The Jerk is a Ghost

15

My adviser pitied me. She actually offered me to be adopted by her. Since she and her husband are childless, I would be glad to but I would not because of Flor Rhina, who that time needs me and my care. "Are you gay?"

He slapped my hand and loudly said, "No! No-!!!!"

"Sshhh!" I quickly covered her mouth with my hand. "Hey! Don't be so loud! My mom and dad might hear you downstairs!"

He tried to shout again but before that could happen we heard the c***k of footsteps from the person approaching the door.

"Maxine, son?" mama's voice turned me to the door.

"Are you still awake?" and conversing without 'plasticity', as usual. Now, I could say that we might be best of friends again. I just hope she feels the same way.

Shit! What to do? There's a guy in my room!

Once he finds out Christian is here, we'll probably book! He will also know that I know something.

Just as I was about to face his direction, wind suddenly passed by and when I look at him, he vanished.

"Huh?" Before my brain could analyze what was happening the door opened behind me.

"Oh? What are you doing there?"

I pretended to pick up a fallen item and stood up. "W-nothing. I have something under the bed that I can't get."

"Eh, open that. It's late, you can't see that thing when it's dark."

"Mm," I smiled and we both sat on the bed.

"Levina isn't here right now. He slept over at his classmate's house for a group project," he said.

I was suddenly taken aback by what he revealed. By the way, I almost forgot about Levina. He has been avoiding me for a few days, I don't know the reason but I feel like he doesn't want to see me. He only talks to me when needed.

"I know that," I said. I heard him earlier, with his classmates they said goodbye to dad.

Even mama noticed my brother's strange behavior but he didn't speak. She patted my head.

"I'm just worried you might get bored here alone."

I smiled. I'm always bored. I'm used to it. I wish I could have told him. "I'm okay ma. I can do a lot here at home."

I secretly went home. I get even more bored just thinking about those things.

"I know. You're just doing it to mislead yourself," he held my hand then sighed. "I'm sorry if you're mad at me for not letting you go out alone." I have made an art piece. It's made from 'baging'. It is a multi-purpose artwork. It could be a 'patungan ng mga kaldero' kawali' and it would be an adornment because it looks like a house. For sure, it will gain appreciations from appreciative people who has an eye for aesthetics and art. I saw Rodea. Her arrival was unexpected. Thus, I called her. She replied 'Wala pa akong pambayad sa'yo." Actually, I was not asking for payment. I was just startled by her presence. Thus, when Flor Rhina arrived home, I took the opportunity to go downhill (at their house). I want to talk to her. Her life is interesting for me.

There, I have told her about Flor's act of pushing Untang to Christian. She partially was shocked.

Then, we went uphill.

Here, we conversed. I enjoyed her presence, frankly. I don't know why. But the truth was I pity her. I want to be a role model to her or I want to affect her life. Despite of what had happened to us years ago, she's still my closest cousin.

Minutes ago, d**k-d**k and his 'mag-ina' were called out by Rodea. They were going to Banawe. I've learned that d**k, who has been the reason of April-and-I' clash before loves plants. He asked me potted yellow tops. Thus I gave him. I've also learned that the yellow tops, April asked me yesterday was indeed given to him. It gladdens me. It's nice to know that I'm not the only man who loves garden plants or gardening. He has also an eye for aesthetics.

Rodea enticed him to buy soft drinks. Then without hesitation, he gives P50 for Dea's request and enticement.

He's not just a plant 'appreciative', he's also an 'uto-uto'. He was just told by Dea that I praised him. I told Rodea beforehand that April is lucky to have her husband.

It's a queer truth. But it's true.

I then realized that I have forgiven April, d**k-d**k and Helena totally. I want to bring back pour usual frank and sincere relationships. I hate 'plasticity', because it is immaturity.

Then, Rodea and I continued talking. We had a nice conversation. We laugh most of the moments. After listening to her problems, grievances and resolutions, I opened up mine. Then, I have made her laugh unintentionally when I unleashed my secret--- one of my secrets.

