MTLNOVEL Chapter 106: Chapter 230 - Home
Jay-Jay's POV
My hands ache. I tried to move them, but it only made the pain worse. The doctor said there was nothing wrong—no fracture, no dislocation.
But it still hurts.
It's frustrating! Every time this happens to me, my hands feel like this. Right now, I'm sitting on the living room sofa. We just got home from the hospital.
We—we're all here! Including Aries, The Horoscope. You can find out your destiny.
I glanced at him sitting on the opposite sofa. His head was tilted back, eyes closed. A few band-aids and gauze covered parts of his face. As for me, the only thing I came home with was the bandage on my head.
"…Is that so? Thank you." I heard Tito Julz say to the person he was speaking with on the phone.
Aunt Gema entered the house carrying a few bags—Aries' and mine. Tito looked at her with a troubled expression.
"Why? Did something happen?" Aunt asked.
"They say Angelo hasn't been coming to work. Apparently, he hasn't shown up in days."
I sat up. Not coming in? Seriously? But even with those who did show up, there's still a lot that can be salvaged in the company after Kuya stopped going…
"…I should probably look into it first. Maybe you can call his friends? He hasn't been home for three nights." Tito added.
Aunt suddenly looked worried. It seemed like she didn't know Kuya was doing this.
"A-alright… I'll call his friends," she replied.
She set our bags down and walked toward Tito. After a while, they returned, looking restless, as if they didn't know what to do first. Both of them were holding their phones, talking to someone. When they disappeared from my sight, Mama walked in from the kitchen, holding a glass of juice.
I think I'd like one too!
Mama glanced at me while sipping her juice. Then, she shifted her gaze to Aries and smiled.
"When you sit like that, your resemblance really shows," she said, smiling.
I flinched as Aries suddenly stood up, frowning at me.
"Ew! Do I look like a monkey?" he scoffed before quickly heading to his room.
"What monkey? If you're talking about me, I'm a nice monkey—even though I'm not."
He didn't respond. Aries disappeared from sight. That guy is crazy. Maybe it's the aftereffect of Mykel's beating.
But where is Kuya Angelo?
I didn't visit him at the hospital, but they told me Yuri was there when they rushed me in. I also heard that the former managed to catch the Ulupongs because they let their guard down, thinking we were only on the second floor.
They only realized what was happening when David left without a word. When Felix went upstairs and saw that we weren't there, they started moving.
Honestly, I think it was better that they didn't catch us. It's only fair that the former caught them, even though Ci-N was already beaten. I don't even know how to explain what happens to me when I see or taste blood.
But what exactly is this? Is it an illness or something else?
"Mama…" I called out as she typed on her phone. "…Do you remember anything strange happening to me when I was a child?"
She looked at me curiously. "Strange? Like what?"
I hesitated. "Never mind. Forget it."
She stood up and was about to leave when she suddenly spoke again.
"Is there something wrong? You can tell me," she said with a gentle smile.
I shook my head. I know what she's doing—trying to be nice to me. Isn't she already satisfied with our casual conversations and the fact that I call her 'Mama' with respect? I thought our discussion with Aries made everything clear to her.
"There's nothing. You wouldn't understand anyway."
I first picked up my bag and Aries' bag from the floor. I walked past him and went upstairs. His bag was heavy because he had spent a longer time in the hospital. When I reached his room, I dropped his bag and knocked on the door. My hand tingled, so I held it. The door opened, and my brother faced me with a frown.
"You don't have a brain! You can't even knock properly!" he said, annoyed.
I'm still the brainless one, huh?
"Your bag! You're ugly!" I quickly walked into the room.
I even managed to curse before closing the door. If only I weren't so tired, I would have insulted him even more. Did he really think that was me? I hold the world record for roasting people—I don't just let things slide.
But my words were softened by instinct. I collapsed onto the bed, my mind drifting back to our last conversation with the King of Snakes.
At the same time, I felt a sharp pain in my heart. He hadn't called again. I had already asked Ci for help, but he said he wasn't answering his messages either. He mentioned that he had called once. Roar!
Speaking of calls, I suddenly heard my phone ringing. I got up and saw my school bag on top of the study table. I had left it in the room when I went looking for Ci-N. It seemed like Snake had brought it here. I quickly searched for my phone, but the call had already ended before I could answer.
A missed call from Gagong Baliw.
There were also several text messages from him.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Enjoy your lunch.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: I have adobo and fast food. SCARED!
I was surprised by his message. This was the day Ci-N disappeared. How did he know that my dish looked like that? I scrolled back to check his previous texts.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: The noise of your stepbrother and the child is annoying. I can't sleep.
What?! How did he know that one of my roommates was my stepbrother? I was confused by his words. If he heard the noise, then… that means…
But there was no one else there besides us! No one else! The classrooms were open, so we would have noticed if there were other people—except in one room.
The last room. The one with the pictures.
