CHAPTER 365 - THE KEY
Jay-Jay's POV
I couldn't get in anymore because the doctor still hasn't given us the green light. My situation got even worse because of Keigan's strangulation. But it's not as bad as yesterday. At least I can pronounce words now. The neck brace has also been removed because it doesn't hurt that much when I move my neck. I have a little pain in my throat, and my voice is hoarse, but it's okay. I will be fine.
I can also sing, ala-Sarah G. "W-Water," I weakly requested, Kuya.
Kuya looked at the doctor to ask for permission. "Doc, is it okay if she drinks water?"
"Less than 24 hours, just a touch of water is fine."
I'm so thirsty.
Kuya took a cotton ball, wet it with water, and touched it to my lips. I was just annoyed by what he did. It didn't even come out of my mouth. I wish dextrose was just shoved down my throat.
Who can live on the touch of water?
The doctor and the nurse left after checking on Keiren. Keifer wasn't there, but I heard him and Kuya arguing this morning.
My cousin is forcing him to go to school.
It looks like Kuya Angelo won because the King is probably not here. That's why he was the one with us in the room, not doing anything else but dealing with his iPad and papers.
I want to eat. I am so hungry and thirsty. I don't want to feel this way. It feels like my soul will escape. Then my imagination will accompany the food. I might not be able to stop eating because of hunger.
What do I taste like? Maybe it's salty because I didn't take a shower.
I looked at the door when it opened. Keigan entered slowly while bowing. He greeted Kuya and said goodbye to visit the youngest brother.
"How are you feeling?" Kuya asked him.
"I'm a bit okay, I guess?" he answered weakly.
My cousin just nodded to him in acceptance of his answer. He immediately approached his brother to kiss his forehead, but Keiren immediately wiped it away. Keigan forced a smile and started talking to him. I chose not to listen to them and just closed my eyes to sleep.
But how can I sleep when I see fried chicken, flying liempo, swimming lechon, and flowing noodles? There is still an exploding puto on top of the bleeding. It will be accompanied by a sisig dancing on the surface.
I want to cry, but I have to endure. It's for my own good. Who gets better from not drinking water?
I didn't die from Keigan's sticky glue and strangulation. I'll die from thirst. I want more water.
WATER!!!!
I opened my eyes to call Kuya, but Keigan's face appeared before me. I screamed out of shock and fear. It just sounded hoarse because of my voice.
Kuya Angelo seemed surprised by my scream. He let go of his hand when I screamed.
"What's wrong?" he asked, standing up and about to approach me. I looked at Keigan, who was also looking at Kuya. I couldn't help but be afraid of him. I still remember what he did yesterday, here in the same room and right next to his brother.
My neck is still marked.
"W-Nothing. Just surprised," I answered with a sore throat.
Kuya just looked at us before picking up what had fallen and returning to his place. I faced Keigan, who was looking at me again. Slightly, he came closer, so I backed away.
I looked at Kuya several times. I couldn't help it. Even though he's here, I can't say that the strangulation won't happen again. What if he just thinks about stabbing me?
Wait a minute! I'm empty!
What then? Did my insides spill out? Because I haven't eaten anything, my bowels are dry when I go out.
Can he stab me later? I will eat first.
I will fill my stomach first. The ugly look, like a wolf without air, will be the appearance of my flesh.
"Hey..." he called me and asked me to smile with a grimace.
He came even closer, so I leaned against the headboard of the hospital bed.
"I just want to say sorry about yesterday," he said gently.
I almost died right then. "Sorry."
I wanted to hit him hard. He didn't try to hurt me just once. It was twice! The first one didn't succeed, so now there's a second round.
But because I'm kind, I know it's not just obvious. I will listen to his explanation of what he did to me or his brother. I am ready to understand him because I also know that he's going through something.
"I will not explain myself to justify my actions."
Oh woo.
I blinked before understanding what he said. I think he's the only one I know who didn't explain after apologizing.
