Chapter 1: Us (The Beginning)

Chapter 1: Us (The Beginning)

        It was a very exhausting day; I was expecting the same thing as I arrived home, but it was more than that. The whole place was in chaos. A huge number of people for are all over the place, most of them were reporters.

I saw Samantha as soon as I enter the house, I instantly grab her by arm.

“Hey! What’s going on? Bakit ang daming tao sa labas? I ask her. Although I already sensed that something was off.

“ S-si mama…” I couldn’t hear her finished what she was trying to say.

        Everything in my head collapse. My head went blank all of the sudden, I don’t know if I should start crying. I feel so weak, but I cannot bring myself to cry, as my eyes felt dry. I rarely get to talk to her; of all the times she’d approach me. I wish I did talk to her more. I wish I didn’t push her away nor make her feel bad…

FLASH BACK 2 YEARS AGO…

“Jupiter, this is Samantha. Samantha this is your older sister Jupiter” she introduced her, with so much admiration in her eyes.

          I have already forgoten, how beautiful those eyes are whenever it is filled with so much happiness and fondness. It has been so long since I last see it. I was wondering if she knows how I feel, right at that very moment. She’d never once a proper mother to me but I guess she’d become one to someone else. The thing is, it should be painful but surprisingly I can’t even bring myself to hate her. Besides, she got me what I want, a sister.

       I go near the kid and envelop her in my embrace.

“ Welcome home, Samantha...” I told her and give her a weak smile.

“Let’s get along well.” I added, as I patted her shoulder.

      That is when I noticed my father coming from his study room. He’s looking at us, looking at mom with so much dislike. Judging from his gaze, he can’t accept the situation, but he needs to do something to protect our family, even if that means covering the existence of her half-sister…

      Growing up, I only have a few talks with mom. The last time we talk was the time I wish I could say, ‘No!’ confidently. But I guess my mom grow shameless, knowing we only have one choice in this family, and it’s to accept everything in order to survive.

      I was doing my homework, when mom enter the room, so I initially stop from what I was doing. She hugged me. It was unexpected coming from her, It was so sudden I can't bring myself to move. It was the first, for a very long time.

“How’s my baby?” she asks sweetly.

“ Come on mom, it was too late for that… Ang laki ko na para maging baby,” I said resisting her gesture.

       Truth to be told; she was  never that kind of mother to me, we were never in that kind of relationship that it puts me in an awkward situation.

“ That’s right, I didn’t even noticed that you grow up this much. But that doesn’t mean you were no longer my Jupiter," she said as she let out a sigh.

“Was it about Samantha?” I ask directly without looking at her.

       With my back facing her, I continue what I’ am doing while talking to her.

“ Don’t worry she’s doing good herself “I assured her, although there was a slight pinch in my chest.

      It was always about Samantha whenever we talk. She sure asks few things about me. It made me wonder if it makes her know me even the tiniest bit. Their topic always falls with Samantha. Samantha’s first, she comes second. No matter how much I try, I still couldn’t get how her mother manages to be this shameless in front of the daughter she neglected.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” she was about to say.

“You don’t need to be sorry; I’m used to it. I should be thankful instead, my life is a little less miserable now that Samantha’s with me.” I said, ignoring the pain of each word.

      In my head I was screaming ‘I’m not okay!’. I was never okay, but I must be okay because that will make everyone a lot comfortable.

“I didn’t know how I manage to be this shameless” she started.

“Glad, you know that mom.” I smiled blankly as I face her.

“I’m sorry, Pit…” she lowered her face, as she said that. It was so long since she last heard her childhood name from her mouth, the name she used to call her.

“Mom, tama na okay? Okay lang ako. Kami ni Sam, bakit ka ba nagaalala? Iiwan mo ba s’ya? Nag aalala ka ba na baka kapag  nawala ka mag iba ang pagtrato ko sa kanya? Sa tingin mo ba gan'on ako?” I ask her seriously.

“It’s not like that. I was just wondering how I even managed to give birth  to such a reliable daughter like you and a lovable daughter like Samantha, sometimes I just feel like I don’t deserve you both. I-I just love you both. I hope you know that Pit, I hope you’ll keep on looking each other’s back for a very long time. Will you give me a hug? Come here.” She gestures me in her embrace, and I hugged her back as tight as hers.

