Chapter 28

My every move was slow and mixed with caution as I opened the door. Assuming in this way the mother will not notice the arrival.
I silently closed the door behind me, and then silently walked towards the stairs. It would have been a few steps, but I was stunned after hearing its hard squeak just near the kitchen.
Great! I forgot how strong she felt. Whatever kind of precaution is taken, it will signal the presence of anyone.
"Where have you been? Your class is only until eleven o'clock, you should be here at eleven -thirty. It's almost one o'clock in the afternoon, oh," she pointed to the antique clock that hung freely on the wall .
"There's just a group meeting," I bowed to avoid her judgmental look.
"Something happened at your university earlier. All students were sent home, with or without classes. How can you still have meetings- "
"At seven-eleven we'll go straight."
"Really? Nica says you left earlier with Kiesha in the middle of the mess. Where did you really go? "It narrowed my eyes.
So maybe she has students complaining about the way she teaches because of it. They could not comprehend the meaning of what she was doing, of restricting not only to them but also to her own child.
There must always be a new explanation. If absent from class, there must be sufficient reason and proof. If the desired answer to the question cannot be given the topic will be returned over and over again, until the student loses the appetite to find the correct words.
I know she was just trying to help us improve, both in communication and analytic thinking. But sometimes it seems like it's too much. That's why I prefer to keep quiet. Whatever kind of punishment it gives, that's fine. As long as I can get away from the unwanted argument.
"Where are you from Neilani?"
"Only on campus, I didn't leave."
"I have many eyes, whatever you do I will know and I will know. If you don't want to fill me up, admit it. "
I don't want us to go to the casino earlier to accompany Kiesha to be an asset. And even more so not to talk about the claims of the opponents. Add to that my willingness to deliver lieutenant Hans here, using the motorbike Zion entrusted to me. It is currently in front of Kiesha's house, while the police just jeeped back to the station.
It was kind and polite. I felt safe and comfortable with him, unlike that Zi the new bodyguard. To this day, the annoyance I feel for it has not gone away.
"I didn't go anywhere else."
"I will ask Nica again later in which direction she saw you go. Even your teammates. "
"Mom, do you still doubt me until now?"
"I have to confirm you're not lying, before I can believe," she turned away. It left me startled and gaping.
In this household, I should always put in mind the diamond rule; No boys until graduation".
That includes the prohibition to engage in sexual activities, and social interaction. My direction should really be school and home. If someone else is going, mama needs to know the full details. The correct address of the place, who is included and if it will last. I understand that she is doing this because she is an only daughter, the only thing they expect now.
We are four siblings. My two older brothers, me, and our youngest. Brother Gordon is now swamped with responsibilities, both as a married man and business inclined person. It rarely visits us. If you come, you will leave immediately. Brother Gideon on the other hand was out of the country, working as a civil engineer. While I am about to finish school this year, the youngest is in junior high school.
I took Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. Something I really didn't want. Case mama insists, she will always be the one to follow so I can't do anything.
I originally want to be a scientist; to answer my own infinite queries, to discover something spectacular. Case unwilling to support own family.
With both shoulders dropped I climbed the stairs. We're going to lock ourselves in the room again today Geline Neilani...
"Please lend me a laptop," Grant said after I opened the bedroom door.
"You're still saying goodbye, you're already using it."
He was watching his favorite series on Netflix. Mama took his gadgets again to make sure. So I use the tamper.
"What have you done this time?" I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at him intently.
"As usual," he shrugged.
I can only think of one reason. I think it's too much to play DOTA.
"Mama is also mad at me," I casually threw the bag on his lap, then dropped the body on the soft bed.
"I heard their conversation with sister Nica earlier, where did you go?"
"Nowhere"
Aside from classmates, Nica and I also live next door. Mama often asks her about what I do, because we are also close to each other. Without Kiesha, this is sometimes my companion.
I don't have any problem with her, answering my mother's questions. As long as she's keep her promise, then I am safe.
