A/N:Again, the grammar. Marami akong binago. Ihahabol ko nalang yung dalawa pang chapter. Tuesdays siguro. Sayang kasi yun.
Paantay nalang sa pade-dedicate. Inaayos ko pa mga list. Naka-screenshot kasi lahat.
Party
Keifer's POV
I want Jay-jay to stay. I want to hold her tight and make sure of not letting go. I badly want to.
"What happened Kuya?" Keigan ask me.
I look at him with my usual blank expression and shook my head.
"Nothing."
"Puro pasa at sugat ang muka mo. Kaya panong naging nothing yan?"
Sinubukan kong bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga sa kama. Bahagyang kumirot ang ulo ko at mabilis na binalot ng pagkahilo.
"Magpahinga ka muna." Keigan said while forcing me to lay down.
Tinabig ko ang kamay nya. "Mahaba na ang naging pahinga ko."
Pinilit kong tumayo at lumakad papunta sa CR. Humarap ako sa salamin at napailing ako sa itsura ko. Jay-jay can literally damage a face through her punches.
Hanggang ngayon misteryo sakin kung pano lumakas ng ganito ang mga suntok nya. Sa tingin ko hindi yon dahil sa lagi nyang pakikipag-away dati. She's a woman and it's quite impossible for her to make her punches stronger.
O baka dahil sa sobrang galit nya sakin.
Sinubukan kong hawakan ang muka ko at agad kong naramdaman ang kirot. Binaliwala ko nalang ang sakit. Hindi na bago sakin ang ganito pero kahit ganon pakiramdam ko mas masakit ang mga suntok na natanggap ko ngayon. Dahil siguro galing to sa taong mahal ko.
Bumalik sa isip ko ang mga nangyari kanina. I'm in the verge of giving up my inherits. Hindi ko na kayang itulak pa si Jay-jay palayo sakin.
Mababaliw na yata ako sa kakaisip sa kanya at sa mga mangyayari samin. Pero isa lang ang sigurado ako.
I have to make sure that I will not loose her.
Binuksan ako ang gripo at naghugas ng kamay. Pagkatapos pinunasan ko yon sa towel na nakasabit sa tabi lang ng salamin. Dumiretso ako sa walk-in closet ko para magbihis.
"Saan ka pupunta?" Keigan ask.
Sandali ko syang tinignan bago hubarin ang shirt ko at palitan yon ng polo shirt.
"Pupuntahan mo sya?"
There's no point on answering him. He already know it.
"Please Kuya... Sabihin mong mali ang narinig ni Honey kanina." Paki-usap nya.
"No. She heard me right." I answer without any hint of regret.
I grab another hoodie from my closet and wear it. My foot is about to move when Keigan grab my arm.
"Let go Keigan." I said with authority.
"No." He said forcing himself to face me. "...I will stop you no matter what."
My eyes look at him intently. I can sense his fear but obviously trying to hide. Ayoko syang sigawan, ayokong iparamdam na ako pa rin ang masusunod sa bahay na to. He's still my brother and I don't want him to feel scared at me. The same way he feel with our Monster Dad.
I took a deep breath to relax myself. I hold Keigan hands and slowly remove it from my arm.
"Keigan..."
"Bakit ba sya nalang lagi ang inaalala mo?! Pano kami?! Pano kami ni Keiren?" He burst out and start to cry.
Hindi ko maiwasan na hindi magtaka sa ina-asta nya. Gusto kong ipaliwanag sa kanya kung bakit ko pupuntahan si Jay-jay pero alam kong hindi nya maiintindihan.
"Hindi ko naman—."
"NO!" He shouted.
I won't deny that I'm a bit shock. Para kasing naging ibang tao sya sa paningin ko pero alam ko namang naglalabas lang sya ng sama ng loob. Pinili ko nalang na wag pansinin yon.
"Keigan, I know—."
"No! You don't know anything. You're too busy praising your girl that you forget and ignore us!"
"Listen to me!"
"I don't want to listen to you! You don't care about us anyway!"
"No! Keigan!"
Bigla nalang nyang tinakpan ang tenga nya at magsimulang sumigaw ng malakas.
"Aaaarrrggghhhh! Aaaarrrrggghhhh!" He kneel down and shouts like his scared of something.
I grab both of his arms and force him to face me.
"Keigan! Listen to me!"
He shook his head while continuing to shout. Sinubukan ko na ring hawakan ang muka nya pero panay ang pag-ilag nya.
"You don't want us! You only want her! You don't love us! You only love her! You don't care about us! You only care about her!" He keeps shouting and crying at the same time.
"Keigan! Stop!"
