Jay-jay's POV
Thinking it over? Foolish! Who am I kidding? Myself? I know very well that I love him and want to be with him. I have my fears, but I also know I want a proper label for us.
Who would last in this kind of relationship? We can't even call what we're doing a real relationship.
It's so frustrating.
I keep thinking about what I said to Keifer. I can't even enjoy my Saturday. Instead of going out and having fun, here I am, rolling around in bed.
Well, not that I could move around properly because of my knee. It feels like my knee and elbow hurt even more. My whole body feels heavy, like I'm coming down with a fever.
I checked my phone to read some texts. Yuri still hasn't replied. I wanted to stay updated on what he's doing in case what happened the other night happens again.
There were a few texts from Ci-N, Percy, and GagongBaliw. But I didn't want to open my messenger — those loudmouths would surely flood it with noise.
I looked up when I heard someone knock. Not long after, the door opened, and there stood Kuya Angelo.
I sat up quickly. "K-Kuya."
"Are you seeing Percy?" he asked, which surprised me.
"No. Why?"
He held out his hand in front of me. "Your phone."
I was so confused by his behavior. I didn't want to hand it over, but I was afraid he'd scold me, so I gave it to him. I was shocked when he slipped it into his pocket. I thought he just wanted to check something.
"No phone for now," he said, turning to leave. But I grabbed his arm.
"W-wait. What's going on with my phone? Why can't I use it? What if someone texts me something important—?"
I tried to reason, but he cut me off quickly.
"If it's really important, they'll come find you here," he said and walked out of my room.
I quickly followed him. Even though I was limping, I still managed to keep up.
"Wait, Kuya. What's happening?"
He ignored me and kept walking. It was like I didn't exist.
"Kuyaaa…"
Still no response. When we reached the stairs, I had to stop. This was as far as I could go — my knee couldn't handle the descent. I ended up sitting on one of the steps, watching him walk away.
"Kuuyyyaaaaa… What am I supposed to use now? I can't even play games."
"Shut up!" he yelled without even looking back.
"Kuuuuuuyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaa!" I shouted back, but he still ignored me. "My phone, Kuya!"
He disappeared from sight, and I was still sitting on the stairs. I stared at the steps. I wanted to go down, but sliding down again would definitely hurt my butt.
I looked back when I felt someone approaching. Fate was coming closer, busy texting, not even noticing me.
When he reached the first step, I wrapped my arms around his leg. He screamed in shock.
"What the hell? Let go!" he ordered angrily.
"Aaaarrriiiieeessss! Carry me down!" I pleaded, still clinging to his leg.
"Let go! I'm not carrying you!" He tried to pry my hands off, but he had to grab the stair railing to keep his balance.
"Please! I want food!"
"When did you ever say no to food?"
He kept slapping my hands, trying to make me let go, but I just held on tighter.
"Jay-jay! We're going to fall!" he said seriously, so I finally let go.
"Come on, just carry me," I begged, almost in tears. I even pressed my palms together in front of me. If I could kneel, I would've, but since I couldn't, I settled for puppy eyes.
He seemed to take pity on me. He stood in front of me and turned his back.
"Alright, I'll carry you," he said, and I grinned widely.
I immediately climbed onto his back, and he adjusted my position. I wanted to clap in excitement, but I was afraid I'd make him lose his balance.
He took each step carefully. When we reached the last step, he was about to put me down, but I clung to him again.
"To the kitchen," I ordered.
"What?"
"Come on, take me to the kitchen," I insisted, shaking him a little.
"Once your knee's better, you're dead," he threatened before starting toward the kitchen.
I just laughed. I knew he wouldn't get back at me. He'd forget about it soon enough.
He put me down near the fridge because he knew that's where I'd head first.
"Thanks," I said happily, and he just rolled his eyes.
I started looking for something to eat. Everything I saw was sweet, but I was craving rice. But since we'd be eating soon, I decided to settle for a snack.