We"ve already talked about it. He promised not to reveal what I was doing. If anything, those are just small things. I trust her, I'll know she'll never pull me down.
"Stop watching Grant."
"Hey, I'm just starting a new episode."
"I don't care! Get out of here right now," I pointed to the door.
"It's really your brain, sister."
"Because of your noise, I'm going to sleep," I violently threw the pillow at him.
"Can I just bring the laptop?"
"It's up to you."
He moved quickly. One by one I grabbed the laptop, charger, even my silent cookies. Even before it could be seen, it had already managed to run out.
I took a deep breath, then hugged my favorite stuff toy. Kiesha gave it to me last Christmas, so that even if I don't have a boyfriend, I can still hug someone. How thoughtful she was, tsk!
I slowly closed my eyes. For a few seconds the memory of what had happened before was recalled, until all the scenery was completely blurred and consumed by darkness.
"Whenever I see girls and boys, and the girls and boys see me. I remember inday, I hope everyone remembers. Whenever I see people, giving gifts exchanging farts- "
"Hey!" I got up carelessly, then annoyed I turned to my friend who was shouting again.
Extreme hearing loss! Its imaginative lyrics in the song are childhood destructive. I was sleeping quietly, I wish I had a good dream, in case something is upsetting.
"Kiesha!" I stomped, looking like a child grumbling.
"Oh, are you asleep?" She was light-headed.
"I don't know."
She just laughed evilly in response. What is its purpose?
I jumped out of the bed and grabbed her favorite binoculars from the side table and went straight to the window. I'm used to observing the environment with it.
Kiesha's house just across from us is what I often focus on. They are rich, possibly someone tried to break into their home to steal. Coincidentally, I myself was the first to witness the incident.
From the rooftop, my gaze dropped to the gate. Zion's face was first spotted, leaning on the motorbike we had left earlier and also looking back at me.
He crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head to the other side, with a sarcasm etched on his sinful lips.
"You're doing?" I understand the twitch of his lip.
I put the binoculars down.
"None of your business," I replied back. Then he raised an eyebrow.
"Who's talking- Hey, handsome!" Kiesha happily waved at its staff.
"Where did you find that?"
"Just around the corner, I was almost robbed and exploited by a man in the past. He suddenly came to save me. I decided to make him my assistant, bodyguard or whatever you call."
"You didn't tell me that thing."
"I forgot," she scratched her neck.
I finally released an evil stare, before turning my back on Zion.
"Hey, Lieutenant Hans?"
"He was only twenty four years old. He was only two years older than us."
"So? That's not what I want to know," I sarcastically replied.
"Damn," she murmured.
"How did you meet him?"
"At the race track last week."
Maybe that was the scene she asked me for help to cover up the escape. If aunt or uncle calls, I have to say just the two of us together. In fact, she is once again engaging in what her boyfriend is doing. Car racing.
"He was chasing someone then. A man, if you look at him, was very pitiful. His clothes were rumpled, dirty, and then he would cry. I felt sorry for him, I thought of protecting it from Lieutenant Hans so I joined the chase, "she added.
"I guess, you caught up with sir Hans."
"I used all possible means to stop him from hurting the guy. That's how he got angry ... The man was the most wanted drug dealer in disguised. He almost took me to the precinct as punishment for interfering, but Zed and I passed . on request. To recover presents to be an asset. "
"He pushed you to that dirty place."
"You can say so," she shrugged.
"Is that your first and last mission?"
"Definitely yes."
"What if the opponents find us?"
"Sir Hans promised to keep his eyes on us. We will gonna be safe."
"How about the money?"
"It's at home. I'll deliver it to the village tomorrow," she raised and lowered her eyebrows.
"Last question, where did Zed find you earlier? You suddenly disappeared."
"At university, signed up for attendance," her lips protruded, suppressing a smile.
"How about me ?!" I stared at her.
"That's your problem ..."
She confidently walked away, leaving me dumbfounded.
Great!
"Good morning my dear!"
