"ONLY MINE!" Jacob's voice resonated in the dimly lit hallway. I let out a heavy sigh, confused if I will put an act this time or not.
I still can't believe that the man who broke my heart was pleading and begging before me just because of that fake wedding announcement. Does it call for a celebration? Or this is just a part of his lies and pretenses? I was distracted with all my thoughts when Marz groaned.
"Best! Why are you sleeping here? Shouldn't you be staying with your future hubby?! You stole my dream boy b*tch." Marz exaggerated and I almost fell off the bed when he moved.
"Stop moving, will you?" I squeezed myself next to him while the twins were still snoozing and not noticing how frisky we are on the bed like sardines stuck in a tight small can.
It's 3 am in the morning and I haven't slept well yet. I'm just staring at the ceiling and all the happy memories I have with Jacob are visiting me. Marz fell asleep again and I didn't disturb him even though we were crammed into a bed.
I clutched my phone at the table beside the lampshade and gasped when I saw my notification flooded with missed calls from both Kuya and Dad. I was about to call Kuya when I heard a knock on the door. I slowly got up from the bed and peeked in through the peephole. Without a doubt, I opened the door and was surprised when he appeared in front of me drenched in sweat. He clutched his chest while catching his breath then leaned his right hand on the door frame.
"Where have you been?" He asked with that authoritative voice that gave a cold chill to my spine.
"I wa-" I faltered when I met his stern look piercing at me.
"I've been waiting for you for almost 5 hours." His tone was serious and I was terrified because he had never been like this to me before.
In relief, he removed his hand from the door frame and drag me out of the room. He closed the door silently like couples eloping in breaking dawn without disturbing my friends' wildest dreams.
Wait, 5 hours? Is he kidding? That's insane! He waited for me for almost 5 hours. I immediately check my wristwatch and he's right, it's sharp 5 hours now since he left me with my friends in the videoke house earlier. 
He inhaled a large amount of air before gesturing for me to follow him to our room. I crouched down the whole time we were walking down the quiet hallway. The people were exhausted and resting while we hadn't even fallen asleep for an hour.
I looked like a scared puppy while getting in the room and I sat on the edge of the bed hugging a pillow preparing to hear all his long sermons like when I almost bumped my car on the tree because instead of flooring the brake, I floored the accelerator. We almost got into an accident if not for his quick reflex on pulling the hand brake.
"Jessica, what's the use of the damn technology if you're not answering my phone calls? Your Dad scolded me for neglecting you, thank you so much for that. You didn't update him the whole day." His jaw moved aggressively and massaged his temples as he let out a frustrated breath.
I remained silent while he scolded me like a real brother. I didn't realize the time and I really forgot to call or update Dad because of my excessive focus on enjoyment and revenge. I felt so guilty knowing that Dad scolded him.
He's agitated while pacing back and forth, maybe because Dad told him harsh words while I'm gone enjoying myself with my friends. What have I done? I owe Kuya a lot, then in exchange, he received harsh words from Dad. I can't blame Dad though for not controlling himself when he's anxious about my safety while I'm away from him.
I don't know how to apologize and make it up to him. How I became so forgetful in updating them when in fact it's been routine for years since I decided to study in Cebu. His reaction changed abruptly when he saw the caller then nervously answered the call after looking at me.
"Yes Tito, he's safe. She left her phone in the room." He pursed his lips as he lied before giving his phone to me. Reluctantly, I reached for the phone from his shaking hand and tucked it into my ears.
"Dad? I'm sorry for not updating you. I won't do it again." I tried not to stammer. It's scary when Dad gets angry, he'll really send me home right away.
"You know I'm aging my dear, please don't make me worry okay?" I heard him cough which made me worry if he's sick and who's taking care of him.
"Dad? Are you okay?" My voice shook.
"Yes, I'm fine. Get some rest. I love you, dear." He coughed again before hanging up. I returned the phone to Kuya and I could clearly see the mixture of disappointment and concern on his sulking face.
He turned his back on me and was about to leave but before he could step away, I quickly threw my arms locking his waist around the small circle of my arms from behind. He couldn't move because of that.
"I'm sorry. Please do-n't be upset." I could barely speak because of guilt.
I don't know what Dad exactly told him but I know it's unintentional, out of his worries because of me.
"Why do you always make me worry?" He tried to remove my hands around his abdomen, but I didn't allow him so we stayed in that position.
***
I slept less than three hours and we were here at the airport to send my friends. My head is heavy but my body is like floating in the air and my skin is pale. Marz has a family summer trip in Palawan while the twins will go abroad with their family in Tokyo. After summer, we will be college freshmen. Sounds exciting and challenging, but I know we can do it.
"I'm gonna miss you best." I raised an eyebrow at Marz when she said those words to me but hugged Kuya instead. Wow! Smooth move. I sneered.