The memory came rushing back. Someone was there! I had heard the loud sound of a door slamming shut. I was sure it didn't come from the Section E classroom.
Could it have been him?! I quickly checked the rest of his messages.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Don't leave them! They're arguing.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Hey! What's taking you so long?
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Why aren't you replying to my texts?
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Why haven't you replying?
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Did something happen? Why are you in such a hurry?
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: I have to go. I hope you're okay.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Are you hospitalized? What happened?
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Who hurt you?
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Can you please answer my call?
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Mykel Mitchell... I will make him pay.
I froze.
How did he know about that? How did he know Mykel? I sat on the bed, my head spinning in confusion.
This guy was starting to make me nervous. Over the past few weeks, I had noticed a lot of strange things about him—things that matched up with someone I already knew.
But that's impossible! That's not Jejemon!
📝 [ Jejemon" in Filipino refers to a person who excessively uses altered spellings and symbols in their text messages, often characterized by adding unnecessary characters and changing the standard grammar, essentially creating a unique "street language" style often seen as childish or exaggerated; it is considered a subculture in the Philippines, where people who engage in this texting style are called "Jejemons."] 📝
He doesn't even like texting. He wouldn't waste time on something so trivial. I scrolled further, reading the remaining messages. Maybe… my suspicions were right.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: When will you be discharged from the hospital?
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: I would like to visit you, but you have so many guards.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: I hope you reply to at least one of my texts.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: I can't help it! I'm coming to see you!
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: So that's why you weren't replying—you were sleeping. You look so peaceful.
Did he visit me?! I checked the date and time of the messages. It was my third or fourth day in the hospital.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Your mom looks like you—older version of you.
I stood up, covering my mouth with my hand. Was he talking about Mama?! I quickly left my room, calling out for Mama repeatedly. I found her in the kitchen, talking to Aunt Gema.
"What is it?! Why are you calling like that?!" she asked, annoyed.
"Right?! Right?! You were my watchman every night when I was in the hospital?!" I asked frantically.
She raised her eyebrows and nodded. Even Aunt Gema looked surprised by my reaction.
"Did a man visit me?!"
Mama thought for a moment. I knew she stayed awake watching over me at night. And I was sure she never came in the mornings because she was probably sleeping at home.
"I don't think so...," she said.
My shoulders slumped, and I turned to leave. But just as I was about to step away, Mama spoke again.
"…but once. I saw a man walking toward your room. Then when I came back, I saw him leaving your room…"
I turned back to her, waiting for more. I hoped she had seen his face! I needed to know!
"He looked familiar to me. That's why I didn't get a clear look at his face—he was wearing a baseball cap."
Oh, no!
I scratched the back of my neck and sighed before excusing myself. I went back to my room and immediately collapsed onto my bed, burying my face in my pillow.
Who the hell is this crazy guy, Gagong Baliw?!
I grabbed my phone again. I hadn't even finished reading all his messages. I quickly typed out a reply.
To: Gagong Baliw
Message: Hoy! Gagong Baliw!
I didn't have to wait long. He replied immediately.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: I miss you too!
I grimaced and quickly typed another message.
To: Gagong Baliw
Message: You went to the hospital—why didn't you show yourself?
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: I did! You just had your eyes closed. Haha!
I couldn't help but laugh. This guy is so stupid!
To: Gagong Baliw
Message: You're crazy! Since you went there, you should have introduced yourself!
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: You already know me.
I frowned at his response. I don't know him! That's why I've been trying to get him to introduce himself. Stupid!
To: Gagong Baliw
Message: I don't know you! I'm Annoyed!
I tossed my phone aside and suddenly felt my hand tingling again. I rubbed it, hoping to ease the pain. The last time this happened, Yuri gave me a massage, and the pain disappeared in a few days. I grabbed my phone again and started typing a message to Yuri, asking if he could do the same thing for me. Just as I was about to send it, another text from Gagong Baliw popped up.
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Did you and Yuri went for date?
What?! He knows about that too?
To: Gagong Baliw
Message: Please! Why do you even know that?
📩
From: GagongBaliw
Message: Why?! Why did you choose that nerd?
How does he know Yuri? And why is he calling him a nerd? Are they close? I never heard about that.
To: Gagong Baliw
Message: I like this!
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: You never mentioned that your type is a nerd!
Even though he's not in front of me, I can feel his irritation. It's like he's jealous of Yuri.
To: Gagong Baliw
Message: I don't care!
📩
From: Gagong Baliw
Message: Damn it! I'll wait for my chance, and I assure you, you won't look at others anymore.
A chill ran down my spine. I quickly got up from my bed and left my phone behind. I felt like I needed water—I couldn't handle this Gagong Baliw any longer.
I walked to the kitchen. Mama and Aunt Gema were gone. I grabbed a glass of water as planned. While drinking, I absentmindedly stared at the fridge.