I almost sneered with both shock and embarrassment after hearing Kiesha"s voice. On the contrary, it is obvious that students like me who are also studying do not care about the point of view.
She sat comfortably on a chair across from mine, so with her bodyguard. I stared at Zi for a moment, secretly criticizing the clear face before simply smirking.
"Just to remind you my friend, we are in the library. Where noise is highly prohibited."
"I know," she dramatically flipped her hair. "I just want everyone to know that I have a very good morning."
"Hopefully all, all ..."
"I haven't heard you experiencing a good morning."
As Kiesha speaks, none of my own grows my gaze next to it. He was silently scanning the books I borrowed to enhance my knowledge about science, as always. I finished reading a few topics in the course taken. It shook so, comforting the brain with a different theme.
"Mama is memorizing that lesson plan-lesson plan again. I have already mastered everything, but for her it wasn't enough. She wants a realistic work, the one that is really suitable for the student," he said. I lowered the book I was holding.
"Is that okay?"
"Did you read?"
"We went through your classroom earlier. Case bag and lesson plan just sitting on the chair just arrived. Out of curiosity, I tried to read your work and somehow, I felt satisfied. Though it's a bit shallow cause in the first place, that wasn't part of my field. You're going to teach high school, not elementary so that's possible. "
"Exactly," I snorted. "By the way, what else do you need?"
It knows very well where to look in case I don"t reach the room. Books, the silence, and chilling vibes of the library helps me relax. I can think clearly and learn more from it.
"Is it forbidden to approach you now?" he artistically rubbed his chest, as if in pain.
"Not really," I shrugged.
"You don't have a class?"
"Our professors have an emergency meeting."
"Us too," he smiled foolishly.
"What?" I raised my eyebrow.
I know that look. Someone else is thinking of it, for sure.
"Shall we run away?"
"The exam is coming up, isn't it? Let's study first," I snatched his bag. Spontaneously picked up the books this lesson needed for the upcoming exam.
"What's that, too KJ," he said as he stood up.
Carrying the books, he went to the quietest part of the library. Behind the single shelf housed world histories and vocabularies.
I know where his reading will end, tsk!
I was just shaken by the thought, when I turned to Zion again. He leaned backward, then crossed his arms over his chest. It was just looking around. I don"t know whether to praise or think the silence is too weird.
Even when I first came here, he reacted the same way. Suddenly even imagined the scary scene in a horro movie, where the ghost will show up to intimidate and kill.
"I am torn between thinking that you like me, or you want to kill me with that look," his gaze averted to me.
I quickly averted my eyes. Even though he knew he was caught, he still prayed that he would not notice.
I don't like him, I don't intend on killing him either. It simply became curious about its persona. I think my friend's trust in him was too early. What if it has bad intentions? What if Kiesha chooses to let a thief into their house? Days isn't enough to trust anyone ...
"I'm not looking at you, feeling too much."
I hear nothing in response. He raised an eyebrow at me, then picked up one of the books I hadn"t read.
It first hovered over the title, before opening to read the contents.
I subconsciously lifted the book I was holding up to my face. It seems that somehow there is a reason to be given in case it catches looking again. There"s something in my system that says his every move needs to be investigated. It needs to be confirmed to be kind and just to be trusted.
This is for Kiesha, she needs someone trustworthy around her.
I watched him silently reading every pages of the book. He was doing it with poise and grace, as if a noble man from the past, who mistakenly time traveled in this century. Due to some circumstances, unfortunately he can never go back to where he originally came from. He was stuck in here, with us.
I was quickly shaken after realizing that the mind was making up stories again. Time traveler really? That was too lame!
"You like science," he suddenly whispered despite the deafening silence.
"Huh?" my brows slightly furrowed.
"Ha-hagok ..." his lips creased in sarcasm.
"Bad habit, yaw-urgh!" my voice grew a little louder, just enough to get the attention of the students stationed nearby.
One by one I apologized to them, along with the occasional departure. It looked like a puppy afraid to be scolded.
