Not Today

Chapter 1

4 years ago

“Uncle Nick was at our house again last night,” my right brow shot up at Derex.

“That’s the fourth time this week,” I said regretfully. He slowly shrugged his head with much disappointment. We both heaved a sigh.

We’re sitting opposite on the bed, waiting for Kim and Ysmael to bring the food. Usually, when the four of us friends wants to unwind, we choose Kim’s place. Here, it’s quiet, serene and her parents were rarely at home, too. 

“I’m sorry,” he broke out. “I’m sorry your father ended up with my father’s business,” there was a hint of sarcasm when he said the word business.

“It’s not your fault my father’s a gambler,” I said, trying to appease him.

“Well,” I glanced at him when he paused. “He’s not just a mere gambler now, is he?”

Right, ’cause he’s selling drugs now as well and your father is his regular buyer, I thought sarcastically.

I rested my head on the headboard and closed my eyes—wanting my worries to die down.

Lately, I find my mother at dawn seated at the dining table, stirring her cup of coffee, and endlessly staring nowhere.

“Why are you up early again?” I’d ask her. She does not respond.

“Father did not sleep the night here then, did he?” slowly she turns her attention at me.

“He’s been gambling a lot lately,” I flinched at what she said. Sometimes I wish mother wasn’t so weak to confront my father of what he’s doing. We both know he’s in a lot more trouble than just gambling. Besides, I wish father didn’t come across his new companions.

He wasn’t a gambler. Truthfully, he did not have any kind of vices. It was basically his friends and their bad influence on him that changed everything.

And now, he set his steps on a tighter rope. One thing led to another, he was ridiculously courting trouble for himself and his family.

I heard the door’s silent creak—breaking my train of thought. Guess I’ll just stuff my mouth with more food than usual then.
---
3 years ago

I saw Derex and Ysmael talking at the garden at the back of our room. I slowly walked to their side, just enough for them to finish—not wanting to eavesdrop, but curious. They seemed serious while talking and their voices in a hushed tone.

Thankfully, Ysmael took the opposite direction. Immediately, I went to Derex. He appears to be in a deep thought. He didn’t even recognize my presence as I stood next to him.

“What was that about?” I inquired. He quickly turned my way, eyes widened in fear.

Realizing it was me, he calmed himself. He drew a heavy, loud breath.

“What was that about?” I tried again. He breathed once more.

“Uncle Luthor’s looking for my father, Cha,” his forehead creased, looking so distressed. “He’s the new local police chief,” my jaw dropped in awe.

Apparently, the new administration’s war on drugs made Derex’s father and mine to lay low. But his father… he’s been hiding and running for months now. Someone tipped the police of Xennon Yeager’s deeds.

So, Ysmael knows what’s going on. I’m slightly grateful no one said about my father. I sighed at my friend’s situation.

“What did he say?” I asked.

“He asked me if I know where father is,” he said.

“Well, do you?” he nodded. He looked at me with such confusion in his eyes. He’s torn.

I fell silent, his situation taking a toll on me.

“Did you tell him?” I asked in terror. He shrugged his head. “What will you do now?” I whispered, going near him, but he did not respond anymore.
---
I ran my way to the house when I heard Kim’s shrilled voice.

“You traitor!” Derex’s voice dominated the whole place with overflowing rage. I ran faster.

I hurriedly came here after Kim called me, but I sensed things were already out of hand.

Derex had a tight grasp on Ysmael’s collar. There was a visible bruise on Ysmael’s cheeks.

Kim and I tried to get in between them, but they won’t budge.

What had caused Derex to be this angry at him? I shrugged my head when a thought came in mind. No, please not that.

Kim yelled when Derex punched Ysmael, her voice pained with sobs.

“You told me he’d be safe!” He threw more punches until Ysmael’s nose was dripping of blood. Kim finally stopped him.

I saw the maids panicking and Manang Elsa attempting to make a call. I went into her direction. “Manang, please don’t,” I asked. “The four of us will sort this out. I promise I’ll tell Uncle Luthor later,” she was hesitant at first, but thankfully she gave in. I came back to my friends after.

“Your father shot three of my uncle’s men and you expect him to be safe?” Ysmael snapped. I only saw Kim shaking her head as she lost grip of Derex. I clenched my fists, realization dawning on me.

“You asked me where he is, told me your Uncle’s gonna spare him if I do,” I shielded Ysmael from Derex’s wrath when he posed to attack yet again. “I had doubts! I knew it was a flight risk, but you’re my friend!”

“You hear that, Ysmael? You’re my friend!”

“You were my friend!” he stopped, his voice breaking with pain and betrayal.

“I held on to your word and- shit!” Derex broke down, kneeling on the floor. Kim went to him and silently wept alongside him. Even Ysmael stared at the ceiling and seemed to fight back his tears.

I looked at my friends intently and felt how devastated they were.

“Rex,” Ysmael bit back his voice, “I’m sorry,” tears escaping from his eyes. Soon, he was silently shaking.

There was a moment of silence after that. I gritted my teeth… could it be?

I saw Derex stand. He looked at his friend’s eyes. “You should be,” then stormed out of the house.

Everyone was too weak to follow him after that.

I followed Kim on the couch.

Shortly, I heard the door slamming. Ysmael was already upstairs.

I waited for Kim to collect herself again before I threw her questions. Still, I wanted to confirm my thoughts.

“What’s happened?” she bit her lips, taking a while to reply.

“Uncle Xennon’s dead,” she said in a muffled voice.

“What?” I asked, not wanting to accept it.
Right then, my anticipation was met with a deafening silence.

I stared at her. I shake my head, not liking the confirmation she gave me. She cried once more.

I don’t want to believe it.

But it was true. Derex’s father, Xennon Yeager, was dead.

It broke out on the national news that night. The media was exceptionally keen on sharing the details of the event.

When I left my gaze on the reporter, I saw mother mirroring the fear in my eyes. We knew there was only a short time left before the cops find out about our secret, and my father did, too.

Seeing the circumstances, father fought for his chance and fled in the night.

When we woke up, he was gone.