Jay-jay's POV
Jay-jay's POV
"I don't want to do this anymore! Why are you forcing me?" I said, nearly in tears.
"Just solve this one," he said, pointing at the math problem on the paper.
I was hunched over, facing him. I was this close to begging that we stop reviewing. It had already been two hours, and yet here we were, still stuck on Math with all its endless problems. Math really loves creating problems only to make others solve them. You're amazing, Math. Truly amazing.
"Is this the last one?" I asked, annoyed.
"The last one. I promise. Then we'll turn to the next topic — English."
"Let's skip English. I've already learned a lot from you."
"Like what?"
"Like what?" I mimicked him.
He chuckled slightly. "Nice try."
"Nice try," I repeated, copying even his voice.
He shot me a sharp look but was still smiling. I gave him a teasing look in return.
"Enough with the game" he said, clearly trying to test me..
I tried to suppress my grim, but it kept slipping out. I knew he knew what I was about to do.
What, huh? What?
"Enough—!" I didn't finish mimicking him and let out a loud squeal because he suddenly pinched my side.
But he didn't stop there. He kept tickling my sides relentlessly. I tried grabbing his hands to stop him, but I was too weak from laughing.
"Stop it!" I shouted while laughing.
"Still copying me?"
I was already lying on the floor, making it even easier for him to tickle me.
"No! No! Stop it!"
Thank goodness he listened and stopped. He was still laughing as he looked at me. Meanwhile, I was exhausted and out of breath from laughing and dodging his hands.
"I give up. I'll be good now," I pleaded.
He was still smiling as he looked at me. It seemed like he was sweating too from all his mischief.
"Water?" he offered.
I nodded, and he stood up to go to the kitchen. I took the chance to sit up properly and take a deep breath. It felt like I had just run a marathon. I probably burned through everything I ate at lunch.
I'm hungry again.
"Hey kwanan, bring some food!" I called out.
I fixed the table and the papers that got caught in our chaos. I had planned to throw away the paper he was making me answer if Kei—kwanan hadn't arrived, carrying water and a plate of Crema de Fruta.
"Mine," I said, hands already outstreched.
He handed it to me before placing the glass of water on the sidetable.
"Jay?" he called when he sat beside me.
I looked at him curiously while chewing.
"What's my name?"
"Watson."
"That's my surname. I'm asking about my first name."
I paused mid-bite. "Why? You don't know your name anymore?"
Does he have amnesia?
"Because you keep calling me 'kwanan.' What does that even mean'?" he asked, clearly irritated.
"It's a replacement for your name."
He frowned. "Why? What for?"
I didn't answer and just kept eating. I even turned slightly away from him because of his scrutinizing gaze.
Think, Jay.
"Jay? I'm asking you."
I still ignored him. Even though I had finished my food, I kept my focus on the plate. Then I decided to lick the leftover cream off it.
"Jay! Stop! That's gross!" Kei—kwanan scolded and tried to grab the plate, but because he couldn't reach it, he just ended up grabbing my arm.
Ew! Don't touch me!
I quickly pulled my arm away. "What?! Don't touch me!"
"What's wrong with you?" he asked, irritated.
"Just don't touch me!"
"What the hell is your problem?"
"Just don't touch me!"
"Tell me why!"
"I'M WEAK!" I shouted right in his face and turned away again.
Damn you!
I'm struggling so hard to resist and stay strong, and here you are melting the steel around my heart. So deep.
I admit I'm weak. Who wouldn't be when it comes to the one they love? Especially me—who's been waiting for him. Waiting for his explanation. There were nights I cried myself to sleep, wishing he'd come back. I kept longing for him—so I could slap him.
Of course, I needed to stay tough. How could I do that if just hearing his name makes my heart bounce? Sometimes, I feel like I'm the one being called, even when it's not my name. I just end up turning toward whoever said it. I even almost changed my name.
I almost became Kei—kwanan.
I might as well build a real wall beside me just so I wouldn't give in to him. God! It's so hard to endure this. The kind where, the moment he returned, I just wanted to run straight to him and punch him in the chest.
I need this. I really need this. For my heart that still hasn't healed yet but somehow still hopes.
"No, you're not," he said, irritating me even more.
Why, do you know better than me?
