CHAPTER 5: JOHN'S HIDDEN TRUTH

Kiesha and John came back after their conversation at the water pump in which Kiesha washed all the fruits which her brother bought at home.

“I’m done brother. Can we go back now?”, asked Kiesha.

“Wait. I just want to ask. How many times did that Matilda girl bullied you.”, asked John.

“Mmm. Since I transferred there. Actually, she doesn’t like poor people. I mean many times already.”, she replied.

“Really? Aside from that, do you know what are other causes why Matilda is badly treating you that way?”, he asked.

“Ahm… There’s one.”, she replied.

“What?”, asked John.

“I mean I was also being accused by her of a third party relationship between her and Justin, her longtime boyfriend.”, she replied.

“What? So, are you involved?”, he asked.

“Actually, no John. Justin was only friendly that’s why. A lot of girls seem get mad at me because Justin was the famous basketball player in school. Aside from that, we have same characteristics. He’s bookish, so do I. But that’s all.”, replied Kiesha.

“But tell me honestly. Do you already like him, don’t you?”, asked John.

“What? Of course not! I am not interested in anybody. To anyone.”, she replied.

Kiesha immediately held the basin full of fruits and went back at their house to prepare lunch.

“Hey Kiesha, wait! I am just Kidding! I’m sorry!”, replied her brother.

“Whatever.”, said Kiesha.

Edmund searched for a gallon of water for his family. While Elizabeth prepared the meals brought by John, Alexa was also cleaning their small house. Kiesha prepared the fruits on the table too. John was sitting on the old stairs while looking at the bright sky. He saw his father carrying a gallon of water and he immediately rushed to help his father until they reached home.

“Oh thanks son.”, said Edmund.

“It’s alright. Let me carry this.”, replied John.

As the father and son arrived home, they smell a very good delicious meal for lunch.

“Mmm.. Smells good. What’s that?”, asked Edmund.

“Hello dear, it’s actually the pack of foods which our son brought for us. What’s this son?”, asked Elizabeth.

“I bought it from McDonald’s fast food.”, replied John.

“Really? I heard it’s one of the famous fast food chains here in the city. I am very thankful John, at least we can try it now. Haha.”, Kiesha replied happily.

“Yes. You’re right.”, said John.

“By the way John, if you don’t mind, what’s really your job? Or let’s just say, do you already have a job now? Can you tell me so that I can also have the job just like yours?”, asked Alexa.

“Oh. Our job is limited to women. Most of our company required men since the job is required mainly for men not women.”, he replied.

“So you mean you have a job now. What’s that about huh? Make sure it’s legal. Or else father might kill you.”, replied Alexa.

“Yes, I really want to know about it brother. What’s your job?”, asked Kiesha.

As John was about to open his mouth to give his explanation, someone on his phone called.

“Oh, I have a call. Wait for a while. I just have to answer this. Just prepare the meal because I am really hungry.”, replied John.

“Where are you going? You can also answer your phone here with us. Should you have to go outside dear?”, said Elizabeth.

“Oh, that’s one of the techniques that most of the men have nowadays for their girlfriend. They don’t want their families to listen to their sweet conversation towards their sweetie pies.”, explained Alexa.

“Oh really sis? Do you think John has a girlfriend now?”, asked Kiesha.

“Don’t know, maybe? But that only if his girlfriend is a sugar mommy.”, replied Alexa.

“What? Eww!”, replied Kiesha.

“Shh. So much with it girls.”, said their father.

“But what if it’s true father? Can’t you noticed it? Everytime we will ask about his job, he can’t even answer it right away. Maybe it’s true that he can already bought what he wants right now because there’s someone behind who helped him. Maybe a girlfriend who is rich or what. I really don’t know. It’s his fault because he was away from here for how many weeks already. I guess it’s a month already.”, replied Alexa.

“Don’t judge immediately dear.”, replied her father.

“Alright as you say so. I’m sorry.”, replied Alexa.

“Okay, everyone. Let’s eat together now. Where’s John? Kiesha call your brother.”, said Elizabeth.

“Alright. I’ll follow him.”, replied Kiesha.

“But he can be seen from here.”, she added.

Even though Kiesha can be able to shout at her brother, she still go outside to follow her brother since it’s already lunch time.

As she went through, she heard something from her brother’s phone call.

“What? Why are you calling?”, said John.