Nagsisimula na kong mairita sa ginagawa nya. Hindi ko alam kung anong pinagdadaanan nya at kailangang magka-ganito sya.
"Keigan!"
"No! You're a coward! Your giving up everything! You're wasting Mom's death!" He said that makes me stop.
I-i'm not a coward!
Binitiwan ko sya at sandaling pinagmasdan. Nasabunutan ko nalang ang sarili ko kasunod ng malalim na paghinga.
Hearing Mom's death is like a switch on. It automatically break my heart.
"I'm not..." Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagpatak ng luha galing sa mata ko. "...Keigan, I'm not."
"You don't love us!"
Napaluhod ako dahil sa panlalambot. Hirap na hirap na ko. Ayokong bitawan si Jay-jay pero ayoko ding sayangin ang kinamatayan ni Mom.
Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. Hindi ko alam kung panong laban ang gagawin ko. My head is empty and I don't have any plans.
I heard someone knocking at my room door.
"Keifer! Anong nangyayari dyan?" It was Honey.
Nilapitan ko si Keigan at pilit niyakap kahit panay ang ilag at tulak nya sakin.
"Keigan..." I called him but sounds like I'm begging. "...please."
Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero kusa syang tumigil kasunod ng pagbagsak ng mga kamay nya.
Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagsasasalita.
"I'm not giving up anything. I will continue fighting for Mom, for Keiren and for you. But please, don't stop me seeing Jay-jay..." I heard him gasp. "...She's my strength and weakness. Without her is like breathing without air, bleeding without blood and dying with no killing."
He move his hands and patted my arms. "You really love her. Do you?"
He sounds different this time. Maybe he already calm himself.
"She gives me purpose."
Unti-unti nyang inalis ang sarili mula sa pagkakayakap sakin.
"Go ahead. Puntahan mo sya pero mangako ka." He said and look at me seriously. "...Promise me that you won't give up."
I forehead crease because of confusion. Bakit napaka-bilis nyang magbago ng expression? From desperate he looks like the normal Keigan that I'm talking to everyday.
"Keigan—."
"Fulfill your promise and I swear that I will help you." He said and smile a bit. "...I will help you become stronger. I will help you face our relatives, especially Clyde. I will help you create a plan."
I'm tempted to say yes. Ngayon lang nag-alok ng ganitong tulong si Keigan sakin. But it's a bit suspicious.
"Tell me Keigan... What is happening—?"
He cut me by standing up. Dumiretso sya sa banyo at narinig ko ang pagbukas nya ng gripo. Sinundan ko sya at nakita ko syang naghihilamos.
"Just say 'no' if you don't want my help." He sounds disappointed.
I took a deep breath. I appreciate Keigan's help but I'm also worried. I know something is not right. He have a problem and I have to know what it is.
"Okay... I accept your help."
I saw him smile. "Thank you for trusting me."
"In one condition." I said and his smile has been wipe out. "...You will tell me what exactly is happening to you."
Sa halip na sagutin ako bigla nalang syang naglakad palabas ng banyo at dumiretso palapit sa pinto ng kwarto ko.
Before he can touch the doorknob I called his name with authority. I saw him flinch.
"I will... But not now." He said almost whispered.
He open the door. Honey and some of the maids and butler are not moving. They obviously tried to listen to our conversation.
"W-what happened? Someone is shouting so we thought—." Keigan cut Honey by walking away and passes by in front of her.
"It was nothing. Please leave."
They didn't say a thing and immediately leave. I return back to my comfort room. Naguguluhan talaga ako sa nangyayari kay Keigan.
Ever since he return back I know he seems odd. I keep talking to him and ask him what happened but he keeps answering the same thing.
They keep traveling and Dad is just ignoring him.
Which I found impossible. Sya nga mismo ang nagdala kay Keigan sa pinuntahan nya tapos babaliwalain lang sya.
Lalo akong nahihirapan sa nangyayari. Wala akong pwedeng pagtanungan sa nangyari kay Keigan nung nasa puder sya ng Halimaw na yon.
Although their is one but my brother is the only one who have contacts to him. Dylan.
I heard my phone's message alert. Someone texted me. I immediately took my phone at my bedside table.
It was from Tiger.
From: Tiger.
Message: Blue eye, alive alive. D2 cla ni 2mboy Jay-jay.
(Dito sila ni tomboy Jay-jay.)
Gusto kong ihampas ang cellphone ko sa pader. Hindi ko maintindihan ang text nya. Pero malinaw sakin na nakita nya si Percy at Jay-jay. Malamang na nasa KingsGround sila.
Dammit! Of all places.
Mabilis kong inayos ang sarili ko. Nilagyan ko din ng gamot at band-aid ang mga sugat sa muka ko. After applying medicine I walked straight to my walk in closet.
