Fragments of Us

40: Jema

I will leave my heart at the door
I won't say a word
They've all been said before, you know
So why don't we just play pretend?
Like we're not scared of what's coming next
Or scared of having nothing left

Look, don't get me wrong
I know there is no tomorrow
All I ask is

If this is my last night with you
Hold me like I'm more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
'Cause what if I never love again?

Let this be our lesson in love
Let this be the way we remember us
I don't wanna be cruel or vicious
And I ain't asking for forgiveness
All I ask is

If this is my last night with you
Hold me like I'm more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
'Cause what if I never love again?

I've been drunk singing in karaoke for almost an hour now before Ate Michelle snatched the microphone from me. I thought things would be better, but instead of catching up, I ended up having a heated confrontation with my sister. Partly because I'm jealous of her being with Ella.

"The line's already a kilometer long, darling. We're here if you need someone to talk to."

She said this as she was patting my back, and I cried like a possessed cow.

"The girl I love has a girlfriend. The end."

I blankly said as I stared at them.

"I'm sorry, what?"

They all gathered in front of me because of what I'd just said.

"The girl I love has a girlfriend. Are you all deaf?"

I cried again, but this time, they were just sobs.

"Tell us about this girl."

Alyssa excitedly said.

"Well, I met her in Manila, obviously. Her height's like that of a child in sixth grade, as is her voice. I hooked up with her, but she turned out to be my boss. She even made me stay in her house, and then I followed her here because she left me hanging after I confessed that I loved her, only to find out she's Mafe's girlfriend."

Their jaws literally dropped with what I'd just said. I saw them whispering, and they all burst out of laughter.

"You know what, Alyssa, you should get her home."

Ate Michelle commanded Alyssa.

"Get some sleep, darling. We could talk tomorrow when you're already sober."

She still couldn't contain her laughter.

"I don't want to go back there. Maybe I could just stay here or at your house."

I pleaded with them.

"Don't be so stubborn, Jema. Your family misses you, especially your dad. I'm guessing you already knew what happened to him."

I was a bit puzzled about how Ate Michelle knew about me knowing about my father's condition.

"We're going to talk tomorrow. Cross our hearts; hope to die."

All of them lifted their right arm, swearing to me.

I disappointedly stood up and took Alyssa's hand, and we didn't speak on the way to our house.

Shock was written all over Mafe's face when she saw me on Alyssa's shoulders. She helped us get me in a comfortable position, and I saw Alyssa whispering something to Mafe, which made my sister shake her head and smirk. I don't know what it is, but everyone's acting really weird.

And that's the last thing I remembered before I passed out.