I related her how I became strong in problems. "In my high school days I have been so" cryingful "(lakrimoso). When I was in second year, I cried in front of my classmates when my adviser asked me why I was absent for consecutive days. I was crying while telling the reason. The reason? It's because of Papa, who had been an irresponsible father. Every time we or I go home at lunch break or 12 noon, there was no cooked rice and viand at all. Thus, we have to do it by ourselves within one hour break considering the distance we were walking through our school which is located uphill. He's always drunk. "

Oh, right. He thought maybe I was annoyed with them because they didn’t want to tell me the truth behind the ban on me going out alone.

But now that I know, there is no reason to be angry. I smiled again. "Don't worry ma. I'm not angry."

I could see his hesitation in my words so I held his hand to assure him everything was okay.

I believe in you ma. And papa too. You're just doing this to protect me.

"I'll wait for you, ma. Until you're ready to tell me everything."

I will also have to prepare myself. yet married. But she already proposed to me. Am I lucky, Father Uriel ?. I'm the happiest when she said those words to me "Ethan said with a smile.

Uri's eyes darkened even more and he went in front of Ethan. I'm going to say that Ronnalyn should take me away suddenly.

"Stay here sis. Let those boys talk first" Ronnalyn said to me. She looks like she's enjoying the show.

"What trip boyf ...." I said annoyed but it just covered my mouth.

"Shhh! Quiet first" Ronnalyn scolded me before removing her hand from my mouth.

We turned our gaze back to the two bad looking men now.

I'm scared of what Uri might do to Ethan especially and he seems to be teasing it even more.

Ronnalyn and I were both shocked by what happened next.

Uri's stares were deadly when he ..

When he ...

When he ..

When he hugged Ethan.

Uri is hugging Ethan right now !!!!

"Your trip Father ?. Let me go. Am I your trip now? My girlfriend might be jealous of you!" annoyed Ethan said as he let go of Uri's tight hug.

Uri tightened his grip on her even more. And even though it was loose, Uri still hugged it back, something that made people around laugh. So Ethan shouted for help.

"Hon! Babe! Help me! Help! Go away you fcker!" Ethan calls Ronnalyn and me and tries to drive Uri away.

I would have come closer to take it away, it's also hard for him to say. Maybe he's just looking for the right chance to tell you ... "

Math just sighed afterward. He looked for beer again, then he started drinking the meat again. "Annoying ... Cancer again ..."

That made me remember. His mother died because of cancer too when we were kids. The same day as his mother's funeral was the day I was sent to Manila ... I don't even have any idea how he coped up with his loses ...

This might also be the reason why he's so affected to hear this news from my Uncle.

"Do you still remember? When the dog used to chase you in the province then? Your Mommy beat you then, didn't she?" I change the subject.

He suddenly laughed because of that. "It's been a long time! But ... yes. Every time I remember, I still laugh ... Mama is just like that. But even so, we were always taken to the playground before, do you remember? Then, he will buy us an afternoon snack every time we sleep ... "

"Yeah. Those are the days ..." I can't help but to smile sadly.

"I hope it's like that again, nuh? It seems like there's no problem? What could have happened?" then he laughed at her question.

"We grew up. That's what happened." I emptied my beer can, and reached for another one. he gave me a smile as if he's longing for someone ... I smiled back at him, then gave him a rub on his shoulder . "W-Why is that, Ellen? All of them, leaving me ...?" he cried after saying that.

Yup. It's already drunk.

"I don't know either ... But you're still lucky."

He looks at me because of what I said. "Why?"

"You're fine, you're with your Mommy. And at least, even for a moment, you felt like you had a mother. As for me? She died without even seeing me walk ... or talk ... or do anything. "

"B-But isn't Uncle steve is still alive ...?"

I can't help but to sneer. "Very much so. But where is he now? Where was he before? Where has he been my whole life ...?"

"You know, Ellen. You're drunk ..." Math said to me laughing suddenly.

"The thickness of your face. You almost ran out when I took out the beer!" I go back to him.

