Chapter 50

"Geline!"
"Neilani!"
"Gavino!"
Consecutive calls of a familiar voice from below.
I quickly stood up to preview it. As expected, it was Hans. Under the sky's pouring grace, holding a box of cake and balloons on the other hand. He was also wearing a headband with happy birthday written on it.
Of all the people, he was my most unexpected first greeting. I never told him about my birthday, how did he-
"Get down there! We're going to eat at my friend's house because it's his birthday!"
Oh ... So it wasn't for me.
'All right Geline, you still hope'.
I was sad to go down. There seemed to be no life in the too slow walking and emotions one by one disappearing into the system.
I suddenly don't want to feel anything. I am so tired catching up with the emotions playing on every part of me.
"I can't be with you. Please tell your friend, happy birthday," I said after the smiling Hans opened the door.
He"s the only one I often get along with on every walk, every fight.
He was temporarily fired from his job for interfering in the case of the Alfano family, which was not assigned to him. Yet it still continues to help.
He was silently doing a separate investigation with me. Kiesha didn't even know about it. So far ... we already have found out some spicy stories, hidden only within our knowledge for now.
Kiesha will definitely be surprised. I just feel like I still can't believe it.
I know there is something going on with them, judging from the way they exchange glances. But I just try to ignore it.
It doesn't seem easy to believe that brother Gideon and sister Kianna have a secret relationship.
We have a hard time proving this because until now I have not been able to find the right time to talk to my older brother. But based on the concerns he has shown in recent days, and CCTV footage of the two of them together in the same hotel, it seems impossible to imagine that no one is intervening between them.
We only know about the footage. Hans managed to get it from a friend who happened to work in that hotel as a member of security team. We begged him not to tell others what we had found out. If possible, delete such footage from their system.
It cannot be seen by the public, especially by the authorities and opponents today. Because they will definitely only use it as new evidence to implicate the wrong person in the case.
And that wrong person is my brother.
If he happened to be responsible in this mess, I will personally escort him to the police station. So he could pay for what he have done. But if not, I will still sing it. He needs to tell me everything about him and ate Kia.
I am so curious at how and when they had such intimacy. What is their true state?
"Happy birthday ... It's over."
I was pulled back in reality.
"Huh?" I crossed my arms over my chest.
"You're just going to wish my friend a happy birthday, aren't you? This is ... Happy birthday!"
My mouth fell slightly open. Extremely confused by his response.
"Who is your friend who has a birthday today?"
"You."
I paused for a moment. Now, I finally got his point. Oh my God!
"I thought-" I covered my mouth. Shocked, along with the desire to be overwhelmed by inexplicable emotions.
"I scrolled through your FB account earlier and saw some greetings from your facebook friends."
I no longer open my Facebook. Nowadays, only books and hospitals are really in front.
"Thank you ..."
I didn't hug him myself. Too tight, I feel like it"s choked. Although he did not want to complain.
"Now, it's time to smile on your birthday," he whispered on my ears.
I was about to walk away when a lump caught my eye.
He was standing right in front of a tree, besides Alfano's residence. It was a bit dark in his place, so not immediately visible. Even so, the slight moaning of its mouth and an angry look became clear to my eyes.
His hands were both placed on his back, as if hiding something. But it did not last long in place. He simply threw something in the back, then got on the motorbike and drove away.
"Is that Zi?" Hans curiously asked after we both pulled away from the hug.
"Let's follow-"
I hadn't finished what to say, when he held my hand tightly. It prevents me from making the imagined plan.
"Don't," he exclaimed in a serious voice, "Don't forget what he has done ..."
The scene became more chaotic over many more days. The formerly colorful world has become dark. The meaningful river that was supposed to be just for fun, is now filled with mourning tears.
All stages fade, dreams crumble. Because of wrong decision, wrong perspective and stance.
One mistake caused a huge gap.
Ate Kianna was found hanging on the ceiling inside her room, days after her discharged from the hospital. They said it was due to trauma and depression. But what triggered her emotion? It was obviously because of those four rich and known to be influential suspects.
Even my aunt already knows. Cause we all have more grief. Justice has not been served for Ate Kia, and Auntie has also failed to protect.
And to make sure that no one in the Alfano family will be able to get up to continue the fight, even Tito has been targeted by the opponents.
He was sent to jail for smuggling, provided with fabricated evidences.
All photographs used were simply made and not actually taken. Tito is unlikely to do anything bad because compared to others, he is one of the few people with principles and convictions. He always stands for right.
It hurts not only Kiesha, but also for me the horrible fate of the formerly whole and happy family. Her pain is also mine, her agony is twice catastrophic for me.
I slowly opened the gate of their quiet house, while recalling the past ... The unforgettable moments that the two families formed in its very place.