I turned to look at him, and saw his serious face fixed on me.
"Because if you were, why are you resisting me like this?"
"What do you want? For me to welcome you with open arms?" I asked sarcastically.
"No, but at least care to listen to me."
I ignored him and turned away. I busied myself with the math problem he gave me. I didn't even know if my answers were right—I was just writing random numbers at this point.
"See what I'm talking about," he said, and suddenly stood up.
Oh, Are you mad now?
I subtly followed him with my eyes. He walked straight out the door. I watched him until he reached the shoreline, but he disappeared after a few seconds.
I stood up from my seat. It seemed the sea had swept that idiot away.
I tidied the papers before heading out to follow him. The sun was at its peak, and I couldn't help but wince as the sand burned my feet. Even with slippers, I could still feel the heat seeping through.
These flip-flops must be fake.
"Kwanan!" I called out to him, but no one answered.
I walked around, thinking he might just be nearby. I even peeked behind the trees in case he had climbed one and was hiding from me.
"Kwanan!" I called again, but still nothing.
Until I spotted someone standing on top of the big rock—the one I ran to yesterday. I approached it and tried to get a better look from below.
"Kwanan! So you're here after all!" I said, but he didn't even glance my way.
He probably didn't hear me. I tried climbing to get closer to where he was, but I was only halfway up when he started walking toward the edge of the rock.
"Hey! Kwanan!"
"That's not my name," he said, his voice barely a whisper to my ears.
"What?"
"My name's not Kwanan," he clarified.
I hurried my climb. My knees got scraped several times from rushing. When I reached the top, the damn King of the Serpents was already at the edge. I took slow, careful steps because of the jagged stones.
If I trip on a bone, I'll bash his head with it.
"Hey! Kwanan!" I called out as I walked toward him.
He turned to me, visibly annoyed. "Stop calling me that."
I pouted a little because he really seemed genuinely pissed. I paused for a moment when I noticed he wasn't wearing a shirt. His bare skin was on full display and... uh-la-la.
Get a grip, get a grip.
"W-what's your problem?" I asked, trying to pull myself together.
"Say my name," he ordered.
"Why?"
"What's wrong with my name?"
"Why are you forcing me to say your name?"
He shook his head, as if he was running out of patience. He turned slightly and started to step away.
"This is pointless—fvck!"
"KEIFER!" we both shouted at the same time as he slipped and fell.
Waaaaaah! Idiot!
I rushed to where he had stood and tried to peer down. Even if he fell into water, it was still dangerous.
Where is he?
My eyes widened when his body floated up, but he looked unconscious. His back surfaced first while his head still submerged. Panic surged through me—fearing something terrible had happened.
I stood up, hesitating between climbing back down the way I came or jumping straight into the water to reach him faster. But if I knocked myself out too, we'd both be done for. Sharks would feast on us.
Screw it, Batman's not here, and neither is Eman.
I pinched my nose, closed my eyes, and jumped. The water's impact stung my legs and body, but I quickly swam up and searched for Kei—Kwanan's—body. I swarm towards him as fast as I could.
I spotted the scrapes on his arm and side, most likely from hitting the rocks when he fell. I also noticed the not-yet-fully healed wound on his back. A gunshot scar.
I lifted his face out of the water and gently tapped his cheek.
"Hey! Wake up!" I pleaded desparately, but there was no response.
Hey—don't do this!
Fear tightened my chest. I didn't know what else to do. But if I didn't do anything, he might end up in worse danger.
I was on the verge of tears when I remembered what they do for drowning victims. Mouth-to-mouth resushingi—whatever it's called! That's it!
Even though I had no clue how to do it properly, I gave it a shot. I squeezed his jaw to open his mouth and leaned in to blow air into it. But I worried he might die from the smell of my breath instead.
That'd make things worse.
I pulled back to check him—still no response. I tapped his cheek again before trying the resushingi-thing once more. I was about to blow air into his mouth when suddenly, a hand grabbed the back of my neck, making our mouths press even harder together.
I immediately smacked the shameless jerk, especially when I felt his lips move.
I pushed him away with all my strength, and thankfully, he let go.
"You jerk! You are unbelievable!" I yelled, furious.
I immediately smacked the shameless jerk, especially when I felt his lips move.
"Your kiss saved me."
