Jay-Jay's POV
Aries and I were busy chatting. We were sitting on the floor of his room, eating snacks and candies. There were also some soft drinks. This was our midnight snack.
This was our kind of bonding.
We were hanging out here because my brother would scold us if he saw us in the kitchen. My mom was in my room, fast asleep. I left her there while she was in deep sleep. I was sure she would join us if she found out my brother and I were together. It's not that I didn't want her to join, but I really didn't. She and Aries would just end up fighting.
"If the enemies had guns, why did you still rush in there?" he asked me, referring to what my brother and I did when we stormed into Yuri's house.
"Of course, I was worried, and my brother drove there anyway," I answered, suddenly remembering his gun. "Did you know my brother has a sideline?" I asked before taking a sip of the Sprite in the can I was holding.
"Sideline?" he repeated.
No, frontline.
"He has a gun," I said in the same gossipy tone as the ladies in the neighborhood.
"He does," he answered as if he knew it very well. "He even takes me to a shooting range to teach me."
I looked at him like I had been betrayed. He knew about it and was even being taught.
"Why? What's it for?"
"He said it's just a hobby. I even see your teacher there."
I paused for a moment. "Sir Alvin?"
He nodded before taking a gummy worm and eating it.
Sir didn't look like someone who would hold a gun. Plus, he's the type who would rather settle things peacefully than point a gun at someone. Maybe he just tried it for a change.
What if that's where he releases his stress about us? Maybe he imagines our faces on the target. No wonder he's so calm in class — he lets out his anger at us there.
We're doomed.
"I want to try that too. Take me with you next time."
He grimaced. "No way. You might make us your target."
I stuck my tongue out at him. I wasn't that mad at them to point a gun at them. Sure, I wanted to slap my brother sometimes, but I wouldn't go that far.
He's overthinking.
My brother would probably shoot me first before I even loaded the gun.
I opened another pack of gummy candies and poured them into the clear bowl in front of us. I stopped when Aries took a picture of it and started typing on his phone. I looked at him curiously, and he noticed right away.
"I sent it to Ella. She's still awake," he said, and I responded indifferently.
"Like I care."
He quickly pouted and glared at me before going back to typing.
He's always like that when it comes to his girlfriend — so defensive. You'd think his girlfriend was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Hope you two never break up.
"You're so head over heels for your girlfriend, huh?" I asked sarcastically, and he glared at me again.
"As I should be. Why would I be into someone else when I'm with her?" he answered.
"Oh, so you're the loyal type."
"Unlike your guy," he said, catching me off guard. "I bet in a few years, he'll start seeing other girls."
I pointed at him. "Ha! Good thing that's just your guess. That means it won't come true. It's just a guess, after all."
"It could still happen — just like your exam answers when you guess."
"Is your Ella even loyal to you?" I asked irritably, and he stared at me as if saying I already knew the answer.
"She doesn't need to be loyal. As long as she comes home to me."
I grimaced. "What kind of foolishness is that?" I felt like slapping him to snap him out of his love-struck state.
"Look, she made a mistake, but we're okay now."
"Wow, you're so weak," I said, and he reached out to pinch me, but I slapped his hand away.
We really are siblings.
He went back to his phone to type a message. I decided to check my phone too and message random people — just to pretend I had someone to talk to. But it seemed like Keifer and the other idiots were already asleep. Only one of them replied.
Percy...
From: Percing... Message: Why are you still awake? Not good for your health.
I pouted. He was still awake too, so he should be the one going to sleep. It's not good for his health either.
I replied anyway.
To: Percing... Message: Midnight snack.
I sent him a picture of the food we were eating. Aries's leg got caught in the shot, and Percy noticed it right away.
From: Percing... Message: Is that Aries? So you're not mad at him anymore? Nice!
I was about to answer when another message from him came in.
From: Percing... Message: Did he inform you about his plan to convince your mom?
What plan? And why did he know about it?
I turned to my brother, who was drinking Coke from the can he was holding. He was still looking at his phone while doing so, unable to tear his eyes away from his girlfriend.
"Did you talk to Percy?" I asked, and he stopped drinking to answer.
He coughed a little. "Yeah, we saw each other earlier."
My mouth formed an "O." I thought he was still mad at that storm of a guy. I couldn't imagine him willingly going to see my stepbrother. Or maybe he went there to pick a fight, but that didn't seem to be the case since Percy was a calm person.
Well, as calm as he could be.
"Why?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
He coughed slightly. "To talk about my plan so you can finally see Dad. I want to make up for everything."
My heart fluttered at his words. He wanted to make up for his mistakes, so he came up with a plan. But I still couldn't quite accept the idea of calling his dad "Dad."
But I guess that's okay. After all, he said Dad treated him like his own child. It wouldn't be so bad if Aries and I acknowledged the same father.
I paused for a moment. I wondered where his real father was. I wanted to ask, but I was afraid he wouldn't take it well. He might think I was pushing him toward his biological dad.
Maybe next time.
"I like this making-up plan of yours," I said, twirling a gummy worm in the air before eating it.
"Before that, just a strict reminder — don't act without thinking," he warned, and I nodded.