"Hahahaha! Did I finish everything? It's just a joke. You don't seem to be drunk yet! It's hard to knock you out with a drink!" "Hah! You have no idea." I'm still bragging. Wait, should I brag about that?

Math drank the remaining beer he was holding. He smiled at me next as his eyes widened. "Raiah, go ahead, baby."

I sat on a chair here in the cafeteria and then I looked at the man who had been scratching.

"Shut up, Matt. Stop me." I said then I focused my attention on the food in front of me.

Instead of stopping me, he sat in front of me and smiled. I rolled my eyes. That annoying fucker is here

"Just a date, Raiah. Promise, just a date."

I rolled my eyes at him again, "How many times can I tell you I can't? And how many times can I tell you I have a boyfriend?"

He just laughed at what I said, "Here we go again, Raiah, eh. You always say that to me when I invite you on a date. How many times? How many years? Four years? Tangina, Raiah. Four You've been saying that line for years. Isn't there anyone else? It's boring. And then in those four years, I haven't seen a man with whom you say boyfriend. "

At the length of what Mathew said, only one entered my brain. The 'four years'. It's almost now sinking into my brain that it's been almost four years since Khalid and I separated. Ever since he went to Moscow. We never met in those four years. He said that maybe when he came home, he might not think of coming back. So Valentine’s, Birthday’s, Christmas and New year we don’t get along with each other on those special days.

But even so, we still do not stop communicating with each other. There hasn’t been a day that we haven’t talked to each other. And from then until now, I still love him dearly. I love him even more now.

Who said long distance relationship doesn't work? No. For me it works. Because of that, it only strengthened my relationship with Khalid. Because of that, we have more trust in each other. But of course, jealousy still doesn’t go away sometimes even when we’re far away.

I can't deny that I miss him. And I really want to say the keyword that he always asks me for. But I thought it was only a year. It's only been a year and I'll see him again. I will hug and kiss him again as we want.

Right now, other than waiting for his call every day, I have nothing to do but study especially since my last year of college. Yes, I was in college last year and so was Khalid so I was even more excited because next year we will see each other again.

Let's go back to the man in front of me. He is Mathew. He was also the one who freshly shaved me when I enrolled. He has been teasing me for a few years and my bad luck and we are still taking the same course. We are also in the same block so I was unlucky.

I don't know if I will be grateful and happy because he always followed me. It's like he's a dog that always has a tail on me. they are because I should be Uri's hug !! But he's still ahead! Lechugas naman.

I couldn't get rid of Ronnalyn's hold on me. When I looked at it it was still laughing with laughter as the video captures Ethan visiting Uri.

"Do you want me to hug you g*go!" Annoyed Ethan said to Uri.

Uri removed his hug from Ethan, and placed his hands on Ethan's shoulders.

"Love your enemies" Uri said seriously here.

We saw Ringo laughing and even happier with the two men.

"What ???" Ethan asked confused.

Uri didn't answer and let go of Ethan. While Ringo was still laughing and then Ethan answered.

"Love your enemies, brother." Ringo answers here.

Suddenly the three of them became silent and looked at each other and it was as if an angel had passed by in silence.

Uri and Ethan looked at each other seriously again and fought the look.

After a few seconds of looking, the three of them burst out laughing.

Ronnalyn and I looked at each other confused.

"I know?" I answered here and shrugged.

We turned our gaze back to Ethan, Ringo and Uri who were now hugging the three and laughing.

"Knock Dimple! Easy. They look good. Tall and handsome people hugging. Easy!" Joana commanded tremblingly.

Pocholo, on the other hand, easily approached the three men who were holding on to him.

"Get out of there Pocholo !! Get out of the view!" Dimple yelled at it.

Pocholo didn't listen and really joined the three. Now they walked away together. While we girls just followed them.

"Cool !!" Joana said as we stared at the men walking ahead.

"So Nice !!" Said Dimple.

"Something good is bound to happen" Ronnalyn said.

I smiled at what he said. I hope so.

Then i smile while looking at Uri's side profile while talking to the boys. Then answered Ronnalyn.

"Yes sis. Im claiming it. When? I dont know. Hopefully soon. Very soon,"