"Ulowl! What are you, Sleeping Beauty? Woken by a kiss?"
He shook his head and looked up at the cliff where we had fallen from. I immediately noticed the scrape on his shoulder—His slip didn't seem to have gone well.
Yeah, he did fall hard.
"You moron! If you hadn't been acting all dramatic, you wouldn't have slipped! What if you'd gotten seriously hurt, damn it?!" I scolded, but he just faced me with a grin.
"You have nothing to worry about. That's actually a great spot for cliff diving."
"Why wouldn't I worry? If you'd gotten hurt, how would I get home? Stuck here forever, watching your rotting corpse?"
He burst out laughing, loud and unrestrained. Guess I really didn't have anything to worry about. Still crazy as ever.
Still a damn snake.
"You can eat my corpse so you won't be hungry," he teased and I instantly splashed water on him.
"I'd rather starve than be a cannibal!"I snapped, rolling my eyes. "You don't seem like you'd taste good anyway."
He looked at me suggestively. "Would you like to try and taste me?"
Oh he—oh no! Eew!
"I'll drown you!" I threatened, but he just responded with loud laughter.
Annoyed, I swarm away from him. But I hadn't gotten far when something grabbed my waist.
"What the heck?!" I flailed like a fish caught in a net.
"Stay close," he said and began swimming.
Since he was still holding me, he dragged me along until we reached the shore. I climbed out first, collapsing onto the sand. I didn't care if I got covered in it.
He followed and sat beside me. I immediately noticed his leg and thigh, red and trembling. I stared at it, and that's when I realized it was a massive scrape. It looked like some parts of his skin had been peeled off.
And he had just been in salt water.
"Don't you feel that?" I asked, shocked, pointing at his leg and thigh.
He glanced at it briefly. "Of course I do. But saltwater helps disinfect it."
"Even so! That must sting like hell."
He gave a small smile. I knew he was about to say something teasing again, so I immediately stood up.
"Let's go back. You need to clean that," I said, offering my hand.
He took it and stood, and I saw him wince in pain, though he quickly masked his expression so I wouldn't notice
I don't even know why, but I felt annoyed. He did the same thing when he got shot. Why is he so afraid to show he's in pain? As if that would make him any less of a man.
He was about to take a step forward when he suddenly stopped. He didn't say anything, but I could see how pale he had become. He let out a few heavy breaths.
Should I hold the wound?
"Can't walk?" I asked irritably. "It hurts, doesn't it? Just scream it out. Stop being shy."
I quickly scanned the area for something he could use for support. All I saw were coconut fronds. Then an idea hit me.
I grabbed the biggest fronds I could find. I gathered about three and tied them together. Then I faced Kei—Kwanan—and pointed at my makeshift sled.
"Get on," I ordered.
"What?"
"Just get on."
He looked at the fronds, then looked at me with concern. "I don't think this will work."
"Just get on. I've got this," I insisted.
Though he clearly wasn't convinced, he climbed on and tried to find a comfortable position. I went to the other end, so he was facing away from me. I started pulling the fronds, but I managed one step before falling flat on my face.
Holy crap—he's heavy!
"Jay?" Kei—Kwanan—called.
"Don't fuss! I'm just stretching!"
"I can still walk—"
"No way! You're one wince away from crying in pain and you still want to walk? Shut up and stay put!"
I grabbed the ends of fronds again and pulled with all my strength. This time, I had some momentum and managed to drag it properly. Thankfully, the sand was fine, so there were no obstacles until I got him to the front of the house.
I was panting heavily as soon as I let go. I felt like I'd burned every calorie I'd eaten. Despite being soaked in seawater, I was drenched in sweat.
"Jay?" he called again.
I rushed to him when I saw him trying to stand. I helped him until he was sitting properly on the terrace's threshold.
He exhaled deeply and turned to me once I sat beside him."Are you okay? You should've just let me walk."
"We're here now, so stop complaining," I snapped, eyeing his injured leg. "We need to clean that up."
I stood up and helped him up again. "Take a bath first."
"Bathe me," he said seriously.
I nearly dropped him—not just because he spoke in Tagalog, but because of what he said. He was serious when he said it and was looking at me.
This guy is crazy.
"I'll knock you out!"
"Come on, I'm injured," he said with a laugh.