"Marz, I won't miss you." I stared at her in contempt.
"Sorry best," Marz said as he gently pushed Kuya with a teasing smile at me. She hugged me the usual when I was annoyed by her.
"Be careful Ji, Haze. Watch out for this flirty gay too." I pointed to Marz, but she just ignored me before walking away from us.
Kuya and I both lacked sleep, but he insisted to drive. He put me to sleep for a while because the trip will take longer but when I was going into a deep sleep, I woke up when he almost shouted on the phone.
Who is he talking to? His veins protruded at the back of his hand and wrist and our car is in flying mode as if we're chased by hungry criminals waiting for us to get killed. It's a good thing I don't have heart disease or else, I've had an attack because he was running so fast.
"What?! Blood? Who's bleeding?!" He agitated and floored the accelerator overtaking other vehicles in our lane.
"Is Tita there?!" He swerved to the left and the road became bumpy so I hold onto the handle above my head.
About 10 minutes later, we reached their house which is painted with ash gray walls with a tawny shade for the foundation and white windows. I unfastened my seat belt and followed him inside the house. We were greeted by a 10-year-old chubby boy with pale skin and a pinky nose, then Kuya stormed inside going straight ahead of me.
"Where's Nika?" Kuya's voice was nervous as he hurriedly opened the door of the rooms in the house.
"Here Kuya!" The boy exclaimed, pointing at the pink door beside the blue one. Kuya banged on the door and turned the doorknob as if he will destroy everything that was blocking him.
"Nika! Open the door!" His stern voice echoed throughout the whole area as he keep banging on the door.
"Ate! Kuya is here! Open it!" The young boy followed his brother punching the door with all his might. We didn't receive any response then I gasped when I realized something that only girls understood.
"Nika! Open this door or else, I will really break this!" His angry voice might scare Nika so I pushed him away from the door setting aside our age gap.
"Kuya please calm down. Let me talk to her." I raised both hands open at shoulder level shooing them away and they stood aside.
"NIKA? This is Ate Jessica, remember me? Can I go inside to check on you?"
A moment of silence filled around as we waited for her response, but as soon as we haven't heard anything from inside, Kuya became more agitated, but I managed to stop him from knocking on the door again. The door creaked open and Nika showed up scared and uneasy. Kuya was about to come inside with me but I warned them not to and thankfully, they understood. Their stubbornness is stressing me out.
I locked the door to make sure they can't enter. I walked near Nika clasping her hands below, nervous and embarrassed by what is happening to her. I was like that when I got my first period too. Good thing Mom was there to help me.
"Nika? Ahm this is what we're going to do. Don't be scared, you can trust me." I tried to lower my voice as much as I can to assure her and she nodded when I gestured for her to enter the restroom to wash.
While she was cleaning herself, I texted Kuya to buy 5 sanitary pads. I opened the door when he knocked and awkwardly handed me the pads wrapped with newspaper. I want to laugh at his cute reaction as if it's his first time buying that thing at the store.
After teaching Nika how to fix the pad to her undergarment and cleaning her bloodstained blanket and shorts, I showered her with perfume and tucked in small cotton balls under her armpit. I don't know why I'm following those first-period rituals even though I don't believe in superstitious stuff but I applied it anyway.
We went out of the room and Kuya was already preparing food for us with his little brother helping him put the plates and utensils on the table. He stopped cooking when he sensed our presence and immediately attended to his sister.
"Are you okay? Are you in pain? Tell me." I smiled as he checked his sister with concern reflected in his eyes.
He's the Kuya I always wished for but never had.
"No Kuya, my lower abdomen just hurts a little." Nika winced when she took her seat.
Kuya messed up his sister's hair like taming a puppy then he gave me a grateful smile before going back to cooking. I sat beside Nika to fix her messy hair. I knitted my brows as she gave me that speculative look.
"Ate, are you Kuya's boyfriend?" I almost choked when I inhaled, then glanced at Kuya who seemed so focused on tasting the food like a husband taking care of us. And where did that come from?
"Y-yeah?" I hesitated, then she showed me that big smile as if celebrating in the back of her mind.
"I don't like Ate Jof anyway." She rolled her eyes expressing distaste I guess. Why doesn't she like Ate Jof? I mean she's nice.
"Let's eat!" Kuya exclaimed as he placed the Bangus sinigang on the table.
I can't help throwing furtive glances at Kuya while we eat. I admired him for being a caring and loving brother to his younger siblings. Ate Jof lost her chance to have a man like him. He's one of a kind and she just threw it away for the second time.
Author's Note: Bangus Sinigang is a Filipino clear soup using Milkfish.
After eating, I volunteered to wash the dishes, but Kuya strictly forbade it so I just rested in his room. I stared at the ceiling and Jacob's voice replayed in my mind again. And speaking of the devil, he called me as if he knew that what he said last night when he was drunk kept playing in my head. I cleared my throat before answering the phone.
