#COMM

Chapter 32

I had been going crazy missing Jasper, but with what was happening, I think it was best that he was still resting sa hospital. I didn't want him doing anything stupid dahil sa Justin na 'to—but I couldn't promising not doing anything stupid myself! Asshole niya talaga! Nakaya niya pang pumunta dito despite everything he did!

Some people, ang kakapal talaga ng mukha!

I angrily marched downstairs, and there, I saw Justin... without a single scratch on his stupid face habang si Jasper pwede ng maging kakambal ni Barney!

Upon seeing me, a smile appeared on his stupid face. I wanted to sucker-punch him, but I stopped myself because Mom's just beside me. But my fist? It was ready to give someone a well-deserved bloody nose.

"I'll leave you two, and prepare some snacks," my Mom said with a smile. If only she knew what a horrible person this guy was, I doubt if she'd even let him pass our gates.

When my Mom was out of earshot, I punched Justin's shoulder.

"Fucki—" Justin shouted, his face red and contorted in pain. I didn't know if it was his left or right shoulder, but I took a shot and punched his right one. I remembered Aspen telling me that Jasper shot Justin... and God, this wasn't enough to make him pay for what he did to Nico and Jasper! I wanted so badly to wring his neck, and make him disappear from my life!

Justin's face was still red. He stood up, and glared at me. "You—"

"Get out of my house," I cut him off.

A grin appeared on his face. "Make me, princess," he said in a mocking tone. He glanced at his shoulder, and we both saw a red spot slowly appearing. He clicked his tongue, and looked at me. "I guess you need to get me a new shirt."

"Ang kapal talaga ng mukha mo."

"We can play this game, princess. You want your parents to know how your boyfriend shot me?" he asked, and then my nose fumed from anger. "Thought so. Apparently, they're not aware that you're dating your bodyguard," he said, and then took a step closer. There was that freaking grin that I so badly wanted to wipe. "You're not a good girl like what they're saying... secretly fucking your guard..."

I looked at him, my body shaking with anger. He looked fucking pleased with himself.

"So, where are we with the shirt?" he asked with a smile.

I begrudgingly stood up, at nagulat ako nung tumayo rin siya. "What are you doing?"

"I'm coming with you."

My mouth parted. "No."

"Want me to talk to your mom?"

I bit my tongue so hard to stop myself from cursing him. Nagsimula na akong maglakad. Pumasok ako sa kwarto ni Saint para kumuha ng damit. I threw it at his face at saka nagmadali na lumabas sa kwarto. I couldn't bear to be in the same room as him. My chest tightens in anger.

So, I was there, standing up habang hinihintay siya na matapos magbihis. But as I was waiting, my phone vibrated, and I saw Jasper calling. I immediately answered it.

"Are you okay?" I worriedly asked.

"Yeah..." he answered. I felt myself slowly relaxing at the sound of his voice. Siya lang talaga 'yung nakakagawa nang ganito sa akin. I didn't even know when did he start to have such a control over me.

"Good. I'll try to go there kapag umalis si Mama later," I told him. Sandali ko pa lang siyang hindi nakikita, pero sobrang namimiss ko na siya. Kahit naman kapag magkasama kami, hindi naman kami nag-uusap masyado kasi tamad magsalita si Jasper. Ewan ko. When it comes to him, suddenly, silence has its own comforting meaning.

"Does your body hurt pa—"

"Thanks for the shirt."

Oh, shit. Did he really need to almost shout that?!

"Who's that?" Jasper asked.

"Psalm."

"That's not your brother," he said with finality.

I was looking at Justin, glaring, while he was smugly smiling. Why did he find such delight in ruining my life?! Ano bang ginawa ko sa kanya? I just met him!

"It's... Justin," I said, sighing.

I thought Jasper would get mad, but instead, he said, "I'll talk to him."

"No," I instantly said. My jaw was clenching. I badly wanted to remove my slipper and throw it at Justin's face. "He's leaving na rin. I promise I'll do nothing stupid... Okay?"

I knew Jasper wasn't contented with my answer, but it's not like he could do anything. He's still at the hospital. But I was trying my best not to be some damsel in distress. I knew I was at least capable to fend for myself.

"Boyfriend?" Justin asked as soon as I ended the call.

"Yes. So please. Stop lying to my mom. Nililigawan mo ako? Please lang."

The side of his lips rose. "Why not?" he asked. "We're more compatible than that loser boyfriend of yours."

My lips parted. Saan niya nakukuha 'yung lakas ng loob?!

"I'd rather date a dog than date you," I said through gritted teeth. "Now, if you're done, you can leave."

Justin stared at me for quite a few seconds bago nagsimulang gumalaw. He was already leaving, but I was still feeling unwell. It was as if the mere fact that he's around me was enough to disturb me.

"See you later," he said.

"See you never," I replied.

