Jay-jay's POV
"...how many months has it been?" I asked the person on the other end.
"Seven months. Please, Jay, just agree to it. It won't be right away, maybe next week."
I grimaced. I wanted to refuse, but it would be embarrassing. Besides, it's not like Grace has any other friends. Of course, she got pregnant early, and on top of that, she has a sharp tongue.
"Why don't you go with her instead?"
"She said she's tired of always being with me. I'm too impatient, apparently."
"I don't know about you. Fine. Just tell me when, so I can ask for permission ahead of time."
"Thanks, Jay! Grace will be happy about this."
He said goodbye before ending the call. I let out a deep sigh.
So, she's seven months pregnant now. It feels like just yesterday when we found out she was expecting. That means her belly was already a few months along back then.
And they were still fighting.
Yesterday, she said her pregnancy was sensitive. She could barely move properly because she was always lying down or sitting to rest. It was only recently that the doctor allowed her to go out of the house.
And guess what?
They asked for my permission to use my name, "Jay," for their baby. If it's a girl, she'll be just as beautiful as I am. If it's a boy—oh, God! I hope he doesn't turn out to be a troublemaker. That would be a huge headache.
I looked toward the door when I heard a knock, followed by it opening. My brother, Kuya Angelo, appeared, fully dressed.
"Ready?" he asked.
I nodded and put my phone in my pocket. He walked ahead, and I followed. When we reached the living room, everyone was already there—Tita Gema, Tito Julz, Aries, Kuya Angelo, and me.
"Are we eating after mass?" I asked, and I heard soft laughter from Tito Julz and Tita Gema.
"We haven't even left, and you're already thinking about food," Aries said, pulling me by the arm.
We walked outside and got into the white van, with him still holding onto my arm. I glanced around inside. Just in case we had someone secretly harvesting organs with us, and I didn't know.
Aries looks like he'd be one of them.
Tita Gema sat beside the driver, while Tito Julz took the wheel. Kuya sat next to me. It felt weird. It was just like New Year's Eve when they suddenly announced that engagement.
I suddenly felt nervous. Hopefully, nothing big was happening today.
I looked at Kuya Angelo and Aries one after the other. They looked like police officers watching over a criminal trying to escape.
I may be a rice-crust thief, but I'm no criminal.
I ignored them and grabbed my phone to play a game. I just kept tapping, not even bothering to look at the road. Traffic was light since it was Sunday, so I knew the trip wouldn't take long.
And I was right—before I could even reach the second level of my game, the vehicle came to a stop.
Tito and Tita got out first, followed by Kuya. I was about to get out too, but then I froze.
This wasn't a church.
Since when did a hospital become a church? I looked at Kuya Angelo, who was staring at me seriously. Tita and Tito were waiting to see if I would step out, while Aries grabbed my hand.
"Why are we here? Is this a new church design?" I asked innocently, even though I already knew the answer.
"Get out, Jay." Kuya's voice was calm but firm.
I shook my head. I saw Tita Gema step closer and place a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's not force her. She's not ready yet," she said.
Kuya turned to face her, and they talked.
"Jay, try to understand. We're doing this for you," Aries said, giving me a little push.
I quickly steadied myself and grabbed onto the seat so he couldn't push me any further.
"I don't want to. I know what you're planning," I said, resisting as his pushes got stronger. "You're planning to send me to a mental institution. I may be full of nonsense, but I'm not crazy!"
He suddenly stopped pushing me.
"Idiot! Why would we send you to your real home?"
Real home? A mental institution is my real home?
"Are you insane?! Since when—" I didn't get to finish my sentence because he suddenly shoved me hard.
I wasn't prepared, so I fell straight out of the vehicle, landing with a loud thud. Kuya, who was standing by the door talking, looked startled.
"Owww…" I groaned as pain shot through my back and elbow.
"Aries! Your sister got hurt," Tita Gema scolded, rushing to help me up.
"Good job," I heard Kuya say to Aries.
You bastard!
I clutched my elbow as I stood up properly. People were staring at me, which made me self-conscious. I must have looked ridiculous. I wish I had just blacked out when I hit the ground. Or maybe hit my head hard enough to forget all of this embarrassment.
I bowed my head and rubbed my elbow. Tita held onto me as we walked inside the hospital. People were still staring, as if I was some kind of fool.
Excuse me? I was pushed, okay?
"Let's go to the E.R. first," Tito Julz said, turning down a hallway.
But I immediately stopped.
"No, please. I'd rather rest at home. Let's just go back," I pleaded, stepping back.
But then I felt a presence behind me.
I tilted my head slightly and was met with Kuya's dark expression. I immediately stepped away from him.
"K-Kuya… Let's just go home," I begged.
He shook his head. "You need this."
"Kuya…" My tone was still pleading, but he kept walking.
