at each other for a while. It felt like… there was something between them. Then suddenly, Tiger looked at me and winked.

I frowned. "I'll poke your eye out," I threatened.

He let out a small laugh. "You're cute like that. No more free pizza for you."

Then don't!

"You guys know each other?" Kuya asked.

Oh, crap!

He didn't know I went to Kingsground. I'm dead!

I looked at Tiger, pleading silently. But the jerk had no sense of cooperation.

"Yeah… I met him when they visited Kingsground."

Kuya's grip on my shoulder tightened again. Ouch!

Crap! It felt like he was going to snap my bones.

"They visited Kingsground," Kuya repeated, giving me a look full of meaning.

Jay-jay! Play dead!

But I couldn't. I'm so screwed when we get home. I might as well eat everything I want now—death row prisoner things.

"Hey, look who it is…" Tiger said, looking behind us. "...Alvin!"

All three of us turned to look at who he was calling.

It was Sir Alvin! He looked confused at first, then walked toward us.

Wait—do they know each other too?

"Angelo…" Sir greeted Kuya and they fist-bumped.

They're friends?

He looked at me and smiled too. "Hello, Jay."

I smiled back, trying not to blurt out, "Sir, save me from Kuya! You're my teacher, help!"

Then he turned to Tiger, and his expression suddenly turned serious. "Leo."

Tiger laughed slightly, but with a hint of irritation. "Don't look at me like I'm some kind of criminal."

"Sorry… It's just—you've changed a lot," Sir replied.

"Well… How's the change? Is it good?"

Both Kuya Angelo and Sir Alvin looked him up and down.

"Uh… You're ugly," Sir said seriously.

Ppfft…

I nearly choked holding back my laugh. Tiger's eyebrows immediately scrunched together.

"Ugly?! Are you crazy?!" He turned to Kuya. "Am I ugly, Angelo?!"

"To be honest… Not really." Tiger smiled at Kuya's answer.

"…You're just super ugly."

I couldn't hold it anymore—I burst out laughing. They were all saying it so seriously too! These two are hilarious. Totally seem like old friends.

"Tsk! I'm outta here! Too many people insecure about my good looks! Always dragging me down!" he said, storming off to the cashier.

Kuya and Sir still had serious looks on their faces.

They caught up for a bit before heading to the cashier too.

Good thing they didn't bring up anything about my schoolwork.

When we got out of the Mini Mart, Kuya suddenly threw an arm around my shoulders—but his arm wrapped tightly around my neck. I'm dead!

"You went to Kingsground without telling me. You're so hard-headed!" he said.

I slapped at his arm. "K-Kuya! That was a long time ago!"

"Still! You're always breaking the rules!"

His arm tightened even more around my neck, and I could only scream in pain.

"You're so dead—"

Suddenly, his phone rang. He let go of me and answered.

"Ma, we're on our way ho—what?! Why?! What happened?! Okay, we're coming!"

He ended the call and rushed to the car. I followed quickly.

"What was that, Kuya?" I asked as we got in.

"They rushed Aries to the hospital."

My heart instantly sank. It started pounding fast from panic.

Aries?! W-why?!