Rebound

11th REBOUND

11th REBOUND

They finished putting their luggage at the back of their cars and said their 'goodbyes' to the Salva's and Mika's mom. Jeron decided to ride along Kiefer and Alyssa back home while Mika, Ara, Gretchen, and Nico were still intact on the other car.

They were halfway their trip when Gretchen's phone suddenly beeped, it was a text message from their mother, Susan Teng.

"Dichi, are you approaching MNL na? Please do drop by at Margie's and buy some ice creams, and some cakes. Invite all of them for dinner! Someone's back!"

The way her Mom's text was constructed gave her the sudden shiver and uneasiness inside. She couldn't explain the feeling that's growing inside her, she just felt really bad.

"What if she's back? Oh no! No! It can't be her! It's not her." Gretchen mumbled to herself. Coldness began rushing and occupied the whole of her body and she started to grow pale.

"Babe? Is there something wrong?" Nico asked her sincerely and held her hand really tight, only to find out that his girl is freezing cold.

"What happened? Who is that? Sinong nag-text sa'yo? Are you okay Babe? Can I help?" Nico asked again, this time, he sounded really concerned.

"Oo nga Dichi, you're so pale. What happened?" Mika asked as well, holding the hand of the now-pale Gretchen Teng.

Gretchen was cut off from her train of thoughts as Nico and Mika interrupted her. She turned to look at them and forced a weak smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's mom, she texted me if we could drop by Margie's and she also invited us to have dinner sa bahay. Are you available?" Gretchen asked them plainly as if nothing happened.

Mika and Ara both nodded weakly as Nico shook his head in frustration, "Paki-sabi na lang kay Tita na hindi ako pwede, may lalakarin pa kasi ako eh." Nico calmly replied.

"Oh sige, basta Babe, let's drop by at Margie's ah, just at the nearest branch, then we'll go straight home. Ako na lang din maghahatid sa kanila Ara at Mika after dinner." Gretchen said thoroughly, her eyes focused on the car's heavy-tinted windows.

Mika and Nico looked at each other and just decided to shrug the topic. They headed towards Margie's and bought their family-favorite Blueberry Cheesecake and some gallons of ice creams.

It took them about fifteen minutes to reach the Tengs' residence. The girls bid goodbye to Nico, as Gretchen just stared blankly at the facade of their house, and heaved a deep breath.

Mika, on the other hand did not miss this as she patted Gretchen lightly on the shoulders and asked, "Ate Gretch are you okay? Kanina ka pa sa car ah. Is there something wrong?"

"I do wish there's nothing wrong Miks. I hope everything's fine." Gretchen plainly replied.

Mika's eyebrows furrowed and snickered out of confusion, "What do you mean Dichi?"

Gretchen looked at her directly in the eye and shook her head. "Never mind Miks. Maybe I was just hallucinating that's all."

"DICHI! I'M GLAD YOU'RE BACK!" Someone shouted from the gazebo and hurried fast to open their house's gate. The guy turned out to be Jeric, excitedly opening the gate and smiled at her widely,

"You missed me, didn't you?" Gretchen asked her younger sibling with a smirk plastered on her face.

"Nah. Just a little, don't be so proud of yourself." Jeric assured her and turned to look at the girls beside Gretchen.

"Hi Girls! It's nice to see you back as well!" Jeric remarked smugly which made the girls chuckle a bit.

"I bet you're thrilled to know who's back. Mom told you about it right?" Jeric asked smugly making Gretchen icy-cold again.

She couldn't explain that weird feeling inside her, a bad one. She's always been optimistic and always tend to look at the brighter side of life but this time, her guts are telling her that there's something wrong about this night, something wrong about the person who's back.

"There's my favorite sibling! Hi Gretch!" A girl came in the scenario making Gretchen and Mika take one step back. She really has changed over the years, she's sexier, and looked fiercer. Those chubby cheeks years ago were gone and that long silky-straight hair which used to be her trademark was replaced with a medium-length bouncy one.