"So it's really hard for me to entrust my friend's welfare to you. With that attitude, you are obviously so capable of doing bad things," I barely lifted my body, bent my elbows on the table and brought my face close to his to whisper. the next to say.
"I will always set my eyes on you. Any wrong move will result to a serious consequence."
"Am I going to be scared?"
That's how I sighed violently when it also brought its face close to mine. Something unexpected happens. With our faces so close, we just need to kiss. I can totally feel his warm breath, that was sending shivers down my spine.
My heart pulsated and lips parted for the unspoken words. I got glued on my position. Originally I am good at any kind of thinking, but now I officially lost my thoughts. My shock robbed me of the ideas that should be implemented in such a situation.
Liver, mamaaaa!
"I won't force you to trust me. Please don't take steps that you will only regret later."
Without leaving my eyes, he got up from his sit, and then strutted towards Kiesha. It left me afloat, unable to process what had happened, even the words it released.
Hey, Geline Neilani is just a guy. My God, that man! Mama says it should be avoided. Otherwise I would be dead.
My innocent eyes, my innocent thoughts ... Come back to me!
I grabbed the books in front of me one by one. I've lost the urge to read so I'll just put them back in the container.
When I finished what I was doing, I immediately returned to my place. But someone else is sitting here, something that for me is a bit rude. He probably saw the book sitting on the chair, signaling that there was a user. Case still snatching.
An indifferent stare the moment I shot at the man. He then grabbed the book and placed it on the table.
"Happy reading," I sarcastically said. Kiesha and her bodyguard then rushed to their current position.
Maybe I'll just go to sleep, when my brain is calm for a while.
I first met the lying friend. Sleeping soundly, using the book as a pillow. At her head sat Zion, blocking the body from the sunlight so as not to disturb Kiesha's sleeping spirit.
He looks like a boyfriend, doing everything for the best his girl.
Even though he noticed me, he didn't turn around. Just focused a strong stare on the boss, secretly analyzing every detail of its face.
I'm a fool to think that's how he really stares. I find Kiesha special for her. That look and care was enough to confirm.
"She has a boyfriend," I posed in front of them. "If you want to flirt, wait to separate first. But you still have to go through me," I raised my chin eyebrow.
Scenes like this have become normal for me. So somehow I wasn't surprised anymore. There is a little envy, because I would also like to experience that kind of attention. But the fact that I"m not pretty also just slaps me right away, very different compared to Kiesha.
"I'm not a lover. He's my boss, that's not allowed."
"But you want to, isn't that also forbidden?" humalukipkip ako.
"Porket stare, want that right away?"
"Am I wrong?"
He shielded both of our feet.
"So you get hurt so quickly because of the delusion," he shook his head disappointedly.
"Then don't give us false signal."
Silence ensued between us. We were just staring at each other's eyes, both are bawling sarcasm and menace.
No one wants to look away, or lose. Stay strong.
"Gotcha, I'm just saying you're just here."
Shocked, I turned to my classmate.
"Why?" I asked, almost a whisper.
"We have a meeting, don't we? Group project ..." he didn't finish what he was going to say when he accidentally looked at Zion.
A strange smile automatically flashed on her lips, then the runaway hair was simply placed behind her ear.
I got up from my seat. Shake the little dust that stuck to the uniform, then Zi turned again.
"Please tell Kiesha I'm only going across the faculty."
He nodded.
"Be good to her. I'll just know that you did something bad, I'll be the first to look for you," was my last reminder before finally leaving with the thrilled classmate.
"That's your friend's new boyfriend? He's handsome!"
"Bad habit 'non, don't ever be blinded by physical appearance."
"Ah well, I'll crush him."
Girls again, as long as they are handsome start right away.
"In solving the gross income, here's the solution you should follow," I grabbed the pen that Kiesha had bitten earlier, even the paper in front of it hadn't even been touched
This woman really, I told her to just start answering her assignments even though I wasn't there yet. But the message to Zed came first. While I still needed homework, he gave me this topic so that at least someone could help me.