“Well, our boss needs us this time. You can’t skip today.”, said Anton.

“What? But I already told him that I should spent time with my family today since I’m away with them almost a month. I thought there’s no problem with it.”, replied John.

“What’s that brother? Who’s that?”, asked Kiesha.

“Oh, Kiesha, why you’re following me?”, replied John shockingly.

“Okay, bye for now. I’ll text or call you later.”, said John quickly.

“Who’s that?”, asked Kiesha.

“Oh it’s my friend. We have a walk today but I told him that I want to spend time with my family this time. I missed you all.”, replied John.

“Alright. Come on. Mother already called you to join us for the lunch time. We haven’t spend with you to eat together since you’re away from here.”, replied Kiesha.

“Okay, let’s go. I’m hungry.”, he replied as he touched his stomach.

“Mother, we’re here now.”, said Kiesha.

“Who’s calling you at this hour son? We bet here that maybe it’s your girlfriend.”, said Elizabeth.

“A sugar mommy?”, replied Alexa.

“Enough Alexa. I told you that.”, replied Edmund.

“Fine guys. Why are you doubting? Is it because you are shocked the time I gave you these foods and others? So that’s why Alexa you just said sugar mommy because you think I can’t provide you everything?”, explained John.

“See Alexa? Please don’t cause problem in here. Can’t you just be thankful enough because your brother found a way to provide us with these blessings?”, said Elizabeth.

“Sis Alexa. We can’t just let John escape again today or this week. My graduation is fast approaching. Remember?”, said Kiesha.

“By the way, speaking of graduation Kiesha. When is it?”, asked her brother.

“It will be next month from now.”, she replied.

“Really? Well, congratulations ahead.”, he replied.

“Let’s eat now everyone.”, said Elizabeth.

The family ate together and individually unpacked the foods.

“Wow! A fried chicken from McDonald’s. I can’t wait to eat it!”, said Kiesha.

“Are you happy?”, asked John.

“Of course! Especially when this will be paired with ripe mangoes.”, she replied.

“By the way John. I am sorry about what have you heard lately. I didn’t mean to. I am just really wondering about your job because I also want it too.”, said Alexa.

“Alright. I have a part time job in a company. Actually it’s only a part time because I only depending on my boss command. We developed websites online to gain more viewers about video making based from arts.”, he replied.

“Woah… Really? So you mean are you a software specialist right now?”, asked Kiesha.

“Well, sort of. But don’t expect so much money since it’s part time only.”, replied John.

“Why part time?”, asked Alexa.

“Well, it’s very tiresome.”, he replied.

“I am very excited to be with you brother, to all of you on my graduation day. Thank you for all of your support.”, replied Kiesha.

“Welcome dear. Actually, we did not expect that you can really make this far. Yet, reaching high school is very good already. Imagine? Me, your mother, Alexa and John can’t even finish high school. But you, you really worked hard dear. Again, we are so proud of you Kiesha. For all of your achievements.”, replied Edmund.

“Thank you so much father. Before, I envied others because whenever there are events in school like Family Day, their parents showed up. While me, I was busy joining contest even though you’re not around because I wanted to become more independent.”, she replied.

“That’s my sister. That’s why we are very proud of you.”, replied John.

“By the way Kiesha, is it true that Matilda still haven’t apologize to you until this time?”, asked John.

“Yes. But we haven’t meet until now. Maybe on Monday during class.”, said Kiesha.

“Do you want me to slap her or what?”, replied John.

“Oh no. Stop that brother. The issue now is closed already. So please.”, replied Kiesha.

“I think that freak girl will make a way to push you downwards on your career path Kiesha. Just keep an eye on her.”, replied John.

“Thank you for the advice John. I will.”, replied Kiesha.

As the family finished their lunch, Elizabeth went outside to wash the plates. Edmund searched for woods so that it will be used for dinner’s preparation. John get his phone and started to call someone.

“Wait for a while here Kiesha. I just have to contact someone at work.”, said John.

“Why? Where are you going brother?”, asked Kiesha.

“I just have to go outside. I’ll be back.”, replied John.

John grabbed his phone and contacted Anton again.

“Hey, Anton?, Sorry about that. But I can’t make it today. Is it really a rush?”, asked John.

“Of course. Actually our boss was really getting mad at you right now. He said that if you can’t kidnap girls this week, you can’t have your second-hand television and you can’t earn a lot of money for the following months.”, replied Anton.

