Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 2) English

Aries' POV

Her forehead was red—it looked like my hits had gotten stronger. But despite that, she slept soundly.

Her eyes were swollen from crying. If there's one thing that hasn't changed about her—aside from her stubbornness—it's her tendency to cry.

I couldn't help but smile. Even at a young age, I still remember how to take care of her.

*Flashback*

"Are you!"

"Aries," I corrected.

"Where's Mom?" She asked, looking up at me with her round eyes.

"She's still at work."

She bent down and picked up some stones from the ground. "Oh, it's been a while."

I quickly grabbed her hand and shook it, making her drop the stones. Mama always said that the ground was dirty and could give us worms, so Jay-jay shouldn't touch it.

"That's dirty! Let go!" I shouted at her.

"I was just looking," she muttered.

Just then, I noticed a tricycle stopping across the street. Mama stepped out slowly. I let go of Jay-jay's hand and ran to the gate, greeting her with a smile as I opened it.

"Mommy!" I called out excitedly.

But she didn't respond. She walked past me as if she didn't see me, heading straight for Jay-jay and pulling her into a hug.

"Mommy!" Jay-jay cried out in delight. "Why did you take so long?"

"Did you miss Mama? I was working."

Jay nodded eagerly. Then, Mama looked at me.

"Close the gate and come inside," she said before walking in.

I did as she said and ran after her. She was already unpacking a plastic bag filled with food.

"There's so much food! Look, Ari!" Jay exclaimed.

"Kuya Aries," Mama corrected her. "He's older than you."

Every time Mama came home from work, she always brought food. She said her boss gave it to her. Sometimes, she even brought home toys for Jay-jay and me.

But I preferred it when Mama stayed at home. I wanted us to be together.

One day, Mama came home looking different. There was something red on her face, like a mark near her lips. She looked furious, as if she had been in a fight.

Then, our neighbor, Ate Jamela Mae, arrived. She lived in the house next to ours. Suddenly, they were shouting inside the house, and I didn't understand why.

"Are they fighting?" Jay asked, her voice trembling.

I noticed she was about to cry, so I quickly patted her head.

"No, they're friends. They won't fight," I assured her.

"Really?"

"Yes. I'll check for you," I said, walking towards the house.

At first, I thought they weren't really fighting. Mama was just sitting on the bench in front of the table, and Ate Jamela was sitting across from her. Their voices were just loud.

"That bastard! No wonder he was being so nice—he had a plan all along!" Mama spat angrily. "He even bought groceries! Just because my children have different fathers, does he think he can treat me like that?!"

"You have a point! But why did you hit his head against the wall?!" Ate Jamela asked, clearly frustrated.

Mama pointed at the side of her lips. "That idiot slapped me! Does he think I'm scared of him?!"

Ate Jamela scratched her head roughly. "What about your kids?! Where will they go?!"

"I don't care! I'll just find another job where I can take my daughter with me. I'll send Aries to school."

"And money? How will you pay for school? Buy supplies and uniforms?"

"I still have some money."

"Really? How long will that money last?"

"I don't know!"

"Go home! Introduce your children to your mother!"

"That's not my mother! How many times do I have to say it? I'm my father's illegitimate child! His wife was just kind enough to take me in the family."

"Then why did you leave?!"

"When I got pregnant with Aries, my brothers fought with me. I ran away—it was exhausting!"

"Call Jay-jay's father! Isn't he rich? Didn't he give you the land and house?"

Mama didn't respond. Instead, she suddenly turned towards me, her eyes filled with anger.

"Didn't I tell you to watch over Jay-jay?! Why are you here?! GO OUTSIDE!"

I ran out immediately. I saw Jay-jay playing in the dirt again and hurried over to grab her hands.

"Are they fighting?" She asked again.

I shook my head. "No. They're just talking."

I didn't really understand what they were talking about. But when they mentioned a child outside, did they mean us? Were we the ones outside?

I pushed the thought away and focused on playing with Jay-jay instead. I told her that one day, I would go to school, just like Ate Jamela's son who always left the house saying he was going to school. Maybe I could go too. Maybe I could even take my little sister with me.

"Aries! Aries! Wake up!" Mama shouted.

I opened my eyes, rubbing them sleepily. I saw Mama wrapping Jay-Jay in a blanket.

"We're going to the hospital! Take my bag!" she ordered.

Even though I didn't know what was happening, I obeyed. I grabbed her bag and approached her. She picked up Jay-Jay and walked towards the door, opening it and waiting for me.