As he went downstairs, I patiently stood there and watched him leave. But even before he could go out, nakita ko na sandali pa niyang kinausap si Mama. God! Why was he doing all this trouble?! I was sure he lived a perfectly disturbed life bago pa man niya ako makilala! Why was he disturbing mine, too?

Nang sigurado na ako na nakaalis na si Justin, at saka lang ako bumaba. I went to the kitchen, and got myself a glass of water. I was about to go back to my room, when I bumped into Kellan.

"I thought you're with Nico?" I asked.

"Nakabalik na kami, Ma'am," he replied.

"Akala ko three days pa kayo?" I asked. The last time I talked to their doctor, kailangan pa yata ng few days observation. I failed to catch the exact details, but I was more than willing to oblige. I just wanted both Nico and Jasper safe.

Kellan shrugged, but I knew the reason already.

"I promise I won't go anywhere habang wala pa si Jasper," I reiterated. I definitely had no plans of stepping outside. I also didn't want my parents to know about what happened. Who knew what the repercussions would be?

"E, Ma'am..." Kellan said and scratched his nape.

I was about to answer when I turned around, and saw Mama talking on the phone. Apparently, she's gonna go somewhere. When she's out of sight, I immediately told Kellan na we'd go sa hospital.

"Ma'am—"

"Please?" I pleaded. "I need to see Jasper."

Do you know that kind of feeling? That you just have the need to see someone... That the mere sight of him is enough to pacify your whole system. Iyon kasi 'yung meron ako kapag nakikita ko si Jasper. And ever since I learned about what he did for Nico?

Parang mas nahulog lang ako.

Because if he could sacrifice that much for a friend, he's definitely someone worth fighting for.

"Okay, Ma'am, pero kaming dalawa lang ni Nico nandito. Si Sir Evan, kasama ni Sir Jasper."

I nodded at him. "Okay. What do you need me to do?"

"Sino po ba pinaka-tahimik sa kapatid mo?"

"Ha?"

"Kailangan namin ng backup, Ma'am. Sino sa kapatid mo 'yung hindi magsusumbong, Ma'am?"

And because of that, I went upstairs and called Cohen. Apparently, he out with our brothers, but I had to beg him to come home. Good thing Cohen's a really nice kid. He didn't even ask me why. Sabi niya lang, he's on his way na agad.

"Thank you!" I said upon seeing him. I hugged him, and he just stood there. "Tara na," I told Kellan. Nandyan na sa labas sila Kevin.

"Sama si Cohen, Ma'am," Kellan said.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What? No. I want Cohen out of this mess," I said, firmly standing on my ground. It was bad enough na nadamay sila Addie sa gulo na 'to, hindi ako papayag na masama si Cohen sa gulo na 'to. He's just a kid. He didn't deserve an inch of this mess I was sadly a part of.

Kakabalik lang ni Cohen from the kitchen with his tumbler of water. Parang napansin niya na naka-tingin kami both ni Kellan sa kanya kaya napatingin din siya sa amin.

"Bakit po?" he asked. Tignan mo! He's really just a kid! Kellan would have to fight me bago niya isali si Cohen dito!

I shook my head, and smiled. "Nothing. Just stay here sa house muna, ha? I'll just borrow your guards."

Cohen nodded, but didn't ask any questions. He had always been like this. Never asking questions, just doing what's asked of him. Sometimes it was nice, but most of the time, I wished he'd stop acting like we're out to get him if he makes a mistake. He's allowed to make mistakes. We'll always forgive him because we love him. I hope he knows that.

Sabay kami ni Cohen na umakyat, but before he got inside his room, he called my name.

"Yes?" I asked, smiling at him.

"Take care," he simply said.

"Of course," I said, winking at him. Dumiretso ako sa kwarto at saka nagpalit ng damit. I managed to do everything in five minutes. How? Beats me, too. All I knew was that I needed to see Jasper asap.

Inside the car, Nico was the one sitting beside me. Kellan's at the seat behind me. Si Kevin sa driver's seat, then si Andrew sa shotgun. They're all well-trained, but I still felt safer when it's Jasper who's beside me.

"You didn't need to come," I told Nico. His face was okay na. Sabi naman ni Kellan, okay na si Nico kasi si Jasper naman talaga 'yung nasaktan. I didn't even know kung gaano katagal bago mawawala 'yung bruises sa mukha ni Jasper... I didn't even know kung gaano katagal before my parents start asking questions.

"Okay lang po, Ma'am," Nico replied, genuinely smiling. "Para kay Sir Jasper naman."

Pagdating namin sa hospital, pinagsuot na naman nila ako ng cap at saka shades. Feeling ko nga mas pinagtitinginan ako dahil sa getup ko na 'to, e. But I had no energy to argue with them kaya pumayag na lang ako.