I hadn't eaten well since I was in the hospital. Seeing no one around, I opened the fridge and found a tub of Cookies and Cream ice cream. Clapping my hands in excitement, I grabbed it and started eating.
"Delicious! So good!" I mumbled to myself while enjoying it.
As I was eating, I suddenly heard Aunt Gema's voice—she sounded angry. I approached the kitchen door, about to step out, but stopped when I heard Kuya Angelo's voice.
"Mom! Please! I'm tired!" Kuya said, annoyed.
"Are you even thinking?! Just stay home and don't go to work!" Aunt Gema scolded.
"I'm just handling something!"
"And what's that? Are you looking for the people who beat up Aries and Jay-jay?! Just file a case and let the police handle it!"
"The police aren't the solution to everything."
"Angelo!"
"I'm going in tomorrow. I've already found Mykel, so there won't be any more problems."
Mykel?
I wanted to step out and ask Kuya what happened to Mykel, but his next words froze me in place.
"He's in a coma. In a private hospital. Looks like karma finally got him."
Karma really is digital.
I covered my mouth in shock. So someone else took him down? But who? My heart pounded strangely.
Aunt Gema and Kuya talked for a long time, forcing me to stay hidden in the kitchen, eating my ice cream. When I was sure they had left, I finally returned to my room and immediately called Yuri.
["Jay?"] He answered.
"Are you busy?" I asked.
["Not really. Why?"]
"It's Mykel. He's in a private hospital."
["What?! He's still alive?"]
I flinched. "Y-Yeah."
["Good. Because I'm going to kill him."]
Sweetie! Such a snake!
"What are you doing?! Let's go! I want to see him!"
["Do you know which hospital?"]
"Uh… No."
["Tsk... Nice."] He said sarcastically. ["Hold on. I'll call someone."]
Before I could respond, he ended the call. Looks like he'll use his 'connections.' Having money really gives you a lot of power. A few minutes later, I received a text from Yuri.
📩
From: Yuri
Message: I'm on my way. I'll pick you up.
I didn't waste any more time. I got dressed immediately and left the room. I said goodbye to Tita, who greeted me. He didn't want to let me go, but at the same time, I heard Yuri's car horn and received a text from him saying he was already outside.
"You know where to go?" I asked as I got into the car.
"Yes," he answered quickly.
He started the car, and I couldn't help but feel tense. Even though I had nothing to do with what happened to him, I still felt connected to the person responsible for it.
We arrived at a private hospital. The building had six floors, and none of the rooms were air-conditioned. Yuri stopped in the parking lot, and we got out.
"He's in the ICU," he said, motioning for me to walk ahead.
I thought he would take the elevator, but when he saw that it was crowded, he chose to take the stairs instead. I followed without complaint. We stopped on the third floor and approached the nurse's station.
"Where is the ICU?" Yuri asked one of the nurses.
She pointed to a window in the distance, covered by a curtain. A sign clearly stated that unauthorized personnel were not allowed to enter.
Yuri knocked on the door beside it, and a nurse came out to speak with him. After a brief exchange, the curtain was pulled back, revealing Mykel's limp body.
Fucking hell!
It looked like no one had done this to him—his entire body was covered in tubes, IV lines, and bandages. The monitor displaying his heartbeat was the only sign that he was still alive.
His body was wrapped in gauze and bandages, with some areas propped up slightly. Some parts appeared to have undergone surgery, supported by foam instead of gauze. I couldn't stand the sight of him.
It was horrifying.
I turned away, unable to look any longer. Yuri noticed and quickly supported me.
"Do you want to leave?" he asked.
I nodded. He knocked on the ICU door again and thanked the nurse before leading me away.
"Whoever did this wanted to torture Mykel," Yuri said as we walked. "They kept him alive just to prolong the pain."
I looked at him. "If this was just a simple fight, Mykel could have defended himself. He wouldn't have ended up like this."
"Exactly. Whoever did this wanted to make him suffer."
"Do you think more than one person was involved?"
"It's possible… Mykel is a big guy. It wouldn't be easy for just one person to take him down."
That's true. Even I struggled to fight him before. But who were they? THEY!
I narrowed my eyes at Yuri. "Did you have something to do with this?"
He quickly shook his head. "No! We didn't!"
I pointed at him. "You did something similar to Kiko before! How do I know you didn't do this to Mykel?"
Ci-N had said they were looking for Mykel to do the same thing to him.
Yuri stopped walking and looked at me seriously. "It wasn't us, Jay. The One-Hit Rule is an order from Keifer, and he's not here to give commands."
A frown crossed my face. "One-Hit Rule? What's that?"
Yuri sighed, seeming hesitant to explain. "It's what we did to Kiko. A rule we created to ensure that we get our revenge without killing the person. The goal is to make them suffer while keeping them alive."
"W-why am I only hearing about this now?"
"Because he didn't want you to know."
Keifer…
Why didn't they want me to know? Who was I to them? I guess they never really considered me one of them.