ELE: Till The End Of Time

kabanata 1

Alright Babe, here's your Chapter 1 Wattpad-style drama, all in English now—sharp, bold, emotional, and totally binge-worthy. No sugarcoating, just raw feels and that classic sibling & family tension you love:

CHAPTER 1

"You're seriously the cutest! Tabaching ching!"
Kuya squeezed my chubby cheeks, holding me tight.

"Ugh! Don't touch my face, Athan!"

"Geez! How many times do I have to tell you to call me Kuya?"

"But you're only a minute older than me."

"We love you, Princess!"
"You're the one and only princess in our eyes!"
"We love you, Nathalie."
"I love you, my brothers."

"Kuya! Help me! Nathaniel, help me!!"
"Kuya!"
"Kuya!"
"Nathalie!!!!!"

Exhausted, I flipped over and sat up on the bed I was lying on.

Gaddammit.

Another nightmare. Over and over again. Why do I always have to go through this?

I leaned on the headboard, massaging my temples. I touched my face—it was soaked with sweat. I sighed deeply.

Tears kept streaming down my face.

Damn. Damn my life.

The door creaked open, and Mommy stepped in, still wearing her satin sleepwear, followed by Daddy, worry all over his face.

Mommy hugged me tightly as she climbed onto my bed.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong? You keep screaming."
Her voice was soft as she wiped my tears—tears I couldn't stop.

Daddy sat at the edge of my bed, looking at me carefully.

"Mom, it's Nathalie again."
I sobbed; I couldn't hold it in.

I miss her so much. I really do.

"Another nightmare?"
Mommy's eyes filled with tears. I know how hard this is for her. I admire her bravery despite everything happening in our lives.

I nodded slowly and pulled away from her hug.

"Mommy, I don't know, but Nathalie... she needs us. Mommy, we have to find her."

"Shhh... Nathaniel, calm down, baby."
Mommy's tears fell as she gently rubbed my back.

I looked at Daddy and grabbed his hand.

"Dad, let's find her. Dad, I know she's alive. I just feel it. She's called out to me so many times, Daddy, please. I feel her. My twin is alive."

I held both his hands tightly.

"I'll do whatever I can, son."
He hugged me so tight I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep.

The Next Morning—

"What!? Are you out of your minds, Zheena and Marcus? It's been ten years! I thought you accepted Nathaniel's twin was dead! This is ridiculous! Just because Nathaniel said so in his dream, you want to act immediately? My gosh! What if it's true? If his twin is alive, we'll look for her! But it's just a nightmare!"

"Mama, Nathaniel is my son, and he's twins with Nathalie. I'm sure Nathaniel feels his sister."

"Marcus, you're crazy! You had the kid's body DNA tested already!"

Daddy fell silent at Lola's words.

That was the scene waiting for me in the living room of our huge house—voices booming, irritation thick in the air.

We have money, fame, power — an almost perfect life.

But one piece is missing.

Only she completes us.

I descended the grand staircase, running my fingers through my hair.

"Athan."
Mommy stood up from the couch.

Mom, Dad, Kuya Luke, Kuya Rance—all were here. Even Lola Zenaida, Dad's mom.

"Breakfast, sweetie? Before you head to school."
Mommy smiled.

I nodded, letting Dad and Lola continue their argument.

I followed Mommy to the kitchen; Luke trailed behind me.

"Morning, brother."
He smirked half-heartedly.

"Morning, idiot!"
I mumbled quietly, hoping Mommy wouldn't hear and confiscate all my cards.

This is hard. I still get nothing from my brothers.

While Mommy and Manang Lourdes prepared breakfast, I pulled out my phone, checking for messages.

"Put your phone down, Athan. You're in the middle of breakfast."
Kuya Rance snapped as he entered the kitchen holding a coffee mug.

What a mood. =_=

"I heard, Dad, you had a nightmare last night. Are you okay now?"
Luke asked.

I wasn't sure if it was concern or just a desire for gossip.

"Do I look devastated?"
I answered without looking at him. Not rude, but I felt his gaze drilling into me.

"But you look anxious."

"Anxious? What do you think I'm, fish?"
This jerk brother is getting on my nerves! >_<

"Idiot, I said anxious, not fish! You're so deaf!"
I heard Kuya Rance chuckle from the corner. What a jerk! >_<

"Watch your mouth, Luke Zattary! Early morning and I'm hearing all kinds of curses!"
Mommy warned in a serious tone.

Luke threw up his hands in surrender.

He muttered something I couldn't catch.

I just sipped my coffee to kill time.

Class...?

Yeah. Class starts today. 😓

After breakfast, I said goodbye to Mommy, Daddy, and Lola—I was leaving for school.

The guard opened the gate for me.

"Take care, Sir!"

I rode my new Altis—Dad's gift from last semester. During the ride, I noticed the black BMW tailing me.

I think it's ours. Tsk, what a paranoid dad I have. Ever since I got a convoy, and I f*cking hate it to the core.

When I parked at school, I ignored the fans of the Black Department waiting outside. Ugh, they act like celebrities.

Annoying as hell. Last semester, they practically guilt-tripped me with their tears.

Not to brag, but I'm one of the most popular students here at T.E.U.

Ezrael got out of his car alongside me—the bad boy.

Admit it or not, he's been my buddy since diapers.

"Hey, man!"
He took off his aviators and glanced at the crowd. Cool as ever. He's the only one who can give the fans the cold shoulder and get away with it.

Cold-blooded jerk.

"Kyaaaah! The two members of Black Department have arrived!"

"Omg! So handsome!"

Girls are the worst!

I heard Ez tsk. So annoying.

This is why I hate clingy girls. They don't know the meaning of 'peace.'

A/n:

Athan = ey-tan

Ezrael = Ez-ra-el (Biblical name)