Naunang maglakad si Kellan kasi sinabayan ko si Nico. He was limping, and I was trying my best na 'wag mainis kasi naaalala ko na naman si Justin! Nico was still obviously hurt, but he's not saying anything. It pissed me more.

Bigla akong napahinto when I bumped onto Kellan's back. Natanggal iyong cap sa impact nung paghinto. He suddenly just halted kasi.

"What—" I asked tapos napansin ko na the door opened. A lady just about my age came out, and looked at me. She was staring—more like glaring. Kumunot ang noo ko. What did I do? Ngayon ko lang siya nakita! Seriously, people should stop doing this! Na hindi naman nila ako kilala pero galit na agad sila sa akin!

"Cza," Evan said, naka-sunod dun sa babae. "Let's go."

Hindi pa gumalaw 'yung Cza at saka tinignan lang ako. I stared back at her. Ano bang problema niya?

"Jasper's inside," Evan said to me, instead. His eyes were pleading na 'wag na akong tumitig pabalik. I sighed. I was in no mood to argue with anyone, but he better explain to me kung ano ang problema nung kasama niya.

I didn't say anything, and just proceeded inside. There, I saw Jasper who looked pissed as hell. He looked like he had just finished arguing with someone. Seriously, sino ba 'yung babae na 'yun?

"Hey," I said. Bigla na siyang napatingin sa akin. I was about to ask him who the lady was, but he attacked me with his question.

"Why was he with you?" he asked, kunut-noo.

Lumapit ako sa kanya, and kissed his cheek. I carefully hugged him, and laid my head against his shoulder. I needed to do this first kasi if not, mainit ulo ko. I might rant. And I didn't want that. Jasper needed to rest, I didn't want to give him more problems.

"I don't know... Nagulat lang ako sabi ni Mama nasa baba daw siya," I said, comfortably caressing his arm with my hand.

"I need Kellan and Nico with you all the time," he said.

"About that..." sabi niya. Umayos ako ng upo at saka tumingin sa kanya. "Do you think it's better if I go on a vacation?" I thought it would be the best for everyone. It would give Jasper time to heal... tapos pwede ring umuwi muna si Nico sa family niya.

"You'll leave me for a month again?" sabi niya na parang may pagtatampo sa boses. Hindi ko napigilan na mapa-ngiti. Siguro, first time ko lang na ngumiti talaga pagkatapos nung nangyari...

I wrinkled my nose. "Cute mo," I said. "I think lang naman na it'll be best for everyone. I mean, I can't stay at the house for a month. Mom will ask questions," I explained. "And you definitely can't show your Barney face sa bahay."

Although his bruises were medyo yellow na. I figured it was a sign na it's healing na? But still. He looked like kakagaling niya lang sa brawl.

"So, you're going to leave..." he said with an obvious sad tone.

I looked at him, and carefully cupped his face. "What's more important is that I'm coming back. For you."

* * *

I stayed with Jasper until I received a text from Cohen saying na pauwi na raw si Mama, so I definitely needed to go home na.

"I gotta go," I said, kissing his cheek. Siguro, three weeks, and he'd be good as brand new.

Aalis na sana ako, pero ayaw bitawan ni Jasper 'yung kamay ko. Bigla akong natawa. "Didn't know being injured can make you clingy," I said, still laughing. I still wasn't used to Jasper being all over me. Siguro because we started na ako 'yung sobrang kulit sa kanya? Tapos biglang siya 'yung ganito bigla sa akin.

"See me before you go," he commanded. Bossy talaga.

"You need not tell me, First Lieutenant," I said, and then leaned in and kissed him again sa cheek. May cut pa kasi 'yung sa gilid ng lips niya. Nakakainis talaga 'yang Justin na 'yan.

After that, dumiretso na kami sa bahay. Pagdating, dumiretso agad ako sa loob. Good thing Mom was in a relatively good mood. Umupo ako sa tabi niya.

"Mom..." I said. She looked at me. I was about to tell her about my plan na pumunta muna kung saan mang bansa. I just needed to be out of the country para hindi mapansin iyong kay Jasper. I didn't care about Justin just yet. Si Jasper muna ang priority ko.

But before I could say anything, Mom stood up. I froze.

"Ma," Mom said, and then kissed Abuela's cheek. My heart started beating. It was never a good thing kapag nasa bahay si Abuela! Para siyang bearer of bad news!

"Siobhan?" Abuela asked. I stood up, and kissed her cheek. I was sure I was slightly shaking.

"Did... I do something wrong?" I asked, because that's what usually brought her to see me. Either I did something wrong. Or one of my brothers.

"Silly girl," she said, waving her hand. "Come. Sit," she said, and then tapped the space beside her. I looked at Mom for help, but she just shrugged, like she had no idea, too. What was happening?!

"Care to explain this?" Abuela asked, and then laid down pictures of Jasper and me.