I knew the real reason we were here. They wanted me to see a psychiatrist. They were going to force me to talk about my dreams. They'd probably hypnotize me, like in those crime shows.
Tita put an arm around me. "Don't be scared. This is for your own good."
We walked together to follow Kuya. I knew Tito Julz and my dear brother—who I would love to punch—were right behind us. I kept rubbing my elbow from the lingering pain.
Damn you, Horoscope.
We stopped in front of a door. There was a label on the side with the doctor's name and title.
I immediately grabbed Tita's shirt. "I don't want to, Tita."
I felt Kuya's hand on my arm, pulling me toward the door. I didn't want to cause a scene, so I resisted subtly, even though I was ready to fight.
"Kuya…"
"Angelo. Maybe we should do this another time—" Tita suggested, but Kuya cut her off.
"No, Ma. We've already given her enough time," he said, still pulling me toward the door.
He knocked, and when a voice from inside gave permission, he opened it. A woman with short, curly hair and thick-framed glasses greeted us with a smile.
"Angelo." She acknowledged Kuya before standing up to welcome us. "Nice to see you and your family. I thought you'd be arriving later."
I felt Kuya's grip tighten. It was starting to hurt. The woman turned to me. I saw the nametag on her left chest pocket—Dra. Peralta.
"You must be Jasper Jean. I'm Dr. Claudia Peralta," she introduced herself, offering her hand.
Instead of shaking it, I grabbed onto Kuya's arm.
"Your hand! You're hurting me!" I complained, and he immediately let go.
Even the doctor in front of us was startled by my reaction.
I frowned while rubbing the part of my arm he had gripped. I wasn't going to run away, but he was holding on too tightly.
"Angelo?" The doctor asked, as if questioning why he did that.
My brother just coughed and slightly bowed his head. The doctor turned back to me with a smile, leveling with me.
"Please be patient with your brother—"
"I know. You don't have to say it," I cut her off.
I heard them all scold me at the same time. I couldn't even understand them because they were all speaking at once.
They were using different languages.
"It's fine. Maybe you should all sit down first," the doctor said to us.
Suddenly, someone grabbed me and forcibly pulled me to sit on the long sofa next to Aunt Gema. When I looked to see who it was, I was met with Aries' frowning face.
I quickly shoved his hand away. I was still annoyed at him after he pushed me out of the car. It would've been fine if I hadn't fallen flat on my face—I might have forgiven him then. But no, that's not what happened. A lot of people saw me, and there was even a chance that a CCTV caught everything.
I wasn't ready to become famous because of my own stupidity. For sure, people would start fighting over me. I'd get endorsements, become a brand ambassador, then land a commercial. Eventually, I'd be cast in a series and a movie, and when I became famous enough, Miss Jessica Soho would interview me. I'd join in with the crowd shouting, "Feature this on KMJS!"
And all of that would happen because I tripped and fell.
Sometimes, we really need imagination to save ourselves from embarrassment. It was just a way to make myself feel better after looking like an action star earlier, drawing attention from everyone. My back and elbow still hurt, but what hurt even more was my pride—I think I left it outside.
Damn you, horoscope! Damn you!
"Jay." My brother's voice made me look up. "She's talking to you. Answer her," he said, gesturing toward the doctor.
I glanced at the doctor for a moment before lowering my head and playing with my nails. They were getting long—I needed an instant nail cutter.
"Are you comfortable with your family here, or would you prefer privacy?" she asked me.
"It's fine," I replied lifelessly.
"Let's just stay here. I also want to hear what she has to say," my brother chimed in.
"We should consider her feelings first," the doctor countered.
This doctor has an attitude.
"Whatever. Just do what you need to do," my brother ordered.
I glanced at them subtly. The doctor's expression was firm, while my brother Angelo was glaring at her. It felt like these two had known each other for a long time.
The doctor rolled her eyes at him before grabbing her notes and facing me again. I lowered my head and continued fiddling with my nails.
"Is it okay if I call you Jay-jay?" she asked.
I nodded and brought my nails closer to my face to see them clearly.
What is this?!
There was a white substance under my nail.
"Can you tell me about yourself?" she asked again, but I ignored her.
I was more focused on whatever I had just dug out from under my nail. What was this thing? Was it dirt? But why was it white?
Dirt is usually dark and comes from the body. I hadn't been scratching my body. My head, maybe—but that usually led to finding lice or ants. On lucky days, I might even find another insect.
Maybe this is how rich people's dirt looks. Even their grime is classy. Maybe living in Aunt's house made my filth look expensive too.
The question is...
Does it taste the same as regular dirt?
Lately, I haven't been getting much dirt on my body because I've been showering more often. Unlike before, when I could go to school without taking a bath. A special talent.
"Jay," my brother called threateningly.
Did he also want to taste the dirt?
I peeked at the doctor before sighing. I really didn't want to talk about my life. What was I supposed to tell her? Who was she, anyway?
