Seventeen

Seventeen
– Daniel King’s POV –
(Ringtone playing)
(Callalily- Stars)
(A picture of you reminds me how the years have gone so lonely–)
I heard my favorite song playing. It made my eyes slowly opened. I carefully sat on my bed, feels like my body is too heavy to move, and squeezed my eyes for a few times. I swivel my head to find where the song came from. I’m sure it’s here somewhere since I never bring my cellphone during school days.
(Ringtone continues)
(I’m saying I love you again
Are you listening? –)
I stared at the drawer of my table, beside the bed. I guess it came from there. I stood and was almost to tremble. My knees don’t have enough strength to support my weight. It feels like numb and lifeless. But I still managed to get there and opened the drawer.
Unknown number was flashing in the screen. It wasn’t really my attitude to answer unknown calls but this one feels different.
I picked my phone and swipe it up and it connected. I put my phone on my ear and waited for someone from the other line to speak.
“King? It’s Hannah.” It’s really her. I recognize the voice. But how did she got my number?
I breath out to compose myself, “Hey, how did you got my number?”
She was silent for a minute, “I got it from Vanessa.”
Yeah, Vanessa had my number for some reasons. She also called me when she needed a help for some lessons and notes.
“Do you have my Science textbook?” She continued when I was left speechless for a few minutes, “I’m currently reviewing right now when I noticed that it wasn’t here.”
“Yeah, I’ll drop by to return it to you.” I answered without thinking and instantly regret it. Damn! I’m grounded.
I heard her soft chuckle. I wanted to see that smile.
“Thanks, King.” Her voice was so soft as it could ever be, “I-I love you.” Her voice was low and sounded like hesitating.
My eyebrows raised and I was speechless. I felt my cheeks burning and I can’t make it sink in my mind.
“What?” I respond without thinking.
“Never mind.” She took it back, “Just… just return my textbook.”
And before I could respond, the other line died. Man… I didn’t even get to say I love her. Is she mad? Or what?
I sighed. And my damn problem now is how to get out of this prison. I told her I’ll be dropping by without thinking that I’m grounded. Why can’t I make my mind work properly every time I’m talking to her? What is wrong with my neutrons and brain cells?
Fine. Since my mother is planning to send me back to California, I’m sneaking. I don’t care if she turned into a dragon.
I quickly removed my former clothes and scan for a white t-shirt and jeans in my closet and a black hoodie. I went to the shoe rock beside the closet and grab the first sneakers that caught my eye.
When I’m prepared, I carefully opened my room and peek first from left to right before going out.
I frowned when I vaguely hear grandpa’s and mom’s voice at the living. They sounded like they were arguing on something. And since my curiosity is stronger than my instincts, I found myself secretly went to the living room, at the end of the hallway, eavesdropping their conversation.
“Do you think Christopher would talk to you after 5 years?” I heard grandpa’s voice.
Grandpa sat on the couch while mom was walking back and forth in front of him and stopped the moment grandpa respond to her. She turned to glare at him.
“Definitely. Considering that his son is coming back to him.” Mom replied in gritted teeth and rolled her eyes.
Grandpa looked down as he exhaled, “I thought your not against of King dating.”
Mom breathed out a heavy sigh, “I’m not. But not Hannah. I don’t want her for King.”
Her words were like dagger that stabbed my heart. I didn’t realize that my sight went blurry. Her words echoed in my head that continued to stab my heart.
Grandpa’s brows furrowed, “Why not? She’s good for him.”
Mom exhaled as she rolled her eyes, “He can’t date her!” Her voice emphasized every word that came out from her mouth as she clenched her jaw, “Now that I know that Hannah is Veronica’s granddaughter.”
I literally turned stone. My heart ceased from beating. My eyes widen as a tear escape from my eyes. My lips were trembling as it parted.
Grandpa slowly stood with eyes almost to come out of his face, “Is it true?”
Mom seems surprise with her own statement that it takes a few minutes for her to respond, “It might be a fact that Hannah is Veronica’s granddaughter…” She paused as she took a deep breath, “But I don’t know if she’s Aunt Veronica Murfin, who was adopted by the Gallego Family in 1959.”
I couldn’t get my mind to absorb it. Everything in me wasn’t functioning, except for my heart that felt like it shattered in to pieces. What is this? I’m in love with someone who is related to me by blood? Is this why I feel uneasy lately?
I felt my tears flooded on my cheeks. It was so surprising that my eyes still had tears to cry. I thought it already ran out after this crying and painful day.
I took a deep breathe. It felt like my chest is tightening and I couldn’t breath. My knees lost it’s strength that my body made a noise as it lean on the wall.
It took me a few minutes to realize that mom and grandpa were staring at me. Obviously, surprised to see me. Mom covered her mouth with her hands as she walked towards me.
Before she could get closer to me, I walked pass by her and went straight to the door.
“King.” She called but I was too drown and deaf to hear her voice. I didn’t even looked at her.
“DANIEL KING!!” She shouted the moment I opened the door, “You are grounded!!”
I wasn’t afraid of her mad voice. I didn’t know where I got the courage to disobey her. I just stepped out of the house and walked away from home.
It was cold and dark outside but it’s not that late. There were still people walking at the streets so it was not that creepy to walk going to Hannah’s house.