While I was busy checking every container I could find, I heard Tita Gema's frantic voice shouting.
"Angelo! Get the car ready! We're going to Jeana!" her voice echoed all the way to the kitchen.
Her voice got louder as she approached my spot. I quickly hid behind the counter in case she saw me. I could feel the hurried steps of someone moving around the kitchen.
"Manang… Please keep an eye on the kids," I heard Tita say to one of the maids.
It was clear she was rushing out. I couldn't help but feel nervous. They were going to my mom — but they were just there yesterday. I quickly ran to the living room when I heard their car leave.
I forgot all about my knee pain. I looked for Aries, who was in the laundry room, seemingly looking for some clothes.
"Aries! Aries!" I called him.
"What now?" he asked, annoyed.
"Let's follow Tita and Kuya!" I pleaded. "Something might've happened to Mom!"
"Are you sure about this?"
I nodded and shook my head uncertainly before grabbing his hand and pulling him.
"I have a bad feeling! I just know something's wrong!"
He had no choice but to go along with me. Since his car wasn't around, we had to hail a taxi.
Aries gave the driver the address. I didn't even bother thinking about our safety — whether someone might try to harm or kidnap us again. All that mattered to me was getting to Mom.
I hoped I was wrong.
I kept biting my lip, urging the driver to hurry up. But because of the heavy traffic, we kept stopping.
"Are we still far?" I asked Aries.
"That's the tenth time you've asked," he replied irritably.
"Want me to make it a hundred?" I teased, and he raised a hand to smack me.
I quickly used my hands to shield myself.
I was about to ask again when I finally saw the corner where Mom and that annoying Andy's new house stood.
Gossip alert.
I spotted the house and Kuya Angelo's car right away. Aries paid the fare because, of course, I didn't bring my wallet. And I was the one who insisted on coming. Good thing he had money.
I quickly got out of the taxi and ran inside. Even from the doorway, I could hear the shouting.
"What's really going on?" Mom's voice.
"Jeana! Calm down first!" Tita Gema.
When I entered, Mom and Andy were facing off. Behind Mom, Tita Gema was trying to mediate. Kuya Angelo stood nearby, ready for whatever might happen.
"You bastard! And you're talking about marriage!" Mom screamed, hitting Andy.
"Just listen to me first!" Andy retorted.
I didn't know why, but my head started to ache as I watched them. I felt dizzy, and my breathing slowed. My heart was pounding so hard I had to clutch my chest.
Why does this feel so familiar?
Mom kept lunging at Andy, trying to hit him, and he kept dodging and blocking. My mother cursed at him so fiercely that if words could kill, Andy would've bled out already.
Tita Gema kept trying to pull Mom away, but she kept hitting and kicking. Andy was clearly starting to lose his patience.
"Just listen to me!"
"What lies are you going to tell now? You've been caught red-handed!" Mom shouted, still trying to slap him.
"How can we understand each other if you won't listen to my explanation?"
Mom kept cursing, and Andy was clearly getting offended. Their shouting match escalated until Andy raised his hand, about to slap Mom.
My feet moved on their own.
"You animal! You're talking about weddings?" Mama shouted and hit Andy.
"Just listen to me first!" Andy answered back.
I didn't know why, but my head started to ache while watching them. I also felt a bit dizzy, and my breathing seemed to slow down. I clutched my chest because of the strong beating of my heart.
Why does this feel so familiar?
Mama charged at Andy several more times to hit him, but he kept dodging and blocking her strikes. My mother let out several curses, and if words could kill, Andy would probably be drained of blood by now.
Tita Gema tried to hold Mama back several times, but she kept lashing out with slaps and kicks. Andy was clearly starting to lose his patience.
"Just listen to me!"
"What other lies are you going to tell? You were caught red-handed!" my mother yelled, still trying to slap him.
"How can we understand each other if you won't even hear my explanation?"