"What's the plan?"
"First, we need to cool your mom's temper. We need to ease her anger and make her sympathize with how hard it is for you not to see your dad," he began. "Once she feels sorry for you, we'll convince her to let you meet him."
Good idea. Lately, it's been clear that her anger toward Dad hasn't cooled down. But I was willing to take the risk just to convince her.
"If we can't calm her anger toward Dad, then at least we can open her mind to the idea of letting you two meet," he added.
"But how? We always end up fighting whenever I bring up the topic of seeing Dad."
He fell silent for a moment before taking a sip from his can. He looked deep in thought. He really was on another level when he put his horoscope brain to work. I just grabbed some more snacks and munched on them while watching him think.
"Don't say it to her directly. Think of something else to bring up that will lead to that topic," he suggested.
Wow. Smart.
My foolishness was jealous of his quick thinking. I wished I'd inherited even just a little bit of his intelligence. We're siblings, but it seemed like he got all the brains.
So unfair.
I nodded in agreement, pretending to be smart too — like I also had a plan in mind. But I had a feeling this would just lead to another fight with my mom. We were both too stubborn.
I wonder where we got that from.
I paused for a moment, lost in thought. What kind of person is Papa? Did I inherit any of his traits? He's an engineer, so he must be smart. In terms of appearance, I probably didn't get much from him since most people say I look like Mama.
According to the gossiping neighbors back in the province, Mama was beautiful when she was young. Her complexion was different from her siblings, so everyone immediately knew she wasn't Grandma's biological child. They also said she had many admirers even when she wore tattered clothes while playing in the streets.
She was often invited to join barangay beauty pageants, but Grandpa never allowed her. There was even talk that someone offered her a chance to become an actress, but no one was sure — because, well, it was gossip.
The problem was that my mother supposedly had a terrible personality. She had a sharp tongue and would pick fights with anyone, even those older than her. Whenever her mood soured, everyone kept their distance.
That's not surprising.
If I did inherit anything from her, I wish it had just been her beauty. Unfortunately, it looks like our bloodline passed down her sharp tongue instead. Maybe that's why so many people offer to fight me.
I really hope I inherited something good from Papa. It would be so sad if everything I got came from Mama.
I glanced at Aries. He was already facing Papa. He had probably noticed the similarities between us.
"Aries... what kind of person is Papa?" I asked, and he quickly answered.
"He's a down-to-earth person. He enjoys the little things — just like you. He also doesn't spend much on himself. He's strict when it comes to work and giving orders, but in a good way."
I'm not strict. I'm down-to-earth — well, I'm practically dirt-poor. I do enjoy the little things, and I had fun hanging out with Ci-N.
That's one similarity so far.
"Sometimes he's stubborn. I also noticed that when he wants something, he has to get it," Aries added, glancing at me. "That's so you."
I was about to smile because it was another similarity, but I winced instead. Why did it have to be his stubbornness and determination to always get his way? I'm not like that — well, maybe just a little.
"Am I really like that? I know I'm stubborn, but I don't always insist on getting my way."
"And that's exactly why you're hard-headed — because you insist on doing what you want," he explained irritably. "Do you want an example?"
I pouted and shook my head. Fine, I admit I'm stubborn and determined. At least Papa and I have that in common.
I'm not alone.
"What about our appearance? What's similar?" I asked again.
He paused, as if trying to recall Papa's face.
"Maybe your eyes. But you really look more like your mother."
"Our mother," I corrected. "You call the man who isn't your father 'Papa,' but you can't call our mother 'Mama.'"
"Did she ever act like a mother?" he asked seriously. "At least your father made me feel like I had a dad, even if we're not related by blood."
I stared at him. He really held a deep grudge against Mama. I felt the same way, but I couldn't deny that I still longed for her. I was angry, but I still felt like I needed her and wanted to be with her.
I still wanted to feel like I had a mother.
"Don't you ever miss her? Don't you want to be with your real mom?" I asked.
He shook his head. "Mama Gema already filled that role for her."
And Grandma did the same for me.
"Not even once?"
He stayed silent.
"Not even for a moment?" I pressed.
"Not even for a second?" I teased.
He looked at me like he was debating whether to tell the truth.
"For just this much?" I held up two fingers and squinted through the tiny gap between them.
He averted his gaze before giving a small nod.
I burst out laughing and pointed at him. "You admitted it!"
He immediately rolled his eyes at me.
"Have you forgiven your mother?" he asked me in return.
I shook my head. "I'm not sure. I know there's still anger, but I don't know. I keep hoping she'll make it up to us."
"Do you really think she can? She always has her priorities messed up," he said bitterly.
He had a point. She had plenty of chances, but she always prioritized finding a new husband to introduce to us. But they always ended up leaving her in the end — afraid of what Papa might do.
But why did they separate like that in the first place?
"Do you think... Papa wants to get back together with Mama?" I asked.
Aries suddenly burst out laughing so hard that he choked. He was absolutely delighted.
"I don't know, and I don't want to know," he replied, making me frown.
What's so wrong with them getting back together? I've heard lots of stories about ex-couples reconciling. Sometimes their relationship becomes even stronger.