"Hurry up!" she shouted.

I ran out of the house, almost reaching the gate when I stopped and looked back at her. She closed the door and nearly ran to the gate. It was dark outside, and the road was empty.

"Jay-Jay, just a minute! We're going to the hospital!" Mama said while trying to flag down a passing vehicle.

I didn't know how long we had been waiting before a tricycle finally passed by. Mama didn't want to take the ride but spoke to the driver instead.

When we arrived at the hospital, a woman in a white uniform spoke to Mama. I didn't understand much of what was going on, but I noticed that Jay-Jay wasn't speaking. She was unconscious and motionless.

"You won't go to school for now," Mama told me.

"Why?"

"Because we don't have any money left. I had to pay the hospital so we could bring Jay-Jay home."

"But I want to go to school!" I insisted.

My friends were going to school, and I wanted to go with them. I wanted to learn how to read and write.

"It's not possible! We have no money!" she shouted at me.

I screamed back, just as loudly. "But I want to go!"

Why not? I wanted to study. I wanted to be with my friends. Suddenly, Mama hit me. I cried from the pain. She struck me again—twice, in quick succession.

"Don't be stubborn! I said no!" she shouted, hitting me again.

Her hand landed on different parts of my body, but she didn't stop.

"Enough! No more! Please, Mama!" I pleaded.

"You fool! Don't you understand? Life is hard! Stop being difficult!" she yelled.

She raised her hand again, but just then, an old woman entered the house. Mama stopped immediately and turned to face her.

"Why are you hurting the child?" the woman asked.

I tried to run to her, but Mama quickly blocked my way.

"I'm just disciplining my son," Mama replied.

They stared at each other for a long time. I didn't know this woman, but I had seen her before. She carried a plastic bag filled with various items. She was Jay-Jay's grandmother. She often visited, bringing us toys and food. Sometimes, she watched over us.

Mama had a new job now. Before, she used to leave at midday and return before dark. But lately, she was gone the whole day, leaving early in the morning and coming back late at night. Sometimes, Jay-Jay and I would fall asleep waiting for her.

Today, Grandma didn't come. Maybe she was busy, or maybe she was too tired. It was a long trip to get here.

"Here!" Jay-Jay suddenly shouted from inside the house.

I ran to her and found her sitting on the floor beside her headless doll. She always pulled its head off.

"It hurts!" She cried, holding her stomach.

I rushed to her and helped her onto the long bench. Remembering what Mama did when we had stomachaches, I looked for the green bottle she always used. It had a strong, unique smell.

I found it in the medicine cabinet, opened it, and tried to apply it like Mama did. Some of it spilled onto the floor, but I ignored it and went back to Jay-Jay, who was still crying.

I lifted her shirt and rubbed the oil on her stomach, but she kept crying. I tried to comfort her, but she wouldn't stop.

"I want Mama!" She sobbed.

"Mama is still at work," I told her.

Her cries grew louder. I didn't know how to calm her until I heard the gate open. I ran to meet Mama, but she looked at me angrily.

"What did you do? Why is Jay-Jay crying?" She pushed past me and went straight to her.

She was about to pick up the green bottle when she accidentally stepped on the spilled oil.

"What is this?!" she shouted.

She crouched down, sniffed the liquid, and immediately searched for the bottle, which was lying behind her.

"Who touched this?"

"I put it on Jay—"

"You idiot! Are you trying to kill her? Don't you have a brain?! Why did you let it spill?"

She put Jay-Jay down and grabbed a rag, wiping the floor furiously.

Grandma muttered under her breath, saying words I didn't understand but sensed were bad. She kept glancing at me.

I knew Mama was going to hit me again.

Sometimes, I felt like everything I did was wrong. And sometimes, I thought she only loved Jay-Jay.

"I'm coming in. The one I bought! Don't leave Jay-Jay," Mama said before walking out the door.

Jay was still asleep and hadn't woken up yet, so Mama couldn't say goodbye to her. I walked over and adjusted her blanket. I was really jealous of her. Mama loves her so much, while I feel like she wants me to disappear.

But it's okay—she's younger than me, so I understand. Babies need more parental love. Grandma told me that.

I looked out the window. It seemed like Grandma wouldn't be coming today. I picked up the toy she had given me and went outside to play near the door.

"Aries!" someone shouted.

I looked around and saw my friends outside the gate. They waved at me.