In fact, his older brother was even worse when we were still fighting. He didn't want to apologize, he didn't want to explain. I suddenly missed the way we used to be. I was still free to curse him without kissing him.
Let's go back to Keigan.
"What?" I asked hoarsely.
I really had a lot of questions, but that was all that came out of my mouth. It's still hard to speak.
Water! I need water.
"Listen." He sat next to me, even though I didn't say anything. "There are a lot of things going on inside my head. You will never understand, no matter how hard I try to explain."
I just nodded, even though the truth is I would rather have him explain. I also want to know why he's so angry with me and what I did to him.
But I can't do anything if he really doesn't want to explain.
"I swear, I'm not a bad person," he whispered as he bent down and looked at his hands.
I really hope not. I hope you're not really a bad person. I hope you just made a mistake. And I hope it never happens again. But it's impossible not to. It was Keifer who said that it's difficult to predict his next move.
He sighed before looking at his brother on the other bed. Keiren just looked at me and listened. Keigan took something from his pocket. He looked at it for a moment before facing me again.
"In case something bad happens to me, please give this to my brother Keifer," he said and handed me a key. I stared at it before looking back at him.
"In my room, just under my bed, you'll find the keyhole. The answer to his questions is in there," he explained.
Intriguing. Why is there a key? What does it contain, and why does it need to be hidden? But it seems important, and a big deal, because I have to give it only if something bad happens to him. If the answer is already there, why hasn't he given it to Keifer now?
To help him through whatever he's going through? "W-Wait a minute" I couldn't finish what I was going to say when he stood up and approached Keiren.
He hugged his brother tightly and whispered, "I love you." I don't know, but his behavior makes me nervous. I feel like he's going to do something that's not good, and this time, he's doing it himself.
"Keigan," I tried to call him, but because it was difficult to speak, I didn't even know how to talk to him.
He let go of his brother and smiled at him. "I'm going back to my room now. Take care of my brother, please."
He turned to walk away. He even said goodbye to Kuya and thanked him. My cousin stood up to take him to his room. I would prefer if he stayed there to watch over Keigan.
I looked at the key again. It looked like a key to the drawers, but it was a bit old, with large teeth or grooves at the end.
I faced Keiren, who was also looking at my hand. I was about to reach out to him, but he lay down and turned his back on me. Obviously, he didn't want to talk.
"He always scared me, but I still want him to be okay," he said without looking at me.
I couldn't help but feel sad for their siblings. They grow up without parents, and something threatens their lives. Keifer is burdened with being the eldest and taking on responsibilities that he shouldn't have to. Keigan, who is sick like me. And Keiren, who didn't experience a normal childhood. He's still young, but he needs to understand what's happening around him.
They're rich, but the price in return is huge in their lives. Maybe money isn't really the answer to all problems.
Sometimes, food. Go to the food.
I put the key aside before lying down again to continue with my plan.
Relaxation. Maybe I'll think less when I sleep. I don't want to bury my thirst in my dreams. Kuya Angelo came back and sat in his place earlier. I tried to sleep again, and fortunately, this time, I actually fell asleep.
I know I slept for a long time because of the weight of my body. I woke up to the noise inside the room, as if there were many people, and the sound of a cellphone game right in my face. Before I could open my eyes, I was holding my forehead because of the pain in my head. I stretched and then realized I wasn't alone.
I bumped my arm. I immediately opened my eyes, and the first thing I noticed was the light from the cellphone. I looked closely at who was next to me.
A little boy.
He turned to me. "Jay-Jay," he said, smiling widely.
"Ci," I greeted him hoarsely.
He immediately covered his nose. "Your breath stinks."
He quickly got up to leave my side. I tried to grab him, but he immediately moved away.
"Jay-Jay's breath stinks," he said as if announcing it to the townspeople.
I just woke up! Sweetie!
I immediately noticed who was in the room. I was right; there were a lot of people here, and they were the loud ones I had heard. But not just anyone.
