LOVE ACROSS TIME

CHAPTER 3: KILL

JERVIN BRYSON RAMOS POV'S

YEAR 2022

In the journey of life, we often find ourselves at crossroads where our abilities are put to the test. We are faced with challenges that seem insurmountable, tasks that are beyond our capabilities, and situations where we feel out of depth.

It's important to acknowledge that no one is perfect, and we all have our strengths and weaknesses. My pride has always been high, a trait that has often been a double-edged sword. On one hand, it has motivated me to strive for excellence, to push beyond my comfort zone, and to never settle for mediocrity. On the other hand, this high pride has also been a barrier, preventing me from admitting my shortcomings and seeking help when necessary.

Doing things I can't do well is not something to be ashamed of, but rather, it's something to embrace. It's a part of the human experience, a part of our journey of growth and self-improvement. It's a chance to learn, to grow, and to become a better person. So, here's to doing things we can't do well, to embracing our imperfections, and to the continuous journey of self-improvement.

"It's nice to meet you again Mr. Jervin." He said that the pronunciation of my name was wrong.

"It's Jervin not Jevin, Mr. Aran ." I corrected my name before pronouncing his name the 'Aryan' way.

Annoying! Just saying his name makes my head start to heat up. I might blow his nose with the next things he says.

"So what brings you here?"

"Are you silly? Are we going here for nothing?" I looked at him annoyed. I felt like my pain and bruises disappeared every time I saw his big belly, eager to be blown up like a balloon. BWAHAHAHA.

"Just chill, we're taking care of your grandfather." He said before pointing a gun at grandpa's mouth.

"Do you want to see him eat?" He asked annoyingly.

I quickly approached him and grabbed his collar. One of his men quickly approached me and pointed a gun at me. Timothy approached the man and pointed a gun at him.

"The balloon will burst first." I pointed a gun at his stomach in annoyance.

I stuck it to his stomach as if if I moved the button of my gun the bullet would go through his body.

"Just try to shoot my grandfather. The doctors will have a hard time operating on your fat!" I will tease him.

He looked at me annoyed before ordering his men to lower their guns. I grinned.

Tss. He is also afraid of me. Nice!

I lost my smile when he suddenly grabbed my grandfather as he approached him and his men quickly started shooting at us.

"Give us your company in exchange for your grandfather." He said that his grip on grandfather's neck was tighter.

I feel sorry for staring at grandpa. He has many wounds on his face and traces of a blow that he must have gotten a while ago.

"Son, just leave me to them. Put the company first." Grandpa said that made my head even hotter.

Why should I prioritize the company? Grandpa's life is more important! I can't live without him! I can not do it!

"Are you losing your mind? Why should I give you the company?"

"So you won't take your grandfather from me?... What can I do with him huh?!"

"Did I say I won't take my grandfather from you? He's mine! Give him to me!... Only take me."

"Huh? Why should I hire you? Can I get anything from you?" He said annoyed before laughing... He smiled mischievously. "I can hire you to increase sales in our company."

"What? You're going to use me just for your company?"

Every word he uttered was heart-warming!

"What am I supposed to do to you? You're crazy!" He said angrily.

I took a deep breath before signaling Timothy to shoot the enemies. He nodded immediately.

He can't take the company from us, especially grandpa. It's all part of my life. That's important to me.

"Boss, let's go." Timothy whispered to me and fired a series of shots.

I quickly approached grandpa but Mr. Aran was holding him too tightly that's why I tried to grab him even though I was already shooting.

"Give my grandpa!" I insisted.

"Isn't the company more important to you? That's your priority. You won't get anything from your grandfather!" He tried to point the gun at me but I dodged.

"You are the one who will not be blessed in your life, Mr. Aran!" I immediately shot him in the arm.

He was lying on the floor in so much pain that I quickly approached grandpa and checked his condition. He also has bruises on his arm!

"Are you all right, grandpa?" I asked him worriedly.

"Y-yes son, I'm fine. Are you?"

"I-it's fine." I replied, still caressing his face. I never thought I would see grandpa in this situation. More often I see him wearing a business suit while with his business partners and happily drinking.

Shit! I feel like it's breaking my heart and bringing back to me all the bad things I did to my employees in the company that I was able to fire because of a mistake they made.

"Move away!" I didn't immediately notice Timothy scream until I saw him standing in front of us and bullets hitting his body one after another.

F*ck! He put his life in danger! He saved us! s**t!

"Have you run!" He said with difficulty as blood flowed from his mouth.

"T-Timothy!" I approached him but I couldn't see him.

What will I do?!

"Leave me here. You and Grandpa leave now!"

"It's not possible! It's not!"

"Listen to me boss." I came a little closer to him. "You are the best of all. Always think that." He said and gave me a sweet smile.

How does he do that?

How is he able to smile in the difficulty of his current situation?

"You are my cool boss." He gave me a thumbs up before slowly closing his eyes.

I shake him but at this moment he won't wake up!

He left me!

"TIMOTHY!!!" I screamed loudly and hugged him tightly and my tears fell one after another.