I grimaced. It was already hard enough ignoring his bare body—and now he wanted me to bathe him?! Damn it!
I didn't say anything and just helped him up the stairs. He kept muttering groans of pain under his breath.
I thought he'd have me take him to another room, but he directed me straight to the bedroom where I slept—which he also use.
I opened the bathroom door and positioned him under the shower. I let go of him and immediately went to the cabinet to find a towel, placing it on the hook near him.
"You can handle it from here. I'll leave you now" I said, and that annoying grin of his appeared again.
I'm gonna punch those teeth out.
"You don't wanna help me? How about joining me?"
I immediately grabbed the nearest bottle of lotion and pretended I was going to throw it at him.
"I'm injured! I'm injured!" he shouted, raising his hands in front of him.
"You won't stop? You're already injured, you damn, and you're still annoying me!"
He just laughed loudly. I put down the bottle of lotion and left him. I closed the bathroom door and went out of the room.
That jerk's wound needed treatment. I wasn't sure if there was even a first aid kit here. I decided to check the other rooms. In the first room, I only found a bed. The second was a bathroom. The third one was a storage room. I looked up and saw a container that looked like it had medical supplies.
I reached for it and brought it back to the room. When I opened the door, Kei—kwanan—was there, in shorts but without a shirt.
"Are you done?"
I turned to him. "Yeah."
He looked at what I was holding, so I handed it to him. "Treat your wounds. I'm going to take a shower."
He took what I gave him. I went straight to the bathroom and locked the door. I bathed and got ready. Good thing there were plenty of clothes here.
When I came out of the bathroom, he'd already treated the wounds on his leg and shoulder but was still working on his side.
"Give me that." I snatched the cotton ball he was holding and sat beside him.
He shifted slightly so the wounded side faced me. The moment I touched it, he flinched.
"I'm being gentle!" I said.
"I know."
I continued with what I was doing. Thankfully, I finished without hearing any complaints from him. I helped him put on his clothes.
"There! See? Next time, don't be so reckless!" I scolded, and he rolled his eyes at me.
"This is your fault. Because you keep calling me kwanan."
Oh wow.
I poked his wound on his arm. He almost screamed in pain. I shot him a glare when he looked at me with a scowl.
"Whose fault is it?"
"M-me."
I gave him a fake sweet smile. "You can't win. I've got your wound in my hands."
"And my heart."
Oh, damn.
I frowned at him. He really couldn't stop himself from throwing lines.
"You know too much. I'll handle dinner. I'd feel bad making you do it."
"What will you cook?"
"Anything, as long as it can be fried."
He grimaced. "I think there's a frozen fish in the freezer. Defrost it and cook the way you want."
I just nodded and left the room. I went straight to the kitchen and approached the refrigerator. I found the fish he was talking about. I took it out and put it in the sink to run water over it.
While waiting for the ice to melt, I prepared everything I needed. I heated the pan and turned on the stove. Once the pan was hot, I poured in the oil. I went back to the fish, but the ice still hadn't melted.
I couldn't help but laugh a little when the water from the faucet hit right into the fish's mouth.
"Poor thing. You're already drowned," I said, opening its mouth wider.
I decided to play with the fish some more. I made it "swim" in the water, forcing its mouth open to let the stream flow in. Then I thought to block the sink's drain to make the water deeper, submerging all the fish.
It is all drowned now.
I paused when I smelled something burning. I ignored it and went back to the "drowning" fish.
"JAY-JAY! BEHIND YOU!" Kei—kwanan's loud shout startled me.
When I looked behind me, the pan was on fire. I panicked and, out of fear, used my hands to scoop water from the sink and splash it on the flames, but that only made the fire grow bigger.
I screamed when the flames almost reached the ceiling.
"Fire! Fire!" I shouted, about to run out, but Kei—Kwanan met me, and pulled off his shirt.
He dunked it in the water-filled sink and threw it flat onto the burning pan.
I was frozen, unable to move even after the fire was out, still gripped by fear.
Breathing hard, The King of Snakes approached me, limping.
He hugged me. "Sshh... It's okay. No one got hurt."
My arms naturally wrapped around him. And then my tears spilled out on their own. I cried from fear and regret.
We had nothing to cook now. No dinner!