We usually celebrate christmas and new year together. It has become a tradition, so it seems that the celebration is lacking if not together.
Thinking about those moments made me want to cry. If only I could turn back time, I would make sure that Ate Kia would be blocked on the road just to prevent her from leaving the night she met her supposed friends.
It all started because of that goddamn meet-together.
I went straight to their garden to look at the flowers that my aunt had planted for the last time.
Kiesha is going to sell this house, with Tito's approval.
To leave, not to completely forget the memories. I will leave because every time I see the painful moments come back. Ate Kia's suffering, her cries, even begging her to stop breathing. And it had been halting us to move forward.
Kiesha bought a condo near our new place. We are supposed to be neighbors somehow.
We are also selling our house, to pay for our debt. This time, we no longer owed money to the bank, but to my sister Kianna.
We only recently learned that a million had been paid. The debt and interest are paid by ate Kia herself. It was supposedly a surprise for my birthday, but her tragic ending happened.
We don't know what she have done to cognize our huge dilemma and how she managed to pay it without our knowledge. But just like Kiesha, she also has a way for everything.
It is not possible for us to be grateful for what he did for the rest of our lives. So everyone decided to just sell the house and give the money to Kiesha who currently owns all the property they have.
It could at least help her bring back AF Enterprise, that is now managed by Fergus Da Silva. One of the ones we suspect is guilty.
I once wonder why his name was so familiar to me. But then when I saw Jake Moralde, I eventually remembered him as the guy in white that my bestfriend have fought with at the beach during our break last time.
If I only knew he was a bad person, I would have just let Kiesha slap him.
In the distance, I could see the familiar image of the man hugging the only thing he didn't want to give to others. The only thing that reminds him of Ate Kia.
Brother Gideon was sitting on the hammock, stunned again.
Almost every day I catch up with him here. Always in this state.
"What it feels like to be left behind, without bidding a proper goodbye?" I asked as I sat on the ground, in front of him.
"It hurts so much ..." he replied reluctantly, "It hurts even more if you don't even tell the truth."
"Really feel? You fell in love, but had to show it in a very different way," I pouted.
Ever since my sister Kia disappeared and my older brother was seen in a very sad image, I have also confirmed what I have long concluded. Back then, he still wanted it. But in order not to be noticed, the feeling is passed on through mock anger and teasing. Numb, but when he was ready to admit, this is what happened.
I am so sure he have already confessed. Sad enough, he can never hear ate Kia's response.
Why is it like this? Why does it seem like how much pain mama went through then, twice as much as her children ...
Kuya Gordon, before marrying his wife, first had to go through hell.
A large scar from the left eye to the ear served as a sign of the accident that occurred when he was chasing the woman, who was rejected several times. Yet it did not stop chasing. Leaving work and moving to the island where life is more difficult just for sister Azalea who at that time could not give even a little love. The ordeal that his older brother faced became even more severe when even his parents did not accept him because of his state of life. And finally, it almost died after that woman pushed the boat back to the city.
Now I still wonder why despite the painful things he went through, he was still able to love and marry Ate Aza. She's kind and really beautiful.
Even so, it could not cover from my view the illnesses he had caused to his brother.
I'm afraid that my love life might end in tragedy.
"She was pregnant before it happened."
My traveling spirit immediately returned to reality. He quickly looked up at his older brother Gideon.
Did I heard it right?
"And I'm the father ..."
Huh ?! Is what I heard correct?
My mouth half-opened ... My mind couldn't seem to process the unexpected revelation.
"Congratulations!"
"You made it ..."
"We made it," I corrected.
Today, we are finally cutting ties with all the school works, the need to study everyday, regular visit to the university and tuition fees.
This is only temporary for us, future educators. But at least we are not called students by then. Instead, a teacher.
Today is one of the happiest days I consider. And it would have been even happier if Kiesha was here, to attend our graduation.
Almost every day he huddled in his own condominium, or secretly investigated his brother's case.
"Where are we now?"
"Where else, e 'not in the club!"
"Pass me," I winced slightly.
I can't totally enjoy this day, knowing that my bestfriend was still grieving out there. I'll just go with him to his condo now.
"Are you sure?" Max raised an brow.
"We gotta celebrate your latin honor ..."
I also reached the recognition that mama wanted for me. I graduated with flying colors, Summa Cum Laude.
I have never failed my own family. By willingly reaching the dream, it and no remorse took place.
As the days passed, I faced a license. Will work, then chase the real dream. The profession has always been a cry of emotion.
I want to be a scientist. Sooner or later, I believe I can be someone I wish to become.
"Next time," I laughed.