She approached Gretchen with an angelic look plastered on her face, she hugged her softly which caught Gretchen off guard.

She stood frozen and nailed on her position as she watched at her sister blankly. She knew it all along, it was her. The New Yorker, Alyssa Teng.

"Oh ano? Hindi mo ba ako na-miss?" Alysh asked her with a little hint of sarcasm in her voice. Gretchen just nodded at her weakly and forced a smile.

"O-of course I missed you. W-Welcome home Achi." Gretchen replied stammering.

"Oh! Andiyan na pala kayo! Tara na girls, dinner is served!" Susan Teng butted in and approached the five of them. Gretchen ran to her and gave her a peck on the cheek as Ara and Mika did the same. Alysh eyed at Gretchen and Mika as they made their way at the pool side.

Alvin, Jeron, and Almira were already waiting for them as they welcomed each and everyone with a warm hug.

"Alysh, since you're back na, can you please preside the thanksgiving prayer?" Alvin requested at her eldest child as he beamed at her smugly.

"Dating gawi Dad?" Alyssa replied as he let out a faint chuckle and spearheaded the prayer before meals.

"Dear Lord, thank you for all of these. The food and for all the blessings you have bestowed on our family. Thank you for all the achievements of each and everyone of us. Thank you for giving us good health and for the opportunity you have given us to be together again. Words cannot express our sincere thanks and gratitude to you. May you always shower us blessings and help us to tighten our bonds with each other. This we ask through Christ our Lord Amen." Alyssa remarked as she prayed fervently and heaved a deep breath.

"I really missed you guys! Especially you Gretch, long time no see sissy." Alyssa exclaimed and eyed at her sarcastically, tension growing between the two. The Tengs' didn't fail to notice this as they demanded the two to have a seat and started munching on their food.

The family talked about various things trying to catch up with each and everyone's lives.

"Alysh, how's New York naman? How's your company?" Susan asked as Alyssa looked at her and beamed.

"New York is still New York Mom. And the company is doing great. Actually we're competing against Aeropostale and CK na nga in the Top Spot as the most productive and sought clothing apparel in the U.S. eh," Alysh replied smugly, evidently proud about her achievements.

"Actually I recommended Almira to our boss eh, I told her that I'll convince Shobe to work for us after college." Alyssa added as she looked at Almira whose eyes are now sparkling.

"For real Achi? Oh My Gosh! But I'm really still making up my mind whether mag-pro-proceed ba ako or not." Almira beamed weakly catching everyone's attention.

Alyssa smirked at her youngest sister and smirked, "C'mon Shobe, you can take up your masters there. You can work part-time, I know you have brilliant designs." Alyssa exclaimed plainly.

Almira just chuckled at her sister's compliment and held her hand. "Thanks Achi! I'll think of it." Almira assured.

"How 'bout you Jeric? How are you? How's the team going?" Alyssa eyed on Jeric who's quietly munching on his food.

"Eto Achi, gwapo pa rin, masyado na nga akong nahihirapan eh! You know, girls screaming here and there whenever I show up." Jeric exclaimed smugly earning a snicker from everyone.

"Ang hangin naman nitong si Kuya Jeric." Ara exclaimed out of the blue making the Tengs throw their banters on their brother.

"Ikaw talaga Ara! Masyado kang killjoy!" Jeric exclaimed weakly, making the Teng's and Mika throw their taunts on him.

"How 'bout you Gretch? How's our school going?" Alyssa asked shifting her attention to her sister.

Gretchen, still in the state of shock because of Alyssa's query just smiled weakly and composed herself, "Ateneo's great, it's even better." Gretchen said as Alyssa chuckled at her.

"Even better without me? Is that what you're trying to say sissy?" Alyssa asked sarcastically drawing everyone's attention and catching Gretchen off guard.