– Third Person’s POV –
He rang the doorbell the moment he arrived at their porch. He carefully wiped his wet cheeks so it wouldn’t make them wonder what happen to him. But he still looked unusual because of his s swollen and reddish eyes. He was expecting for her to open the door but to his surprise, Emilia appeared on the door.
“Good evening, Daniel.” Emilia greeted as she eyed him from head to toe.
King forced a smile, “I’m sorry for the disturbance, Aunt Emilia. Is Hannah still awake?”
Emilia nodded though she was hesitating, “Yeah, I think. Come in. I’ll get her.” She opened the door widely and made way for him.
“I’m so sorry for the trouble.” He apologized as he entered the house.
“Don’t mention it.” She replied as she close the door behind, “Please sat on the couch for a moment.”
He just smiled at her and Emilia went to Hannah’s room.
He was slowly walking towards the living room when he saw Veronica sat on the couch while eating chips and watching T. V. . He was hesitant whether he will approached him or not. Or how would he approached her after what he heard from his mother. He was careful with his steps and thoroughly examining Veronica from head to toe.
“Is there something bothering you, dear?” Veronica said to King without removing her eyes from the T. V. .
King thought that she must be talking to someone so he looked around him. But there was no one there except him.
The old woman turned to look at him with a smile, “I was talking to you. Sit here.” She gestured him to sit next to him.
He felt like his body was stiffen as he took small steps towards her. He sat next to her with a gap between the them, while looking down. Avoiding her look at him.
“You look trouble, dear. Have some chips.” She offered as she lightly pushed the bowl of chips towards him and looked back to the movie.
Later on, Hannah appeared and sat next to him while glancing at him and Veronica. But after noticing King’s unusual expression, her eyes was on him. Her eyes were examining his face and gestures. He felt her eyes at him and stoop lower.
“What happened, King?” Hannah’s voice was so gentle.
King lifted his head halfway, enough to have a glimpse of her. She was so worried and it’s hurting her seeing him like that.
‘He can’t date her! Now that I know that Hannah is Veronica’s granddaughter.’
His eyes started to get blurry while he was looking at her when Jenalyn’s words echoed in his head. It felt like he was stab by a thousand knives. His lips were twitching as he looked down, avoiding Hannah’s worried look. He covered his face with his hands as he closed his eyes.
“King. Talk to me.” Her voice was almost to crack as she softly brushed her hand on his back, “What’s wrong?”
“Did you had a fight with my mother?” Veronica suddenly joined in, still eyes at the movie.
Automatically, King removed his hands from his face and turned to look at her with furrowed eyebrows, “How did you know?”
Veronica turned at him and looked at his eyes, “Its in your eyes.”
His lips was parted as he blink. He thought of her mother for a second as he looked down. His mind was so full of emotional thoughts. He don’t know how to understand each of it.
“Don’t ever make your mother cry.” She continued when he was silent for the next minutes, “There’s no more painful than seeing your mother in tears.”
He wasn’t able to answer. He was deeply drowned in his thoughts. Random words from his mother keep on flashing in his mind that keep him absent minded. His mind was shuffling and he couldn’t get his thoughts together.
Even though he was not paying attention, Veronica smiled at him at she stood. Hannah looked at her and their eyes meet.
“I’m going to bed, honey.” She talked to Hannah, “Let your friend stay here for the night. It’s getting late. He can sleep at the guest room.” She started with a smile.
Hannah gladly smiled back at her, “Thanks, grandma.”
Her grandma nodded and she left them at the couch. Her mother wasn’t there either because she already went to bed ahead of them.
When Hannah was sure that her grandma was out of eyeshot, she moved closer to King and wrap her arms around his waist as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Her warm hug brought his senses back. He took a deep breath as he turned his head halfway to her and gently caressed her hand.
“What happened, King? Please talk to me.” She begged, “I can’t stand seeing you in pain.”
With a small smile, he briefly removed her hands around his waist and it made her slightly move backwards. He lean his back on the couch and pulled her closer to him. He placed his arm over her shoulder while her hands were resting on his lap. He held her hand with his free hand and gently squeezed it.
“Just stay this close to me and I’ll be fine.” His voice was hoarse and he wasn’t able to prevent the tear that escape from his eye.
She eyed him but he was looking at the T. V. . She pressed her lips as she placed her hand on his cheek and gently wipe his cheek with her thumb.
He turned to look at her and their eyes meet. He stared at her eyes for a moment and his eyes went down to her lips. He leaned in as he grabbed her nape and he slowly pulled her head closer to him.
Their faces were so close to each other that their noses touch and they could felt each other breaths. He placed his free hand on her cheek and he sniffed. He leaned his forehead against hers as he closed his eyes and breath out. She blinked several times as she felt her eyes getting wet.
“Hey…” Her voice was so low and her lips were trembling.
He swallowed the knot in his throat before he replied, “Mom is planning to send me back to California.”
Her tears suddenly fall on her cheeks as her mouth was hang open. Her lips were trembling as she tried to say something.
But he continued before she could reply, “But I’m not going. I’m not going anywhere.”
‘Call me liar or desperate. But I’m not telling you that we’re related. I love you so bad that I’ll go insane if I lost you. I’ll deal with whatever consequences is coming.’ Back of his mind said to himself.
“P-Please Stay.” She stuttered to make a coherent statement. Her emotions got all the best of her.
He sniffed as he exhaled through his mouth, “I’ll stay with you and only in your heart is where I am going.”