(Such a funny chapter, I promise! I was laughing while typing this :D...)
Jay-jay's POV
Someone knocked on the door.
HOLY SHI—I'm actually going to pass away.
"Jay-jay, are you in there?" Aunt Gema's voice came from the other side, concerned and dangerously close to opening the door herself.
Thank God it wasn't Kuya Angelo or my so-called brother. They would've exposed me on the spot. No trial. Just execution. Also—why am I panicking? This is literally his fault. He broke into my room like it's a tourist attraction. If someone's getting buried today, it's definitely him.
"Yeah—I'm here!" I called out, a little too quickly, as I jumped up and dragged Keifer off the bed toward the wardrobe.
It looked like he might fit. Keyword: might.
"Are you okay in there?" she asked again.
Great. Another question.
At this point, I was one step away from being interrogated in my own room. But hey—she's my aunt. This is basically her hobby.
"Of course, I'm to-otally f-fine!" I replied, struggling to even speak while trying to make him fit in the wardrobe.
"Why are you this tall?" I asked, keeping my voice down.
It's like he's Burj Khalifa or something.
Reminder: He could pass it.
I'm already imagining him setting clouds aside to look down. People doesn't have to be this tall!
Tsk!
"Not my fault!" He muttered back, sarcastically.
"nOt mY fAuLt." I mimicked him, still quiet. Idiot.
"You're not fitting in there," I muttered, already losing patience.
My eyes snapped to the bathroom. Perfect. The worst possible option. Which also meant… my only option.
I dragged him out of the wardrobe and shut it like it had personally offended me.
"Should I come in? I can hear you struggling."
I nearly died on the spot.
Honestly, just throw me into lava at this point. It would be less embarrassing than whatever was about to happen.
"I—uh—no!" I blurted out a little too loudly. "I just… dropped something."
I opened the bathroom door, telling him to step in. "What are you waiting for, death?" I muttered, already imagining Kuya Angelo's and Aries's faces.
I pushed him into the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind him. Wait for him? Absolutely not. I can't even wait properly when there's lechon involved.
I spun around and headed for the door, trying to look like a person who wasn't hiding a whole human being in her bathroom.
I opened it just a little, scratching my head for effect.
And there she was. Aunt Gema.
"See? I'm fine," I said, exhaling like I'd just survived something.
Because I kind of did.
"I see. Anyways… dinner's ready. Come downstairs to eat," she said, finally relaxing.
Amazing.
Too bad I wasn't hungry. (Which doesn't really sound like me.)
Thanks to King Kong, who decided to bring food like he owns the place—and me, who clearly has no self-control.
Or maybe it's because of what just—Nope. Cancelling that thought immediately.
"I-it's fine, I'm already full," I said, forcing a smile that felt illegal.
Aunt Gema's expression shifted, her brows pulling together in confusion. "But you didn't bring any food."
Oh, great. Now she is suspicious.
Jay-jay, you absolute idiot.
I should've just gone downstairs. Said yes. Acted normal. But no—look at me now.
Think, Jay. Think.
"I-it was in my bag," I said quickly, pointing at the package like I was about to be interrogated and needed solid evidence to survive.
Footsteps approached.
And just like that, my situation went from bad to worse.
"Food here is healthier," Kuya Angelo said, stepping in with his arms crossed like he owned the place.
Which, unfortunately, he kind of did.
Bossy as always.
"What did you eat, anyway?" he asked, staring straight into my existence.
Why is he staring at me like that?
Did I commit a crime in my past life for this kind of stare? Sure have done in this life.
"F-fried chicken." I replied, turning to the package which was casually sitting on my bed. Hopefully, he'll turn away from me.
Reminder: HOPEFULLY.
I hate how funny this situation will be in the future.
"Fine. It's lechon. More for us, I guess," he said, already turning away.
Lechon?
Yeah, no—my appetite just came back.
Just as I was about to follow him—
THUD.
A loud noise came from the bathroom.
King Kong can't stay quiet EVEN FOR A SECOND.
I prayed—actually prayed that Kuya Angelo would spare me before burying me alive.