The Vipers. Wow!
"Jay-Jay is awake!" Eren shouted, and our classmates approached.
"Don't get too close. Her breath stinks!" Batang Kumag restrained them.
I immediately got excited. First of all, I didn't want my breath to stink. Second, my stomach was empty, even after drinking water. Third, I hadn't brushed my teeth yesterday, so it probably really did stink. And there was no need to announce it. That's an animal! Even better than radio and journalists in reporting. Maybe he wants to have it printed on a tarpaulin.
It's a shame.
"You're in a panic," Drew replied with a laugh.
When they got close to me, they immediately moved away while covering their noses.
Is my breath really that bad?
"Jay stinks," said Felix.
I suddenly felt ashamed. I wanted to cry because of the shame. I simply brought my hand to my mouth to cover it and smell it. That's the only thing I could do to avoid confirming that it stinks.
I suddenly felt dizzy. I didn't die yesterday at Keigan's hand, but I might die today because of my breath. I covered my mouth with a blanket. How can I send them home now? They're no longer welcome here.
Rattlesnakes.
Wait! What time is it, and why are they here?
I looked at the bedroom wall to see if there was a clock on it. I wasn't disappointed because of the size of the clock on the opposite wall.
It was only 3 PM. No one was home yet.
I looked at my classmates one by one. Maybe some of them could read minds and answer my question. But of course, because they're idiots, no one would notice what I wanted to say.
I looked at Keiren's bed. He was no longer there, and his bed seemed to have been made. I tried to get up because I was hungry, but when I did it suddenly, I immediately felt dizzy.
"Hey, Jay!" someone stopped me.
David, who was close to me, helped me sit back down.
"Hey... Maybe you can't stand up yet," he said, but I ignored him.
I pointed to Keiren's bed. "W-Where is he?"
"He has been sent home. He is supposed to be observed at home," he answered.
"That's why you don't have any labels— because his brothers were chosen first," said Felix, and I quickly became angry.
What's wrong? Why does it sound like a dog?
I heard Drew's soft laughter. "I guess you didn't like it, what he said."
It turned out that they noticed my reaction to Felix's words.
"That's not what they call it." Ci-N's groan. "Because they say husband and wife."
The guys quickly got upset. I felt like I just wanted to go back to sleep and never wake up. I think they just came to wake me up.
"Sweet!"
"Tangina. It's better to call than to label."
"That's right. As long as they take a while."
"Shame on that one, there is a label, but only for a moment."
"It doesn't sound like you're talking about Eren."
And it ended up being Eren's opening. And, of course, he won't allow himself to be united, that's why the arguments end up fighting. Eman quickly intervened between them. Fortunately, the door opened, and it caught all of our attention.
Kuya Angelo entered, followed by Sir Alvin. They looked the same as the Serpents.
Please note that they are Sir.
"Sir! Don't go near Jay-Jay, her breath stinks," said Ci-N, which made Sir Alvin laugh.
Of course.
Why do I need to announce my breath? Its effect is not lung poison. Do you think it's deadly and needs a warning before approaching me? David stayed by my side.
I looked at him, and several times I saw him simply scratching his nose. I couldn't help but think that maybe it really did stink, like Ci-N said.
For the second time, I brought my palm to my mouth and nose before taking a deep breath.
Son of a seven-footed white sheep.
I felt like throwing up. My breath really stinks. I think I need oxygen—a tank. I can't breathe on my own.
It's Kuya Angelo's fault. If only he had given me water, my breath wouldn't have smelled like this.
Speaking of the angel-faced devil, he walked closer to me, so David immediately left my side and moved to Keiren's bed.
"Do you feel better now?" he asked.
"Water," I said with all my might, and I knew he could smell my breath because of his snorting before using his finger to cover his nose.
"Damn, your breath can kill," he commented, and I literally gaped.
Is my breath really at poison gas level?
For all my bad feelings toward Kuya Angelo, now I can say that he is the bad person. I said he is really pretending to be an angel.