Timothy, why did you leave me?!

"T-Timothy, w-wake up. P-please!" I hugged him tighter.

"Get out of here grandpa." I looked at grandfather who was also bleeding.

I approached him and hugged him too.

"I'll take you to the hospital." My voice became more shaky and I was panicking.

I have to take them to the hospital! I need to treat them immediately!

"Go away son. My body can't bear to see you like this."

"But I can't do it anymore, grandpa! We're leaving here together!"

"Son. Please, leave if you want to live."

"What if I don't want to live anymore? Why would I choose to live if you are also going to disappear?"

"Please son, saved our company... Get out of here." He said.

"B-but grandpa..." I don't know if I should follow him.

I don't want to leave him! I can not do it!

"Just leave! Faster!" He ordered and at the same time the guns were fired so I immediately ran away from them.

Shit! What should I do?

I panicked back to the car before speeding it off.

In the hushed solitude of a car cabin, the weight of grief hangs heavy, eclipsing the mundane task of driving. The road ahead blurs as thoughts collide with the reality that, in a fleeting moment, an integral part of life vanished. It's a bewildering dance with time, an unwelcome waltz that spins the mind in a whirlwind of questions.

As the hands grip the steering wheel, each turn of the road becomes a poignant reminder of the swiftness with which life can unravel. The echoes of unanswered questions reverberate within, a haunting refrain that seeks understanding amid the fog of disbelief. How could someone so significant slip away in the blink of an eye? The rhythmic hum of tires on pavement offers no solace, only a relentless reminder of the void left behind.

In the rearview mirror, fragments of memories flicker like distant stars, fading with the passing miles. The rear lights of other vehicles become distant constellations, bearing witness to the solitary journey through the labyrinth of loss. It's a journey where the destination is shrouded in uncertainty, and the road ahead seems interminable.

The quest for answers becomes an intricate maze, navigating through the corridors of the past. Why did they vanish so abruptly? The whispers of regret and guilt become backseat passengers, offering unsolicited commentary on the choices made and the moments missed. The road becomes a metaphorical timeline, every mile a chapter in a story that unfolded too swiftly.

The woman's proclamation, 'Life is unfair,' echoes like a bitter truth, resonating with the ache within. The injustice of losing a cherished presence lingers, a bitter aftertaste that refuses to dissipate. The highway stretches endlessly, mirroring the vast expanse of emotions that surge within.

Yet, amidst the sorrow and the unanswerable questions, there is a subtle acknowledgment that life's unpredictability is an inescapable facet. As the road stretches onward, there's a silent plea for solace and a gradual acceptance that healing is a journey that unfolds one mile at a time. The engine hums, the road unwinds, and the heart, heavy with sorrow, persists in its relentless pursuit of understanding the enigma of loss.

•••

TWO WEEKS LATER...

"Love, eat first." Bianca said softly and brought the spoon with only food to my mouth but I just tilted it so it ended up on the floor.

She is Bianca Ontangco, my girlfriend. We have been in a relationship for almost 1 year but I think she wants to break up with me because she can't be with me anymore and we don't have time for each other anymore. She also doesn't like to message and update me like before.

"Are you here because you feel pity for me?... Just leave."

"Love... I'm here to take care of you."

"Don't fool me Bianca!... If you can't see me in this situation just leave. Don't torture yourself."

"But I'm here to take care of you!"

"Can you just leave? I'm having a harder time if you're here, Bianca!"

"B-but l-love. I'm here to be with you."

"Are you not listening to what I'm saying?"

"L-love..."

"I said go out!" I said, I was angry with her but she didn't seem to care. She didn't even move and just looked at me. "Do what I said, Bianca!"

"B-but love..."

"Dont call me that f*cking call sign, Bianca! Let's break up!"

"L-love? W-why? Did I do something wrong?"

"Nothing! And you did nothing but worry about me! It's like you consider me as your brother and not your boyfriend!"

"But love, I didn't treat you that way! I was just worried about you because I love you."

"What? Are you f*cking love me! Or are you just putting up with me?"

"L-love, it's n-not like that."

"F*ck! How many times do I have to tell you not to call me with that f*cking call sign? Don't you really know how to listen?"

"No love. I m-mean Jervin. Im listening J-jervin." She said but she's not used to calling me by my name.

"So leave!... Now!" I ordered her which she obviously didn't want to do so I just pushed her.

She quickly stood up and left my room in tears.

Annoying!

If she treats me like a child. I think she just treated me like a younger brother. It's not like before how she worries about me. I can't feel the love she gives me. I can't feel it!

That f*cking love won't come to me anymore!

I was annoyed when I looked at the food on the floor.

That girl is still scattered here!

I thrown away things successive that I could handle because of so much irritation. I don't care if it breaks! What else is important in life?... Gone!... My life is worthless! I'm just like broken pieces of life that can be thrown away. There is no point in living! No more!

"S-sir." I stopped breaking things when someone called me from outside the door. She must be my old maid. "Someone is giving this to me, sir but i think that is for you." She said in low voice and slipped a small envelope under the door.