"Kiesha, please pay attention. This is part of your course, get ready! " annoyed I slapped his shoulder.
"Put down your phone. That flirtation will be later, otherwise you will be angry with me, "I pretended to be a strict teacher here. I think he will follow in his mother's footsteps.
But still, I have the right to be like this. Business Administration isn't part of my field, but for her I have to learn the entire aspect of the course. So I could help her with the retention process. Who would be happy if the person you are helping does nothing to help themselves?
He is really smart, there is no problem in explaining because he will be remembered immediately. It's just a case of being too lazy.
"Hey Girl. Don't ever yell at me, I'm paying you! " he stood up, then angrily pointed at me.
I leaned backward, and then let out a sarcastic smirk.
His family educates me. So aside from wanting to help her, gratitude is also one of the reasons why I put up with all her flaws.
"What a great acting," I applauded reluctantly.
"Gee naman e. You should hype me more; I needed that for my upcoming audition. "
She's both an aspiring criminal and actress. It's like, 'If I don't pass acting, maybe it's against the law in the race. It's just right to cry when you're caught, that's art too.
She's that crazy, always seeking for excitement and shits just to fulfill her eccentric goals in life. I am the one who feels sorry for his father and mother. As you can imagine, despite their kindness, the mad son was really blessed. The more formal your sister Kianna is, the more abnormal Kiesha is.
May her future husband survive...
From him, my gaze shifted to the entrance of the house. Zion's cold stare was immediately noticed. I think it will just come from somewhere, the hair is still messy and the t-shirt is a bit tangled.
My eyes are blurred if there are no glasses or contact lenses, so I"m not sure if the bruises are visible on the side of his lip or just simple dirt.
Even before the boss noticed, he was able to walk away. I think I'll hang out in the backyard.
It's been a week since my friend's tail, morning or night. Sometimes it coincides with our learning sessions, especially with walks.
"Is there anyone?" Kiesha asked after noticing my silence.
"Zi, but also left immediately."
"He has just returned from where he lives. Did anyone bring anything? "
"Nothing," I shrugged.
"Did I think he would take the rest of the clothes to the rented house?"
"Are you going to put him here?" I turned to him in shock.
"Yes. He can save more money if only here. He doesn't have to worry about his monthly rental pay anymore. "
I learned that Zion's living family was far away. It was forced to head north to find work, for parents and supportive siblings. He should have finished his studies now, case had to stop because there was not enough money for tuition. But thanks to my sassy yet pure bestfriend for offering a scholarship and work, he can now fulfill his halted dream.
"The only room on the third floor is perfect for him. It's still true to your house, so that's a blessing. You have enough reason to use the binoculars, "he added. Loud laughter followed.
The mixture of my face immediately changed. She really thought I liked that man. E we quarrel even more with each other than the chance to reconcile.
"Your idea is stupid," I struggled.
"Just admit that you feel for him. Your eyes can't lie Gee. "
"Stop being Amira. Let's start studying, "I turned back to the materials that will be used to answer the assignments.
"Where are we?"
"In our house," he laughed in response.
"I'm asking about the subject."
"Just kidding ... We're still on gross income."
"So, Mr. Madrigal is a resident citizen. Here are the following data for the taxable year twenty-eighteen, "I pointed to his book with information on the problem that must be solved. "We have the gross sales here, minus the sales discounts, equal to net sales. And then, minus again to cost of sales. That will result in gross income ... It's easy isn't it? " my eyes averted to her.
"Yes?" he wasn't sure of the answer. "How can that be again? You speak too fast, "he scratched his neck. That's how to avoid looking in fear that equals the intensity of my gaze.
"You just didn"t really listen. Pinch his groin, "I added, pinching him.
"Left or right?"
Only sigh I could answer here. She's hopeless, this is damn frustrating! Hinampak, lahi ra jud.
It's like I just want to go home and sneeze ...
"You're really demonized," I said, failing to stand up. "Answer your assignment alone, from now on we won't know each other," I said without saying goodbye on my way out. Not to go home, but to take a break.
