XXVIII. The other Jess
I went to Jess’ house. I saw her door open.
Jess’: Jess! Jess!! They broke up. We saw that night at the concert. Well meet to—
Her mother looks tired, sad.
Mom: They broke up too. She was torn apart. She never ate since last week. Just water. She never left the house. I tried everything. Please help. Talk her out of this.
I got the food tray in Tita Eril’s hands.
Jess’: Okay.
Jess…
She just stared at me. She was covered in blankets. The room felt like freezing. She was sitted in a tucked position. She seemed like she never had taken a bath for a month.
I turned the aircon off, opened the windows, and cleaned the room without any word.
I sat close to her. I removed her blankets.
Jess’: Come on. You smell filthy. I prepared a bath.
I carried her. She didn’t resist. I removed her clothes. She didn’t move. Or talk.
Jess’: I’m a doctor. Don’t worry. Pure work.
She smiled as I now put on her new clothes. I gave her food just like a baby. She opened her mouth and ate.
Jess’: So you just waited for me to fix you up and act like a nanny? If only you weren’t sick, I’ll wrestle you.
Jess: She left me.
Jess’: People leave each other all the time.
Jess: She’s different.
Jess’: We’re all different.
Jess: I love her.
Jess’: It will be alright. It’ll be over. I’ll find you someone better. Probably a guy—
She smiled.
--Or a girl? Your call.
Jess: She hated you. That’s why you never met even if you asked me a million times about it.
Jess’: Why? Oh, jealousy?
Jess: Yes.
Jess’: Is there something to be jealous abou--?
Jess: …No.
Jess’L She doesn’t deserve you.
Jess: So you got a date?
Jess’: You heard me a while ago?
Jess: Em not deaf.
Jess’: Yeah.
Jess: What time?
Jess’: 6.
Jess: Go now.
Jess’: Not until you finish this bowl of fruits.
She got the bowl and spoon from my hands and started swallowing the foods into her stomach.
Jess: Now go. I’m done.
Jess’: I can’t. I cancelled it.
Jess: Why?
Jess’: I need to take care of you.
She slapped me. Repeatedly. What the! What’s wrong?
Jess: This was the reason why I lost her! All for this game! Now you’ll waste all my efforts! All I have sacrificed.
Then, of course she didn’t forget to kick my groin.
Jess’: Hey!!
I pinned her down. I was on top of her. She looked away.
Jess: Now go.
Jess’: Do you want me to?
Jess: Yes.
Jess’: I want to stay.
Jess: I don’t care.
Jess’: Are we over?
Jess: Yes. This game is done.
Jess’: Can I go here again?
Jess: No business.
Jess’: Still.
Jess: No.
Jess’: As if we never met?
Jess: As if we never met.
Jess’: Can’t you be my best man in the wedding or something?
She smiled. Kicked me in my stomach. Her mom saw it. She was happy for her daughter was back. She pushed me out of her room, her house, out of her life.