"No! I didn't mean that Achi. What I mean is, it's even better now--" Gretchen wasn't able to finish what she's saying as Alyssa interrupted her.

"Oh please! Dami mo pang satsat di mo na lang ako diretsuhin!" Alyssa remarked, eyeing on her angrily.

"GIRLS TAMA NA YAN! NASA HARAP TAYO NG MGA PAGKAIN ANO BA KAYO?" Susan shouted as Alyssa just smiled at her knowingly.

"I was just joking Ma. You know naman, na-miss ko 'tong si Chen-chen. We used to be like this right? BEFORE?" Alyssa exclaimed, giving emphasis on the word 'before' as she rolled her eyes over and continued to munch on her food.

"I do wish we can bring back that 'BEFORE' between the both of you." Susan exclaimed plainly as she looked at Alyssa, then to Gretchen. Alysh just chuckled at her Mom's statement as Gretch secretly wiped her tears away.

"How 'bout you Mika? Still desperate of my Shoti?" Alyssa asked, with bitchiness on her tone set at the highest level.

"ACHI PLEASE?" Jeron shouted as Mika just shook her head in total embarrassment.

Susan and Alvin, seemed to have seen enough of their eldest daughter that they stood up and said, "ALYSSA TENG! TO YOUR ROOM! NOW!"

Alyssa, shocked again, just looked at her parents in disgust. "Ma, Pa, hindi na ako bata!" She exclaimed as her father turned crimson-red.

"NOW ALYSSA!" Alvin demanded again as Alyssa stubbornly marched inside the Teng's house. Alvin heaved a deep breath before he settled down and continued to eat again.

"I'm sorry that you have to see that Ara and Mika. Pardon her for her actions, maybe she's just having a little doze of that 'jet lag' thing." Alvin said as their visitors just nodded their heads in response.

The Teng's, Mika, and Ara continued to eat their dinner, but this time, they did it quietly. A few minutes later, they finished eating their food and had some chitchats after. Mika and Ara immediately went up to Gretchen's room while Jeric and Jeron are both having their mini-showdown in 2k14 at their entertainment room.

"Ahia, are you happy that Achi's back?" Jeron asked his Ahia out of the blue, as Jeric paused their game for a while and turned to look at his Shoti in total confusion.

"What the heck is that question Shoti? What do you mean?" Jeric asked as he scratched the back of his neck pleading to be enlightened.

Jeron chuckled at him and shook his head in disbelief, "Ang slow mo talaga Ahia kahit kailan. What I mean is are you really glad that she's back? Don't get me wrong ah, I missed Achi Alysh, but naaawa rin ako kay Dichi eh." Jeron exclaimed plainly, as both of them let out a sigh of total frustration.

"Alam mo, we all know that Dichi's not the outspoken kind of person. And we really don't know what's the reason why she did that to Achi. But we all know as well na there's a valid reason behind her actions. I just don't know Shoti, I'm torn between the both of them. They're both my sisters, I just can't choose between the both of them." Jeric replied solemnly with a sad look plastered on his face.

"Me either," The door of their entertainment room opened, as Almira came in with a tray full of milk and cookies on her hand. Jeric and Jeron, being the gentlemen that they are immediately stood up and offered their sibling a hand.

The three of them squat on the floor as they started munching on their snacks, "It's been three years, Achi Alysh still hasn't moved on." Almira stated as she stared at the two.

"We can't blame her! Fairly speaking guys, Dichi shouldn't have did that to her. It hurts, it really does. Except na lang kung may reason talaga si Dichi." Jeric exclaimed making Jeron punch his shoulder lightly.

"Lalim ng hugot natin dun sa bandang huli ah!" He bantered, as Almira and Jeric stared at him disbelievingly.

"Alam mo kasi Ahia. Basta mahal mo ang isang tao, yun na yun, wala nang rason-rason. Duh!" Almira remarked sarcastically as Jeric just sinckered and ruined his hair.