"Water," I repeated.
He turned and approached the table where the water jug was. He took a glass and filled it. It wasn't even full yet, but my throat was so dry. But that's when I saw how little water he poured.
"Here. This is the only thing you can get," he said while handing the glass to me.
It made me want to cry. The water won't even go down my throat. It's just too little. Only a child drinks that much. Do I look like a child?
I wanted to complain, but I had no choice. I just drank it. It felt like I was even more thirsty. I returned the glass to Kuya.
I want more! Water!
I looked at the Snakes and Sir Alvin, who was speaking to them. I wanted to ask why they were here so early—they hadn't come home from school yet. But Sir was here, so maybe there was no school today. Perhaps there was a meeting, and they were sent home early.
"I've asked for your lessons from your other teacher; study them later," Sir said as he handed some papers to my classmates.
David also reached out to me. I read it and noticed that the subjects were meant for the afternoon. I looked at them.
"They insisted on not going to school and just coming here," explained David.
He quickly understood my flirtatious look; the social instinct is really different. The Snakes are crazy, but I smiled. They didn't come in the afternoon just to visit me. Sometimes these people really worry about something else.
"Hey, it's really boring to take classes in the afternoon," said Mayo, and Keiren lay down on the bed.
Eh?
"Here we go, air conditioning," Drew said, raising his hand to catch the air from the air conditioning.
What?
"Can we go now? I have a date," Eren said as he prepared to leave, but Kit stopped him.
What?
"I'm hungry. Set me free," Rory ordered Edrix, but his friend only responded with a middle finger.
Why do I feel like they really want to leave school and just use me as an excuse? I know these people, and I know they are worried about me, but their nonsense will not go away.
"Jay-Jay is fine, let's go!" Blaster said and was about to walk towards the door when suddenly it opened and Percy entered.
"Why are you so ugly?" he asked, and the fools immediately responded.
"Ship ah!"
"That's really from you!"
"We are ashamed of you."
He just walked as if he didn't hear anything. He came to me and showed me the paper bags and plastic bags full of fruit and food.
"Food. The monster in your stomach must be disappearing," he said, putting the bags down on the table.
It's terrible for the monster.
He faced me again but didn't come close enough to mess with me at the table. The Snakes on the table looked like tigers that had just eaten meat. Sir Alvin and Kuya Angelo slightly moved away due to shock.
"Hey! Starving people, that's not for you!" Percy shouted at them in annoyance.
"Thank you for the grace," Felix said sarcastically while holding a donut.
I like that too.
"It's like you're not being fed at home," Percy said angrily before kicking his brother.
I looked at Batang Ulupong when I noticed that he was holding fries and a burger. He even smiled at me as if he were very happy with what he had.
"Thick as a stuntman."
I thought they were going to start a fight again. Fortunately, Ci ignored him. He was busy with what he was eating.
But if they are happy, I am very annoyed. Those foods should be mine, but they have already suffered. I accept that they are also starving, but I would accept it more if they left some food for me. They are not the only ones who should benefit.
I was stunned.
"There you go. I'll just buy you more," said my stepbrother while sitting next to me. "Are you feeling all right?"
"A little," I replied.
He looked away while holding his nose. "Sis, the smell is deadly."
That's crazy!
He laughed a little when he saw my frown. "If you feel better, maybe you can talk to one of our brothers."
I stared at him in confusion. We don't have another sibling.
"I mean Aries," he clarified.
Wow, brotherhood.
I shook my head quickly. What I decided since my memory of what I did to him came back is still the same. It would be better if we never met. I'm also thinking about planning to travel far after I graduate.
I'll arrange my stay on my Island. I'll do it forever if there is one.
"Let's talk. He has a surprise."
"What is that?"
"You won the lottery. Three pesos," he answered and burst out laughing.
Doc, your patient got away.
But I couldn't help but be intrigued by what Aries wanted to talk about. Maybe he wants me to leave the house for good.