What do I do there?

I continued to break things in the room. I almost destroyed the curtain, air conditioner, light bulb and other items in the room.

I went out from the balcony and poured out all my anger there.

"God! Why did you keep me alive? Why did you let me live? I will be hurt too! It's the same when I'm lost, right? Why did you let me survive in that place? I'm in so much trouble! Why don't you just take me?!" I complained successive while looking at the cloudy sky.

As the recollection of moments spent with Timothy flooded my mind, an involuntary cascade of tears mirrored the profound ache within. Amid the tumult of life's tribulations, Timothy stood as a steadfast companion, a source of solace in the storm. His presence was a sanctuary, a refuge from the relentless currents of adversity.

Grandpa, a venerable figure intertwined with the fabric of my existence, shared the stage in this poignant reflection. In the tapestry of my life, he was a constant, an unwavering presence that transcended time and tribulations. His wisdom echoed through the corridors of my memories, a guiding force that illuminated the darker alleys of my journey.

Timothy's companionship, a balm for the wounds inflicted by life's trials, was a testament to the resilience of human connections. In the face of challenges, he stood beside me, a pillar of support that weathered the storms together. His laughter echoed in the recesses of my mind, a melodic reminder of shared joy that, for a moment, eclipsed the shadows of life's hardships.

Grandpa's involvement in the intricate dance of my professional life added another layer to the tapestry. His unwavering dedication to the family company surpassed even my own, a manifestation of a selfless commitment that extended beyond familial ties. The worry lines etched on his forehead bore witness to nights spent contemplating the fate of the company, a burden he willingly shouldered.

In the mosaic of emotions, gratitude emerged as a poignant thread. Timothy and grandpa, each in their unique ways, infused my life with a richness that transcended material success. Their contributions, whether through shared laughter or the silent sacrifices for the family enterprise, became the warp and weft of my existence.

Yet, within the tapestry of shared moments and familial bonds, a melancholic undertone lingered. The weight of their absence, whether due to physical distance or the inevitable passage of time, cast a shadow over the cherished memories. The tears, unbidden, traced the contours of a love that transcended the limitations of expression.

In the quiet recesses of my heart, the interplay of joy and sorrow unfolded. Timothy's laughter and grandpa's wise counsel reverberated as a symphony of emotions, a poignant melody that encapsulated the ephemerality of human connections. And as the tears continued to fall, they became an unspoken tribute to the indelible mark these two figures left on the canvas of my life.

"Grandpa, Timothy, I miss you." I said while looking at the clouds that were gradually increasing in number. I felt my tears fall so I immediately stopped them.

"I just miss you but don't make me cry like this." I complain.

After a while I decided to go back to my room which was too messy. I still seeing the small envelope by the door so I decided to take it.

I observed it's appearance. It's a small brown in color and has a wedding design. it's like paper in the old days.

Why is it like this?

Whose is this from? It's cheap!

I opened the envelope and there was a white paper inside, so I immediately opened it and read it.

***

My Dearest Grandson, Jervin

As I pen down these words in the quiet of this January midnight, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude that you, my cherished grandson, are able to read this someday. Though the hour is late, the sentiments within are timeless.

Your presence in my life has been a source of immense joy. Despite the circumstances that led you to be in my care without meeting your parents, you have been a beacon of light, a constant presence that has enriched my days. Your resilience and spirit have made you the best grandson in the world, and I am truly blessed to have you as a part of our family.

I want you to know that our family company, a legacy that spans generations, holds a special place in my heart. As you grow and navigate the responsibilities that come with it, I have faith that you will watch over it with the same dedication and commitment that has been a hallmark of our family.

The continuity of our company is not merely a matter of business; it is a legacy for you and for the one you choose to share your life with. I implore you to safeguard its future, to ensure that it thrives and doesn't succumb to the challenges that may come its way.

In matters of the heart, I wish for you to find a love as enduring as the one I have for you. Take care of the one you choose to marry, cherish her as you have been cherished. Love is a delicate thread that weaves the fabric of our lives, and I hope yours is adorned with the warmth and companionship that a loving partnership brings.

I must confess, dear grandson, that a thought has lingered in my mind. It is my earnest desire that you consider marrying on my birthday. In doing so, it not only becomes a celebration of love but also a symbolic gesture to safeguard the future of our family company. I apologize for bringing up such a matter only now, but it rests heavily on my heart.

As the hands of time move forward, I trust you will make decisions guided by love, responsibility, and a deep sense of family legacy. Your journey is a continuation of the stories that have shaped us, and I have utmost confidence in the path you choose.

With all my love,

You're best grandfather, Angelo.

***

The words on the paper caught me off guard. "Getting married?" I mumbled, confusion knitting my brows. The unexpected revelation stirred a mix of surprise and uncertainty. The mere thought of such a significant life event left me in a state of bewilderment. "W-what?" escaped my lips, echoing the whirlwind of emotions that swept through me in that moment.

•••

Written on: July 20, 2023