Suddenly the gaze focused on the man approaching. It looks like she's also wearing a Gown and can't hide the beauty of her newly cut hair. A clean-cut hair that emphasized how hard and defined his jaw was.

I can never deny how I missed him, real much!
He became more masculine compared to what I have remembered.
It has also been a long time since we last met. I can't figure out what other kind of training and examination they do. While we are also busy taking care of the requirements of the past to ensure completion.
"Congratulations," he stretched his arm towards me.
That's how shocked I was at the unexpected scene. Yes, I saw him approaching, but I thought he had a different intention.
I am with Nica, Max and the other circle of friends, greeting each other a happy ending of this college journey. Maybe Zi really wants to greet others, and not me.
"Thank you?" I awkwardly answered, "Congrats too."
In a few days of avoiding each other, our paths also met again. He was the coldest, yet has the most capability of breaking the ice.
Something that should really happen. Because first and foremost, I was the one who was rebuked, the one who was insulted, and the one who was hurt.
It seems right that I should ignore him first, until I apologize. But now I realize there is still room for the system to feel overwhelmed.
I shyly reached out his hand. A strange voltage of electricity was suddenly felt, after he squeezed his palm.
If you want to, retreat, you can't because your strong grip is holding you back.
I felt like any moment from now, I'll melt at the graze of his warmth. The past cold days were automatically replaced by life. Finally coloring again.
I gave her a small smile
Forced to hide the tickle currently feeling.
In an instant, I didn"t seem to want to be content with just simply applying our hands together. I closed the gap between us, and immediately wrapped my arms around his waist.
If this is what they call instability, that's up to you. I am loving the feeling of being around the person I want to spend my whole life with. Though for him, it's probably the other way around.
"You alright?" he asked in a whisper, as he gently tied his arms around my body. Tighter hugs are given back.
"Why did you just show up today?"
"I am busy with training."
"You"re avoiding," it"s better to say I"m honest than to ask.
"You too ah?" I felt his lips simply apply to my head, "But I couldn't blame you though."
"Maybe you now know the truth."
I heard no answer from him. He let out a deep sigh, then walked away.
"Sorry," he said after a while.
Finally he also said the word I had been waiting to hear.
"I hope we can still be friends."
'I want more than that ...'
If only I could say that. But I'm not yet so brave to admit it.
Diamond rule: Graduation, before boys, achieved!
I can have a relationship now. But how can it happen, if the only person who wants is to offer love to others?
Does this literally mean, even without rule, no boys will come to chase after me?
I can never consider Hans as a suitor. He was more of an older brother, and I am just a sister to him. Whereas for Zion, I'd love him to be mine. If only I could confidently demand ...
"Let me think about it," the only words I said before turning my back. Not to walk away, but to hide a pain.
Just a friend really?
"I'm going home to the province later ... With Martha."
Martha ...
Martha ...
MARTHA!
Is it still alive? What kind of drama is he staging again, so until now Zi can't get away?
It would be bad if it was bad, but I once thought about what that woman's coffin and grave would be. Is it because of the roughness of the habit, he becomes the dirt of the world.
"Really?" I face again. Wearing a forced smile, "Are you going to live there?"
"I'll just be with her there for a while. She needs to take a long break from the urban's pollution."
"Are you coming back?" now I can't help but express my sadness.
For the second time, I hear nothing in response.
"I'm fine," I lied.
Of course, that wouldn't be okay!
"And definitely the same with Kiesha. You also have your own life, your own issues, so go on ..."
"Ummm," he nodded.
'But can't I stop you?'
'At least for a week oh, you're mine first ...'
'Am I the only one you want? I can surely treat you better '
Just a few of the words playing in my brain.
I don't want him to go. But I don't know how to make him stay either.
This is difficult...
"Zi?"
'Can I tell?'
"Hmmm?"
He just kept staring at me. Waiting for the next words.
'I like you. Please stay with me '
That's only seven words. Easy to imagine, but very hard to say.
"I ... li-"
"Neilani!"
We both focused on the man approaching, along with my older brother who unexpectedly became his friend after the tragedy that befell his sister Kia.
I took a temporary break of our secret investigation. Hans and Kuya Gideon can never do the same. They reconciled because of the problem, because both cases want to be solved.
"Congrats!" both of them offered a bouquet of flowers.
Hans has chocolates, Pikachu designed stuff toys for his older brother. They both look back and forth between the two of us and Zion, seemingly not knowing what to think. Especially Hans who was the first to know what had happened.
I approached them quickly.
If it weren't for the bad punch, they would have gotten sick of me.
They appeared in a very wrong time. When would I have the strength to admit ...
It's now or never ... But 'Now' eventually turned into ashes. So Never", unfortunately prevailed.
To be continued....