I always say almost the same words to Kiesha every time I teach here. So I know this scenario is normal for him.
I took my phone and airpods out of my sling bag. We turned our quiet house for a moment, before heading to the hammock in the Alfano family's garden. It's my favorite spot in this household. The energy is as imaginative as the place. Here, it is so delicious to pretend to be a beautiful fairy surrounded by flowers.
I first searched spotify for the current favorite song, when I landed on the favorite spot.
"I'm not gonna fight back what I've become," I sang along. "Yeah I got bruises where I came from. But I wouldn't change if I could restart. I'm not going to hide these beautiful scars, "I looked up at the sky to see the stars shining brightly.
Unsatisfied, he lay down, holding the rope on both sides of the wooden chair so as not to fall. It started swinging as I lifted my feet up. Losing the burden ... The sweetness of the feeling!
"I've been going way hard on myself," I continued the song. "Guess that it"s the reason I"ve been feeling like hell. But I wouldn't change if I could restart, I ain't- "
Hitting what was hard on my head stopped me. Startled so unexpectedly released from the hold. Bermuda immediately smashed my head and back, while my feet just rested on the cradle.
"Aray naman," I closed my eyes for a while while dealing with the pain of the body. I think my brain cells have disappeared in the right place. Will I get amnesia and be even more innocent of things?
Dad, I really managed to insert that despite what was happening.
The image of Zion disgusted me when I opened my eyes again. He was sitting on my head holding the-
I shifted on my position. Slowly get up, then face it.
"What happened to you?" I wondered. From his troubled face, his gaze dropped to his own weapon in his hand.
I'm not the one who caused that, am I? I'm just having fun here.
"You did ... ummm," he couldn't finish what he was going to say.
"My head hit that head?" nothing of my own pointed at his chin, when that was just such a violent breathing and alertness.
"Why are you there?" I no longer knew what to do. When she loses hope of having children it's really my fault.

"I would have told you soon to break the rope of the cradle. You may still be injured, "he struggled to stand up.
"I hope you're just in the front so I can notice right away."
"Hey, your foot will hit me too," his stared daggers at me.
"I still hit you in the head!" I exclaimed.
"You did hit me head," he pursed his lips.
"What do you want me to do?" I got on my knees, then subconsciously caressed his thing while thinking of some possible solutin to help him ease the pain.
I once read in an article the problem of men when hit. Aside from pain, guys can also possibly feel nauseated for a short time.
Maybe a pain releiver or ice pack can help?
"Geline Neilani Gavino!" it suddenly sighed. Cause of my shock. "What the packing tape are you even thinking?" he shoved my hand away.
Only then did I realize where the sinful hand had reached.
"What have I done?" my face quickly warmed up.
"You ..." he just shrugged his shoulders at what to say next.
"Sorry."
"Tsk!" he rolled his eyes.
"I'm sorry, why are you still angry?"
"None of your business," his jaw slightly tensed.
How can we get along if he's so rude, right? And how can I like someone like him? I want a matured and successful man. Your more handsome, kinder, sexier!
"None of your business," I mocked.
Suddenly the eye went to the slightly darkened part of his cheek. Something that was thought to be dirt before, but now seen up close, it has also been confirmed.
Before that, as well as the wound on the side of his lip with a little blood.
I automatically lost my temper here. Replaced by astonishment and unabashed concern. Didn"t he say he just had a fight so left earlier? He lied to my bestfriend ...
"What happened to you?" humalukipkip ako.
"Nothing," he was about to turn around, but I quickly grabbed his hand to stop him from making the thought of running away.
"Tell me, how can I trust you when there are so many hidden secrets? We are not playing mistery game here for your information, "I raised my eyebrow.
"Just don't trust me, don't think about me, and especially don't think of things that will motivate you to recognize me," he let go from my grip.
A cold stare was the last shot, before I left.
How is that? I became even more curious about his personality. This isn't healthy ...
To be continued...