Mama kept cursing, and Andy was obviously getting offended. Their shouting match continued until Andy raised his hand, about to slap Mama.
My feet moved on their own, charging at Andy. It was as if my body had a mind of its own, and we both fell to the ground.
"Jay-jay! My child!" Mama screamed when she realized what I had done.
I quickly stood up, holding my head because of the sudden dizziness. My vision started to darken, but images began to flash before me.
I saw Mama, but I also saw other people. They were saying things I couldn't quite understand, but one thing was clear… they were hurting Mama.
"MA!" I screamed with all my strength.
My vision cleared again. The first person I saw was Andy, who was getting up from the fall just like me.
My heart, which had been pounding hard earlier, started racing even faster. I could literally feel my ears heating up and throbbing. In an instant, all the anger I had kept inside wanted to burst out — a mix of hatred, fear, and pain.
"DON'T YOU DARE HURT MY MOTHER!"
"Jay-jay!" Kuya called out to me, but I ignored him.
It was like I couldn't hear anything anymore. My body felt heavy, and I didn't know what to do next. All I could think about was Mama and me.
This man was going to hurt Mama, and she needed my help. I had to save her.
I will save Mama!
My eyes quickly scanned the room, and the knife on the table was the first thing I saw. I immediately grabbed it and pointed it at Andy.
"Jay! Put that down!" Mama shouted.
"Oh my God! Jay!" Tita Gema cried out as she rushed toward Kuya.
"Drop that knife!" Kuya ordered, about to approach me, so I pointed the knife at him instead.
I didn't understand why they were stopping me. They should be helping me because this man was going to hurt Mama.
He was going to hurt all of us.
"What are you doing? Put that down!" Aries tried to step closer to me.
"I-I have to save Mama! This man will only hurt her!" I shouted hoarsely as tears fell from my eyes.
I held the knife tightly with both hands, trying to hide the trembling in my body. I kept swallowing, trying to stay strong despite my fear because Mama needed me.
Kuya tried to approach me again, but I stepped back.
I was confused. They should be on my side. I had to get Mama away from him. She would only get hurt again.
Again?
I pointed the knife back at Andy when he moved slightly.
"DON'T GO NEAR MY MAMA!" I screamed at him, bringing the knife closer.
"JAY-JAY!" Mama screamed loudly.
"Jay! Listen to me! Give me the knife!" Kuya commanded angrily, stepping closer.
I stepped back until I felt something behind me. They were surrounding me, and I started to panic. I felt like they were ganging up on me.
"Jay-jay, please give us the knife," Aries pleaded gently.
My tears flowed nonstop. Why was this happening? I felt like I was the only one who understood the situation. Why couldn't they see what I was seeing?
"Calm down, no one is going to hurt you," Tita Gema said softly.
I slowly sank to the floor, still crying. The knife slipped from my hands, and Kuya quickly took it away. When I looked up, Mama and Aries immediately embraced me.
"It's okay now… No one will hurt you. I won't let anyone hurt you," Aries whispered.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry," Mama kept repeating as she cried.
My arms slowly rose to hug them back.
I was so confused. I didn't understand what was happening to me — why I felt so scared and why I had the courage to point a knife at someone.
In my anger and fear, I felt like I could do anything.
No words came out of me. I just kept crying whenever they spoke to me. I lost track of how long I cried in their arms.
Even when they moved me to the sofa to sit, I kept sobbing. Tita Gema gave me some water to calm me down, but my stomach felt like it was turning with every swallow. I stayed clinging to Aries, who sat beside me. Mama kept wiping my tears and kissing my face.
"I think you need to tell us the truth… now," Kuya demanded from Andy.
"Why are you canceling the wedding?"
"I received death threats from someone," Andy answered with his head bowed.
He glanced at Mama before looking at me and then faced Kuya again.