"Come with us!" they called.

I stood there for a moment, glancing back at the house. Jay was still asleep and wouldn't wake up for a while. Maybe I could come back before she did.

I closed the door and ran out through the gate.

"Let's go to the court!" they said, and I followed.

When we arrived, a group was playing basketball. We decided to watch for a while because it looked fun. They passed the ball back and forth, running across the court. When I grow up, I wanted to play too.

I didn't know how long we had been there, but I noticed that people were starting to leave. That's when I remembered Jay-Jay—I hadn't fed her yet!

I quickly said goodbye to my friends and ran home. When I got there, the gate and door were wide open. A sudden fear gripped me—what if Jay had wandered outside?

"Jay-Jay!" I called out.

As soon as I stepped inside, something struck me. I fell to my knees, crying in pain. When I looked up to see who it was, I saw Mama. She was holding a hanger, her face twisted with anger. She hit me again, and I screamed in pain.

"Mama! That hurts!" I cried.

"I told you not to leave Jay-Jay! You're so stubborn!" she shouted, continuing to hit me.

"Mama, stop!"

"You never listen!"

She didn't stop. She hit me everywhere—even my face.

"You want to be outside so badly? Then go outside!" She grabbed me and shoved me toward the door. "...There! Stay out!"

"No, Mama!" I begged.

"Will you do it again?! You never listen!"

"I won't leave Jay-Jay again!" I sobbed.

She didn't say another word. She threw the hanger inside, grabbed her bag, and left.

I stood up and went back inside.

Jay-Jay was sitting on the floor, eating a piece of bread. I was relieved that Mama hadn't hurt her. Maybe she really does love her more.

Mama had left early today. She had abandoned us again. I didn't want to tell Jay-Jay because she was sick.

Her body was hot, and she seemed weak. I tried to wake her up to eat, but she just kept crying and then fell back asleep.

I was worried. What if she had to go to the hospital again? They always injected her with so many medicines.

"Aries!" someone called from outside.

I turned to see who it was. The gate opened, and someone walked in, carrying a bowl. When they got closer, I recognized her—Ate Jamela.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"I brought food. Let's eat with Jay," she said as she set the bowl down on the table.

"Come on... Wake Jay up."

"She's sick. She has a fever and won't eat."

She immediately went over to Jay-Jay and touched his forehead. "She's burning up. Where's your mom?"

"She went to work."

"She left you like this? Unbelievable." She stood up and went to the drawer where we kept our clothes.

She grabbed a small towel, wet it in the sink, squeezed it, and folded it. Then, she placed it on Jay's forehead.

"I'll check if we have medicine. Eat first," she said before stepping out.

I did as she told me. I ate the food she brought, but I couldn't stop looking at Jay. I wished she could eat too.

Ate Jamela returned with some medicine. She woke Jay-Jay and made her take it. Her sickness always seemed to come back.

Night fell, but Mama still hadn't returned. Ate Jamela even went to check at her workplace, but she wasn't there. Jay-Jay still hadn't gotten any better.

I sat beside her and replaced the towel on her forehead. She opened his eyes and looked at me.

"Is Mama home?" She asked weakly.

"Not yet," I replied. She started crying again.

"Hold on," I whispered.

"I want Mama."

I wanted her too, but she wasn't here. I had no idea where she was.

"She's coming. Let's just wait."

Slowly, she stopped crying.

"I-I'm hungry," she mumbled.

We had no food left. I had finished the last of it that afternoon. At this hour, Mama would usually be here to feed us. But since she wasn't, we had nothing.

"I want to eat," Jay whispered.

I looked around, hoping to find even a piece of bread, but there was nothing. There was only one thing I could do—buy something from outside. I grabbed the few coins on the table. Ate Jamela had left them for me.

"I'm going to buy food. Stay here," I said.

Jay-Jay nodded weakly.

I ran out of the house. There was a food store nearby. The shopkeeper sometimes sold dishes as snacks.

"I want to buy for my sister," I told the shopkeeper.

"What's wrong with you?"

"She is one who is sick," I answered. he laughed.

"Porridge?" he asked.

I didn't know what that was, but I nodded anyway. He quickly picked up a plastic container and poured some in. I handed him the payment before he gave me what I had bought.

I ran back home, but just as I reached the gate, I saw Mama inside the house. I stopped near the door because she was holding a slipper.

She's going to hit me again.

"Where did you go?! Why did you leave Jay-jay alone again?! You're so stubborn!" she shouted and raised her hand to hit me.