"No matter what Dichi's explanation is, and no matter what Achi's feeling as of the moment, we really have to fix this." Jeric replied plainly as Almira and Jeron nodded at him enthusiastically in agreement.

"Ahia's right. And you know what, I'm really disappointed with Achi's actions earlier, she's like a spoiled brat or something!" Jeron remarked grumpily, rolling his eyes, much to the amusement of Jeric and Almira.

"She even embarrassed Mika." Jeron added as Jeric high-fived Almira who was giggling earlier due to the vibe that she's currently feeling.

Jeron just looked at the two in confusion, his eyebrows furrowed and his chinky eyes even shrinked more than the usual one, "WHAT? I'M STATING A FACT HERE!" He remarked,trying to back himself up.

Almira and Jeric, both shook their heads in response and unanimously shrugged off the topic. "Ano bang gagawin natin? Do you have any plans?" Almira asked enthusiastically.

"We need Kiefer and Baldo to help as well." Jeron suggested with an ear-to-ear smile plastered on his face. His statement made Almira and Jeric smirk at him again.

"Ito talaga si Shoti! Two timer!" Jeric scoffed.

"Shut up Ahia! We need their help kaya! Hayaan mo na yang si Shoti. We need lots of help to perform my plan." Almira replied smugly.

"YOU HAVE A PLAN ALREADY?" Jeric and Jeron shouted in unison while looking at their youngest sister disbelievingly.

"I know right! I'm brilliant right? But I guess we'll be needing Kuya Nico's help, his permission as well. Baka kasi hindi siya pumayag." Almira stated solemnly, making Jeric and Jeron look at her in awe.

"What's really you're plan Sachi?" Jeron asked Almira, asking to be enlightened.

Almira gave the two some hand signals, indicating them to come closer as she whispered them her 'brilliant' plan.

Jeric and Jeron both looked astounded after hearing what their sister has to say. Jeric scratched the back of his neck in total frustration then turned to Almira, "That's your plan? Isn't it too risky?" Jeric replied.

"I know naman eh. I know na may mapapahamak sa kanila, but I tell you, it will be worth all the risk." Almira countered.

"Kuya Nico won't agree. I'm sure." Jeron remarked.

"He will have to. Whether he like the plan or not, we have to stick to it. It's for Dichi and Achi's welfare after all." Almira replied, making his brothers nod in full agreement.

***

Gretchen decided to go downstairs and help herself to get some water. It's already 9:00 in the evening and after a minute or so, she will have to drive Mika and Ara to their dorm.

She opened the fridge and took a small pitcher filled with icy-cold water. She didn't even notice the footsteps that came rushing in the kitchen.

Alyssa, who was busy brushing her hair came rushing in. She smiled devilishly to herself at the sight of her younger sibling. She decided to go near her which Gretch didn't fail to notice anymore. She saw her little sister's chinky eyes grew wide, taking a single step backward due to astonishment.

Alyssa couldn't help but chuckle at her sister's expense, "Relax sissy! I don't bite." Alyssa exclaimed while looking at Gretchen devilishly.

"What are you doing here Achi?" Gretchen plainly asked in between her rapid heartbeats due to insane palpitations.

"Wala. I just miss this house, and since you're here, can I ask you something if you don't mind?" Alyssa pleaded, this time, sounding really angelic.

Gretchen looked at her sister straight into the eye and just shrugged the certain aura she saw in there. She looked the opposite way and just nodded her head in response, "What is it this time Achi?" Gretchen replied.

"Uhmm, I just wanna know if how's my Shobe's lovelife going. Kumusta na kayo ni Nico?" Alyssa asked with a hint of sarcasm and a tone of bitchiness on her voice.

Gretchen seemed to have sensed the bitchiness on her Achi's voice which literally caught her off guard. She took about three minutes to compose herself and answer her Achi's query with equal bitchiness, "We're great Achi. Four years and counting."