 END OF FLASHBACK…

      The news of her mother’s death creates a huge stir with the public sentiments. The whole family decided not to prolong grieving, that the funeral took only three days until they finally send her off. Most known people in the business industry offer their condolences to the bereaved. On the other side of the story, there’s so much more than her mother’s death. The fact that her mom was with Samantha’s father during the accident it made the company crumble. It made a huge damage to her father’s reputation that the company is now in the edge of bankruptcy. Everything about their lives is exhausting, but it doubled overnight because of a single tragedy.

“ I can’t believe she was Jupiter’s sister,” she heard.

        They were currently at the University canteen, I was sitting with Achilles, Chase and Samantha.

“Paano nila naitago ‘yon? Grabe! Walang nakahalata na magkapatid pala sila.” Narinig ko na sabi ng boses ng isang babae mula sa likuran n'ya.

“Don’t you think Jupiter was too good to be her sister?” segunda naman ng isa pa.

“Nakakaawa naman s’ya," komentong muli ng nauna.

“Ma’s nakakaawa si Jupiter, ano ka ba? Ever since, Nakita mo ba ang Mom n’ya everytime na awardee s’Ya? Never di ba?” dadgdag ng isa pang boses.

“O’o, pero yung Dad n’ya…” gustong sbaihin ng nagpasimula ng usapang iyon.

        I can hear everyone talking, as if I was never there. Hearing those things makes her food gone bland. She stood up, which brings everyone into silence. Because she wasn’t feeling like herself, she’d decided to create a little space between her and Samantha. She wasn’t hearing good things either that she better off alone for a while.

      She find herself at the back of the University, where they usually hangout. It has a nice view of the buildings and factory, that looks so beautiful at night. Reminiscing those things, she felt someone was watching her.

“Labas na! alam kong nand'yan ka,” I said, as I kick a small rock in front of me.

     It was Achilles she was certain about that. There are no other people who dares to do such thing with her. It was always him.

FLASH BACK…

“Gusto kita!” she heard from behind.

      She was facing the opposite side of the building, enjoying the good wind, when she heard someone said. He’s the guy who’s been following her around recently.

“I would ask you to leave while I’m still being nice,” I told him in a flat tone.

“Okay lang kahit hindi mo ko gusto, basta gusto kita…” he continued. I look at him with his head down.

“I’m afraid, I’m not okay with that,” those were supposed to be a warning, that made him look back at me.

“K-kahit kaibigan lang…” he was too transparent, that I could see his hopeful eyes. I took sigh.

“ I’m not the kind, whom you get to be friend so easy but if you were going to follow me around kagaya ng ginagawa mo ngayon, sige but I'm warning you, do not cross the line.” I told him in a warning tone.

         That is where it all started.

END OF FLASHBACK…

         I can still remember his innocent look. That look, which will make your heart melt. It was still the same look that took my heart away. It was like a game of push and pull, I always felt like I don’t deserve someone as good as him. I was afraid. Too afraid to be selfish. I may look exactly as my mother, but I knew that my father and I are very much alike. I’m afraid I could end up destroying everything that we have.

“Don’t you think it is time for you to stop liking me?” I ask him bluntly.

“B-bakit? It’s not that I’m asking you to like me back,” he explained.

“Don’t you think that could be a good point of why you need to do so, A-chi? You know exactly that I couldn’t like you back…” I didn’t suppress my frustration. I want him to see it.

“… I’m saying this to you in case you didn’t know, I don’t have the time to like someone nor to like you. This is my last advice to you as a friend. Do not pursue something that is impossible, at least meet someone better.” My own words hit me, but I can’t take it back. I turn my back at him.

“How can you say things so easy; you know I like you the entire time,” pain was clearly in his voice, but I keep myself still.

       There’s so much going on inside my head, I can’t afford to get my feelings involve with anything else.

“And I made myself clear to you, that you shouldn’t waste your time with me, because you will never be more than a friend!” I shouted.

“But, you keep on confusing me,” he said, as I calm myself.

“I... I’m sorry for confusing you. I’m sorry I had so much in my head that I can’t even manage myself... let’s drop this conversation, shall we? school is over, you should go home!” I said lastly, then left.

      As she went home, he saw her father and Samantha having a serious conversation. He eventually dismissed Samantha and gestured me to his study room. As I entered the room he went in next. He took a deep sigh as he reaches his desk. I sat in front of him.