I quickly stepped back, which made Mama even angrier.

"You really want to stay outside?! Fine! Sleep there!" she yelled and slammed the door shut.

"Mommy!" I shouted, knocking repeatedly.

"Stay there! You're not coming in!" she screamed from inside.

I had to give Jay-jay her food. I could hear her crying and calling my name.

"Mama! I need to give something to Jay-jay."

"Shut up!"

I stopped knocking and sat down on the floor in front of the door, hugging the food I had bought for Jay-jay.

I didn't want to sleep outside, but I was afraid Mama would hit me again. The last time she did, she even slapped me in the face. It hurt so much.

I rested my head against the doorframe. Mama had turned off all the lights inside and outside the house, leaving everything in complete darkness. I didn't even realize how late it was until the houses around us started turning off their lights too.

Maybe Mama doesn't love me.

Jay-jay was taken to the hospital again. Mama left me with Ate Jamela, saying she couldn't take care of me.

At noon, Mama finally came to pick me up. When we got home, she immediately looked for a bag and started packing clothes. But they were my clothes.

"Where are we going, Mom?" I asked.

"To your grandmother's. You'll stay with her for now," she replied without looking at me.

I didn't say anything. After gathering my clothes, she pulled me out of the house in a hurry, barely locking the door behind her.

She flagged down a tricycle and then a jeep. I wasn't familiar with the route we were taking. I wanted to ask Mama, but I was afraid she might get angry.

As the jeep moved, I kept looking out the window. We were getting farther and farther from home. I had no idea where we were.

"Stop here!" Mama shouted, and the jeepney came to a halt.

She got off, and I followed. We walked a little further and stopped in front of a tall gate—much taller than ours.

I immediately saw Grandma watering the plants.

"Grandma!" I called out, and she turned to us, smiling.

She took the bag Mama was carrying, and they started talking about something I couldn't understand.

"Aries," Mama called, kneeling to my level. "You'll stay here with Grandma for now. I need to take care of Jay-jay."

I nodded. "You'll come back for me when Jay-Jay gets better, right?"

She nodded as well. "Of course! I'll come back for you."

She stood up, spoke to Grandma again, then turned and walked away. I knew she would come back, so I wasn't afraid.

Mama's promise…

I had been staying at Grandma's house for a long time, but Mama still hadn't called me back. I didn't even know if Jay-jay was okay.

"Why is Mama taking so long?" I asked the person next to me, who was reading something.

Grandma said she was my aunt, but we always argued.

"I don't know. Your mother and I aren't exactly close," she replied.

She always answered like that. I was getting tired of her. Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and because we were sitting near the window, her hair flew toward me.

It smelled awful.

"Your hair!" I shouted in annoyance.

"Smell it," she teased.

I got even more irritated and yanked her hair hard. She looked shocked, but her expression quickly darkened. Her fingers pinched my skin with all her strength. I screamed in pain.

"Grandma!" I cried, tears streaming down my face.

"Lara! You made him cry again!" Grandma scolded my aunt.

"Your grandchild is so naughty!" she retorted and walked away.

I was about to complain more when we suddenly heard a car horn outside. I peeked through the window and saw a fancy car parked in front of the gate. My other aunt and uncle rushed out, smiling as if they were excited to see whoever was inside the car.

When the door opened, a beautiful woman stepped out. She looked familiar.

"Aunt, who is that?" I asked the rude aunt beside me.

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" she replied, as usual, with a vague answer.

I never got a straight answer from her. At first, I thought we could get along, but she was always rude to me.

The woman entered the house, holding another child's hand.

"Another pest," I heard aunt muttered under her breath.

"Lara! How are you? You've grown into a fine young woman! How's school?" the woman asked with a bright smile.

"Ask our principal," aunt answered coldly, turning her back and walking to her room.

I was about to follow her when I suddenly realized the woman and the boy beside her were looking at me. I didn't know them, but the boy still smiled.

"Hello," he said, walking up to me. "...How are you? What's your name?"

"A-Aries," I stammered.

"That's Jeana's son," an aunt behind them said.

The woman's expression changed for a brief moment, but she quickly smiled again.

"Why are you so thin?" the boy asked. "...I could probably snap your bones easily."

I didn't understand what he meant.

"Angelo, don't talk like that," the woman scolded.

She turned back to me and smiled warmly. "I'm your Aunt Gema. Your Mama is my sister."