Alyssa chuckled again and looked at her from head to toe. "That's great! Ano? Masarap ba yung 'EX' ko Gretch?" Alyssa asked giving emphasis on the word 'EX'

Gretchen's eyes grew wide even more. She surely didn't see that one coming. She was caught off guard again for the nth time tonight. She just heaved a deep breath and heard a faint chuckle from the one in her side.

"Siguro hindi madaling maging kirida Gretch no? Ang landi-landi mo!" Alyssa exclaimed.

The sudden change of atmosphere in the kitchen was caused by the tension growing between the two. Gretchen bravely faced her sister and countered, "Hindi ako malandi! At wag na wag mo akong tatawaging kirida! Bakit? Mag-asawa na ba kayo?" She remarked.

"Sana! He proposed to me and promised to marry me. Everyone knows what kind of a couple we were. We're in the perfect picture, but there you were, nakisiksik ka!" Alyssa nonchalantly replied.

"I can't believe what I'm hearing right now! You rejected his proposal!" Gretchen refuted.

"Ahh so kaya mo siya nilandi? Ha?"

"Hindi ko siya nilandi! Ikaw ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng nagyari sa inyo. You decided to go to New York and left him. Pinagpalit mo siya sa trabaho mo kasi wala naman talagang mahalaga sa'yo kundi ang career mo!" Gretchen replied, tears started flowing down her chinky eyes.

It was Alyssa's time now to be caught off guard, she just looked blankly at her sister and payed no attention to the tears running down to her beautiful face as well.

"YOU SHOULD'VE SEEN HIM CRY WHEN YOU LEFT! YOU SHOULD'VE SEEN HIM SLOWLY DYING FROM INSIDE! YOU LEFT HIM! PINAASA MO SIYA! HE WAS BROKE, HOPING TO BE FIXED!" Gretchen shouted vociferously.

"And you decided to do the honors Shobe? Do the honors of fixing him?" Alyssa asked, this time, trying to calm herself down.

"I did not decide to the honors Achi. HE DID. He picked me. Pinopormahan niya ako, I tried to push him away but I fell for him. I took the risk of falling in love for the first time, we both took the risk. And that payed off." Gretchen plainly replied.

"If may respeto ka sa pagiging magkapatid natin. Dapat sana hindi mo ginawa 'yon. Ang sabihin mo, ang kati-kati mo! Hindi mo lang talaga napigilan yang HIGAD SA PANTY MO!" Alyssa exclaimed earning a slap from her younger sibling.

"Hindi kami gayan! Hindi katulad ng ibang mag-boyfriend diyan!"

"You didn't made love to each other? Kawawa ka naman pala, halatang hindi ka niya sineryoso." Alyssa replied teasingly.

"It's not necessary to have that thing just to prove you truly love each other. You know what? It's not sex, it's RESPECT. We lasted for three long years dahil nirerespeto namin ang isa't-isa! At hindi yang pinagsasabi mo!" Gretchen refuted.

"AH BASTA MALANDI KA TALAGANG BABAITA KA! MALANDI KA! INAGAW MO ANG BOYFRIEND KO!"  Alyssa replied.

"I ASKED FOR YOUR BLESSING. SINABI KO SA'YONG PINOPORMAHAN AKO NG EX MO! AND YOU SAID THAT WHATEVER MAKES ME HAPPY, YUN YUNG PILIIN KO!" Gretchen reprimanded her.

"MY GOSH GRETCH! YOU REALLY THOUGHT THAT I MEAN THAT? GAYA NANG SABI KO, KUNG MAY RESPETO KA SA BOND NATING DALAWA, HINDI MO YUN GAGAWIN! I CAME BACK PARA BALIKAN SIYA A YEAR AGO, BUT I LEARNED NA KAYO NA PALA! SO I WENT BACK TO NEW YORK. BUT THIS TIME, I'M BACK AGAIN, DETERMINED TO GET WHAT'S MINE IN THE FIRST PLACE!" Alyssa remarked, threatening Gretchen with her unusual villainous voice.

