HEART UNDER CONSTRUCTION

CHAPTER 6: CAPTAIN

DK started a conversation, “Do you mind if I ask you why you take contraceptives?” he asked. Joanna looked at him with a blank stare. She took a scoop of her favorite ice cream and answered, “You said it yourself, I am a conservative woman and as a future health worker, I practice safe s*x”. DK’s eyebrows furrowed, “That’s queer for an eighteen-year-old”.

They both went outside the ice cream parlor they visited. DK glanced at his luxurious wrist watch, “Maybe I’ll spend the remaining hours at home now” he said. Joanna looked up, “Why? Did you feel uncomfortable sleeping in the sofa?” she asked, arms crossed. DK chuckled, “No, it’s just that… my family is getting suspicious of me. I have responsibilities, you know” he replied.

Joanna nodded, “How’s this for a weekend?” she asked. DK smirked, “Feels special. This is the first weekend I spent with you for the whole 24 hours. And… mention what we had last night”. Joanna blushed, “Get home now, classes will start in five hours” she said. The sun isn’t about to rise and school matters everything for the two. “I’ll send you home then I’ll pick you up later again” he said. Joanna replied, “Isn’t that tiring?” she asked. DK sweet talked, “No, everything is worth the travel time when I’m doing it for you” he winked.

Joanna chuckled. DK presented to open the passenger seat’s door and went half inside to pull and buckle the seatbelt. Their faces were close to each other’s. DK smiled viciously and placed a kiss on Joanna’s lips. Joanna smiled, “You got another point, huh?” she jokingly commented. DK replied, “Just so you know, Dior Tiueco here is a sharp shooter”. He wore his sunglasses again and went inside the driver’s seat.

When he safely sent Joanna home, he quickly drove two times his usual driving speed. His phone kept on beeping; his cousin is looking for him in an early morning. He hurriedly went inside the mansion where he’s staying. A familiar car greeted him in their garage. “Just what I’ve thought” he said to himself. When he opened the main door, a tall, tanned and honored man approached him.

“ATTR Dior Tiueco, where did you spend the night?” he asked with authority. He is Maj. Cevino Tiueco – Peredo, his cousin and the moderator of their family’s legacy. This dark side of DK’s life is not known by anyone except for their competitors and his own family. “I spent the night in my classmate’s, we did a school project” he answered and about to go to his room. His cousin added, “And you’re supposed to make me believe that?” he questioned.

DK looked at him, his cousin placed an envelope on the table. “See for yourself” he added. DK looked at him with a death glare and proceeded opening the envelope he presented. He pulled out sheets of paper and saw its contents. “This one’s a big step on my privacy, Major” he said as if he wasn’t affected. Cevino replied, “Your credit card’s purchase history is quite small this month compared the previous months”. DK looked at him, his heart is still beating fast.

“I know where did you put those balances. What are you doing in a flower shop? Buying your classmate a bouquet of flowers for your school project?” he asked sarcastically. DK sighed, “Can you please stop meddling with my life? I’m an adult now for goodness’ sake!” he said and threw out the papers. Cevino replied, “Someday you’ll realize that this ‘meddling’ thing is not for me, but for you. I’m living to your father’s wish before he died”. DK acclaimed with anger, “Don’t you dare bring up Dad in here. I hate this damn legacy so bad that I want to die!” he said and walked out.

He locked his room’s door and looked at the framed picture in the bedside table. He gently touched its glass and whispered, “What’s your wish? Why did you tell him?” he asked the photo of him and his dad. DK was his dad’s favorite out of the three sons. His mother thought that he was a disappointment since he was young. His older brother died because he saved him while their youngest died as an infant because of emergency causes.

He breathed heavily and lied down in his bed. He thought of the legacy. The legacy that doesn’t need his permission. He’s an ATTR and he’s living in an armed family; his room doesn’t look like a normal teenager’s bedroom. Everything’s in a shade of black and he’s used to it. He took off his shirt and went inside his walk-in closet. He faced the wall-mounted mirror in front of him.

He caressed every scar he has. It was the scars he gained from the training in their family’s legacy. They fight, they know how to defend themselves, and they know a lot in combats. He talked to himself, “Maybe next life, I won’t be living like this”. He’s living in a legacy where his family members were preoccupied with pride and victorious achievements to prove that their clan is the greatest. If not for their grandfather’s dignity, they will choose not to do this.

A call popped up in his phone’s screen, “‘Sup Silas?” he initiated. “Make sure to attend the next meeting. Everyone here despises you for your absence” Silas – his cousin on the other line said. He immediately dropped the call and started preparing for school. They say everyone wears a mask until they find the one to remove that mask for them to show their true side. One is DK, who doesn’t want to mask off everything he has but he doesn’t have a choice. He needs to live up to his family’s expectations because if he doesn’t, he’ll lose the comfortable life he has right now.

He drove to Joanna’s place few hours before the class time. He could feel the coldness of his own hands and he doesn’t know what feels wrong that moment. His voice stuttered, “Uhm, w-what made you trust me easily?” he asked out of the blue. Joanna looked at him with a confused stare, “I earned it. You’re consistent in proving it so I think you’re sincere” she answered. “Will you still love me even when I’ll make you see what my life looks?” he asked again. Joanna thought, “Depends on it. But I know, I don’t need to hate you. I mean, I think you’re raised well. I don’t mind seeing your life” she said.

For some reason, Joanna felt unfairness. He saw her place, her body, her everything including some parts of her life yet she on the other hand, doesn’t know anything more about him. She’s learning from DK’s attitude but in that way, she can’t be so sure of how DK is living. When they arrived, the usual setting is still on their routines. DK always helped Joanna with cleaning and both of them proceeds to their classes after.

DK was busy making his plates in the library when Jash threw a pamphlet in front of him. He managed to take a glance at it. “It is a basketball competition to be held at Valentine’s, same day with our school’s foundation day” Jash said. “And what do you want me to do?” he asked directly. Jash sighed, “Come on DK, we’ve been doing this thing since high school. Do you want to be the captain again?” he replied. DK simply asked, “Same team?”. Jash widely smiled, “Yeah. You, me, Ashton, Zachery, and King! Coach Fred will still be the one to manage us” he said. DK nodded; Jash commented, “I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll get our jerseys printed now” he said with excitement. DK just focused on finishing his project.

Lunch came and DK is currently in the gents’ room and started splashing water to his face. He looked at himself in the mirror, water dripping from his skin. He smirked, as if he’s not problematic and cold inside. Joanna is now in the cafeteria waiting for him to come. Just as quickly, his mood changed; it feels like half of his emotions are fake and the other half is conveying.

He held Joanna’s hand and asked, “What do you want to eat? I’ll take you outside” he said with a smile in his face. Joanna swayed their hands, “Anything will do, as long as I’m with you” she replied. “Let’s get going then” he said. They went inside a fast - food chain and started placing their orders. The two sat down and started catching up. DK gently held Joanna’s hand, “I think I can’t send you home this afternoon” he said with a low tone.

“It’s fine. I know you’re busy and I can sense it to your face” she answered. “Really?” DK asked; his motive is to have the basketball practice in the afternoon. He didn’t expect Joanna to be so understanding. “Yes, I’m not holding your time. Just do your priorities and I’ll do mine. We can catch up during free times, right?” she replied. For DK, that is queer; the previous girls he dated would sulk and will wish to be consoled. Joanna is different, she’s understanding and it makes him want her even more.