I'm way too young to go out like this.
At the very least, I deserve one last bite of lechon.
"What was that?" Aunt Gema and Kuya Angelo asked at the same time. This is what they really are good at, questioning.
Would you believe me if I say that Kuya Angelo has mastered all degrees for questioning?
"Probably a rat!" I blurted out, slamming the door on their faces.
I held my chest like I'd just survived something life-threatening and slowly sank to the floor.
I actually did.
"That was a close call to heaven, more likely hell." I muttered.
The bathroom door creaked open. Keifer stepped out, looking entirely too innocent for what he'd caused.
Idiot.
All because of him. Thanks to whatever he dropped, my lechon dreams were officially on hold.
"Are they gone?" he asked, eyes darting like a squirrel.
Wahhh… what are you panicking for, darlin'?
I'm literally the one who ran the entire operation.
"Probably… what were you doing inside?" I whispered, crouching low. Because if they hear, it's officially game over.
"I was just checking out your shampoo," he said, completely calm.
Oh sure. That's exactly what I needed right now.
"Wow. Really? What a fantastic time to check out shampoo," I snapped, sarcasm fully activated.
It seemed like the inspectors—aka Kuya Angelo and Aunt Gema had finally retreated. I slowly stood up, brushing off imaginary dust like a true survivor.
I laid on the bed, fully exhausted. That's enough saving for today, good job Jay-jay.
Wow! I feel like a Superhero, without actual superpowers and a cape.
Keifer plopped beside me. I braced myself for the romance scene straight out of a drama. Instead… "Thanks… and uhm, sorry," he muttered, turning toward me like he'd done some crime.
He almost did...
Eyes softening, I murmured, "Apology accepted?"
He chuckled awkwardly. "But again… Jay, sorry na."
Oh great. My heart's melting, and he's still panicking. Fantastic.
"Tsk, since when did you become so apologetic?" I said, chuckling.
He was about to reply…creak.
The door opened slowly.
I THOUGHT IT WAS LOCKED. The blood in my veins turned to ice.
I kicked Keifer off the bed—sorry, not sorry—as he dropped out of sight.
Dear universe, if you love me, don't let it be Aries.
A figure slipped inside, hoodie up, back turned, acting suspiciously normal. "Wow, Jay! The lechon your Aunt made is so good!" a feminine voice chirped.
…Wait. KRISTINE?!
She turned around, closing the door—holding a plate of lechon like it was a peace offering.
"Kris?"
"Heh, good to see you too," she said casually.
I sat up so fast, I swear my soul lagged behind my body.
"Your Aunt said you weren't hungry, are you hiding something? 'cuz this isn't clearly you.." She said, handing me the plate.
I was about to dig in—suddenly. "Hey, wash your hands." She smacked my hand.
"Ow."
Tsk, clean freak. Not like her mind, it could pass mine.
I sighed and walked into the bathroom. When I returned, Kristine had already found Keifer.
"Seriously, Keifer?" she asked, crossing her arms like a disappointed teacher.
Wow. That took, what—two seconds?
I stayed chill. Kristine wasn't a snitch. I mean… imagine the whole family finding out. Yeah. No thanks.
"It wasn't my fault—he broke in!" I blurted, immediately throwing him under the bus.
Wahhh… why does blaming him feel so satisfying?
She turned to Keifer, "Imagine, Angelo and Aries finding about this."
"They won't," he said like he'd planned everything.
Oh wow. Look at Mr. Mastermind over here.
"Tsk, you don't know that!" she snapped. Honestly, that was for both of us.
"Forget it," she said, turning to me. "I'm sleeping here tonight."
She could make me food, that's a bonus!
"Fine—but only if you don't watch football tonight!" I shot back.
Because honestly, she could replace the commentators and no one would notice.
"Deal," she said, handing me the lechon like a peace offering.
"Jay na… there's another visitor," she blurted.
Wow. Amazing. Let's just invite the whole neighborhood at this point.
"Who—"
BANG.
Ci-N crashed in, lechon stuffed in his mouth like he was on a mission.