"Jess? Can we talk?" I rolled my eyes at his question. And now what is this call about?
"About what?" I plainly asked then Kuya appeared at the door. I waved instantly at him to sit beside me. He mouthed 'who' and distant my phone from my mouth and answered 'ex' and he immediately rushed inside. The speed.
I put the call on loudspeaker so Kuya can listen to what Jacob would say because he will analyze what our next step would be.
"About last night." I heard his deep breaths in the line.
Kuya's brows furrowed and he gave me that questioning look. He mouthed 'last night?' and I mouthed away from the phone 'later'.
"Babe later, please. I'm talking to someone."
Kuya was surprised by what I did and the person I was talking to on the phone exhaled a breath of disappointment. I placed my foot on Kuya's thigh and signed him to tickle it which he immediately followed like an obedient cat running his fur.
"Where are you now?"
Now I can feel that Jacob became tense. I giggled when Kuya tickled the sole of my foot, then I added a little pleasurable hum to tease Jacob.
"In my fiancee's apartment, why? Babe, stop that! I'm on a call. Let's have another round later." Kuya was holding back his laughter when I rolled my eyes and almost whispered a pleasurable hum. I really want to raise my voice to keep the fire burning deep inside Jacob until he repeats what he did last night without the side effects of alcohol on his body.
"Can I see you tomorrow? At the coffee shop, we used t-"
"Date?" I preceded him after all, that's what he's going to say anyway. Am I right or super right?
"Ye-s." I scoffed at his reply.
Have you ever felt like hitting the bullseye? That's what I feel right now.
"Ouch! Babe!" I played it so good I hooked Jacob to drop the call.
"See you tomorrow then?" He hesitated to ask while waiting for my response. I smirked mocking him in my mind.
"2 pm. See you." I ended the call and I gave Kuya a devilish grin.
"Do you have a plan?" I dropped my weight on the bed when he came closer to me, his gaze locked into mine. I know he's just enjoying the role from that silly brows on him and he started running tickles on my waist up to my neck. I was pushing and slapping his chest to stop him but he just won't stop until he caught my hand and tacked me against his pillow. I know I don't have any more space to step back, but my doubtful eyes decided to stare at him until our faces are an inch closer. Half of my brain is anticipating something romantic when I remembered our first kiss that until now, he didn't remember but half of it also was just empty. My heart is thumping louder and louder when he stared at my lips and evaded them, then whispered softly at the same time... dangerous
"Of course BABE. I always have a plan." I smirked like a villain and when he pulled away, he also smiled like an angel but a real devil in disguise.
***
The next day, I went to the coffee shop as we had talked on the phone yesterday. When I arrived, Jacob was already sitting at our favorite table in the shop near the glass window. I smiled in sarcasm. He still remembers our favorite spot. I also remember it all too well.
I waved at him with a bright smile and he smiled back. I remained composed and charming as I approached him. He stood and moved the chair instinctively then I rolled my eyes when he stood at my back.
Warning! Here comes the gentleman instincts again.
I adjusted my seat when he put the metal chair back in place, then returned to his metal chair wearing a sweet smile. An awkward silence filled the air and we were just exchanging smiles and glances like idiots waiting for someone to start a conversation. Later, a woman in off-white sleeves and a black apron tied around her waist came and served two American coffees at our table.
"Enjoy your coffee Ma'am, Sir." She smiled before leaving us to entertain other customers.
"So how's it going?" I plastered a light smile and he placed his hand on the table.
"Everything's fine. How about you? How are you? You looked lovely today." He plastered a bright smile before sipping on his coffee.
"All is great so far," I answered plainly then I sipped on my coffee without removing my gaze from him.
"That's good to hear. How's Tito and Tita?" I bet he practiced his script earlier before I arrived. I wonder how many times he practiced his dialogue or if he doesn't have to since he's a veteran.
"Dad got busier since he has a new project in Cebu. Mom ... passed away last year." It's funny that I'm telling him the truth though.
He used to be my companion in everything but it turns out... he's not anymore.
"I'm sorry." He plastered an apologetic smile and reached for my hand.
He squeezed it a little to comfort me but there was no effect on me anymore unlike years ago. He removed his hand from mine when I looked down at it.
"Let's cut to the chase Jacob. Why did you ask to see me?" I leaned my back on the chair a little and threw a piercing look at him.
"Here. Dad invited you to the opening of our new hotel branch here in CDO. And-"
He slid the blue envelope containing the invitation, but I just looked down at it with no trace of excitement in my eyes nor negativity on my face. Just blank but thinking if I will accept it depending on his condition. I know Jacob so well since high school. He's the type of guy that loves exchanging conditions.
"And?" I placed my hand on the table, my fingers tapping while waiting for his reply.
"I would like to introduce you to my Dad as my girlfriend."