"HINDI MO SIYA PAG-AARI!"

"I HAD HIM FIRST! I LOVED HIM FIRST! AKO ANG TOTOONG NAGMAMAHAL SA KANYA!"

"YOU HAD HIM AT HIS BEST! I HAD HIM AT HIS WORST! YOU WERE THERE WHEN HE'S SMILING, BUT I WAS THERE WHEN HE'S WEEPING! YOU LEFT A SCAR ON HIM, THAT UNBEARABLE PAIN. BUT I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS ABLE TO MEND THAT PAIN YOU LEFT HIM. NGAYON, SABIHIN MO SA'KIN KUNG SINO SA'TING DALAWA ANG TOTOONG NAGMAMAHAL SA KANYA!" Gretchen shouted at the top of her lungs, almost breaking down.

Alyssa just looked at her blankly for a few seconds and was left dumbfounded. Feeling that the fight is over, the Teng sisters looked at their side and saw everyone - Susan, Alvin, Almira, Jeron, Jeric, Mika, and Ara. They didn't noticed that all of them were there in the first place, witnessing the fight between the two. Gretchen and Alyssa both composed themselves and without uttering a single word, the two of them marched back to their own rooms.

***

"Why don't you tell her Paps?" Nico plainly remarked, while reading his favorite novel - Fifty Shades Darker. Kiefer just looked at him confusingly and snickered.

"Tell her what Paps?" Kiefer innocently asked, as Nico throwed his novel at him. "Aray! What's that for?" He added.

"Ang slow mo talaga Paps! What I mean is, tell her the truth." Nico plainly replied, with a familiar smirk, plastered on his face.

"That's not going to be easy Paps. What if she'll think that I'm insane. Ayaw ko naman siyang biglain, I'll just wait for that time na siya na mismo ang makaalala tungkol sa'min." Kiefer replied solemnly as Nico just smirked at him.

"That's not going to be easy as well. Hindi mo naman kasi kailangang diretsuhin eh. Of course you'll wait for that time, but it won't happen if tutunganga ka lang diyan. You better plan and make your move. You have to let her remember everything." Nico replied.

"But how?" Kiefer asked again.

"That's for you to figure out. Wag kang babagal-bagal paps! Baka maunahan ka niya sige ka." 

"Wait! You're not rooting for them? For him?" Kiefer asked their assistan-captain, sounding really shocked.

"Nope! I'm rooting for you. He's still immature pa kasi Paps. He's still a boy, not a man. I've been waiting for that time for him to grow up, pero parang mahirap eh. But anyway, kung kanino siya maligaya dun na lang din ako." Nico plainly replied.

"Obvious namang sa kanya." Kiefer scoffed.

"Sa kanya 'FOR NOW'. But what if mamaya pag sinubukan mo ma-realize niya na mas sasaya siya sa'yo? You'll never succeed if you'll be like everyone else, so scared of trying, scared of being rejected. Just try even if it's too risky, it will be worth the risk." Nico exclaimed as he turned off the lights in their cabin and tried to get some sleep.

Kiefer on the other hand just closed his eyes and thought of his senior's words,

"You'll never succeed if you'll be like everyone else, so scared of trying, scared of being rejected. Just try even if it's too risky, it will be worth the risk."

"You'll never succeed if you'll be like everyone else, so scared of trying, scared of being rejected. Just try even if it's too risky, it will be worth the risk."

"You'll never succeed if you'll be like everyone else, so scared of trying, scared of being rejected. Just try even if it's too risky, it will be worth the risk."

***

Author's Note

Hello Guys! Sorry to keep you waiting and sorry for this chapter, wala na kasi akong idea eh, epekto ata 'to ng ten-day break ko. Sorry for some errors and those words that I used on the Teng sisters' conflict. Please leave some votes and comments, I'd love to hear your thoughts. God Bless!

Twitter: @victoriakleign | Ask.fm/coolspikerrr