There's nothing wrong with hoping, right?
"Let's just finish these snacks and go to bed," I said, digging into the remaining chips.
He did the same, finishing his drink as well. Once everything was gone, we cleaned up the mess together. We took out the trash and washed the clear bowl we used.
After cleaning up, we went back to our rooms. I headed straight to the bathroom to freshen up. Once I was done, I lay down on my bed. I glanced at Mama, who seemed to be fast asleep.
"How are you?" she suddenly asked, making me jump in surprise. I thought she was asleep.
"You scared me!" I said, clutching my chest.
"You two seemed to be having a lot of fun talking — your laughter was so loud," she said, adjusting her position to face me. "Even Angelo was disturbed."
My eyes widened. We almost got in trouble. But why didn't she come in to scold us?
"How did you know?"
"I ran into him on my way to the kitchen."
Did he hear what we were talking about?
"Was our voice really that loud?"
She shook her head. "Just your laughter."
I let out a small sigh of relief. I thought she had found out about our plan.
"Go to sleep. You have school tomorrow," she ordered, closing her eyes again.
"Okay..." I replied.
I tried to close my eyes and find a comfortable position. But after tossing and turning so many times, I still couldn't fall asleep.
I even placed a pillow at the foot of the bed, but it didn't help. I lay on my stomach, on my back, and on my side — nothing worked. I shouldn't have had soft drinks or eaten candy. My mind was still too hyper.
How am I supposed to sleep like this?
"Why are you so restless?" Mama asked, clearly still sleepy from the sound of her voice.
"I can't sleep," I pouted.
She turned to face me, squinting as she tried to keep her eyes open.
"Count sheep."
"Let's just talk," I suggested, but she immediately turned away from me.
"I'm sleepy. Don't drag me into your restlessness," she grumbled.
Her attitude annoyed me. It's not my fault I couldn't sleep.
I gave her a gentle push. "Why are you sleeping here again? There are so many rooms in this house, so why do you keep squeezing into mine?"
She didn't face me. "You're asking for trouble."
"There are so many rooms — go sleep in one of them," I added, pushing her again.
She tried to swat my hand away but missed, so I kept pushing her.
"Jay!" she scolded. "Let me sleep! Stop dragging me into your sleeplessness."
I ignored her and kept pushing. I couldn't help but smile, knowing she was getting more and more annoyed.
I hope you lose your sleep too.
"Go away. Go to another room." I said and she suddenly turned to face me.
I thought she would be angry with me but he suddenly hugged me tightly while holding both my arms and hands to her chest.
"Let me see if you can move." She said and closed her eyes again. I didn't move and waited for her to fall asleep so I could free myself.
She became quiet and his breathing was deep.
I counted a few more minutes before trying to get away but I failed because she had already made me wait.
"Hey..." I whispered. "Mama, are you asleep?"
No answer.
"Hey... Mama," I whispered again.
I heard a faint groan. Since I still couldn't sleep, I decided to talk to her even though she was asleep.
Hehe… I hope you dream about this.
"Mama…" I whispered right into her face. "Can I have some money?"
She mumbled something unclear, but I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Mama… I'm prettier than you, right? You're jealous, aren't you?"
"S-Sure," she answered softly, and I giggled quietly.
"Ma… I'm going to have a boyfriend. His name's Keifer."
"Mmhh…"
My grin stretched wide. If only I could laugh out loud, I would've done it by now. Too bad my arms were still trapped, and I couldn't record this moment. But then an idea hit me.
Yes, I'm a genius.
I slowly freed one arm and reached for my phone under the pillow. I quickly opened the camera and started recording her.
"Ma… do you love me and Aries?" I whispered.
"Yes," she answered.
"What about Papa? Do you still love him?"
Her brows furrowed, but she didn't answer.
"Papa said he wants to get back together with you," I teased, and her frown deepened even more. "He said he still loves you."
I wanted to burst out laughing because she looked so annoyed even in her sleep.
"He won't stop until you make up. Are you okay with that?"
"No," she said shortly.
"He said he'll only stop if you agree to let us meet him. Is that okay with you?"
"Yes."
I almost screamed with excitement. I quickly stopped the video and hid my phone. I finally had something to use if our plan with Aries fell through. I was thrilled at the thought of finally getting Mama to agree.
I bit my lip, staring at Mama. Turns out I just needed to wait for her to fall asleep to get her to agree. I should've done this sooner — I wouldn't have struggled this much.
"T-The…" she murmured. "Your papa… will kill."
My smile faded and was replaced by fear. Who was Papa going to kill?
"He'll kill… our child…"
Who was she talking about?
I suddenly remembered what Percy had told me about my grandfather. I had thought she was talking about my dad, but it seemed like she meant my father's father.
I wanted to wake Mama up and ask about what she just said, but I knew she wouldn't talk even if she was awake.
She made another soft sound and slowly spoke again.
"Our children… are so naughty," she said, and a gentle smile crept onto her lips.
I didn't know why, but a tear fell down my cheek as I watched my mother, as if there was still a connection between her and her former husband.
My Papa.