“What? Are you freaking me out Anton? Then please help me to provide another way just to escape that job for a while. Kiesha’s graduation will be next month already. I can’t skip that day for my sister.”, he replied.

John did not know that Kiesha was behind the wall near the store. She listened everything what her brother have said.

“What’s that they are talking about? And I was included in their conversation.”, whispered Kiesha.

“Okay, please tell boss I’m on my way now.”, replied John.

“Oh. Where is he heading to?”, she whispered.

When she saw her brother coming his way at home, she immediately ran fast until she stumbled on a rock which caused her knee to bleed.

“Ouch!”, she said.

“Oh Kiesha! What happened?”, replied her brother.

“Oh I ran so fast I didn’t noticed a rock was there. See?”, she replied.

“Or maybe because you’re following me. Right?”, he said.

“What? Why should I?”, she replied.

“Oh, your knee is bleeding. Come, I’ll take you home.”, he said.

John took her sister home.

“Mother? Please help Kiesha. Her knee is bleeding.”, yelled John.

“Oh dear, what happened?”, asked Elizabeth.

“Actually, I stumbled on the way.”, replied Kiesha.

“Okay. I’ll find a cotton and a medicine for you just near the street. Wait for me at home.”

“John will you come back?”, asked Elizabeth.

“Yes. Of course.”, replied John.

As John searched for a medicine for the bleeding leg of Kiesha in a store, he noticed a van fast coming on his way.

Someone pulled him hard and wear him a cloth to cover his face so that John can’t see around. He fights back but the person whom he did not know raised his fist and suddenly spunk him at the back of his central spinal chord.

“No! Stop it! Get off with me!”, shouted John.

But he was being framed up and the kidnapper pushed him until he gets inside the van while it was heading its way.

“Move inside!”, said the kidnapper.

“Let me go!!”, screamed John.

“Please! Let me go back to my family!”, cried John.

The kidnapper let him smell an essential oil in order for John to fall asleep as they drove him to the gateway.

In fact, it was late afternoon but no one even noticed it. The place is silent and no people are around that very hot afternoon. An evening came when Edmund arrived home.

“Oh Kiesha, what happened? Why are you lying in there? Please help your mother prepare the dishes.”, said Edmund.

“Oh dear, you came. Actually Kiesha was hit on her knee as she stumbled on a rock this afternoon. But John was supposed to be here since he promised us to bring a cotton and medicine for Kiesha. I wonder where he is right now. Or something might happened at him. Don’t tell me, he was searching for a medicine very far away from the city just to buy the medicine. Look, I bought a medicine myself and left Kiesha here. At least, her knee stops bleeding right now.”, explained Elizabeth.

“Next time Kiesha, please take care of yourself okay? Did you run? Why did you stumble down?”, said Edmund.

“Because I was running that time.”, replied Kiesha.

“I feel I’m getting sick now.”, she added.

“Why did you run? You’re not a kid anymore.”, he replied.

Kiesha did not answer and remained silent. A few moment, her sister Alexa arrived at home.

“Hey everyone! As usual, I brought our bread specialty. Here, take this mother.”, said Alexa.

“Oh Kiesha? What happened?”, she asked.

“I feel sick. I need some rest.”, replied Kiesha.

“Okay.”, said Alexa.

“She’s sick because she stumbled into the rock this afternoon which made her knee bleeds. But her knee stops bleeding now”, replied Elizabeth.

“What? Next time dear, please ensure safety.”, asked Alexa.

“By the way, where is John?”, asked Alexa.

“I don’t know. I only remembered him saying that he will return after he can find a medicine for Kiesha. But until now, he’s gone again.”, replied Elizabeth.

“I saw him calling someone on the phone. But I bet maybe he’s not his friend because the way he talked was so alarming. His voice raised and was about to shout on his phone.”, replied Kiesha.

“Uh. I knew it! That’s why you ran because you don’t want to be caught by John and you accidentally stepped on a rock that’s why you stumbled. Right Kiesha?”, said Alexa.

“Ye-e-s..”, replied Kiesha slowly.

“See? You’re really into gossips huh.”, said Alexa.

“No. I just wondered why John was always contacting on his phone outside.”, replied Kiesha.

It was already evening when the family seated on the floor while Elizabeth was preparing the dinner.