Binuksan ko ang glass drawer na lalagyanan ng mga susi ko. I took one key—different again from before. I also took my wallet and phone.
Mabilis akong lumabas ng kwarto at dumiretso papunta sa garahe.
"Keifer! Saan ka pupunta?" Honey ask when she saw me walking out of the house.
"None of your business."
"Pupunta dito si Uncle. Kakausapin ka nya." She said and run after me.
"Tell him to go back tomorrow."
"Keifer ano ba?! Seryoso ka ba talaga sa pinaglalaban mo sa family mo? Para ka lang naglalaro."
Hindi ko sya pinansin at dire-diretsong lumapit sa napili kong kotse. I unlock it and immediately hop in.
Para akong may hinahabol na kalaban sa bilis kong magmaneho. Hindi ko mapigilan. I really don't like the idea of Jay-jay being in the KingsGround. Hindi pa nya alam kung anong meron don.
Bukod sa disco at underground fight, andun din ang illegal casino na patakbo din ni Tiger. Meron ding strip club don at syempre ang underground forum kung saan nagbebentahan ng drugs ang mga big time dealers.
Hindi ko alam kung anong Hocus Focus ang ginawa ni Tiger para maitago sa pulis ang mga kalokohan nya.
Mahigpit ang naging hawak ko sa manibela kasabay ng pagtapak sa accelerator. Kailangan ko syang mai-alis don. And I will definitely put Percy back to his grave if something bad happens to Jay-jay.
Nakarating ako sa kalye ng KingsGround. Hindi talaga magandang ideya na magdala ng kotse dito. Talamak kasi ang nakawan sa area na to. But I'm willing to take the risk. Ipinarada ko ang kotse sa labas lang ng building.
Pagbaba ko, nakita ko si Dan na isa sa mga tauhan ni Tiger. May kamuka syang artista dahil sa payat at dadalawang pirasong ngipin nya sa harap. Hindi ko lang maalala kung sino.
"Keifer... Napadalaw ka." Bati nya sakin bago humithit ng sigarilyo.
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Ano yon?"
"Bantayan mo kotse ko." I said and took some money from my wallet.
Nanlaki ang mata nya ng maglabas ako ng tatlong libo. Iniabot ko sa kanya yon at ngumiti naman sya kahit ang dadalawang ngipin nalang nya ang natitira.
"Keep it safe." I said and walk toward the entrance.
Pagpasok ang madilim na hallway muna ang bumungad sakin. Malayo pa pero kita ko na ang patay sinding ilaw at dinig ko na din ang malakas na music. Tanaw ko na din ang ilang mga taong nagsasayawan.
Malapit na ko sa loob ng masalubong ko ang isa sa bouncer ni Tiger. May bitbit syang ilang kalalakihan.
"Let me go! Kailangan kong makaganti sa babae na yon!" One of them said while trying to get back inside.
"Badtrip talaga si Savannah at yung kaibigan nya!" Sabi naman nung isang nakasunod lang.
Nilingon ko pa sila sandali bago tuluyang makapasok sa loob. As usual, KingsGround disco is crowded. Puno ng mga taong nagsasayawan.
May ilang kakabaihang ngumingiti sakin pero hindi sila ang pinunta ko dito. Hindi ko alam kung saan magsisimulang maghanap. Balak ko sanang puntahan si Tiger pero napatigil ako sa taong humawak sa balikat ko.
It was one of the bouncers.
"Tagal mong hindi dumalaw dito. Anong meron at napabisita ka?" He ask while looking at me seriously.
"I'm looking for someone. Mybe you could help me find her."
"Sabi na babae... Sino ba? Ipapatingin ko sa security."
Tumingin ako sa paligid at baka mapadaan sya.
"My girlfriend. She's probably still wearing a highschool uniform."
"Kaibigan ba ni Boss Tiger?"
I nodded and look around again.
"Nasa bar counter. Muntik pa ngang mapa-away kanina." He said while pointing at the nearest counter.
I frowned. She almost put herself into a fight. Dito pa talaga sa KingsGround.
I thanks the bouncer and walk toward the bar counter. Sa dami ng taong nagsasayawan nahirapan akong maglakad. Meron pang yumakap sakin sa leeg pero agad ko namang tinabig.
Hindi pa ko tuluyang nakaka-alis sa kinalalagyan ko ng makita ko sya. Meron syang ininom sa shot glass at bigla nalang syang napapikit.
What did she drink?
Tinignan ko yung kausap nya na parang inaabangan ang mangyayari sa kanya. When she opens her eyes, I can see her smile. She even laughs while talking to the woman beside her.
My curiosity is poking my mind. I badly wants to know what she drinks.