“I know you have already known about the company situation, so I will go straight to the point. Be a surrogate mother and save the company,” he boldly says.

“W-what? Isn’t this too much dad? I ask in frustration.

“No! I don’t think it’s too much. I’m not just asking you to do this, you don’t have the choice but to do this. Do you understand what I’m trying to say Jupiter?” he made sure for me to get every word he says.

“A-anong ibig mong sabihin dad?” I ask in confusion.

“Do it! To save your sister and the company.” he said in authorative tone.

“P-pero dad ito lang ba ang paraan? I’m sure mayroon pa naman tayong magagawa para mag survive ang kompanya, but this? Isn’t this too adsurd?” I firmly insisted.

“I’m telling you this in case you didn’t know Jupiter. The moment your mother cheated and bring that child in this house, I was no longer a father to you!” anger was seen in his face.

          His word struck me. I never remember the feeling of having a father and I’m not expecting it now either but still, it pained her. Those same feeling that made her go numb.

“… I’m doing you this proposition not because I feel responsible towards you, but I have to be responsible about myself, why? Because your mother ruined me. This is the least I could do for myself. Besides, you don’t have the right to refused, why? Because if you do, where would you live and that so called sister of yours?” he added in sarcasm.

“This is cruel, you were being unfair dad,” I said helplessly.

“ Unfair? You know what is unfair? It is the fact that I married your mom and have you, and then let her cheat and bring here that kid, so I could protect our family. That is what unfair is.” He said nothingly.

“ Kung proteksyon pala ang tawag mo don, sana tinuloy tuloy mo na! Huwag mong bigyang dahilan ang proteksyon na sinasabi mo dahil kahit kalian hindi ka naging tatay sakin, kahit sino sa inyo ni mama! Anong karapatang mong kontrolin ang buhay ko ngayon?” With that, I received a slap from him. I tasted the blood from my lower lip.

          If he was shocked of what he’d done, it was gone instantly. For the first time in my life, I received a slap from him, of all things. Both him and mom give me something that I would never forget in my whole life.

“You will do it! Or else sa kangkungan pupulutin ang kapatid mo. Hinding- hindi ko kukupkupin ang anak ng kabit ng nanay mo!” With that he stormed out of the room.

             She was left, feeling weak.

           As I walk out the room, I saw Samantha waiting for me. I smiled at her weakly, I get near her and hug her tightly. I want to assure her that everything will be just fine, and she doesn’t need to worry.

“Sam…” I called her name. She hugged me back.

“ You know, I will do anything just to protect you right?” I said as I made an inch distance between us.

“… will you trust me with this? I want to keep my promise with mom. I want to keep you safe no matter what?” I hugged her tight once more the give her an assuring smile before leaving her.

        Entering my room, I don’t think life could be more unfair with me than it is right now. I wonder what did I ever do to deserve this kind of situation or was it because I did not do anything to avoid it either. Would it be different if I refused to be Samantha’s sister? Or if I refuse mom’s request? I embrace myself as I was slowly falling asleep.

       The next morning I decided not to show myself in front of everyone, it will only put Samantha in an awkward position. I watch the three of them from distance. It wasn’t so long but I missed those looks on their face.

        Chase was always the annoying but an honest type of friend. I doubt if there is a thing I could ever hide from him, He knows me basically from head to toe. Samantha on the other hand was the youngest among them. She was the silent yet the lovable type, once you get to know her you will want o to protect her. Those things got me hooked about her, while Achilles has his own way of making you feel bad, and make you realize that you weren’t right all the time. But I’m, someone who’s confident about everything I do. Among the four of them, she’s the person who could be hurt less, because she’s that kind of person.

       After seeing them for a while, I decided to went home. I enter his study room, he initially looks up to me as went in.

“ I will do it” I said flatly.

“Good to hear your decision, you will have to do it anyway…” he said as his eyes lighten up.

“The process of artificial insemination will take place in two weeks time, make sure not to do anything stupid until then,” he warned her.

“Just like you said, wala naman akong choice. I assumed doing something stupid won’t do me any good, so I guess we're all settled. I will leave now Mr. Seo.” I formally dismissed myself and didn’t let him speak a word.

      I took a deep breath as I found my way out. There is no turning back now.