"I didn't want to take them seriously at first, but even my employees started getting involved. Some of my clients also backed out," he explained sadly. "I found out that a businessman was behind it. His name is Jasfher Mariano."
I slowly lifted my gaze. The shock on Mama's face was evident, and Kuya Angelo seemed to shake his head.
Papa? Why would Papa send him death threats?
"I also found out that he's the father of your child," Andy told Mama. "I'm sorry, Jeana, but I can't take what your ex-husband is doing to me. He even spread rumors that my sister was my mistress."
So she was his sister.
"Just like that? You're canceling the wedding?" Kuya asked him irritably.
"I'm sorry."
Mama let out a deep breath. "What else can I do? I had no plans of chasing after you anyway, you son of a—"
I heard the curse she let out, and it was sharp and harsh.
Mama stood up and went up the stairs to the second floor.
Tita Gema followed after her. Andy looked at us, scratching his head as if asking for forgiveness.
As much as I wanted to feel sorry for him, my indifference won out. It was better this way than feeling angry at him.
"Are you okay now, Jay?" Kuya Angelo asked me.
"I-I'm feeling a bit better," I answered hoarsely.
Kuya turned to Aries. "Take her to the car first," he instructed, handing him the keys.
Aries took them and helped me stand up. We walked to the parked car together, and he made sure I was seated comfortably inside.
"Tell me if you need anything," he said, and I nodded.
We stayed quiet, waiting for hours until we saw Tita Gema coming out of the house with a travel bag. Kuya followed, carrying a suitcase, and lastly, Mama with her own bag.
Andy watched them from inside the house. They all got into the car after placing the bags in the compartment.
Mama sat next to me and forced a smile.
"Looks like we'll be staying together for a while," she joked, but the disappointment in her voice was clear.
I didn't know why, but my arms moved on their own to hug her. She hugged me back and smiled sweetly.
The car started and almost no one moved between us. Every now and then, Tita Gema asked Kuya Angelo questions but her answers were limited.
I looked at Mama who was busy stroking my head and hair even though she was peeking through the window.
"Ma..." I called her softly.
"Hmm?"
"Why did you let them hurt you?" I asked, making her look surprised.
"Who are they? No one hurt me."
"There are. I saw them." I said and she pulled away from me to face me.
"What did you see? What are you saying?"
I could feel the people in the car looking at me. I knew they were also waiting for my answer.
"I saw something earlier. You weren't just hit once and it wasn't just one person. I know it really happened but I can't say when."
She covered his mouth and tears flowed down her face. She immediately held my face with both hands. She wanted to say something but her tears got in the way.
"Do you remember anything?" Aunt Gema asked while holding my hand.
"Fuck! We're going to a psychiatrist." Kuya said and suddenly turned the steering wheel.
We changed directions which worried me. I removed Tita and Mama's hands.
"I-I don't want to. I don't want to." I grabbed Kuya's arm to stop him.
Aries and Mama tried to stop me but I didn't let go of my grip.
"I don't want it, Kuya!"
He stopped the car and held the steering wheel tightly. I knew he was angry and about to start a fire again.
"I want to go home. Please." I begged.
Kuya let out a sigh and nodded briefly. I adjusted my seat and Mama immediately hugged me.
We were silent again until we reached the house. Before we could get out, I saw a car in front of the house.
I saw Percy smiling, leaning against it.
"What the hell is he doing here?" I heard Aries whisper while also looking at what I was looking at.
We got out one after the other and Kuya was the first to approach my brother, looking like he was being carried away by a strong wind. He knocked on the window just in time and the door opened.
A woman who looked like Percy came out. She was wearing a tight dress and was obviously a sophisticated rich woman.
Why does she look familiar?
Suddenly, Mama pulled me behind her.
"Jeana." The woman greeted Mama.
"Jay-jay." Percy called out to me. "Meet my Mom... Reycee."
I stared at her and it gradually became clear to me. If she was here, that meant Papa was here too.