Nakita kong uminom din ang kasama nya at naglakad sila papunta sa dance floor. Kinuha ko ang pagkakataon para lumapit sa counter.
Kukuhanin na sana ng bartender yung basong ginamit ni Jay-jay pero mabilis ko yung inagaw.
"S-sir Keifer." Bati sakin ng bartender.
I ignore him and continue what I'm doing. I stare at the shot glass for a while. I even smell it and use my finger to taste the last drop of the drink.
I know something is weird but I can't point out what it is. Hinarap ko ang bartender na hindi pala umalis sa harap ko.
"What did you put on this drink?" I ask in a serious tone but more sounds like a threat.
Hindi makasagot ang bartender pero bakas sa muka nya ang takot. Ilang beses din syang lumunok.
"S-sir—."
Mabilis kong hinatak ang kwelyo nya. Magpasalamat sya sa counter na nakapagitan samin. Hindi ako makaporma para masapak sya.
"Sir! Order po yun ni Ma'am Savannah! Hindi po ako pwedeng tumanggi!" Paliwanag nya.
"Kapag nalaman ko kung anong nilagay mo. I will ripped you into pieces." Banta ko at binitawan sya.
Pabagsak ko ding binitawan ang baso sa counter table. Agad kong hinanap si Jay-jay sa gitna ng maraming tao. It took me a few minutes before I found her. She's dancing and laughing with a girl that I don't think she knows well.
I stared at her because that's the only thing that I can do now. I can't even walk closer to her. Kapag lumapit ako sa kanya, baka hindi ko na sya pakawalan pa.
Gusto ko nang huminto at bumalik sa kanya pero naging suntok sakin ang mga sinabi ni Keigan. Masasayang sa wala ang kinamatayan ni Mom. Hindi ako papayag na mangyari yon.
I'm sorry Jay...
Natigilan ako ng makita kong nakatingin sya sakin. I almost stepback until I notice something. She's looking at me as if she doesn't know me.
The woman she's with suddenly whispered to her. Jay-jay's expression change and she walks away. Susundan ko na dapat sya pero parang wala namang saysay yon. Hindi ko naman sya mapipigilan.
I have to stop her. Tumingin ako sa paligid. Nagbabakasali na may magamit ako para mapahinto sya at mapaalis dito. I keep looking until I saw Tiger's office.
Sya lang ang naiisip ko na pwede kong kunan ng resources ngayon. Mabilis akong naglakad papunta don. Tinanguan ko lang ang mga bouncer na nakabantay.
I open his office door and Percy's face is the first thing that I saw. Painom na dapat sya sa basong hawak nya ng tumigil sya dahil pagtitig na ginawa ko sa kanya.
"At andito ka pa lang walang hiya ka!" I said and pointed my fingers to him.
"Maka-walang hiya ka naman." Sagot nya habang tinataasan ako ng kilay.
"You're just sitting and drinking here while Jay-jay is in danger!"
"Relax Keifer..." It was Tiger. "...Walang Forum at Underdog Fight ngayon. Kaya hindi ganun kainit ang gabi."
I turn to him. "I'm not talking about the dirty Forum and Underdog fight. Someone is giving a weird drink to Jay-jay." I said while pointing my fingers at the dance floor.
"Tsk! Mukang nawala na sa sarili si Jay-jay." Percy said while putting down his drink.
He stand up and look at me.
"Hindi ko alam kung anong problema mo. Pero ang lakas ng sapak mo!" Inis na sabi nya. "You makes her cry and now here you are acting like you cared."
"You don't know what exactly is going on."
He smirks. "I know Keifer, I know what exactly is going on. Your revenge failed and karma hit you back. You fall for Jay-jay."
I'm no longer surprise. David never forget to gave every small details of my plan. Akala ko wala syang paki sa plano ko non. Sya na rin ang nagsabi na hindi magandang may babae sa Section namin dahil sa nangyari non kay Ella. Yet she starts to care for Jay-jay.
"I have no reason to deny it to you."
"But you deny it to Jay-jay."
Because I have to.
"It's not your business to stick your nose with." I answer and look at him with no expression.
He didn't answer. He look at me for a while before turning to Tiger.
"Pasensya na. Kailangan ko ng iuwi si Jay-jay. Baka bigla nalang syang magwala."
Nag-nod lang si Tiger sa kanya. Naglakad sya paalis pero nag-iwan naman sya ng matalim na tingin sakin.
I still don't know what he's really up to. Wala akong tiwala sa kanya pero mukang nakahanap si Jay-jay ng masasandalan. As for now, I will let him be with Jay. But one's he did something to hurt her I will kill him and make sure that he will never return back alive again.
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