"Jay-jay," the doctor called gently. "I know you're uncomfortable, but you can trust me."
"What exactly do you want to hear?" I asked.
"Things that happened to you. We need to know so we can find a solution to your problem."
I laughed bitterly at her words. I didn't like the way she spoke—it made me feel like an idiot.
"I'm an illegitimate child," I said, and I saw the slight shock on her face. "My father was already married when he met my mother. I'm the result of a sin and should never have been born."
"Jay!" Aunt Gema scolded me. "You shouldn't—"
"She wants to hear everything. So I told her—"
"Your mother didn't know he was married!" Aunt interrupted me. I saw the disappointment on her face. "She only found out later."
I suddenly felt ashamed. I had always thought my mother knew from the start that my father was married. Percy and I never had a proper conversation about it, so I had assumed she knew.
And then I even got mad at her.
"It's okay. That's a good start," the doctor said.
Honestly, I'd been irritated with her for a while now. Her tone annoyed me, like she thought she could solve all my problems.
"Just say what you remember—or your dreams," my brother ordered.
The dream I had suddenly entered my mind. My breathing grew heavier, and I became uncomfortable. I didn't want to remember it—let alone talk about it. I hated how I felt.
I wanted to leave.
I shook my head. "I-I want to go home," I said and immediately stood up.
Aries and Aunt stood up as well. Just as I was about to head to the door, someone grabbed my arm tightly. When I turned to see who it was, I was met with my brother's furious glare.
"How long are you going to keep running away?!" he yelled.
"Angelo. Let her go," the doctor warned.
I struggled to remove his grip, but he grabbed my other arm with his other hand.
"Brother, please let her go," Aries pleaded.
"Jay! You need to remember!" my brother shouted.
I couldn't hold it in anymore—I started crying. "I-I don't want to."
"Angelo! Don't force—"
The doctor didn't get to finish her sentence because my brother spoke again.
"Jim Alcantara, Tony Dela Cruz, Alex Ramos. Don't you remember anything about them?!" he shouted.
My heart suddenly pounded in my chest. If earlier, I was just struggling to breathe, now, I literally couldn't. I clutched my chest as my shoulders rose and fell erratically.
"J-Jay!" Aunt called and pushed my brother away.
"I-I can't… I-I can't breathe," I said, desperately searching for something to hold onto.
They all started to panic, rushing to support me. I couldn't help but feel terrified as I gasped for air, tears still streaming down my face.
"She's hyperventilating," the doctor said, and I felt someone carry me.
"Breathe," my brother instructed as he hurriedly carried me out. "Keep breathing."
One hand clutched my chest while the other gripped his shirt. I couldn't see his face clearly through my tears. I was starting to feel dizzy from the lack of air.
He laid me down on a bed, and when he tried to move away, I didn't let go of his shirt that I had been clutching all this time.
"D-Don't..." I pleaded.
I felt the presence of several people moving closer to me. I couldn't see who they were anymore, but I could feel them attaching some sort of devices to me.
My brother removed my hand that was clinging to him. "Ssshh... I'll be here. You'll be fine."
He was about to let me go, but I reached for his hand again. I wanted to scream at him and tell him not to leave me. This was his fault, after all.
His grip on my hand tightened. "Forgive me. I didn't know this would happen to you." I could tell he was serious and sincere in his apology.
I let go on my own. Hearing those words from him was enough.
Sometimes, I thought that my brother really disliked me—that he probably didn't want me around, just like my other cousins. He treated me differently, as if I were some kind of mistake.
But now, what he said was enough for me to understand that he actually cared.
They were doing things I couldn't understand. I didn't even try to figure it out because my vision suddenly went dark.
I had no idea how long I was unconscious, but when I woke up, I heard my brother talking to—if I wasn't mistaken—Doctor Claudia.
I moved slightly. My body felt so heavy, as if I had weights on both my shoulders. I was still dizzy, so I decided not to move just yet. I also felt feverish, and there was an oxygen mask on my face.
Why do I have this? I didn't have one earlier.
"This is your fault. Acting like you know better than me. Are you a doctor?" Doctor Claudia said in irritation.
"Shut up, Claudia." My brother responded.
"She had an anxiety attack, and you just want me to sit back and shut up? Come on, Angelo, maybe you should tone down your cruelty a bit."
"You don't understand. She needs to remember. How is she supposed to face her problems if she keeps running away from them?" he defended.
"Don't compare that child to yourself. She will learn in her own way."
"And when is that? When everything is too late?"
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Things need to move quickly. Her mom is in danger. Those people are twisting the case against her. If Jay-jay could remember, the case against them could finally proceed."
Mom? A case against her?
Is that why my brother is rushing me? Because of Mom?
I don't understand what's happening. I had no idea there was a case involving her. But what is it about? And who are the people my brother is talking about?
What really happened?